In the latest Errata, the original description of True Polymorph—“The spell ends early on the target if it has no Temporary Hit Points left”—has been revised to: “These Temporary Hit Points vanish if any remain when the spell ends.”
The new wording removes the “ends early” clause, instead specifying what occurs “when the spell ends.” I believe this grammatical adjustment transforms the former condition (Temporary Hit Points reaching 0) into an outcome triggered upon the spell’s conclusion, thereby eliminating the premature termination mechanic. This aligns True Polymorph with its 2014 version and restores RAI.
This aligns True Polymorph with its 2014 version and restores RAI.
Actually, it doesn't align with the 2014 version. In 2014, if you turn someone into a rat, then do 1 point of damage to them, they turn back to their original form with full hit points. In 2024, they don't turn back until you kill them (requiring going through all their normal hit points).
The problem with the creature into creature version imo is its very DM dependent, as while you retain your alignment and personality, I am not sure that means memories. so why is this planatar hanging around and helping you, why is the dragon razing the city for you etc. If the DM runs it so he lets the other player remember the party and work with them its a crazy good spell, if not it feels more like either a shut down spell or a summon Cr 9 creature spell. Which still can be pretty good as the Cr 9 creature has its full abilities, just not insane.
I believe the SAC’s clarification helps us understand RAI:
Q: You said that if a spell does not say something happens it doesn't happen so with true polymorph/polymorph which says personality and alignment are retained, it doesn't mention memory. So this means a creature loses it's memories when transformed? A: A spell doesn't erase/suppress your memories unless the spell's text says it does. When the text of a spell, like polymorph, says you retain your personality after a transformation, that's a terse way of saying, "You're still you, despite the radical changes you undergo."
This aligns True Polymorph with its 2014 version and restores RAI.
Actually, it doesn't align with the 2014 version. In 2014, if you turn someone into a rat, then do 1 point of damage to them, they turn back to their original form with full hit points. In 2024, they don't turn back until you kill them (requiring going through all their normal hit points).
In reality, there are two distinct public comments by D&D designers on this matter.
Q: Does a polymorphed creature revert to its original form when drops to 0HP by suffocation, or it dies outright? A:The target of polymorph reverts to its true form when it drops to 0 hp or dies, regardless of cause.
Q: Does a 'permanent' True Polymorph still end if the target hits 0 hp? A: nope, needs some sort of magical intercession to end it.
Given that this pertains to 2014-era RAI, we may never receive an official Errata. Thus, let us agree to disagree on which interpretation to adopt.
The problem with the creature into creature version imo is its very DM dependent, as while you retain your alignment and personality, I am not sure that means memories. so why is this planatar hanging around and helping you, why is the dragon razing the city for you etc. If the DM runs it so he lets the other player remember the party and work with them its a crazy good spell, if not it feels more like either a shut down spell or a summon Cr 9 creature spell. Which still can be pretty good as the Cr 9 creature has its full abilities, just not insane.
I believe the SAC’s clarification helps us understand RAI:
Q: You said that if a spell does not say something happens it doesn't happen so with true polymorph/polymorph which says personality and alignment are retained, it doesn't mention memory. So this means a creature loses it's memories when transformed? A: A spell doesn't erase/suppress your memories unless the spell's text says it does. When the text of a spell, like polymorph, says you retain your personality after a transformation, that's a terse way of saying, "You're still you, despite the radical changes you undergo."
When we are relying on RAI it becomes what I suggested very DM dependent. I've played in multiple games where it is not run that way as they did not see that RAI as the rule. Their assumption is your memories become that of a sort of generic planatar or whatever you got turned into as the only thing you retain per the rule was personality/alignment. You are gaining memories, skills, abilities. If you have your memory when turned into a dragon do you retain proficiency in your skills. You could make some argument on with physical skills are lost as you are not used to the new body, but why would you forget history. And further why does wild shape include memories. If memories are part of this why isn't it mentioned here, when it is with wild shape.
It is one of those arguments that can both ways on a spell only does what it says it does. Sure it does not say you lose your memories but it does not say you keep them either. You become a bear with your personality and alignment not a bear with your memories, alignment, personality.
That being said when we need RAI it does make it a bit more open for the DM to run it in the way that is best for their table. Do you want that 4th level polymorph spell to be that good of a buff spell. Or do you want it to be weaker. It is an easy place to make a judgement call without even needing to house rule things. If keeping the memory is better for your game keep it, if not, its lost. And sure feel free to house rule all you want, but when its just a judgement call on how a rule is interpreted there is usually less chance of it backfiring on you as you didn't see all the problems with that new magic item or whatever.
It is one of those arguments that can both ways on a spell only does what it says it does. Sure it does not say you lose your memories but it does not say you keep them either. You become a bear with your personality and alignment not a bear with your memories, alignment, personality.
Seriously? None of the shapeshifting spells specify that. If someone argues that memories are lost under the effect of (True) Polymorph, the same argument can be made for Shapechange, which becomes utterly useless under this interpretation. I mean you would even forget that you are concentrating on a spell which may lead you to cast another concentration spell.
It is more than obvious that memories are kept as a part of "personality". Why one looses proficiency in knowledges such as e.g. Arkana or History is weird but probably rarely relevant in practice.
I've always (and always will) run it that you retain memories (because you do by RAW, that's what a personality is) and you also retain knowledges and skills, however depending on the nature of the transformation, the ability to use them varies. You're also trying to filter out your new Instincts, so a lot of things (read "people") might be seen as food when the hunger hits.
Example: you can still write as a T-Rex, but your ability to remember correct spelling, make the letters legible, etc is all garbage due to your -4 Int mod. Same for the facts you might try to communicate. You're likely to bungle.
In a very wild game I'd allow someone to "train" in their new permanent form to recover class features. Probably take a month per level up to 5 and then 6/level to 11 and so on. Then you'd need to pull other shenanigans. Get Awaken cast on yourself to be able to talk and have an average Int. Get a headband or a bunch of feats to get your Int back to a competitive level if you want to be a T-Rex Wizard, or an Dual Wielding Otter etc.
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In the latest Errata, the original description of True Polymorph—“The spell ends early on the target if it has no Temporary Hit Points left”—has been revised to:
“These Temporary Hit Points vanish if any remain when the spell ends.”
The new wording removes the “ends early” clause, instead specifying what occurs “when the spell ends.” I believe this grammatical adjustment transforms the former condition (Temporary Hit Points reaching 0) into an outcome triggered upon the spell’s conclusion, thereby eliminating the premature termination mechanic. This aligns True Polymorph with its 2014 version and restores RAI.
Actually, it doesn't align with the 2014 version. In 2014, if you turn someone into a rat, then do 1 point of damage to them, they turn back to their original form with full hit points. In 2024, they don't turn back until you kill them (requiring going through all their normal hit points).
I believe the SAC’s clarification helps us understand RAI:
In reality, there are two distinct public comments by D&D designers on this matter.
Given that this pertains to 2014-era RAI, we may never receive an official Errata. Thus, let us agree to disagree on which interpretation to adopt.
When we are relying on RAI it becomes what I suggested very DM dependent. I've played in multiple games where it is not run that way as they did not see that RAI as the rule. Their assumption is your memories become that of a sort of generic planatar or whatever you got turned into as the only thing you retain per the rule was personality/alignment. You are gaining memories, skills, abilities. If you have your memory when turned into a dragon do you retain proficiency in your skills. You could make some argument on with physical skills are lost as you are not used to the new body, but why would you forget history. And further why does wild shape include memories. If memories are part of this why isn't it mentioned here, when it is with wild shape.
It is one of those arguments that can both ways on a spell only does what it says it does. Sure it does not say you lose your memories but it does not say you keep them either. You become a bear with your personality and alignment not a bear with your memories, alignment, personality.
That being said when we need RAI it does make it a bit more open for the DM to run it in the way that is best for their table. Do you want that 4th level polymorph spell to be that good of a buff spell. Or do you want it to be weaker. It is an easy place to make a judgement call without even needing to house rule things. If keeping the memory is better for your game keep it, if not, its lost. And sure feel free to house rule all you want, but when its just a judgement call on how a rule is interpreted there is usually less chance of it backfiring on you as you didn't see all the problems with that new magic item or whatever.
Seriously? None of the shapeshifting spells specify that. If someone argues that memories are lost under the effect of (True) Polymorph, the same argument can be made for Shapechange, which becomes utterly useless under this interpretation. I mean you would even forget that you are concentrating on a spell which may lead you to cast another concentration spell.
It is more than obvious that memories are kept as a part of "personality". Why one looses proficiency in knowledges such as e.g. Arkana or History is weird but probably rarely relevant in practice.
I've always (and always will) run it that you retain memories (because you do by RAW, that's what a personality is) and you also retain knowledges and skills, however depending on the nature of the transformation, the ability to use them varies. You're also trying to filter out your new Instincts, so a lot of things (read "people") might be seen as food when the hunger hits.
Example: you can still write as a T-Rex, but your ability to remember correct spelling, make the letters legible, etc is all garbage due to your -4 Int mod. Same for the facts you might try to communicate. You're likely to bungle.
In a very wild game I'd allow someone to "train" in their new permanent form to recover class features. Probably take a month per level up to 5 and then 6/level to 11 and so on. Then you'd need to pull other shenanigans. Get Awaken cast on yourself to be able to talk and have an average Int. Get a headband or a bunch of feats to get your Int back to a competitive level if you want to be a T-Rex Wizard, or an Dual Wielding Otter etc.