Help with Polymorph Other

[GrayIguana]

I’m trying to create a villain whose favorite pastime is torturing enemies and prisoners with polymorph spells. I want to push the bounds of this spell, but I’m not sure if the spell as written in the PHB will do everything that I want.

Can a wizard using this spell change only parts of the victim’s physical form? For example, could he change someone’s hands into hooves?

Can a wizard using this spell change the victim’s physical form into something entirely unique? For example, could the victim be turned into some type of fish / humanoid hybrid?

If you don’t think this is plausible, do you think that a meta-magic feat or an advanced spell might make this possible? Perhaps a feat called Partial Polymorph or Unique Polymorph which could make the normal Polymorph spell take up a slot higher than normal (Two for Unique Polymorph)?

Remember these versions would not add supernatural abilities as the original spell, and this would not be creating a new race per se.

 

[Darklone]

Hmm... in a published adventure, an evil wizard changes hobgoblins into winged hobgoblins...

 

[LuYangShih]

Considering you can already do most of what you described using Alter Self, and Polymorph Other/Polymorph Self are basically higher level versions of that spell, I'd say yes, you could.

 

[shilsen]

As written, Polymorph Other will not allow partial changes. As far as allowing it in your campaign is concerned, think about this situation - would you allow a PC mage to use the spell on the other PCs to allow them to retain their form in every way, except for growing a pair of wings (and thus, since PO is permanent duration, gaining an always usable flight ability)? If not, you probably shouldn't allow an NPC to do what you're thinking of. A variant spell version of Polymorph would be the way to go, IMO.

 

[Darklone]

Many spellcasters I know polymorphed into celestials... didn't give them the extra props, but WINGS and a nice face and so to talk and cast spells.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Many spellcasters I know polymorphed into celestials... didn't give them the extra props, but WINGS and a nice face and so to talk and cast spells.

What sort of outsiders were they to start with?

-Hyp.

 

[Darklone]

No idea

Astral Devas? Hmm... they started it in 2nd edition.... and I never really checked the 3rd ed polymorph rules since I houseruled that spell immediately...

 

[Plane Sailing]

I’m trying to create a villain whose favorite pastime is torturing enemies and prisoners with polymorph spells. I want to push the bounds of this spell, but I’m not sure if the spell as written in the PHB will do everything that I want.

I think the simple and obvious answer is to decide that the wizard has researched his own, 5th level version of Polymorph Other which can do a mix and match polymorph as you describe (possibly a 6th level spell to put it neatly between Poly Other and Poly Object? Dunno).

The spell can then be an additional treasure in his spell books which becomes available to the party wizard once he is defeated.

(I most frequently introduce new spells to my campaign through the spell books and research of enemy wizards).

I'd go for 5th level for this spell.

 

[GrayIguana]

Thanks

Thanks to everyone for the input. An advanced version of Polymorph Other it shall be.