Justin Fang wrote:
> In article <ep3249$7ue$1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
> Mary K. Kuhner <mkkuhner@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> >The problem (a familiar one to computer programmers, I think) is
> >that Polymorph is an "im****t" spell. It im****ts into the core rules
any
> >mistake made by the authors of whatever monster manual or other monster
> >source you are using: for example, if they rule that something is an
> >ability of a type emulatable by Polymorph when it should have been
> >something of a type not emulatable, you're suddenly confronted with
> >an ability that you thought was ruled out.
>
> Wizards of the Coast has, belatedly, acknowledged this problem:
> http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dd/20060216a
>
> Their latest approach is basically to throw up their hands in
frustration
> and firewall Polymorph away from the rest of the system, so that it's
> easier for DMs to ban.
>
> As a replacement, they created a new "polymorph subschool" series of
spells,
> each of which allows you to change into one specific form. Examples
here:
> http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20060501a&page=5
My solution was to declare that Polymorph type spells change your
SHAPE, and virtually nothing else. You get limited size based bonuses
or penalties to strength and dex, you may get natural armor, movement
modes or speed, natural weapons, and some senses, but all of those are
limited to typical values for the size of the final creature. Magical
gear changes form with you and if at all possible remains functional in
the new form.
Basically I have a list of the highest values in a bunch of stuff that
a polymorphed creature can have, and if you polymorph into something
that exceeds the listed values then tough luck, you get the listed
value and nothing more. (Natural armor bonuses are also limited to
caster level.)
Level 2 spells change your shape to anything else of the same size,
level 4 allows within one size category (and extends the resulting
range if neccessary to include small and medium), level 6 allows any
size. +2 to spell level changes the target from personal to touch.
Their problem is that they insist that having the shape of an orc makes
you stronger, that looking like a zombie gives you DR, and that looking
like a drow gives you SR. You're a caster, if you need to be able to do
X to act like your new shape then cast a spell that lets you do X. If
your druid wants to have a Bull's Strength when in the shape of a bull,
well, he gets +2 for size and there's a spell for additional strength
on his list, wonder what it's called....
DougL
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