The question I have pertains to how much control a player has when using polymorph. I know the spell says that the alignment and personality stay the same, but when you are turned into a t-rex with a low intelligence I feel like they should almost become an npc. Sure the dinosaur will be good if they are good, and may like to do some of the things that the player did, but I don't think full control over the body is right. What do you guys think?
They still know who their friends are and who their friends are fighting. They may not be capable of everything that they are with a high intelligence, but they know who they trust.
Polymorph is a very powerful buff and debuff spell all in one, so it can sometimes take some reining in - like making sure players are roleplaying the mental characteristics properly. I would never make a player an NPC unless an effect explicitly said so (like with the curse of lycanthropy). Player agency is a big deal and they should feel like their characters are their own (even if they have to play them differently based on circumstances), and that's part of the alignment and personality thing. And low INT does not mean the character has a lump of mush for a brain - even animals can discriminate packmates from aggressors.
I think of it like a well trained dog. You know who you like and dislike, and can follow basic commands. You're not going to be coming up with any amazing tactics, but you can attack the creatures your friends point you towards.
The intent is that the target of Polymorph is still the same person, just with a different body. A lower INT score will affect their ability to apply logic and reasoning, and losing their languages will create a communication barrier, but the target will still behave in similar ways. Jeremy Crawford talks at length about Polymorph in the 10/26/2017 episode of Dragon Talk.
Ok how about this scenario. The players are trapped in a hole that is filling up with sand, and they are trying to escape through a hole in the ceiling, would it be allowed for the player to polymorph into a flying creature, and go back and forth picking up one person at a time until everyone was out?
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.
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.
It is pretty remarkable what can be taught to animals with the right knowledge and patience. (Talk to the people who train sharks not to eat the other fish at the aquarium)
A Tyrannosaurus Rex has an Int score of 2, which is the same as an Owl. While not as smart as crows or dogs, they are certainly trainable.
Now, imagine that you could perfectly download knowledge directly into its brain. It may not be able to make much sense of most of it, but the basics of "chanting bad", "hat man bad" would certainly stick. "Complicated decisions" would be more like "drop a chandelier", "lay a trap", "knock it out, but don't kill it", or taking advantage of resistances/vulnerabilities.
Preferring certain targets to bite is actually pretty straightforward, however if a 3rd party healer showed up, the T-Rex might simply assume they were another hostile caster, because they only know that they aren't one of their party. (A Wisdom(Insight) check might give them a chance to prioritize between two "hostile" casters.)
Basically, assume that the new form is perfectly trained to the limits of believability.
The game is supposed to be fun. Interpret the players intent for his character in this way. Reward ingenious solutions but don't allow ridiculous behavior.
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The question I have pertains to how much control a player has when using polymorph. I know the spell says that the alignment and personality stay the same, but when you are turned into a t-rex with a low intelligence I feel like they should almost become an npc. Sure the dinosaur will be good if they are good, and may like to do some of the things that the player did, but I don't think full control over the body is right. What do you guys think?
They still know who their friends are and who their friends are fighting. They may not be capable of everything that they are with a high intelligence, but they know who they trust.
Professional computer geek
Polymorph is a very powerful buff and debuff spell all in one, so it can sometimes take some reining in - like making sure players are roleplaying the mental characteristics properly. I would never make a player an NPC unless an effect explicitly said so (like with the curse of lycanthropy). Player agency is a big deal and they should feel like their characters are their own (even if they have to play them differently based on circumstances), and that's part of the alignment and personality thing. And low INT does not mean the character has a lump of mush for a brain - even animals can discriminate packmates from aggressors.
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile.
I think of it like a well trained dog. You know who you like and dislike, and can follow basic commands. You're not going to be coming up with any amazing tactics, but you can attack the creatures your friends point you towards.
The intent is that the target of Polymorph is still the same person, just with a different body. A lower INT score will affect their ability to apply logic and reasoning, and losing their languages will create a communication barrier, but the target will still behave in similar ways. Jeremy Crawford talks at length about Polymorph in the 10/26/2017 episode of Dragon Talk.
Whatever you decide, let players have their fun.
The Forum Infestation (TM)
Ok how about this scenario. The players are trapped in a hole that is filling up with sand, and they are trying to escape through a hole in the ceiling, would it be allowed for the player to polymorph into a flying creature, and go back and forth picking up one person at a time until everyone was out?
If the creature has the carrying capacity to carry the heaviest person, why not?
The Forum Infestation (TM)
Also int 2 and low wis/cha puts the characters at a penalty against some spells.
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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.
It is pretty remarkable what can be taught to animals with the right knowledge and patience. (Talk to the people who train sharks not to eat the other fish at the aquarium)
A Tyrannosaurus Rex has an Int score of 2, which is the same as an Owl. While not as smart as crows or dogs, they are certainly trainable.
Now, imagine that you could perfectly download knowledge directly into its brain. It may not be able to make much sense of most of it, but the basics of "chanting bad", "hat man bad" would certainly stick. "Complicated decisions" would be more like "drop a chandelier", "lay a trap", "knock it out, but don't kill it", or taking advantage of resistances/vulnerabilities.
Preferring certain targets to bite is actually pretty straightforward, however if a 3rd party healer showed up, the T-Rex might simply assume they were another hostile caster, because they only know that they aren't one of their party. (A Wisdom(Insight) check might give them a chance to prioritize between two "hostile" casters.)
Basically, assume that the new form is perfectly trained to the limits of believability.
The game is supposed to be fun. Interpret the players intent for his character in this way. Reward ingenious solutions but don't allow ridiculous behavior.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt