The polymorph spell is one of 5E’s most iconic and useful spells, and it’s a staple of fantasy fiction and folklore. From turning enemies into harmless frogs to transforming yourself into a giant ape to combat your enemies, polymorph has a wide range of applications.

Yet, just as with the other spells mentioned in this blog series, it has its limitations, and bards and wizards have sought to improve upon it over the years.

NEW SPELLS

Change things up with your character’s use of polymorph.

Improved Polymorph

6th-Level Transmutation | Bard, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard

Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Target: A creature that you can see within range
Components: V S M (a human eyelash, an ogre’s nail, the hair of a fox, and a griffon’s tail feather)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

Choose one creature you can see within range. You transform the creature into a Beast, Humanoid, Giant, or Monstrosity with a Challenge Rating equal to or less than its own (or its level if the spell targets a player character).In the case of a Humanoid, the creature transforms into an average representative of the chosen lineage but retains its character levels (if any).

The creature gains all of the new form’s physical and mental ability scores and any attacks and special characteristics it might have but retains its personality. The target’s gear melds into the new form unless its new form can wear or use the equipment normally. The creature cannot activate, use, wield, or otherwise benefit from any equipment melded with it, nor can it speak, cast spells, or make hand gestures unless its new form can do so. The creature remains in this form until the duration expires or it drops to 0 hit points.

An unwilling creature must make a Wisdom saving throw to avoid the effect. The spell does not affect a shapechanger or a creature with 0 hit points.

Wild Polymorph

5th-Level Transmutation | Bard, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard

Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Target: A creature that you can see within range
Components: V S M (a gibbering mouther’s eye)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

Choose one creature you can see within range. You transform the target into a random creature with a Challenge Rating equal to or less than its own (or its level if the spell target’s a player). The creature gains all of the new form’s physical and mental ability scores and any attacks and special characteristics it might have but retains its own personality. The target’s gear melds into the new form, and it cannot activate, use, wield, or otherwise benefit from any equipment melded with it, nor can it speak, cast spells, or make hand gestures unless its new form is capable of doing so. The creature remains in this form until the end of its turn, then assumes a new form depending on what you roll (see below). It also regains its normal form if it drops to 0 hit points.

When you initially cast the spell and at the end of each of the target’s turns, roll on the Wild Polymorph Creatures table to see what sort of creature the target transforms into.

Wild Polymorph Creatures

d20	Creature
1	frog (CR 0)
2	hawk (CR 0)
3	rat (CR 0)
4	giant rat (CR 1/8)
5	poisonous snake (CR 1/8)
6	axe beak (CR 1/4)
7	giant badger (CR 1/4)
8	wolf (CR 1/4)
9	crocodile (CR 1/2)
10	giant goat (CR 1/2)
11	brown bear (CR 1)
12	giant toad (CR 1)
13	tiger (CR 1)
14	giant boar (CR 2)
15	rhinoceros (CR 2)
16	giant scorpion (CR 3)
17	elephant (CR 4)
18	triceratops (CR 5)
19	giant ape (CR 7)
20	tyrannosaurus rex (CR 8)

If the rolled form is higher than the target’s Challenge Rating, roll again until you get an allowable result. Every time a creature assumes a new form, it gains all the hit points of the new form, removing any damage it has taken in its previous form, even if the damage could normally not be prevented or removed. This may also end any conditions that the creature is suffering from depending on its new form (an elephant bound in chains and suffering the restrained condition becomes freed of the chains if it takes on the shape of a rat).

An unwilling creature must make a Wisdom saving throw to avoid the effect. The spell does not affect a shapechanger or a creature with 0 hit points.

NEW MAGIC ITEMS

Try these magic items with polymorph in mind.

Flightmaster’s Saddle

Wondrous Item, Very Rare

This exotic-looking saddle can be placed on any Large mount such as a riding horse or camel. As an action, you can command the saddle to transform the mount into a wyvern as if the creature were affected by the improved polymorph spell. You don’t need to concentrate on the spell, and the transformation lasts for 1 hour, until you use a bonus action to end the effect, or until your mount drops to 0 hit points or dies. A willing mount gets no saving throw against the saddle, but an unwilling mount can make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw to negate the effect.

Once the saddle is used, it cannot be used to transform a mount again until the following dawn.

Cloak of Chaotic Transformation

Wondrous Item, Rare (Requires Attunement)

While wearing this drab, brown cloak, you can use an action and expend one of its charges to transform into a random beast as per the table from the wild polymorph spell. While in animal form, you retain your Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. In addition, you don’t need to maintain concentration on the spell, and the transformation lasts for 1 hour, until you use a bonus action to revert to your normal form, spend another charge from the cloak, or until you drop to 0 hit points or die.

The cloak has 3 charges and regains 1d3 charges daily at dawn.

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