D&D (2024) True Polymorph now confers permanent muteness

[occam]

First, I want to address this:

• Not True Polymorph. True polymorph no longer ‘works’ since you transform back when you take a long rest, since True Polymorph uses temporary hit points, and those go away on a long rest. Makes the permanent part pointless.

What? Nothing about the 2024 True Polymorph spell says it ends when the temporary hit points are gone. It says "The transformation lasts for the duration or until the target dies or is destroyed...".

But this next thing is kinda weird. In the 2014 version of the spell:

The creature is limited in the actions it can perform by the nature of its new form, and it can’t speak, cast spells, or take any other action that requires hands or speech, unless its new form is capable of such actions.

But in the 2024 version:

The target is limited in the actions it can perform by the anatomy of its new form, and it can’t speak or cast spells.

No ifs, ands, or buts. Polymorph a dwarf into an elf, or a dragon? Still no talking or spellcasting.

 

[TiQuinn]

Well that’s just dumb.

 

[Neonchameleon]

What? Nothing about the 2024 True Polymorph spell says it ends when the temporary hit points are gone. It says "The transformation lasts for the duration or until the target dies or is destroyed...".

Day 0 errata. The review copies had the wording you indicate and it got fixed

 

[Demetrios1453]

The target is limited in the actions it can perform by the anatomy of its new form, and it can’t speak or cast spells.

Seems likely someone forgot to add the "if new form can't do so" at the end. I'm sure it will be errata'ed soon

 

[Mistwell]

First, I want to address this:

• Not True Polymorph. True polymorph no longer ‘works’ since you transform back when you take a long rest, since True Polymorph uses temporary hit points, and those go away on a long rest. Makes the permanent part pointless.

What? Nothing about the 2024 True Polymorph spell says it ends when the temporary hit points are gone. It says "The transformation lasts for the duration or until the target dies or is destroyed...".

But this next thing is kinda weird. In the 2014 version of the spell:


But in the 2024 version:

No ifs, ands, or buts. Polymorph a dwarf into an elf, or a dragon? Still no talking or spellcasting.

For the temporary hit points it seems like this is a specific beats general? For this spell, the temporary hit points "lasts until dispelled" because if the spell is still in effect, the temporary hit points are still in effect. At least I think that's one fair read of it.

The mute part does seem silly. If I polymorph into a halfing, the halfing should be able to speak. And their equipment (if it was the right size) should still be able to work if they wear it.

 

[MGibster]

This is why we still have Dungeon Masters. Sometimes you need to make sense of a bad or poorly written rule.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

This is why we still have Dungeon Masters. Sometimes you need to make sense of a bad or poorly written rule.

Yeah, the groups this will cause a crisis for are likely having crises over every vaguely written rule already.

 

[pukunui]

For the temporary hit points it seems like this is a specific beats general? For this spell, the temporary hit points "lasts until dispelled" because if the spell is still in effect, the temporary hit points are still in effect. At least I think that's one fair read of it.

The print version of the book has the following sentence, which has been cut from the DDB version: "The spell ends early on the target if it has no Temporary Hit Points left."

 

[mellored]

Day 0 errata. The review copies had the wording you indicate and it got fixed

Day -1 errata?

 

[Peter BOSCO'S]

If it had not been corrected, than you would be Ariel from the Little Mermaid, unable to speak after being Polymorphed into a human.