Since polymorth replaces All your stats including int, cha, wis what is the actual result of this? Say you are turned into a rat. Do you know enough to plot things or continue with objectives or know enough to run off a table really fast to take damage to be unpolymorphed? (let's assume you would normally in human form know that's how polymorph ends). If your goal was to press a button on the wall would you as a rat still have the desire to go press the button on the wall?
If you turn into a bird would you be able to take the party to a destination or would you just act like a bird and want to fly around?
Would the new intelligence score be an important consideration?
The first thing I would impose on a polymorphed creature is not being able to count. If you want to scout as a rat maybe you just remeber a rougly idea of the number of enemies you saw. Moreover, I would say that you cannot distinguish different kind of similar races (example: human from elf and half-elf, or the different kind of orcs...). As per the "button" situation, I would allow the rat to press the button, granted that there are no cats around.
Certain beasts do have higher INT scores, so depending on the creature, you may justify that they are aware. Plus, the idea that the Wizard could polymorph themselves into an animal and still hold concentration would lead to the idea that some information is maintained.
interestingly the spell itself does not state that you can continue to concentrate on a spell while polymorphed, which could lead to something like a rat no longer having the mental ability to concentrate on the spell.
While poly-morphed your character is still them, they still have their mind and remember everything they see. The downside is that you can't speak common or any language apart from the animal you've become, became a rat? then good luck trying to tell your party about the three beholders on the other side of the door..all they'll hear are squeaks from you
All in all your not going to change much, you cant communicate and your change in stats means rolls you would have made as a Druid or Wizard may be failures, or again Rolls you would have failed as a Druid or Wizard will have a higher chance of succeeding...
Druid isn't the same as polymorph as a druid maintains their int while polymorph replaces it.
Since polymorth replaces All your stats including int, cha, wis what is the actual result of this? Say you are turned into a rat. Do you know enough to plot things or continue with objectives or know enough to run off a table really fast to take damage to be unpolymorphed? (let's assume you would normally in human form know that's how polymorph ends). If your goal was to press a button on the wall would you as a rat still have the desire to go press the button on the wall?
If you turn into a bird would you be able to take the party to a destination or would you just act like a bird and want to fly around?
Would the new intelligence score be an important consideration?
The polymorphed character is still the character. The bird form could still guide the party to destination X. Pushing the button on the wall would depend on the button and the birds Strength score, I would say. Communication to the party is another matter. I've always ruled that animal intelligence would only be able to communicate on an animal level. Simple concepts like danger, hunger, a general direction. Even when casting Speak With Animals I keep the animal side of the conversation short and simple, and personally I would hold this true for a polymorphed character. Also, higher intelligence animals would be able to comprehend more complex concepts, thereby being able to give a bit more information.
But, this is only how I would call it. Others are (as always) free to interpret as fitting to their game. :)
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The question isn't whether or not you an concentrate after having polymorph cast on you. Specifically it is whether or not you can concentrate with an INT of say 2.
Allow me to clarify, being polymorphed into a creature of INT 14 for example would not produce any problems. But can a creature of INT 2 or so even concentrate on a spell?
Allow me to clarify, being polymorphed into a creature of INT 14 for example would not produce any problems. But can a creature of INT 2 or so even concentrate on a spell?
It may be a little weird, but RAW (rule as written) being polymorphed does not make lose concentration in any way. Of course, if you cast polymorph upon yourself and then you are hit, you have to do the CON saving throw to keep concentrating.
Allow me to clarify, being polymorphed into a creature of INT 14 for example would not produce any problems. But can a creature of INT 2 or so even concentrate on a spell?
I don't know of any rule giving a minimum Intelligence to concentrate on a spell. Granted, low-Int creatures aren't likely to cast spells, but... here we are.
For what it's worth, I think that concentrating on a spell is more than just thinking about it really hard, it's something spiritual that can persist into low-intelligence forms. My bigger issue is people Polymorphing and acting like they can still do multivariable 3D calculus.
Allow me to clarify, being polymorphed into a creature of INT 14 for example would not produce any problems. But can a creature of INT 2 or so even concentrate on a spell?
I don't know of any rule giving a minimum Intelligence to concentrate on a spell. Granted, low-Int creatures aren't likely to cast spells, but... here we are.
For what it's worth, I think that concentrating on a spell is more than just thinking about it really hard, it's something spiritual that can persist into low-intelligence forms. My bigger issue is people Polymorphing and acting like they can still do multivariable 3D calculus.
Concentration is not my issue. My issue is if a wizard turns himself into a T-rex that has a 2 intelligence. How do you justify the T-rex not just going after the closest enemy since its int even in the description says it goes for whatever it thinks it can eat. Most player change into a T-rex and then try to make complex decisions like going after the boss or spell casters instead of the 5 guys in front of it that ate attacking it. Please feel free to explain this.
I would allow a simple command like friend, enemy, protect or attack to be remembered while polymorphed. Anything beyond that i would ask for an int check from the beast.
Concentration is not my issue. My issue is if a wizard turns himself into a T-rex that has a 2 intelligence. How do you justify the T-rex not just going after the closest enemy since its int even in the description says it goes for whatever it thinks it can eat. Most player change into a T-rex and then try to make complex decisions like going after the boss or spell casters instead of the 5 guys in front of it that ate attacking it. Please feel free to explain this.
The behaviour of the character is up to the player, even when that player's character has a low Int score. You could verbally encourage a change in behavior, and even actively reward Beast-like stupidity with inspiration dice, but in the end the player may choose what they do.
If you need lore, the T-Rex may be dumb but it's mind is guided by the remnant will of the intelligent character. Maybe the character turned into not just a T-Rex, but a T-Rex with a lingering intense desire to eat that enemy wizard.
The T-Rex still has a very low Int value, so you as DM could take advantage and make it face some Int saves and the player will soon find themselves suffering the effects of being Int 2.
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Since polymorth replaces All your stats including int, cha, wis what is the actual result of this? Say you are turned into a rat. Do you know enough to plot things or continue with objectives or know enough to run off a table really fast to take damage to be unpolymorphed? (let's assume you would normally in human form know that's how polymorph ends). If your goal was to press a button on the wall would you as a rat still have the desire to go press the button on the wall?
If you turn into a bird would you be able to take the party to a destination or would you just act like a bird and want to fly around?
Would the new intelligence score be an important consideration?
The first thing I would impose on a polymorphed creature is not being able to count. If you want to scout as a rat maybe you just remeber a rougly idea of the number of enemies you saw. Moreover, I would say that you cannot distinguish different kind of similar races (example: human from elf and half-elf, or the different kind of orcs...). As per the "button" situation, I would allow the rat to press the button, granted that there are no cats around.
Certain beasts do have higher INT scores, so depending on the creature, you may justify that they are aware. Plus, the idea that the Wizard could polymorph themselves into an animal and still hold concentration would lead to the idea that some information is maintained.
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Wary the wizard who focuses on homebrew, for he can create nightmares that you wouldn't even dream of
interestingly the spell itself does not state that you can continue to concentrate on a spell while polymorphed, which could lead to something like a rat no longer having the mental ability to concentrate on the spell.
You can concentrate. Here
http://www.sageadvice.eu/2014/10/22/polymorph-concentration/
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If polymorph does not interfere with the concentration of its target, so it does when you cast it upon yourself.
Allow me to clarify, being polymorphed into a creature of INT 14 for example would not produce any problems. But can a creature of INT 2 or so even concentrate on a spell?
Concentration is not my issue. My issue is if a wizard turns himself into a T-rex that has a 2 intelligence. How do you justify the T-rex not just going after the closest enemy since its int even in the description says it goes for whatever it thinks it can eat. Most player change into a T-rex and then try to make complex decisions like going after the boss or spell casters instead of the 5 guys in front of it that ate attacking it. Please feel free to explain this.
I would allow a simple command like friend, enemy, protect or attack to be remembered while polymorphed. Anything beyond that i would ask for an int check from the beast.
The behaviour of the character is up to the player, even when that player's character has a low Int score. You could verbally encourage a change in behavior, and even actively reward Beast-like stupidity with inspiration dice, but in the end the player may choose what they do.
If you need lore, the T-Rex may be dumb but it's mind is guided by the remnant will of the intelligent character. Maybe the character turned into not just a T-Rex, but a T-Rex with a lingering intense desire to eat that enemy wizard.
The T-Rex still has a very low Int value, so you as DM could take advantage and make it face some Int saves and the player will soon find themselves suffering the effects of being Int 2.