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Ardashir
Senior Scribe
USA
544 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Dec 2006 : 00:47:17
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Just wondering -- what happened with the various Polymorph spells? Now I'm seeing dozens of single-form 'polymorph' spells in places like Complete Mage and Dragon Magic. Mind, I rather like many of them, but this seems odd. Why the sudden interest in messing with shapechanging magics in-game?
BTW, as we're talking spells, is the level rating for 'Power Word: Pain' in Races of the Dragon actually accurate?
Thanks all.
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2006 : 00:52:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Ardashir
BTW, as we're talking spells, is the level rating for 'Power Word: Pain' in Races of the Dragon actually accurate?
Thanks all.
We've discussed this spell on and off ever since the book came out. Less there's errata for it, the spell is insane. :) |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Sanishiver
Senior Scribe
USA
476 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2006 : 06:15:14
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Polymorph is now its own sub-school as well! I think it was the recently released Complete Mage that introduced this (help rules people?).
I like the Single Form spells because it takes away the "I can become just about anything I want" aspect of the spell, but I also don't like them for the same reason. Nice thing about these new spells is the temporary HP; solves the "Do the HP go up or down due to CON change?" question nicely.
It's worth noting Polymorph and similar have been in a near-constant state of rules-tweak since 3.0 came out. I'm sure there's more to come betwixt now and when 4.0 is released.
J. Grenemyer |
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9/9/2006: Dave Mathews Band was off the hook at the Shoreline Amphitheater.
Never, ever read the game books too literally, or make such assumptions that what is omitted cannot be. Bad DM form, that.
And no matter how compelling a picture string theory paints, if it does not accurately describe our universe, it will be no more relevant than an elaborate game of Dungeons and Dragons. --paragraph 1, chapter 9, The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene |
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Dreamstalker
Acolyte
USA
47 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jan 2007 : 21:51:26
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Maybe I am mising something, but I think the Polymorph spell still exists. From what I understood the Polymorph subschool is a method of collecting all of the rules in one place so that all spells are easy to update at once, lessen the repitition of information, and prevent typos from worsening some spells.
Though if they did completely nix the polymorph spell I think it has come from too broad to too narrow. I think they should have split the spell up into types. Such as animal forms, dragon forms ect. |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2007 : 22:44:43
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Ah, a rules question! [putting the rules hat on!  ]
Player's Handbook II (PHB2) introduced the concept of the Polymorph Subschool, yes, as a way to provide designers (and DMs I guess) easy guidelines to create 'quick polymorph spells'. Even a player with a good handle on the rules could create new 'polymorph spells' with these guidelines, using the basic ones shown in PHB2.
Dreamstalker is also right in saying that the good old 3.5 PHB polymorph spell is STILL valid. However, you must almost be a lawyer to be able to read this spell description in one sitting, for the various references to Alter Self and other rules set make it very hard to 'remember' (i.e. fireball 1d6 per level, 20ft. wide = easy... polymorph = ouch...)
It is important to note that the old polymorph spell lasts longer, allows you to keep casting spells and/or use your class abilities. It is in effect a very powerful version of 'Alter Self', and here the clever who does not mind working a bit can find truly frightening combos... (especially fighter/mages with weapon specialization with a weapon that has the sizing property: plants sword in soil, casts polymorph to become a giant, grab sword and resizes it to Huge size, etc.)
The true grace of these new 'quick polymorph spells' is that they at times offer swift action casting. Many fights occur under 10 rounds, so anytime you can shave a round of buffing off and start HITTING, it is gooooooood!  |
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Dreamstalker
Acolyte
USA
47 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2007 : 23:09:52
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| One of the most powerful characters I ever played was a Dwarven Druid/Shifter/Nature's Warrior. I was bedecked in items that would change with my form (wild brooched cloak, wild armor, ect.) and a Sizing spear. For brute power I would go Titan, healing for my allies I would change into a Guardinal (the SU lay on hands was part of the type, not just a special quality). In the end I determined for balance that it should clarify you do not gain Sp and Su abilities based on type or subtype. |
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Aglaranna
Learned Scribe
166 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2007 : 15:12:17
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| I've been none too fond of Polymorph since the time I got turned into a squirrel... |
"You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose the path that's clear
I will choose freewill." -'Freewill' by Rush |
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Whatever happened to the Polymorph spell?
