Can I Polymorph My Familiar in 5E? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, you absolutely can polymorph your familiar in 5E. The polymorph spell, as written, simply targets a creature you can see within range. Since your familiar is a creature, it’s a perfectly valid target for this spell. However, there are critical nuances and limitations that every aspiring shapeshifter should understand. This article will delve into the ins and outs of polymorphing your familiar, covering the core rules, limitations, and frequently asked questions to ensure you’re well-equipped to use this powerful spell effectively.
Polymorphing Your Familiar: The Basics
The Rules of Polymorph
The polymorph spell allows you to transform a creature into another creature. This transformed creature’s statistics are replaced by those of the new form, except for retaining its alignment and mental scores. Critically, the new form must have a Challenge Rating (CR) equal to or lower than that of the original creature. For most familiars, this means you’ll be looking at creatures with a CR of 0.
Familiar Forms and CR
Familiars summoned via the find familiar spell typically have a CR of 0. This severely limits the range of creatures you can polymorph them into using the standard polymorph spell. While transforming your raven into a T-Rex might sound appealing, the CR restriction makes that impossible. Instead, you’ll likely be looking at other CR 0 forms, such as a commoner. However, there is a way around this if your DM allows it, discussed later.
What Happens to the Familiar’s Original Abilities?
When your familiar is polymorphed, it loses all of its original statistics and abilities. This means any special traits granted by find familiar, such as the ability to deliver touch spells or communicate telepathically, are temporarily suspended. The familiar retains its alignment and its mental ability scores (Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma). However, its physical scores (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution) are replaced by those of the new form.
Practical Applications and Strategic Considerations
Though a CR 0 limit might seem restrictive, there’s strategic value in using polymorph on your familiar.
* Utility Forms: Transforming your familiar into a creature with a particular skill can be useful. For example, you could turn a rat familiar into a commoner, giving it more humanoid hands for manipulating objects.
* Disguise and Infiltration: By transforming your familiar into a creature that can blend into the environment, you can have it explore areas without drawing suspicion.
* Distractions: A commoner familiar suddenly screaming can be a great distraction, potentially giving you the edge in combat or social situations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some FAQs to further clarify the nuances of polymorphing your familiar:
1. Can I turn my familiar into a powerful monster using polymorph?
No. The polymorph spell strictly limits transformations to creatures with a CR equal to or less than the target. Since most familiars are CR 0, the most powerful monster you could transform them into using polymorph is another creature with a CR of 0.
2. Does polymorph change my familiar’s type (celestial, fey, or fiend)?
No. The find familiar spell changes the familiar’s type to celestial, fey, or fiend, and this type remains unchanged after polymorph. The polymorph spell only changes the form, not the type.
3. Can I use true polymorph on my familiar?
Yes. Unlike regular polymorph, true polymorph allows you to change a creature into any other creature, regardless of its original CR. This allows you to turn your CR 0 familiar into something much more powerful, provided it meets the other criteria of the true polymorph spell.
4. What are the most useful forms for my familiar under polymorph?
Given the CR 0 limitation of standard polymorph, think utility. A commoner allows for tool use and basic interactions. A different type of small animal might be good for scouting. A non-hostile animal can also provide a good disguise.
5. Does my familiar retain the ability to deliver touch spells after being polymorphed?
No. The familiar loses its original abilities provided by the find familiar spell when transformed. This includes the ability to deliver touch spells.
6. Can I communicate telepathically with my polymorphed familiar?
No. The telepathic bond granted by find familiar is temporarily suspended when the familiar is transformed. Once the spell ends and the familiar returns to its original form, the bond is re-established.
7. If I turn my familiar into a human, does it gain human-level intelligence?
No. Polymorph replaces physical ability scores, but the mental ability scores remain unchanged. The familiar retains its original intelligence, wisdom, and charisma scores.
8. Can I cast awaken on a polymorphed familiar?
No. The awaken spell specifically targets a beast or plant. While a polymorphed familiar takes the statistics of its new form, its type remains a celestial, fey or fiend. Therefore, an awakened can’t be used on a polymorphed familiar from find familiar.
9. What happens if my polymorphed familiar dies?
If your polymorphed familiar dies, it reverts to its original form. It would not return from the find familiar spell and it will be lost until you resummon it with the spell if it had zero hp.
10. Can a Changeling familiar use its racial shapeshifting ability after being polymorphed?
No. The Changeling’s shapeshifting ability is a racial trait, and it is lost when the familiar is polymorphed. Polymorph effectively replaces all racial traits.
11. Is a polymorphed familiar affected by moonbeam?
Yes. Moonbeam only reverts creatures who are using shapechanging abilities. Polymorph transforms a creature, but is not considered a shapechanging ability. It therefore would not revert back because of the moonbeam spell.
12. Can I polymorph my familiar into a sidekick?
Potentially. While you cannot turn a familiar into a sidekick with polymorph, you can choose to have your familiar as a sidekick as long as it meets the CR requirements. This will require DM’s permission as it can nerf your party’s dynamics.
13. If I turn my familiar into a humanoid, can it wield weapons or wear armor?
Yes, it can generally wield weapons and wear armor, as long as its new form is capable. However, the familiar doesn’t gain proficiency with those items.
14. Can a mimic use its shapeshifting ability after being polymorphed?
A mimic is able to transform itself into an object made of wood or stone. However, a mimic could not use this ability after it has been polymorphed.
15. Does the polymorph spell break the bond with my familiar?
No. The polymorph spell does not break the bond between you and your familiar. The bond is temporarily suppressed while the familiar is transformed but is re-established when the spell ends.
Conclusion
Polymorphing your familiar can be a creatively rewarding option for spellcasters, allowing for unique strategies and tactical advantages, despite the limitations of standard polymorph. While you might not be turning your cat into a dragon, understanding these rules and limitations opens up new possibilities for your magical companion. When used creatively and strategically, polymorph can turn your familiar into a versatile tool in your adventurer’s toolkit.