D&D 5E Polymorph: T-Rex and Giant Ape

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

I'm just curious who's deciding what creatures a particular PC spellcaster has seen...

I figure the Mage's Guild would be organizing safaris to Skull Island so that would be polymorphers can get a chance to see Dinosaurs and Giant Apes in their natural environment.

 

[Elon Tusk]

I don't think the spell mentions that the caster must have seen/observed the beast so we play that any 5e beast that the caster has read about is valid - kind of like a player becoming a dragonborn or aarakocra after reading about them in the PHB or EEPC.

 

[Staccat0]

My players battled a 4 eyed (two were blind and vestigial) creamcicle colored giant ape named Copper Tooth at level 4 so... yeah, as long as he gets to come back for a cameo.

 

[Uller]

Yes. Because last session the paladin was surrounded by 6 vampire spawn and going down fast. A giant ape on the side of the towers above Castle Ravenloft battling a small horde of vampire spawn is friggin epic.

 

[iserith]

Here, just throw this encounter at them and they'll have the proper justification.

 

[Eltab]

Next time your PCs have to take down a Mad Wizard(TM), afterwards let them into his library and peruse the tomes on the shelves.

"Strange Creatures of Monster Island", daily diary complete with sketches (but he can't draw very well !) and a page or so each of what it did during the fight before he / his party killed it.
MW had the character trait "Most people run away from monsters. I duck into a safe place and take notes." While researching him to find his weakness,* somebody who knew him should tell the PCs so, with repetition for emphasis. By coincidence, the Strange Creatures just happen to be a Giant Ape, T-Rex, Mammoth, &c.

* Are your PCs that organized and forethoughtful?

 

[Scary]

In my own campaign, players can only polymorph others into beasts they have seen. As such, most exotic creatures, such as T-rexes, giant apes, and mammoths, are off the table.

This is for two reasons: (1) Balance. These beasts are VERY powerful. (2) Genre. I play traditional fantasy, and these beasts don't really exist in my world.

I'm curious, though, how other tables handle polymorph and exotic creatures.

I would handle it the same way if it ever comes up. Good to hear there is other people with common sense and understand how to keep things in control for the games fun.

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[Corwin]

I would handle it the same way if it ever comes up. Good to hear there is other people with common sense and understand how to keep things in control for the games fun.

You have an appropriate moniker, IMO. Yikes.

Because lemme axe you something. Who's "common sense" are we talking about? What exactly needs to kept in "control"?

And while we're at it, here's another one: Who's "fun"? Games don't have fun. The people playing them do.

 

[Scary]

You have an appropriate moniker, IMO. Yikes.

Because lemme axe you something. Who's "common sense" are we talking about? What exactly needs to kept in "control"?

And while we're at it, here's another one: Who's "fun"? Games don't have fun. The people playing them do.

Sorry, I made the comment here, should of been in a couple facebook groups.

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[Corwin]

???