Polymorph
- Casting Time
- 1 Action
- Range
- 60 Feet
- Duration
- Concentration, up to 1 hour
- Components
- V
- S
- M
- Materials Required
- A caterpillar cocoon
Spell Description
This spell transforms a creature that you can see within range into a new form. An unwilling creature must make a Wisdom saving throw to avoid the effect. The spell has no effect on a shapechanger or a creature with 0 hit points.
The transformation lasts for the duration, or until the target drops to 0 hit points or dies. The new 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). The target’s game statistics, including mental ability scores, are replaced by the statistics of the chosen beast. It retains its alignment and personality.
The target assumes the hit points of its new form. When it reverts to its normal form, the creature returns to the number of hit points it had before it transformed. If it reverts as a result of dropping to 0 hit points, any excess damage carries over to its normal form. As long as the excess damage doesn’t reduce the creature’s normal form to 0 hit points, it isn’t knocked unconscious.
The creature is limited in the actions it can perform by the nature of its new form, and it can’t speak, cast spells, or take any other action that requires hands or speech.
The target’s gear melds into the new form. The creature can’t activate, use, wield, or otherwise benefit from any of its equipment.
Is Polymorph Good?
Overall Rating: Sky Blue. This means that polymorph is an amazing spell. If you do not take this spell your character would not be optimized.
Overall Notes: The best save or suck spell at this level. The hour duration makes transforming a hostile creature and running away a viable option or will give you more time to finish of its friends before it transforms back. This also allows you to shape-shift a friendly party member into a beast for combat or exploration purposes. The sheer utility this spell offers makes it an incredibly effective spell to keep in your arsenal.
Class Specific Ratings for Polymorph
Eldritch Knight fighter: * Amazing single target save-or-suck spell that can take a baddy out of the fight. It also has the upside where you can use it on yourself or an ally as a sort of pseudo Wild Shape. It will likely be worth to hit your enemy with an attack before you can so you can undercut their defenses with Eldritch Strike.