How to Make a Polymorph Permanent in D&D
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Making a polymorph spell permanent in D&D can be a game-changer, offering intriguing possibilities for both players and Dungeon Masters. However, achieving this state isn’t as simple as casting the spell and calling it a day. It requires understanding the nuances of specific spells and carefully following their requirements.
The Key: True Polymorph and Concentration
The most direct way to achieve a permanent polymorph is through the True Polymorph spell. Unlike the standard Polymorph spell, which has limitations on creature types and a shorter duration, True Polymorph allows you to transform a creature or object into practically any other creature. This spell also specifies that a polymorph can become permanent.
Concentration is Crucial
The core mechanic that makes a permanent polymorph possible is maintaining concentration on the True Polymorph spell for its full duration. The duration of True Polymorph is “Concentration, up to 1 hour.” This means that the caster must concentrate uninterrupted for an entire hour while maintaining the spell. If the caster loses concentration for any reason—such as taking damage, being incapacitated, or choosing to end the spell early—the polymorph effect ends, and the target reverts to its original form.
If the full hour of concentration is achieved, the transformation becomes permanent. This means the spell’s effect lasts until it is dispelled, effectively making the target the new creature until a powerful magic is used to undo the transformation.
Key Differences From Polymorph
It’s vital to distinguish True Polymorph from the regular Polymorph spell. While Polymorph transforms a creature into a beast, True Polymorph allows a transformation into any creature and can even turn objects into creatures. Furthermore, the regular Polymorph spell does not offer an option for permanence, instead, the spell ends upon death, the target dropping to 0 hit points, or the loss of the caster’s concentration.
Potential Uses and Considerations
The ability to create a permanent polymorph opens up a wide array of tactical and narrative possibilities.
- Creating Powerful Allies: A player character might use True Polymorph to transform an object into a powerful creature to act as a companion, bolstering their party’s strength significantly.
- Defeating Powerful Foes: While turning a foe into a harmless creature, such as a snail, may seem like a solution, it is not an easy task. The creature would be granted a Wisdom saving throw to resist the effects of the True Polymorph spell and shapechangers are unaffected by the spell.
- Transforming Oneself: A caster can also use the spell to transform themselves, using the spell to become a creature with special abilities.
However, it’s important to remember:
- Dispelling: A permanent polymorph can still be undone by powerful magic, particularly the Dispel Magic spell.
- Death: If the permanently transformed creature dies, the spell ends. However, the transformed creature doesn’t revert, they are just dead, as the spell only dictates the duration of the change not the mortality of the creature.
- Shapechangers: Creatures with the shapechanger subtype cannot be affected by the spell.
- Creature Selection: While True Polymorph allows a large range of transformations, some creatures, such as the example NPC “Archmage”, are not valid targets.
- CR and Size: When transforming an object into a creature, the creature’s size must not exceed the object’s size, and its challenge rating should usually be 9 or lower. However, depending on the situation, this limit can vary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to delve deeper into the complexities of permanent polymorph in D&D:
1. Can I True Polymorph into a Dragon?
Yes, you can True Polymorph into a dragon as long as the dragon is a valid creature target (a specific dragon, not just “a dragon”) and if the caster can maintain concentration for a full hour. For example, you can True Polymorph into an ancient brass dragon.
2. Can I live forever with True Polymorph?
No, a permanent True Polymorph doesn’t grant immortality. While the spell might make a transformation permanent, the target can still die. The spell’s effect only ends if the creature dies.
3. What happens if a permanently polymorphed creature dies?
If a permanently polymorphed creature dies, the spell ends, and the creature is dead. The body remains in its transformed shape, the spell does not undo the fact the creature is deceased and it does not revert back to its original form.
4. Can I polymorph myself?
Yes, you can polymorph yourself. You can also maintain the polymorphed state if concentration is maintained and the caster doesn’t drop to 0 hit points.
5. Can you polymorph twice?
Yes, it is possible to cast True Polymorph multiple times on the same target. It is also possible to have both instances become permanent.
6. Does polymorph remove blindness or other conditions?
No, polymorph does not remove conditions. Any conditions affecting the original form carry over to the transformed form.
7. Can you polymorph a werewolf?
A werewolf is a shapechanger, and shapechangers are immune to the effects of polymorph spells, so you cannot polymorph a werewolf.
8. Can I polymorph a dragon?
Yes, you can polymorph a dragon, because dragons are not considered shapechangers for the purposes of this spell. However, doing so negates all of their innate magical powers.
9. Does polymorph remove rage?
Yes, polymorph removes rage, because it changes your form into another creature. The polymorphed barbarian is no longer a barbarian, so can no longer rage, and cannot use other class features.
10. Which polymorph is more powerful, Shapechange or True Polymorph?
Shapechange is generally more useful in combat, as it lets you retain your race and class features if your new form allows. True Polymorph has utility with its wide array of applications for both objects and creatures and its ability to transform others, giving it more utility outside of combat.
11. What happens if a polymorphed creature takes damage?
If a creature transformed by the regular Polymorph spell takes enough damage to drop to 0 hit points, the spell ends, and it reverts to its original form. For True Polymorph and shapechange, the creature simply drops to 0 hit points if they are reduced to it.
12. What is the strongest creature you can polymorph into with the Polymorph spell?
With the regular Polymorph spell, the strongest option is typically the Tyrannosaurus Rex, which is CR 8. This is because the spell is limited to beasts.
13. What is the strongest creature you can polymorph into with the True Polymorph spell?
True Polymorph is not limited to beasts and there is generally no CR limitation, however, you are limited to an appropriate level for your character and the creature must be a valid target and not an example NPC.
14. Can you use spells while polymorphed?
With the normal Polymorph spell, you cannot cast spells. If you’re under the effects of Shapechange you can if the form allows it, however, True Polymorph does not allow the target to cast spells or use their class features.
15. Is the permanency of True Polymorph absolute?
No, the permanency of True Polymorph is not absolute. The transformation lasts until it is dispelled by an effect such as the Dispel Magic spell. However, in most circumstances, a Dispel Magic spell of 8th level or below will not automatically remove the effect, requiring a spellcasting ability check to end the True Polymorph effect.
Conclusion
Achieving a permanent polymorph in D&D can open up a world of possibilities, transforming combat tactics and narrative storytelling alike. By understanding the nuances of the True Polymorph spell, and by maintaining concentration for a full hour, you can create a lasting change that can alter the course of your adventure. However, it is also important to be aware of the limitations and potential drawbacks of such an effect. Through careful planning and understanding of the rules, permanent polymorph can be a powerful asset in your arsenal.