D&D 3.x [Dragon] #307 - 3.5 Changes: Some we know, some we don't...

[Oni]

I'm a little disappointed with the changes to polymorph. I recognize the fact that the spell was problematic, but one of the things I think of in regards to wizards is the ability to shift forms. No more stalking through the woods at night in the form of a wolf, or soaring over the mountains as an eagle. The duration is simply too short. This isn't something that should be the sole domain of the druid in my opinion. Now I feel like they've turned Polymorph into just another combat buff, yes it was used that way before, but it also was useful outside of combat, and now I feel like that has become diminished.

 

[Destil]

Also, are the there now three 4th level pollymorph spells: Pollymorph(other), Bainfull Pollymorph & Pollymorph Self? Or has polly self been dropped?

If this is a combnination of Self and Other for willing people, is the new Pollymorph really a Pollymorph or is a Monomorph (only 1 form for the duration) whn you cast it on yourself?

Personaly I don't much like when they break a multi-form spell apart... (I'm still a bit tiffed about the lack of reversable spells, too). IMC, at least, I think I'd allow one Pollymorph Other which works like the listed Pollymorph on willing and Bainfull on non-willing.

 

[John Crichton]

There are just the 2. Polymorph and Baneful Polymorph. The article said nothing about Polymorph Object.

 

[Zerovoid]

Aside from having a mean sounding name, how is Baneful Polymorph any different from the old Polymorph Other? It still has a permananent duration, so why not cast it on your friends?

 

[Merlion]

I'm a little disappointed with the changes to polymorph. I recognize the fact that the spell was problematic, but one of the things I think of in regards to wizards is the ability to shift forms. No more stalking through the woods at night in the form of a wolf, or soaring over the mountains as an eagle. The duration is simply too short. This isn't something that should be the sole domain of the druid in my opinion. Now I feel like they've turned Polymorph into just another combat buff, yes it was used that way before, but it also was useful outside of combat, and now I feel like that has become diminished.

I have to agree with you here O Big Red Face. The duration thing sucks. Of course its easy enough to change but annoying for those like myself who are primarily players unless you get a real open minded DM.
I mean in most fantasy shapechanges were more or less permanent till you turn them off(although often you slowly became more and more like your new form mentaly if you stayed for too long). I agree that its non combat uses have been all but eliminated. I also wonder does it still allow only one form per casting?
And I wonder will Druids now be subject to the time limit?

 

[Someone]

I don´t quite like the change to Hold spells. Not only they were not overused (like Haste, which really needed a change) If they don´t want to left a player out of the game they should remove sleep, petrification, domination, charm, disintegration, polymorphization (?), stunning effects, fear effects, death effects and hit point damage.

 

[jodyjohnson]

Baneful Polymorph

Probably restrictions like new form must be same size or smaller, same Str/Dex/Con or lower, etc. No SU, SP, or EX.

 

[John Crichton]

Aside from having a mean sounding name, how is Baneful Polymorph any different from the old Polymorph Other? It still has a permananent duration, so why not cast it on your friends?

Not a bad question. I get the feeling from this article that baneful is just how it sounds: not good. Here is the wording:

The second part of the polymorph effect now lives in a spell called baneful polymorph. This is for when you want to turn your enemy into a toad or something equally unpleasant. There is a saving throw (with a +4 bonus if the form chosen would be fatel - like turning an orc into a tuna in the middle of the desert), and there are some other minor restrictions but, basically, if you use baneful polymorph on an enemy, you probably don't like him very much because he's in a lot of trouble if he fails that save. This spell is permanent.

I get the feeling that this is one of those things they are still tweaking. I have no proof of that.

 

[BryonD]

Not a bad question. I get the feeling from this article that baneful is just how it sounds: not good. Here is the wording:I get the feeling that this is one of those things they are still tweaking. I have no proof of that.

There is an incorrect assumption above.

 

[John Crichton]

I don´t quite like the change to Hold spells. Not only they were not overused (like Haste, which really needed a change) If they don´t want to left a player out of the game they should remove sleep, petrification, domination, charm, disintegration, polymorphization (?), stunning effects, fear effects, death effects and hit point damage.

It was most likely because of the power level of the spell (3 for wiz/sor, 2 for others like bard or cleric). Sleep can be ended by any friendly character. Charm doesn't immobilze you. Dominate lets you resist the effects that are against the character's nature. Disintegrate is a ray and causes death which is a totally different effect than hold plus is a higher level spell by alot (not to mention that it's a Fort save which is much easier for fighter-types to make). My point being that the hold spell did remove a character from the game for a finite amount of time equal to the caster's level while most of the effects/spells you mention do not.

And to stop a hold spell, there are only 3 ways: make the save, counterspell it (doesn't happen much if at all) or dispel it. Otherwise there goes your fun for the better part of a fight. No fun. And don't discount that it makes the held person an easy target for getting killed.

Also mentioned in the article was that that this will happen to other spells and spell effects as well. Not just hold. That may clear some things up...