Using polymorph for a huge boost in AC

[IceBear]

Yes, but the only reason the PHB doesn't have the same rules in them as the errata is because it was just printed beforehand.

I have the 1st Edition of the PHB. The 2nd Edition of the PHB contains most of the PHB errata. If we were to discuss the rules we would have problems because we're using different rule sets. Thus, this is why the errata is considered the latest and official rules. My opinion and your opinion on the rules don't matter here - that's the fact.

IceBear

 

[Bastoche]

Good point. I conceed.

 

[da chicken]

3) The only only point I wanted to make is that not everybody use or agree with the errata. So saying that errata=official rules needs to be nuanced IMO. But like I said, that's just me. I think discussing the "uncorrected" rules from the PHB should be as legitimate as the "corrected" rules in this forum IMO.

The problem is, by definition of the term in this context, erratum exactly equals an offical rule. Your argument is akin to saying that te United States should still consider african-americans as 5/8ths of a citizen when making new laws, despite the fact that the 14th amendment to the consitution explicitly eliminated that from the original consitution.

Back to the original topic, IMC, all participants have agreed to not abuse polymorph other. However, I do have a rule set up if they suddenly change their minds.

Add the following to the description of polymorph other:

"The spell only works as written above if the creature type of the new form is either animal or vermin, or the new creature type matches the original creature's creature type.

"If the above is not the case, the character must make a 'system shock' roll, which is identical to the Death from Massive damage rule. The character must make a Fort save vs DC 15, or die immediately.

"If the character survives the check, he or she must make an immediate Will save vs DC 5 or immediately believe himself or herself to actually be new form. This mental change can only be healed by means of a wish or miracle. PO only, not PS or PAO.

"The character must make a similar 'system shock' check when the spell ends, but need not make a second Will save. In any case, this change applies only to polymorph other, not polymorph self or polymorph any object."

 

[LokiDR]

Good point. I conceed.

Games do get complex using all the errta. I wish there never was any, but if we aren't on the same page, how can we discuss anything? Maybe I should just run my next game without any annoying errata...

For the record, I am not a moderator. If I say your comment belongs in the house rules, it is only IMO.

 

[Xarlen]

I could see Natural armor as aatural ability (It comes along with the form).

But, for balancing purposes, you just Don't get (Ex) abilities. Which is what makes Wildshape a lot more powerful, in some reguards, because you DO with Wildshape. Big difference there, folks.

A reason why PO or PS doesn't give you Ex could be as follows: Consider a snake. A snake's poison is created by saliva. Thus, that begs to reason that that snake must build up it's saliva, to a point. When the person polys into such, he hasn't built up any saliva. A troll with Rend doesn't have the knowhow to take full effect of those developed muscles. Sure, they have the inherit str/dex/con, but havn't been in the form long enough to pull off the things with that form.

Otherwise, y'know, an BBEWizard could just grab some henchmen, PO them all into trolls/giants/dragons/etc, and then have an army of them.

 

[da chicken]

As far as a venemous snake, the poison won't work because as soon as the poison leaves the creature it automatically reverts into the normal saliva that the character originally had. Remember, "lost" portions of the body automatically revert to normal.

Not that I disagree, mind you. It's just that venom is a bad example.

 

[Steven Snyder]

Everyone talks about what to Poly something into...Squirrel, Dolphin, Fish...etc.

My solution is to Poly them into an equivalent sized Tree, or maybe a bush.

Even if they have fly running, they will be immobile once it ends. A tree or bush can't attack you or run away. This leaves you free to literally 'cut down your opponent' at your leisure.

 

[Arcanus]

What happens if a spellcaster wants to polymorph other someone into another party member? Like make the rogue look like the Monk? are there any penalties?

When you reincarnate somebody and they come back as a dog or something can you polymorph other on them back to their original form? Are there any penalties?

 

[Saeviomagy]

The penalty of maintaining a 'normal' form is that typically a player character's stats will go down - most PC's have physical stat's above 10, and a polymorph sets them to 10.

However this can also be a benefit - for instance I had a wizard who would have gained 4 stat points from using poly-other to turn into himself (he had 8's in dex and str). No penalties from unusual shape, no RP penalties, just bonuses.

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

My solution is to Poly them into an equivalent sized Tree, or maybe a bush.

Even if they have fly running, they will be immobile once it ends. A tree or bush can't attack you or run away. This leaves you free to literally 'cut down your opponent' at your leisure.

This is a good thought ... although, I would imagine that flying tree could do quite a bit of damage ...