FAQ Corrected (and errors collected)

[Infiniti2000]

In fact, they say if they can be worn in the new form, then you can wear them. If you are a Gnome wearing a small-sized chain shirt and Polymorph into a giant, are you capable of wearing that small-sized chain shirt?

No, and therefore that chain shirt melds into the new form and is unusable.

So are you claiming that the gnome is now naked?

Yup, unless he was wearing stretchy-pants.

 

[Artoomis]

Remember, change in form includes the potential for change in size. It's inclusive, not exclusive.

IOW, there's no need to state "change in size" when you've already stated "change in form".

Ah, but the equipment does NOT change to account for your new form. If you can still use it, fine, if not (for whatever reason) it melds into your new form.

Nothing says your equipment changes at all, in any manner.

 

[Moon-Lancer]

what about the energy types again. Acid and Sonic DO or Dont go through hardness. Do they only do this if it states this in the spell?

I Think for simplicity sake, if you use alter self while wearing armor, your armor would change size with you but not your weapons?

I think whatever the rules are or should be, plate mail shouldent resize if you change from halfling to elf. It says under plate mail that it has to be retailed if a new persion wears it. Becuse of this your changeing your shape and thus melds into your body becuse it needs to be retailerd to your new bodyshape.

 

[dcollins]

Agree with Artoomis, et. al. on the polymorph equipment sizing issue.

 

[Artoomis]

what about the energy types again. Acid and Sonic DO or Dont go through hardness. Do they only do this if it states this in the spell?...

Hardness applies to acid and sonic damage. However, unlike other energy damage, the sonic or acid damage is not reduced other than by the hardness. See PHB page 165. Can anyone point out for me where this is in the SRD?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Hardness applies to acid and sonic damage. However, unlike other energy damage, the sonic or acid damage is not reduced other than by the hardness. See PHB page 165. Can anyone point out for me where this is in the SRD?

Down the bottom.

Regarding the equipment issue - I think one of the new answers in the same FAQ update discusses equipment.

Magic jewellery and clothing resizes, per the rules:
SIZE AND MAGIC ITEMS
When an article of magic clothing or jewelry is discovered, most of the time size shouldn’t be an issue. Many magic garments are made to be easily adjustable, or they adjust themselves magically to the wearer. Size should not keep characters of various kinds from using magic items.

There may be rare exceptions, especially with racial specific items.

Armor, magical or otherwise, does not. A dwarf can polymorph into a gnoll and still wear his plate armor, since both creatures are Medium. A dwarf who polymorphs into a gnome cannot, since the gnome is Small, and cannot wear Medium armor.

Weapons do not change size. A human holding a Medium greatsword polymorphs into a giant holding a Medium greatsword. The +1 bonus equivalent ability, Sizing, is useful for characters who do this regularly...

-Hyp.

 

[Artoomis]

Down the bottom....-Hyp.

Thank you.

Energy Attacks
Acid and sonic attacks deal damage to most objects just as they do to creatures; roll damage and apply it normally after a successful hit. Electricity and fire attacks deal half damage to most objects; divide the damage dealt by 2 before applying the hardness. Cold attacks deal one-quarter damage to most objects; divide the damage dealt by 4 before applying the hardness.

 

[frankthedm]

Armor, magical or otherwise, does not. A dwarf can polymorph into a gnoll and still wear his plate armor, since both creatures are Medium.
-Hyp.

Breast & Half, but not Full

Full Plate
The suit includes gauntlets, heavy leather boots, a visored helmet, and a thick layer of padding that is worn underneath the armor. Each suit of full plate must be individually fitted to its owner by a master armorsmith, although a captured suit can be resized to fit a new owner at a cost of 200 to 800 (2d4×100) gold pieces.

 

[Felix]

[parsing for fun]

Each suit of full plate must be individually fitted to its owner by a master armorsmith, although a captured suit can be resized to fit a new owner at a cost of 200 to 800 (2d4×100) gold pieces.

Technically, the full plate does not need to be resized when the dwarf polymorphs into a gnoll because the necessary condition for resizing is that a new owner is using it. The dwarf and the gnoll are not different owners, they are the same owner, only in different shapes.

According to the rules, as long as a full-plate wearer maintains a shape of the same size and armor wearing capability, he can polymorph into whatever he likes and the fullplate will still fit.

Heh heh.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Well done, Felix!