Polymorph - Can a Wizard still cast spells?

[Olaf the Stout]

Lets assume that a Wizard Polymorphs himself into a creature that has hands and can speak, can he still cast spells? Or does he lose his spellcasting ability as part of the Polymorph spell?

Olaf the Stout

Edit: From further reading it looks like he can (as covered in the Alter Self spell). Anyone agree/disagree?

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

I agree. Remember he will need his compnent pouch and foci as well for some spells. If he had spells prepared with Silent or Still Spell, the lack of voice or hands respectively also would not impede casting.

My group simplifies it thus: If it can speak a language, it can do verbal components. If it can wield a weapon or tool, it can use somatic components.

 

[green slime]

Yes he can, as long as he still has access to his spell component pouch.

So basically, wot Streamofthesky said.

 

[frankthedm]

DO take note, IIRC the 3.5 PHB2 polymorphing spells don't have spellcasting as an option.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Yes, the Polymorph subschool spells introduced the idea of just plain not being able to cast, or do a whole lot of other things ffor no apparent reason. Fortunately, those restrictions don't apply to the PH spells, or most of the ones in Spell Compendium.

For what it's worth, the PH2 spells at least give bonus temp hp, sometimes a LOT, so they're still not worthless for a combat buff spell...

 

[Olaf the Stout]

My player is only using Polymorph (PHB) and Draconic Polymorph (Draconomicon) at the moment so I don't have to worry about what's in the PHB II for now.

Just so I am totally clear on this, if I use Polymorph as per the 3.5E PHB that is the correct and most up to date version?

I couldn't find any errata for it and it doesn't seem to be updated in the Rules Compendium.

Olaf the Stout

 

[Michael Silverbane]

Just so I am totally clear on this, if I use Polymorph as per the 3.5E PHB that is the correct and most up to date version?

I couldn't find any errata for it and it doesn't seem to be updated in the Rules Compendium.

Yes, more or less.

There were a few attempts to errata or retcon the polymorph line of spells in the RPGA rules, supplements, but eventually they gave up trying to fix them and changed to the PHBII method of coming up with a specific form per spell.

 

[FEADIN]

See this under polymorph:
Rules of the Game Archive

 

[Starbuck_II]

Yes, the Polymorph subschool spells introduced the idea of just plain not being able to cast, or do a whole lot of other things ffor no apparent reason. Fortunately, those restrictions don't apply to the PH spells, or most of the ones in Spell Compendium.

For what it's worth, the PH2 spells at least give bonus temp hp, sometimes a LOT, so they're still not worthless for a combat buff spell...

Displacer Beast form allows casting. Due to it saying you can still cast.