Polymorphing a Familiar?

[szilard]

Given Polymorph Any Object, is there anything stopping a high-level arcane caster from permanently polymorphing his pseudodragon familiar into a full-scale metallic dragon?

Would it still be a familiar? Would the familiar bonuses apply after the transformation or be subsumed into it?

What age category would it be?

Are there any guidelines for any of this?

-Stuart

 

[evilbob]

I don't see why you couldn't, although I don't think it could be made permanent. I would guess that it would retain all of its familiar-like abilities, and gain basically none of the special dragon-like abilities (since they are pretty much all spell-like or supernatural abilities anyway). As far as age, a familiar is restricted to his master's hit die, so you're looking at a young adult or adult dragon at most without going into epic levels (similar to a wizard polymorphing himself).

You know, IMHO and all those normal acronyms.

 

[szilard]

I don't see why you couldn't, although I don't think it could be made permanent. I would guess that it would retain all of its familiar-like abilities, and gain basically none of the special dragon-like abilities (since they are pretty much all spell-like or supernatural abilities anyway). As far as age, a familiar is restricted to his master's hit die, so you're looking at a young adult or adult dragon at most without going into epic levels (similar to a wizard polymorphing himself).

You know, IMHO and all those normal acronyms.

Hmmm... is a familiar actually restricted to his master's HD?

Hit Dice

For the purpose of effects related to number of Hit Dice, use the master’s character level or the familiar’s normal HD total, whichever is higher.

Also, looking at the spell description, I am pretty sure that the effect (if allowable) would be permanent due to the calculated duration factor.

-Stuart

 

[evilbob]

Hmmm... is a familiar actually restricted to his master's HD?

Well, since a psudodragon's hit dice are two (and most familiars - without the use of feats, anyway - would have far fewer than a level 15+ wizard), I assumed it would use the master's HD. (And you can't polymorph it into something with more HD than it had to start with, so it would effectively be maxed at the master's HD.)

But you're right, I worded that poorly. They are not restricted to their master's HD, but would typically have their master's HD.

 

[IcyCool]

Hmmm... is a familiar actually restricted to his master's HD?

No, but by the time a master could get a psuedo-dragon familiar (2HD), that familiar will be using the master's HD for effects that reference HD.

Also, looking at the spell description, I am pretty sure that the effect (if allowable) would be permanent due to the calculated duration factor.

Yes, that is correct. And the familiar would still be your familiar and get the familiar benefits. Now, for the drawbacks of this tactic:

1. Let's say Bob the 15th level wizard (we'll assume he didn't cast PoA from a scroll, for now) has a 14 con, max first level hp, and 3/4 hp after that. That gives him 76 hp. Which means that his familiar, no matter what form it is in has 38 hp. So that big "dragon" has the hit points of a 3rd-4th level fighter.

2. Duration of the spell is Permanent, which means that it can be dispelled. Better hope you aren't riding it when that happens, or make sure you have a Feather Fall spell memorized.

3. The assumed form can't have more HD than your caster level, to a maximum of 15th. So that's as big as your dragon familiar will get.

4. The familiar won't gain any of the extraordinary special qualities, supernatural abilities, or spell-like abilities of the dragon it is turning into. What's that mean? No breath weapon, no fear aura, no spellcasting or alternate form abilities, no immunity to an energy type ... basically, none of the good stuff. At the same time, the familiar keeps its base saving throws and such, but they are modified by its new physical ability scores. You'll note dragons aren't known for their dexterity. So it's likely that the familiar's reflex save goes down.

5. In short, your familiar becomes a big, dragon shaped pinata.

 

[szilard]

Now, for the drawbacks of this tactic:

Well, the character in question is a gestalt sorcerer who has made it through dragon disciple to half-dragon, so he has substantially more than 76 hp (and wings), but your point is taken.

-Stuart

 

[IcyCool]

Well, the character in question is a gestalt sorcerer who has made it through dragon disciple to half-dragon, so he has substantially more than 76 hp (and wings), but your point is taken.

-Stuart

I didn't say it was a bad idea, just that the polymorphed familiar isn't as good as the real thing.

Heck, I put a Red Robe wizard together for a dragonlance game that was going to do the same thing (with a boatload of protective spells on the familiar).

Also, this tactic is pretty pointless when you get access to the Shapechange spell. Cast it on yourself and share it with your familiar, and get two big dragons for the price of one!

 

[KarinsDad]

Yes, that is correct. And the familiar would still be your familiar and get the familiar benefits. Now, for the drawbacks of this tactic:

Personally, I think a Familiar would balk at being changed on a fairly permanent basis.

However, assuming that it is ok with the change, there are some advantages for a pseudodragon familiar (assuming that one uses 3.5 RAW and not WotC's several aborted attempts to errata shape changing type spells and abilities):

1) The PD retains all of its abilities except physical attacks. Hence, it keeps Blindsense, Telepathy, Improved Evasion, etc.

2) The physical ability scores of the PD go from Str 6, Dex 15, Con 13 to something better (except for Dex). For example, Str 19, Dex 10, Con 17 for a Juvenile Bronze Dragon.

3) It goes from Sting (which it loses along with its Poison) and Bite to Bite / Claw / Claw / Wing / Wing / Tail.

4) It's AC goes from 18 / 14 / 16 (plus Familiar Natural Armor boost) to 23 / 9 / 23 (plus Familiar Natural Armor boost).

5) Although the Familiar is limited in hit points to half of its Master's, this does not include magic. Most Wizards by mid to high level should have an Amulet of Health of some sort. Before using this tactic, I would make sure my 15th level Wizard had an Amulet +4 or +6, hence, 15 or 22 additional hit points for the Familiar. Temporary Hit Points like with False Life would also be helpful. But, hit points is the Familiar's real weak point.

6) The Wizard could still share spells like Cat's Grace, Mage Armor, Shield, Stoneskin, etc. Course, this would only work if the Familiar stays within 5 feet, hence, it would work best if the Wizard is using the Familiar as a mount (possibly by casting Reduce Person on himself).

7) If the Wizard does the Mount trick, then the Familiar can do touch attacks for the Wizard, and if it is big enough, it can do these at 10 feet reach. Even further if the Wizard share spells Enlarge Person on the Familiar (e.g. the Familiar is larger, the Wizard is normal sized if he had previously cast Shrink Person on himself).


This tactic would probably work best against enemies who do not have spells. Dispel Magic could get tricky. Course, the Wizard could himself Polymorph and Dispel this whenever he wants.

 

[KarinsDad]

Also, this tactic is pretty pointless when you get access to the Shapechange spell. Cast it on yourself and share it with your familiar, and get two big dragons for the price of one!

This does not work well. The familiar has to stay within 5 feet of the Wizard for a share spell and that will almost never happen in the game.

 

[szilard]

This does not work well. The familiar has to stay within 5 feet of the Wizard for a share spell and that will almost never happen in the game.

True, but the familiar could simply be the recipient of Shapechange.

-Stuart