Casting while polymorphed? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Casting while polymorphed? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
xvthreetwoonevx
01-20-06, 01:35 AM When under the effect of a polymorph spell, if you turn into, say, a Dragon, can you still cast spells? You can speak, and you have claws, so I don't see why not, but I was wondering if there was anything I was missing about it. Is it that if your form can speak a language then you can cast spells? What about something that could conceivably speak, but doesn't actually know any languages, like a monkey, perhaps? Thanks.
[GSV] Kirstar
01-20-06, 03:51 AM isnt there a feat that allows druids to cast spells while wild shaped ?
MarkB
01-20-06, 08:12 AM When under the effect of a polymorph spell, if you turn into, say, a Dragon, can you still cast spells? You can speak, and you have claws, so I don't see why not, but I was wondering if there was anything I was missing about it. Is it that if your form can speak a language then you can cast spells?
To use verbal components, you must be able to speak in a strong voice. So any form capable of normal speech can use verbal components.

To use somatic components, you need measured and precise hand movements. As a general rule, any creature capable of using its limbs to hold and wield items such as weapons can also use them to spellcast, so a dragon would be fine, but a tyrannosaur would not.

To use material components, you must be able to handle and gain access to them, so again you'll need realistic gripping hands, and also if you choose a form of differing size or shape your spell component pouch will be merged into your new form, so you will need to find components from elsewhere.

What about something that could conceivably speak, but doesn't actually know any languages, like a monkey, perhaps? Thanks.
No. If a creature is not naturally capable of speech, you can't speak in that form (an example given for Wildshape, which follows the same rules in this respect, is a parrot, whose natural mode of expression is a squawk).

The feat to which Kirstar refers is Natural Spell, a core feat which allows druids to spellcast normally whilst wildshaped. However, it does not grant the same benefit to a polymorphed creature.
Seeker95
01-20-06, 10:07 AM If you can still fulfill the Component requirements of a spell, you can still cast. This requires that you have speech for Verbal coponents.
Ths requires that you be able to manipulate material components.
This requires that you have some semblance of hands for somatic components.

This type of question further demonstrates the utility of Still/Silent/Eschew Feats.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
xvthreetwoonevx 01-20-06, 01:35 AM	When under the effect of a polymorph spell, if you turn into, say, a Dragon, can you still cast spells? You can speak, and you have claws, so I don't see why not, but I was wondering if there was anything I was missing about it. Is it that if your form can speak a language then you can cast spells? What about something that could conceivably speak, but doesn't actually know any languages, like a monkey, perhaps? Thanks.
[GSV] Kirstar 01-20-06, 03:51 AM	isnt there a feat that allows druids to cast spells while wild shaped ?
MarkB 01-20-06, 08:12 AM	When under the effect of a polymorph spell, if you turn into, say, a Dragon, can you still cast spells? You can speak, and you have claws, so I don't see why not, but I was wondering if there was anything I was missing about it. Is it that if your form can speak a language then you can cast spells? To use verbal components, you must be able to speak in a strong voice. So any form capable of normal speech can use verbal components. To use somatic components, you need measured and precise hand movements. As a general rule, any creature capable of using its limbs to hold and wield items such as weapons can also use them to spellcast, so a dragon would be fine, but a tyrannosaur would not. To use material components, you must be able to handle and gain access to them, so again you'll need realistic gripping hands, and also if you choose a form of differing size or shape your spell component pouch will be merged into your new form, so you will need to find components from elsewhere. What about something that could conceivably speak, but doesn't actually know any languages, like a monkey, perhaps? Thanks. No. If a creature is not naturally capable of speech, you can't speak in that form (an example given for Wildshape, which follows the same rules in this respect, is a parrot, whose natural mode of expression is a squawk). The feat to which Kirstar refers is Natural Spell, a core feat which allows druids to spellcast normally whilst wildshaped. However, it does not grant the same benefit to a polymorphed creature.
Seeker95 01-20-06, 10:07 AM	If you can still fulfill the Component requirements of a spell, you can still cast. This requires that you have speech for Verbal coponents. Ths requires that you be able to manipulate material components. This requires that you have some semblance of hands for somatic components. This type of question further demonstrates the utility of Still/Silent/Eschew Feats.