Does Polymorph Work on Lycanthropes?
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The short answer is a resounding no, Polymorph does not work on lycanthropes. This is primarily due to the shapechanger trait that lycanthropes possess. According to the rules of the Polymorph spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e), creatures with the shapechanger trait are immune to its effects. This immunity is explicitly stated in the spell description, leaving no room for ambiguity or exceptions.
Let’s delve deeper into the mechanics and reasoning behind this rule, exploring the intricacies of lycanthropy and the Polymorph spell.
The Shapechanger Trait: A Shield Against Polymorph
The Polymorph spell states that it has “no effect on a shapechanger or a creature with 0 hit points.” The key term here is “shapechanger”. A lycanthrope, by definition, is a creature capable of changing shape – typically between a humanoid form, a hybrid form, and an animal form. This ability classifies them as shapechangers, and therefore grants them immunity to the Polymorph spell.
It’s important to note that this immunity is not dependent on the lycanthrope’s current form or willingness. Whether they are in their humanoid form, their hybrid form, or their animal form, the shapechanger trait remains and prevents a successful casting of Polymorph. Moreover, even if a lycanthrope is a willing target, the spell still fails; this is not a matter of making a saving throw but an outright immunity. The spell simply has no effect.
Lycanthropy as a Form of Shapechanging
Lycanthropy itself grants the afflicted creature the ability to polymorph, albeit a specific type of polymorph. A werewolf, for instance, can use its action to change between a humanoid form, a wolf-humanoid hybrid form, and a wolf form. This inherent shapechanging ability is precisely why the Polymorph spell proves ineffective against them. The Polymorph spell is intended to manipulate a creature’s form, but a lycanthrope already possesses a natural, self-controlled method of doing so. This is why the spell sees this process as ‘ineffective’.
Understanding the Polymorph Spell
The Polymorph spell has several specific parameters:
- It targets a creature that the caster can see within range.
- An unwilling creature must make a Wisdom saving throw to avoid the effect.
- The spell has no effect on a shapechanger or a creature with 0 hit points.
- The target’s gear merges with the new form, and the creature cannot activate or use any of its equipment.
- The creature takes on the statistics of the new form but retains its original hit point total when the effect ends. Any excess damage taken in the polymorphed form carries over to the original form.
The critical point here is that a creature with the shapechanger trait automatically succeeds on the saving throw, or rather, no saving throw is needed because the spell fails automatically. This is an important difference. The Polymorph spell doesn’t simply allow the target to resist; it doesn’t work at all on shapechangers.
True Polymorph and Lycanthropes
The interaction between True Polymorph and lycanthropes is similar. The True Polymorph spell also specifies that it fails on shapechangers. Despite True Polymorph being a powerful 9th-level spell that can permanently transform a creature, this immunity still stands strong. A lycanthrope, even as a willing target, cannot be turned into another creature using True Polymorph due to the shapechanger trait.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a werewolf be affected by any form of polymorph if it is willing?
No, not even if the werewolf is a willing target. The shapechanger trait provides complete immunity to the Polymorph and True Polymorph spells. Willingness is irrelevant in this case.
2. What happens if a lycanthrope is polymorphed by another source besides the Polymorph spell?
If a lycanthrope is polymorphed by an ability or spell that does not specifically exclude shapechangers, then it would be affected as normal. However, Polymorph and True Polymorph are strictly limited in their use against shapechangers.
3. Can you polymorph a creature that is currently in a shapeshifted form?
No, if a creature possesses the shapechanger trait, it doesn’t matter what form it is in when the spell is cast. The spell will still fail because of the inherent trait, not the creature’s current form.
4. If a lycanthrope is under the effects of another transformation, can they be polymorphed?
The shapechanger trait is innate to the creature. It does not matter if they are under the effects of a Disguise Self or some other illusion or transformation. The Polymorph spell will still fail.
5. Does silver affect the Polymorph spell?
No, silver is a weakness of many lycanthropes, but it does not affect the functionality of the Polymorph spell. Silver affects their natural shapeshifting and vulnerability, not their magic immunity.
6. Can a lycanthrope polymorph themselves?
A lycanthrope can change shape, but not by using the Polymorph spell. Their shapeshifting ability is a natural trait of their lycanthropy, not a result of using the spell.
7. What is the strongest creature a character can polymorph into using the Polymorph spell?
The most common high-end beast used for Polymorph is the Tyrannosaurus Rex, which is a CR8 creature. It has high hit points and a powerful bite attack. The Giant Ape at CR7 is another option, especially if more intelligence is needed.
8. Can a Druid use Wild Shape to become a lycanthrope?
No. Druids can only use their Wild Shape feature to turn into beasts. Lycanthropes are classified as humanoids or sometimes monstrosities, depending on their current form, but are not beasts.
9. What is the difference between Polymorph and True Polymorph?
Polymorph is a lower-level spell that temporarily transforms a target into a beast and has a duration limited by concentration. True Polymorph is a 9th-level spell that can transform a target into any creature or object and can be made permanent. Both spells still fail on shapechangers.
10. Can Moonbeam undo a Polymorph effect?
No. Moonbeam does not specifically revert polymorph effects and does not counter magic of that sort. Moonbeam has its own effects related to shapechangers, but these are specific to what the spell says it does, not reversing other spells.
11. Can you polymorph a dragon with the Polymorph spell?
Dragons, in general, are not shapechangers, so Polymorph can affect them. However, dragons, especially older dragons, tend to have legendary resistances and high saving throws, making it very difficult to successfully polymorph one.
12. Does damage transfer from the Polymorph form to the original form?
Yes, if a creature reverts from Polymorph due to dropping to 0 hit points, any excess damage is transferred to the original form. However, if the creature reverts because the spell ended by other means, the creature returns to the same hit points it had before the spell was cast.
13. Can a polymorphed creature speak?
No, a polymorphed creature cannot speak, cast spells, or perform any action requiring hands or speech, as the gear the character had previously melds into the new form.
14. If a lycanthrope has the “Lycanthrope Empathy” ability, does that affect the Polymorph spell?
No, the ability to empathize with or communicate with animals is unrelated to the shapechanger trait, and it does not affect the outcome of the Polymorph spell.
15. Are all shapeshifters immune to Polymorph?
Only creatures with the shapechanger trait as explicitly defined in their stat block are immune to Polymorph. Not all creatures that can change shape are considered to have the shapechanger trait. This trait needs to be specifically listed to grant that immunity.
In conclusion, understanding the intricacies of the Polymorph spell and the shapechanger trait is crucial when interacting with lycanthropes in D&D. Lycanthropes possess an inherent magical trait that protects them from the transformative powers of Polymorph, making them uniquely resistant to this particular form of magic.