Polymorph, and small characters.

[Lord Ben]

Okay, what is the newest version of polymorph? I have a different version in like 3 different books...

I wanted to theme a campaign around a Goblin Sorceror who has the Polymorph other spell and his legions of 6hp Ogres. Then I realized that it's two size differences so that wouldn't work. What kind of restrictions are there? Can you polymorph Goblins into Bugbears?

What are the best medium and large creatures to polymorph your cannon fodder into?

 

[shilsen]

The official version (for now) is as described in Tome & Blood.

The 1 step size increase (can be decreased up to dimunitive) restriction does exist. Goblins (small) could be polymorphed into bugbears (medium). The choice of the best medium and large creatures depends on the level of the caster and/or the hit dice of the subject (whichever is greater).

Good large creatures from the MM are the troll and the annis hag. For medium creatures, you might be better off going for the psychological adge and polymorphing them into humans, elves, dwarves, etc.

 

[Lord Ben]

Stat-wise what is the highest medium sized creature they can be polymorphed into? Lets figure on a 10th level Goblin Sorceror... Can you polymorph them into outsiders like demons and devils? They have high stats.

 

[hong]

Stat-wise what is the highest medium sized creature they can be polymorphed into? Lets figure on a 10th level Goblin Sorceror... Can you polymorph them into outsiders like demons and devils? They have high stats.

You can't polymorph someone into an outsider, construct, elemental or undead, unless they already are an outsider, construct, elemental or undead.

 

[shilsen]

Stat-wise what is the highest medium sized creature they can be polymorphed into? Lets figure on a 10th level Goblin Sorceror... Can you polymorph them into outsiders like demons and devils? They have high stats.

As Hong posted, outsiders wouldn't work in your example.

For good stats:

Bugbear: Str 15, Dex 12, Con 13, Natural Armor +3
Digester: Str 17, Dex 15, Con 17, Natural Armor +5
Wyrmling Gold Dragon: Str 17, Dex 10, Con 15, Natural Armor +7
Skum: Str 19, Dex 13, Con 13, Natural Armor +2
Worg: Str 17, Dex 15, Con 15, Natural Armor +2

Or how about a mind flayer, for psychological effects?

 

[Lord Ben]

I like the Bugbears and Skum. Probably Bugbears though. Worgs aren't bad either though, they don't get the improved trip however... Maybe I'll use Hobgoblins for the mod instead, they're still fairly weak but they can be polymorphed into Ogres... I just want to freak out the PC's with 20str, 4hp NPC's... It'll be amusing and they'll be certain of their death when the "Ogres" descend upon them.

 

[Geoff Watson]

Most of those choices won't work, as there is also a hit dice limit (Target's HD, caster's level, or 15, whichever is lower).

Geoff.

 

[shilsen]

Nope!

Most of those choices won't work, as there is also a hit dice limit (Target's HD, caster's level, or 15, whichever is lower).

Geoff.

Actually it's target's HD or caster level, whichever is greater (not lower), with a max of 15 HD. So all of the above would work if the spell was cast by a 10th lvl Goblin Sorceror, which is the example Lord Ben used.

 

[Lord Ben]

Okay, now for another interesting question. If I polymorph a Goblin into a Worg and then he lets another Goblin ride him do they still get the +6 to ride and the mounted combat feat for free?

I'm laughing now just thinking about the players confused looks while they tackle a dungeon full of really weak, but bizzare creatures. Of course the surprise is ruined when the kill one and it turns into a Goblin, but it'd be funny to have a few real monsters of higher level mixed in with the polymorphed goblins...

 

[Don21584]

I thought you couldn't Polymorph anything into something that would be threatening.