Polymorph Any Object as Ridiculous as it Sounds?

[Mistwell]

Ugh. No. it doesn't. I swear it used to. I thought it still did. Someone please tell me that it's been erratted. Somewhere. In my game were currently having issues with PaO as it is. I really don't want to add this extra complication.
I mean I'd assume you go to average stats. But - it's not written.
-cpd

Al lot of things based on Polymorph have been errata'ed to the stone age at this point.

You may find this article useful.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dd/20060216a

Personally, I am in the camp that thinks all those polymorph spells on the banned list for RPGA should also be banned everywhere, unless you have a game that can be happy with the consequences. For me, they are more trouble than they are worth.

 

[pawsplay]

I'm still using un-errata'd polymorph. At some point, I will write my own bible.

 

[Corsair]

Isn't that implied by the reference to polymorph? Or has that changed with errata?

The errata didn't change polymorph itself, nor did it change things above it (PAO, Shapechange). The only things that were changed were wildshape, alternate form, a bunch of other minor abilities which were based on Polymorph.

Additionally, the Polymorph subschool was added, but that only applies to the new spells created in Complete Arcane or later. (Though they suggest retroactively applying it to Polymorph and friends, it is not actually part of the errata)

 

[Sound of Azure]

Thanks, Corsair. I was wondering if I'd missed something somewhere.

 

[Neijin]

I think Wizards should come out with Complete Polymorph: the definitive guide to the spell and the other ancillary spells and abilities.

 

[Someone]

Sounds like a good idea: Complete(ly) Broken (A guide to absurdly powerful classes, feats, and spells)

 

[schporto]

Isn't that implied by the reference to polymorph? Or has that changed with errata?

No. Unfortunately polymorph doesn't say anything about "average form" either. It says "The subject gains the Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution scores of the new form but retains its own Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores." But if as someone said - you specify a form a incredibly perfect human (let's say it's just all 18's), then you'd get those wouldn't you.
I'd ban it, but I like the idea of polymorphing spells.
-cpd

 

[Elethiomel]

I like these alternate Polymorph rules (no, they aren't official rules and as such may not have a place in this subforum, but it seemed relevant):
http://www.giantitp.com/articles/dC21fDHZ4tK8n5OjUm9.html
http://www.giantitp.com/articles/PbpHATjPkec7E82kEmo.html

 

[Pielorinho]

I like these alternate Polymorph rules (no, they aren't official rules and as such may not have a place in this subforum, but it seemed relevant):
http://www.giantitp.com/articles/dC21fDHZ4tK8n5OjUm9.html
http://www.giantitp.com/articles/PbpHATjPkec7E82kEmo.html

They definitely have a place here: we only enforce the line between House Rules and Rules when a thread is completely in the wrong category. Rich's rules are published rules for playing D&D and are fine to have here.

And they're the set of rules we use in our campaign. Their downside is that it takes a really long time to write up your character's stats in an alternate form. Their upside is that they work really well and don't lead to absurdly overpowered characters.

Daniel

 

[Delta]

No. Unfortunately polymorph doesn't say anything about "average form" either.

Up through 3.0, it did. From the 3.0 SRD (Polymorph Other):

The creature’s new scores and faculties are average ones for the race or species into which it has been transformed.