Lich & Polymorph self (or, "Dropping immunities")

[Tabarnak Smokeblower]

A lich is immuned to polymorphing. Can a lich cast "Polymorph self" on itself?

Thanks in advance

TS

 

[Staffan]

No. If it's immune, it's immune regardless of the source. A lich's own polymorph spell won't transform it any more than a clerical lich's own Cure Light Wounds spell will heal it.

 

[Janos Audron]

Yes, you can drop immunities. PHB Page 150 says Elves can drop their immunity to sleep.

 

[Tabarnak Smokeblower]

No. If it's immune, it's immune regardless of the source. A lich's own polymorph spell won't transform it any more than a clerical lich's own Cure Light Wounds spell will heal it.

A lich isn't immuned to Cure Light Wounds. In fact, CLW would hurt it.

TS

 

[Tabarnak Smokeblower]

Yes, you can drop immunities. PHB Page 150 says Elves can drop their immunity to sleep.

In that case, what happens to a polymorphed lich (ie one that has cast polymorph self, and thus has dropped its immunity to polymorph) that is hit by another polymorph spell?

a) Nothing happens, the lich is immuned
b) Having dropped its immunity, the lich is affected
c) The lich resists the polymorph, but her own polymorph spell ends as well.

Thanks in advance

TS

 

[Cyraneth]

In that case, what happens to a polymorphed lich (ie one that has cast polymorph self, and thus has dropped its immunity to polymorph) that is hit by another polymorph spell?

a) Nothing happens, the lich is immuned
b) Having dropped its immunity, the lich is affected
c) The lich resists the polymorph, but her own polymorph spell ends as well.

Thanks in advance

TS

I'd say a)... It only dropped its immunity to let its own spell in.

- Cyraneth

 

[Janos Audron]

If you had actually looked up the page, you see that the part where it says that is labled: "Voluntarily Giving Up a Saving Throw".

"Dropping Immunity" wasn't really worded well, since what actually happens is you accept the results of a single spell...so case A is correct.

 

[Hypersmurf]

It's actually even simpler than that, in this case.

Immunities (Ex): Liches have immunity to cold, electricity, polymorph (though they can use polymorph effects on themselves), and mind-affecting attacks.

So there's no need for the lich to drop his immunity - there's already a specific provision for it.

However, if the lich Polymorphs into something else, he loses any (Ex) abilities that are not derived from class levels - which includes immunity to polymorph. So if he Polymorphs into an elf, you can Baneful Polymorph him into a frog.

-Hyp.

 

[Wippit Guud]

Which brings a side question... can a lich cast spells in frog form?

- But Wippit, frogs are not capable of speech

Neither are corpses.

 

[Tabarnak Smokeblower]

If you had actually looked up the page

I'm at work, sorry.

Thanks for the info, all.