Is there an enemy camp ahead of that you want to check out? If the demilich [insert deity here] fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. In this list, I rank polymorph forms based off overall utility and combat in 5e. My picks are Death Knight and Adult Red Dragon. This will include the Polymorph 5e beast list, as most of the beasts appear at a higher CR than the regular animals. But maybe Im overlooking something. I have used this spell extensively as a player, but I have come across it even more as a DM. Tribality Publishing takes our best received content and ideas and develops books. Scout ahead. Holy Cow! The only way to shut down a bat scout is to both use Darkness and Silence to deafen them. Lets go to our Player Handbook, and we are going to flip to page 266. The targets gear does gain any benefit from their equipment in their new form, nor can they use items. Normally, a concentration spell means that the moment you cast another spell, the spell ends. With an Intelligence score of 7, theyre probably smarter than most Barbarians out there. Polymorph gets more versatile for free as you add new monster books. Polymorph Beasts Familiars Warlock Familiars Below is a list of accepted polymorph options. *Note: I also didnt include forms used to disable a creature like a slug or a housefly, unless they benefit you or your party. Similar to scouting, Polymorph is great for spying. The new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the targets (or the targets level, if it doesnt have a challenge rating). It can cripple enemies, turn the caster or an ally into a ferocious beast, or provide you with utility options which are difficult to replicate without relying on numerous other spells at once. -Bat: A fantastic scout that has a decent fly speed, is small, and has blindsight. Polymorph changes you (or your target) into a beast shape. The polymorph spell clearly states: ".the form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target's (or the target's level, if it doesn't have a challenge rating)" . Theres a wide selection of beasts with different abilities, so Polymorph can be used in very interesting ways for exploration and roleplay. Then I wouldn't change a thing. The challenge rating has got to be equal to or less than the creature that the target is. Going up in the CR you get to creatures with some mediocre utility and generally considered a weak combat form, some notables though are: -Giant Owl: Basically like the owl but giant. The idea here is to Polymorph the bad guy into a rat or some other tiny beast, and then pick them up and throw them to their death. It's suspected that this spell is why there are so few beasts in this edition. The following classes have Polymorph on their spell list: The following subclasses get Polymorph for free: Polymorph replaces a target creatures game statistics with the statistics of a beast, including all ability scores and hit points. Other DMs might find a different solution for this problem. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'5eguide_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_6',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-5eguide_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');If need be, a giant elk can fight with an enemy thanks to its 10-foot range Ram Attack. Components: V, S, M (a drop of mercury, a dollop of gum arabic, and a wisp of smoke) Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour. Tail. An unwilling creature must make a Wisdom saving throw to avoid the effect. They should also remember the gist of any plans they made pre-transformation and have basically the same goals. So dont expect a bat scout to tell the party, in detail, what was seen or heard. You probably wont be using this form in combat. If you want to further study the spells to expand your knowledge, you can learn more through this Reddit link. Dont consider combat forms from CR 0; there are better options available the moment you get Polymorph. Shapechange is an ability to assume the form of any other creature as long as they are not a construct or undead. The spell has no effect on a shapechanger or a creature with 0 . Turn into an owl and fly out of that bad situation. So a rat wont remember a lot of details, while the owl will. If it reverts as a result of dropping to 0 hit points, any excess damage carries over to its normal form. d100. Polymorph - One of the most hated spells by Dungeon Masters. My reasoning is that if a player can turn into any beast (even ones they have no idea exist), then whats to stop them from turning into an even more powerful beast that they also have no idea exists? Expect updates periodically as additional sourcebooks are published. ADVERTISE ON TRIBALITY The transformation lasts for the duration, or until the target drops to 0 hit points or dies. Happy playing! Transforms a visible creature within sixty feet. or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 17). If the players can weaponize it then they would understand that the same could happen to them. Casting Time: 1 Action. Of course, rocks need to be around to use this ability. tunnel? Besides that, it has a range of 50 feet. Note that the spell has no effect on a shapechanger or a creature with 0 hit points. They do come in handy because they can burrow. Which makes them helpful in combat. Like the rat, bats have a horrible Intelligence score. Polymorph has to be one of the most well-known spells in the whole world of DnD. "So unless you have a Dimension Door & Nondetection in your pocket, probably not worth trying. Giant apes throwing rocks sound incredibly boring until you find out it has a range of 50 feet. Lots to consider! While the spell is a bit unclear about this, you will lose your racial threats and only have the powers of the beast you are switched into. There just is no reason to ever pick vulture over the giant owl. It will also cover common Polymorph rules questions and provide tips for DMs running the spell. Giant Elks move as fast as any horse with a speed of 6-8 mph, and is Huge in size. Medium humanoid, neutral. Here are the options for Polymorph in the 5e. Before we begin the list, it is important to know that the creatures in the list are divided by their CR, as such we will have a category for each creature and their respective combat rating. The spell has no effect on a shapechanger or a creature with 0 hit points. The new form of the target cannot have a challenge rating that exceeds the targets challenge rating (or character level). They have an INT score of 7. RPGBOTis unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. I made sure to cover most broad terrain on this list so Ive included aquatic, aerial, and burrowing creatures. I wanted to turn our rogue into a corpse crab, but they don't count now. - Polymorph, Wild Shape, Beast Companions. All thats left is to go out there and employ it in your stories. For this spell, you are going to need a Caterpillar cocoon. Spy on people. He also manages a dnd/fantasy Instagram fan page (@thyriankingdom). So instead of listing off any possibilities, Ill just advise the reader to discuss the ability with the DM beforehand, as what the DM allows is what the game rules will be. School: 4th-level transmutation. Giant Badgers arent impressive in a lot of fronts. Out of curiosity the spell details says any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than now does this mean exclusively the beast section of the monsters list or would something like a Chimera, Roc, etc. Flying Snakes have short-ranged Blindsight, but have the benefit of having Flyby if they need to get in and out of combat quickly to protect their puny 5 hit points. This is the same conclusion that I came to, though I have yet to decide the precise rolls involved. I made a 5"diameter steel tube (1/2" walls), turned the troll into a rat, stuffed it in, and ended the spell. A beast is, for example, the Giant Ape or a Giant Bat. Great grapple bite that can easily win fights against single opponents. But later that night he did PSI calculations based on my specs and determined that anything under 2.5 tons wouldn't burst the tube and would squeeze out as a paste. Here are a few ways to use Polymorph in DnD 5e: Use it as a disable. If you buy something we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. If it reverts as a result of dropping to 0 hit points, any excess damage carries over to its normal form. The targets transformation is also not restricted by just beasts. Like lower CRs, CR 1/4 is too weak for combat forms. If you are capable, Polymorph is a spell that every caster should have in their arsenal. :-D. Roll. However, if it is unwilling, it must make a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC; if it succeeds, Polymorph has no effect. The target can only perform the actions that the beast performs and cant speak, cast spells, or take any action requiring hands. You may also want to read the Shapechange and True Polymorph spell descriptions, but understand Polymorph is more important since it is more limited, and once you grasp Polymorph you should be able to apply that knowledge to other spells. Its a given that it can breathe underwater. Which allows them to fit a good amount of people (or goods) on their back. I dont think I have seen a campaign where there wasnt a monster, player, or NPC that used polymorph at some point. This article will go into more detail about maximizing Polymorph's potential. You can get into simulacrum shenanigans with true polymorph as well. Its debatable if this or the regular owl is better though. It allows you to transform a creature within range into another creature. Because of them being so common, most creatures who spot a rat wont think twice on whether theyre being spied on. Transforming yourself with Polymorph isnt going to drop your concentration or bypass the need for concentration. The spell has no effect on a shapechanger or a creature with 0 hit points. It retains its alignment and personality. The best option for this is a rat (bad speed, weak attack), or an aquatic creature that has no on-land movement speed. A Tyrannosaurus Rexs bite not only does a good amount of damage, but grapples and restrains any creature it lands on thats small or medium sized. The weretiger can use its action to polymorph into a tiger-humanoid hybrid or into a tiger, or back into its true form, which is humanoid. The Folio: Neo-Retro Gaming Modules for 5th Edition, Elemental Evil: Princes of the Apocalypse, As one of the simple classes in 13th Age, the Barbarian probably wouldn't be more than a paragraph of discussion. The targets gear melds into the new form. So if you wanted to change something into a dragon, I have to disappoint you as they are classified as dragons. The big problem with a Giant Shark polymorph transformation is that it is really niche. Answer: There are no abilities that will carry over. But theyre not great at combat and are pretty slow. If you are a DM like me, you will have to plan for players using this spell. Rules provided by Wizards of the Coast under the Open Game License. Turn the big-bad into a tiny creature, pop them in a cage, and bring them back to collect your reward. Armor Class 13 (natural armor) Almost any other polymorphed creature can do their job better. Another downside is that echolocation can be noisy. It is fun, it throws a wrench into the plans of your dungeon master, and it gives a very welcome change of pace. DnD Lounge is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. This creature is thebest option for scouting. Sure there are rules that everyone must abide by, but if the DM decides to adopt new rules, or change the existing ones. It is more than deserving of having its own in-depth Polymorph 5e DnD guide that explains what it is and what kind of creative situations it is useful in. Dungeons & Dragons, D&D, their respective logos, and all Wizards titles and characters are property of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the U.S.A. and other countries. Sounds weirdSo what character class uses polymorph? Bard They have a decent fly speed and wont stick out like a sore thumb in many locations. For example, a vampire is not a beast, nor is a ghoul. Still, if given the chance, transform into a Tyrannosaurus Rex at least once. Unfortunately, thats unlikely to change unless WotC gets really into more dire whatevers since the Tyrannosaurus is generally considered the biggest, chompiest dinosaur. A rat only has one hit point to absorb the damage before it reverts, and if you throw it from high enough, the remainder of that 20d6 bludgeoning fall damage should be enough to finish (or seriously weaken) most enemies. 5e SRD:Polymorph. The spell book is a critical matter here as a class feature since the wizard's ability to cast spells is bound to the spell book. While holding it, you can use an Action to expend 1 of its Charges to cast the Polymorph spell (save DC 15) from it. Is this possible? Control But have to wait till level 8, or have an ally at level 8+. Before you read this guide, read the Polymorph spell description on the 5e SRD. Turn into a non-descript pigeon or city bird, alight on your marks window sill, and listen to all the secret conversations or read all the secret memos without fear of being identified. Hit Points 136 (13d12 + 52) The T-rex deals some massive damage and has a devastating multi-attack that will cause a lot of opponents serious trouble. True Polymorph didn't exist before 5th edition and is an odd combination of Polymorph Any Object and Shapechange that has the notable distinction of being permanent if you can concentrate on it for the full hour. Fun content on everything pop culture. Publishing!! I cant WAIT! Whenever you ask a well-seasoned character, they will tell you that Polymorph is one of the bestif not the bestspells in the fifth edition of Dungeons&Dragons. Choose one creature with at least 1 hit point or nonmagical object that you can see within range. Polymorph is a fairly straightforward spell to run, but there are certainly a number of tricky situations for a DM to handle. Other options: Drow matron mother, archmage, archdruid, balor, pit fiend, marilith (you'd need to equip some weaponry, and have fun with the summoner variant of the last few if your DM allows). So lets say, if youre fighting another wizard that changed into a TRex and he bites you. How to Make a Ranged Spell Attack in DnD 5e. Challenge: 4 / XP: 1100. . All rights reserved. Death Knight has a lot of nice features including spells as well as being hard to kill. Its also a concept that exists in fantasy stories and cultures across the world and through the ages. Bandits pursuing you down a poorly-traveled path?