Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ordred 05-16-06, 11:52 PM	With all that has been written about changes to Polymorph spells and related effects, we have been discussing what if any changes we want to make in this area to our own game. We have found (at least for us) that the Polymorph spell is indeed a bit overpowered, but we don't want to get rid of the concept. We have also found the Druid Wildshape tends to turn Druids into tanks, which isn't exactly the role we had envisioned for them. Yesterday, one of our older players brought in his old AD&D 1 PHB, and suggested we might adapt those rules to our current 3.5 game. In essence, Polymorph allows change in appearance, movement capabilities, and strength enough for normal movement in the new form, but nothing else. So basically, the caster gains disguise and new movement options, but that's about all. Druid Wildshape would allow the Druid to in essentially become an animal in all aspects except the mind - including special qualities - but would be limited in size to a brown bear and there would be no elemental forms. This seems like an elegant solution, but we would appreciate your comments - pros, cons, suggestions? Thanks!
Nialo 05-17-06, 11:57 AM	That's really what they did in both 2E and 3E. You gained the movement, attacks, natural armor and ability scores of your form, but kept your own saves, hit points and attacks. The form was always limited by HD and size. However, if you turned yourself into a giant or humanoid you'd get to keep your magic items, and beyond that you were allowed to polymorph other people. A fighter in the body of a war troll, with a huge greatsword and full plate armor is pretty nasty.
Despana 05-17-06, 04:00 PM	The problem isn't really with Polymorph. It's with all the splatbooks with powerful monsters with low CR/HD. Really, all it takes to balance polymorph is a DM willing to tell the player "no." :rolleyes:
Ordred 05-23-06, 12:16 AM	Thanks for the input. We ultimately decided to leave Polymorph as it stands in 3.5. We agreed that Polymorph could be balanced in-game. However, we wanted a different flavor for the Druid, so we shifted to the 1.0 wildshape rules - adding versatility while reducing "tank" potential.
worst_player_ever 05-23-06, 07:42 AM	Really, all it takes to balance polymorph is a DM willing to tell the player "no." :rolleyes: Exactly. :thumbsup:
Drachasor 05-23-06, 09:32 AM	One simple change that would help is changing all hit die references to CR references in the spell. That would stop a lot of broken combos. It wouldn't fix everything; some special abilities are just horribly worded and exploitable at any level (those abilities need to be house-ruled until they are fixed). -Drachasor
Archtyrant Terevoth 05-23-06, 01:56 PM	The problem isn't really with Polymorph. It's with all the splatbooks with powerful monsters with low CR/HD. Really, all it takes to balance polymorph is a DM willing to tell the player "no." :rolleyes: Apparently you consider the MM to be a splatbook, since some of the most powerful poly forms are in there. Any kind of giant, annis hag and hydras...