Polymorph into ooze

[Bloodstone Press]

Ok.

The 3.5 version of polymorph (Page 263 PHB) says you can polymorph into an Ooze. But it later says that you don't get any of the special qualites of the new form, such as blind sense.

Under the ooze description (MM Page 313), it says oozes are blind, but have the blind sight special quality.

So, if you polymorph into an ooze are you just blind, Period?

Seems to me this should be an exception to the "no special qualities" rule.

Any thoughts?

 

[Cheiromancer]

Oozes only have blindsense? That means that all opponents have total concealment against them (50% miss chance), doesn't it? If that's right, then I've been playing oozes wrong.

I've always treated oozes as being able to see. If a wizard polymorphed into one, I would allow it to see normally, despite the lack of eyes. No blindsense though.

 

[shilsen]

Oozes only have blindsense? That means that all opponents have total concealment against them (50% miss chance), doesn't it? If that's right, then I've been playing oozes wrong.

I've always treated oozes as being able to see. If a wizard polymorphed into one, I would allow it to see normally, despite the lack of eyes. No blindsense though.

Oozes have blindsight, not blindsense. Blindsight is more powerful than the latter ability, so no problems with total concealment. See MM pg.306 for the difference.

As for Bloodstone Press' original question, by the RAW the answer is - yes, if polymorphed into an ooze you are blind.

 

[Darklone]

Now that's a perfect reason not to do it

 

[uzagi_akimbo]

Now that's a perfect reason not to do it

Except for some very special cases, where you want to "eat" through some obstacle - like metal doors, grilles, portcullis - or slip through some cracks, pipes etc. while oozing... I find that the "alter self" size limit to polymorph precludes the more effective oozes, though.

And of course you might cast "blindsight" (from FRPG ) on yourself before doing so - but oozes aren't the most effective shape anyway.

 

[Cerubus Dark]

I don't know, something about becoming mindless as an ooze is kinda bad. I would not allow something like that since it changes you into a creature without form or at the bare minimum a complex nervous system.


To put it simply, "No Ooze for you!"

 

[Beholder Bob]

... I find that the "alter self" size limit to polymorph precludes the more effective oozes, though...

Uh - alter self is not going to allow an ooze shape unless that was your creature type to begin with.

 

[shilsen]

Uh - alter self is not going to allow an ooze shape unless that was your creature type to begin with.

uzagi_akimbo isn't saying you can alter self into an ooze. He's referring to the restrction that the form you take on must be within one size category of your original form, which is part of the alter self spell and part of polymorph too, since the latter spell references the former.