So, we had a situation come up in our last session. The wizard was being attacked repeatedly and finally cast polymorph on himself into a dire wolf to gain a bite attack and extra hit points. The question of concentration came up. Because he polymorphed himself, if his new form is hit, does there need to be a concentration check? He wondered if he shouldn't get a check because he was the subject of the spell. I looked up the spell's wording and got no answer there. For the sake of pacing, I made the call, saying that he didn't need to make the check but that I would look into it for future sessions. I'm seeing mixed things online about it, so I figured I would ask the community for their take on it.
Yes he makes a check. It doesn't matter your form - you're still concentrating so when you take you make the concentration check and you will use the Form's Con Saving Throw for it, not your own.
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The only reason to not make a concentration check when you take damage is because you aren't concentrating on a spell.
Per the concentration rules in the PHB: "Whenever you take damage while you are concentrating on a spell, you must make a Constitution saving throw to maintain your concentration." - https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/phb/spellcasting#Concentration [emphasis added]
Also, per the Polymorph spell: "This spell transforms a creature that you can see within range into a new form."
Notice, it says the creature is transformed into a new form, not a new creature. If a player polymorphs themselves they are still the same creature that cast the spell, they just have a new statblock to use instead of their character sheet. In this way at least it is just the same as a Druid casting a concentration spell like Call Lightning and then wild shaping. The fact that you remain the same creature, despite the new form, has other important implications beyond concentration. For example a Polymorphed creature is still affected by any buff/debuff effects they had before, such as Bless or Hex.
Wizards should be good at concentration checks. This is an issue, but not a killing one. The more likely problem is the inability to cast spells while you are in animal form.
I tend to cast it on myself only if I am out of spell slots. It lets me stay in the fight.
Polymorph is best used on hurt ally. If someone is less than half hp, transforming them into a T Rex or Giant Ape lets them stay in the fight too.
Wizards should be good at concentration checks. This is an issue, but not a killing one. The more likely problem is the inability to cast spells while you are in animal form.
Wizards should be good at concentration checks but beasts less so. Unlike a moon druid wildshaping you don't get to keep things like warcaster that might help with concentration.
I am a little surprised the wizard choose to turn himself into a dire wolf. With access to polymorph he should be at least level 7 (unless they had access to a scroll). Giant Ape would provide a load more hit points and a better con save than a dire wolf (and more damage output). If there was not enough space to be huge a giant scorpian would be a better option.
Wizards should be good at concentration checks. This is an issue, but not a killing one. The more likely problem is the inability to cast spells while you are in animal form.
Wizards should be good at concentration checks but beasts less so. Unlike a moon druid wildshaping you don't get to keep things like warcaster that might help with concentration.
I am a little surprised the wizard choose to turn himself into a dire wolf. With access to polymorph he should be at least level 7 (unless they had access to a scroll). Giant Ape would provide a load more hit points and a better con save than a dire wolf (and more damage output). If there was not enough space to be huge a giant scorpian would be a better option.
I think he wanted to choose something quickly. It was only the third time he ever cast that spell, and it was on himself to get himself out of a jam.
So, we had a situation come up in our last session. The wizard was being attacked repeatedly and finally cast polymorph on himself into a dire wolf to gain a bite attack and extra hit points. The question of concentration came up. Because he polymorphed himself, if his new form is hit, does there need to be a concentration check? He wondered if he shouldn't get a check because he was the subject of the spell. I looked up the spell's wording and got no answer there. For the sake of pacing, I made the call, saying that he didn't need to make the check but that I would look into it for future sessions. I'm seeing mixed things online about it, so I figured I would ask the community for their take on it.
Yes he makes a check. It doesn't matter your form - you're still concentrating so when you take you make the concentration check and you will use the Form's Con Saving Throw for it, not your own.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
The only reason to not make a concentration check when you take damage is because you aren't concentrating on a spell.
Per the concentration rules in the PHB: "Whenever you take damage while you are concentrating on a spell, you must make a Constitution saving throw to maintain your concentration." - https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/phb/spellcasting#Concentration [emphasis added]
Also, per the Polymorph spell: "This spell transforms a creature that you can see within range into a new form."
Notice, it says the creature is transformed into a new form, not a new creature. If a player polymorphs themselves they are still the same creature that cast the spell, they just have a new statblock to use instead of their character sheet. In this way at least it is just the same as a Druid casting a concentration spell like Call Lightning and then wild shaping. The fact that you remain the same creature, despite the new form, has other important implications beyond concentration. For example a Polymorphed creature is still affected by any buff/debuff effects they had before, such as Bless or Hex.
Wizards should be good at concentration checks. This is an issue, but not a killing one. The more likely problem is the inability to cast spells while you are in animal form.
I tend to cast it on myself only if I am out of spell slots. It lets me stay in the fight.
Polymorph is best used on hurt ally. If someone is less than half hp, transforming them into a T Rex or Giant Ape lets them stay in the fight too.
It is also a good capture the bad guy.
Wizards should be good at concentration checks but beasts less so. Unlike a moon druid wildshaping you don't get to keep things like warcaster that might help with concentration.
I am a little surprised the wizard choose to turn himself into a dire wolf. With access to polymorph he should be at least level 7 (unless they had access to a scroll). Giant Ape would provide a load more hit points and a better con save than a dire wolf (and more damage output). If there was not enough space to be huge a giant scorpian would be a better option.
I think he wanted to choose something quickly. It was only the third time he ever cast that spell, and it was on himself to get himself out of a jam.
Thank you, everyone, for the insight into this.