Using polymorph for a huge boost in AC

Saeviomagy said:
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.

You're right. Our party is in that situation right now ... two dead members, and a high level druid and high level Wizard ready to bring them back.

One thing bothers me, though --- if the subject can be polymorphed into "itself" ... wouldn't he get the same stats he started with? What are the benefits to polymorphing something into itself? So if I polymorph someone into a bear, can I polymorph them back into themselves without lowering their stats to 10?

That "itself" thing has always confused me.
 

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Huh ... actually, polymorphing a reincarnate character into a dwarf gives them okay stats: Str 11, Dex 10, Con 13. Or a wood elf: Str 12, Dex 13, Con 8.

I'm assuming you use the stats in the MM as a example of an "average" member of the race.
 

As a quick note to coincide with what others have said, I think (and I don't have my books in front of me) that even by the original PHB version of this spell you can't polymorph into anything more than one size category larger than yourself.

Also, (I know this isn't the House Rules forum, but so many others posted suggestions, what could it hurt) as a less drastic alternative to returning to the 2E version of the spell, you could just make some common sensical rulings about what you can do when polymorphed into a troll. Perhaps trolls with their large hands and long claws can't handle thieves tools very well, they being rather small and delicate giving a situational modifier to open locks and disable device. Or, maybe they can't handle material components, giving an arcane spell failure chance to any spell that requires them.

Z
 

What you COULD do is make Polymorph spells work like Teleport; that is, if you're very familiar with the race in question, roll on one table, if you've only heard about it or seen it once roll on another. If you roll "On Target" you get the creature you want. Off Target means you get something similar but not exact. Similar Area means you get something that kinda resembles what you want but isn't the same family. Mishap means you get something with only a few characteristics in common, and you can't change back until the duration ends. (This only works if you use the errata that doesn't let you repeatedly change forms)

So, let's say you want Stone Giant. On Target means you get Stone Giant. Off Target means you turn into a Hill Giant. Similar Area means you get an Ogre. Mishap means you turned into a giant slug or something (hey, it has the word "giant"!).

You could also then add level 6 spells, "Polymorph Other Without Error" and "Polymorph Self Without Error" to bridge the gap between the level 4 ones and the level 8 Polymorph Any Object.
 

Now that's a really cool idea. Quick, simple, and quite fun for all involved.

Lucius - the only thing is, that the spell says that no matter what, you get the average physical stats for a member of a race you are polymorphed into. The entry for being polymorphed into yourself, or your own race only specify that the unfamiliarity penalty is negated, not any other portion of the spell.

Hence being reincarnated and then polymorphed into yourself will suck if you have(had) above-average physical stats.
 

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