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<blockquote data-quote="nharwell" data-source="post: 14712" data-attributes="member: 1099">I posted my house rules regarding the various polymorph-type spells to the old forums. Since then I've had more time to playtest them (as have some other DMs I shared these rules with) and have cleaned up the spell descriptions a little.&nbsp; The reasoning for my changes to polymorph self (and other) are two-fold:(1) WOTC has errata'd polymorph to weaken it substantially. I find that their revisions, however, have made the problem worse. The current version of the spell is undeniably weaker than in the PHB; most of the &quot;weakening&quot;, though, comes from reducing the flexibility of the spell (you are limited to only one form for the duration) -- thus emphasizing the &quot;combative&quot; aspects of the spell. So a spell that in 1st and 2nd edition was useful for movement and escape is now simply a combat enhancer -- and a terribly effective one.&nbsp; Compare this 4th level spell with Tenser's Transformation (assuming only a 7th level caster, an Annis Hag would probably be the best form):Polymorph (7th level caster)&nbsp;Str&nbsp; 25 (effectively a +15 unnamed bonus for many wizards)&nbsp;Dex 12 (maybe lower than wizard's own)&nbsp;Con 14 (no hit point bonus or penalty, so no big deal)&nbsp;+10 natural armor&nbsp;a claw attack for 1d6+7 (perhaps a 2nd if BAB is high enough)&nbsp;10 foot reach&nbsp;40 foot speed&nbsp;horrific appearance (easily covered with Change Self or Hat of Disguise)&nbsp;lasts 7 hours&nbsp;can still increase stats with Bull's Str, Cat's Grace, Endurance&nbsp;verbal-only componentTenser's Transformation (at least 11th level caster)&nbsp;Str +2d4 (enhancement bonus, so no Bull's Strength)&nbsp;Dex +2d4 (much better than Polymorph, admittedly)&nbsp;+11d6 temporary hit points (another large bonus)&nbsp;+5 BAB&nbsp;+5 bonus on Fortitude Saves&nbsp;weapon proficiency&nbsp;*must attack with weapons&nbsp;*only lasts 11 rounds &nbsp;requires a potion of StrengthIs there 2 levels of difference between these spells?&nbsp; And that's not even considering that you can choose other forms when casting Polymorph to &quot;customize&quot; yourself for a given situation.&nbsp; Annis Hag simply provides the best overall choice at 7th level.(2) I consider Polymorph Self as part of a &quot;chain&quot; of spells from Alter Self to Shape Change. Currently Polymorph Self is closer to Shape Change in combat power while limited to a single form like Alter Self.&nbsp; I preferred to reverse this -- allow multiple forms like SHape Change but limit the combat effectiveness of the spell. Moreover, both Alter Self and Shapechange allow the caster to disguise himself as another individual.&nbsp; Polymorph does not do this -- you are restricted to becoming an &quot;average&quot; member of the race.&nbsp; Overall, I wanted a flexible spell for disguise, movement, and adaptability rather than a spell that made a wizard a frightening melee combatant. I took the Sage's suggestions for Alter Self ( <a href="http://homepage.mac.com/guyf/DnD/Sage/PolymorphAlterSelf.html" target="_blank">http://homepage.mac.com/guyf/DnD/Sage/PolymorphAlterSelf.html</a> ) and elaborated on them -- and then used that as the basis for my revised polymorph self. Following are my adaptations of the various spells.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="nharwell, post: 14712, member: 1099"] I posted my house rules regarding the various polymorph-type spells to the old forums. Since then I've had more time to playtest them (as have some other DMs I shared these rules with) and have cleaned up the spell descriptions a little. The reasoning for my changes to polymorph self (and other) are two-fold: (1) WOTC has errata'd polymorph to weaken it substantially. I find that their revisions, however, have made the problem worse. The current version of the spell is undeniably weaker than in the PHB; most of the "weakening", though, comes from reducing the flexibility of the spell (you are limited to only one form for the duration) -- thus emphasizing the "combative" aspects of the spell. So a spell that in 1st and 2nd edition was useful for movement and escape is now simply a combat enhancer -- and a terribly effective one. Compare this 4th level spell with Tenser's Transformation (assuming only a 7th level caster, an Annis Hag would probably be the best form): Polymorph (7th level caster) Str 25 (effectively a +15 unnamed bonus for many wizards) Dex 12 (maybe lower than wizard's own) Con 14 (no hit point bonus or penalty, so no big deal) +10 natural armor a claw attack for 1d6+7 (perhaps a 2nd if BAB is high enough) 10 foot reach 40 foot speed horrific appearance (easily covered with Change Self or Hat of Disguise) lasts 7 hours can still increase stats with Bull's Str, Cat's Grace, Endurance verbal-only component Tenser's Transformation (at least 11th level caster) Str +2d4 (enhancement bonus, so no Bull's Strength) Dex +2d4 (much better than Polymorph, admittedly) +11d6 temporary hit points (another large bonus) +5 BAB +5 bonus on Fortitude Saves weapon proficiency *must attack with weapons *only lasts 11 rounds requires a potion of Strength Is there 2 levels of difference between these spells? And that's not even considering that you can choose other forms when casting Polymorph to "customize" yourself for a given situation. Annis Hag simply provides the best overall choice at 7th level. (2) I consider Polymorph Self as part of a "chain" of spells from Alter Self to Shape Change. Currently Polymorph Self is closer to Shape Change in combat power while limited to a single form like Alter Self. I preferred to reverse this -- allow multiple forms like SHape Change but limit the combat effectiveness of the spell. Moreover, both Alter Self and Shapechange allow the caster to disguise himself as another individual. Polymorph does not do this -- you are restricted to becoming an "average" member of the race. Overall, I wanted a flexible spell for disguise, movement, and adaptability rather than a spell that made a wizard a frightening melee combatant. I took the Sage's suggestions for Alter Self ( [url]http://homepage.mac.com/guyf/DnD/Sage/PolymorphAlterSelf.html[/url] ) and elaborated on them -- and then used that as the basis for my revised polymorph self. Following are my adaptations of the various spells. [/QUOTE]

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