The spell Conjure Woodland Beings is a 4th lvl spell available to Druids and Rangers (and Bards who use their magical secrets on it). It allows you to summon 8 CR 1/4 fey creatures. That means you can summon 8 Pixies.
Pixies can cast Polymorph once per day. Polymorph replaces your stats with those of the creature you are turned into (except for your personality and alignment) and can turn you into any beast of CR equal or less than your level if you accept the spell. You get the HP of the new form and when dropped to zero hp, you don't die outright, but have your original hp minus any extra damage that carries over. That means you can turn up to 8 people into the semi-intelligent (7) Giant Apes, while they maintain their alignment and personality. That's a huge meat shield of HP (average 157 hp) and up to a few rounds of tearing up the field with 2 3d10+6 fist attacks made at reach or throw rocks that deal 7d6+6 damage before you get knocked out of the form and continue the battle in your original form. The form will last up to an hour before it wears off from the pixie poofing after the conjuration spell (and all the pixies) disappears.
And if you aren't interested in being a giant ape, you can also have the pixie make you fly, have it cast entangle or confusion on your foes, or a few other things. Pixies summoned by this are probably quite a bit stronger than any other fey you could summon (depending on the context). Not sure if that's intentional or not.
1) Polymorph can transform you into a beast with CR equal to or lower than your level. Some DMs might consider the fact that your Intelligence score is lowered.
2) All those spells (Entangle, Confusion, Polymorph) are concentration spells. Their invisibility feature also requires concentration.
I would think that having 7 int would make it so you would mostly behave the way you had before, just not as intelligently. If you were changed into a T-Rex, you'd probably fight amongst yourselves rather than dealing with the enemy. You're right about the concentration thing. I hadn't thought about that. That would make things different. Enemy can see a Pixie flitting about and may put two and two together.
1) Polymorph can transform you into a beast with CR equal or lower your level. Some DMs might consider the fact that your Intelligence score is lowered.
2) All those spells (Entangle, Confusion, Polymorph) are concentration spells. Their invisibility feature also requires concentration.
3) Pixie have 1 (average) hit point.
You're coming out of that Polymorph REAL QUICK against pretty much any threat worth using a level 4 spell slot against.
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
To be honest, Pixie's have like 1 hp or maybe 4...So Unless you have half the pixies polymorph you, then the other half polymorph the pixies that polymorphed you, it isn't going to be something that is going to last longer than a round or two. Depending on the monsters you are fighting and whether or not they are smart enough to figure out the Pixie's are the source of the magic. Granted, if you are in a tough spot and need to buy yourself a round (and if you get lucky 2-3 rounds) then it could be beneficial. Which granted, that one to two rounds is going to be a huge advantage for you and you can still do pretty decent damage and hit fairly well. Could be well worth it, Especially against a boss or any other solo creature, who even with three attacks would take 3 rounds of solid hitting to get the entire party unpolymorphed. BUT
Would such a creature choose to continue the fight? Suddenly pixie's show up, then the party turns into Mammoths, its possible most intelligent creatures would realize they are in serious trouble now and would chose to retreat than attempt to go 3 rounds to get the polymorph to drop. You could cast sanctuary (an unaffected party member) on a pixie or yourself to make it even harder to drop the polymorph's on everyone.
So yeah, if you can get it going for 2-3 rounds, you are going to blow straight through the encounter without much effort. So it would be an awesome idea. I'm assuming that at the level you can cast summon woodland beings that the Mammoth's Hp is going to make it easier to kill the Pixies then to attempt to knock you unconscious and end the spell that way. However you must still pass your concentration checks to keep the spell up or goodbye pixies and polymorth. However, that 1-2 rounds will likely turn the encounter entirely in your direction and is probably all the time you need to make the fight no longer winnable for the monsters.
You can also command the pixies to fly high up into the air, thus making it nearly impossible to kill them.
If you can conjure pixies then it is probably over powered.
On the plus side, a mammoth has +5 to con saves downside a mammoth is not proficient in con saves. Which may or may not matter for you. Its possible you could choose something else to turn into for yourself.
You wouldn't necessarily fight among yourselves as you retain your personality and your alignment. So I think this would make it unlikely that you would fight against each other.
To be honest, Pixie's have like 1 hp or maybe 4...So Unless you have half the pixies polymorph you, then the other half polymorph the pixies that polymorphed you, it isn't going to be something that is going to last longer than a round or two. Depending on the monsters you are fighting and whether or not they are smart enough to figure out the Pixie's are the source of the magic. Granted, if you are in a tough spot and need to buy yourself a round (and if you get lucky 2-3 rounds) then it could be beneficial. Which granted, that one to two rounds is going to be a huge advantage for you and you can still do pretty decent damage and hit fairly well. Could be well worth it, Especially against a boss or any other solo creature, who even with three attacks would take 3 rounds of solid hitting to get the entire party unpolymorphed. BUT
Would such a creature choose to continue the fight? Suddenly pixie's show up, then the party turns into Mammoths, its possible most intelligent creatures would realize they are in serious trouble now and would chose to retreat than attempt to go 3 rounds to get the polymorph to drop. You could cast sanctuary (an unaffected party member) on a pixie or yourself to make it even harder to drop the polymorph's on everyone.
So yeah, if you can get it going for 2-3 rounds, you are going to blow straight through the encounter without much effort. So it would be an awesome idea. I'm assuming that at the level you can cast summon woodland beings that the Mammoth's Hp is going to make it easier to kill the Pixies then to attempt to knock you unconscious and end the spell that way. However you must still pass your concentration checks to keep the spell up or goodbye pixies and polymorth. However, that 1-2 rounds will likely turn the encounter entirely in your direction and is probably all the time you need to make the fight no longer winnable for the monsters.
You can also command the pixies to fly high up into the air, thus making it nearly impossible to kill them.
If you can conjure pixies then it is probably over powered.
On the plus side, a mammoth has +5 to con saves downside a mammoth is not proficient in con saves. Which may or may not matter for you. Its possible you could choose something else to turn into for yourself.
Polymorphing the Pixies won't do much as Polymorph does <= the target's CR (so it's a 1/4 beast instead of a 1/4 fey). I mean, I guess you could have them polymorph into an Axe Beak and have 19 hit points, but even that generally falls to a fireball.
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
Fireball is very specific and most opponents aren't going to have access to it. So its safe to say that generally speaking, fireball isn't going to apply. 19hp is still better than 1hp. But this assumes you don't simply polymorph the pixie's into ants that can basically hide and potentially avoid getting attacked...though you might accidentally step on one yourself. I mean I would opt for something extremely small that can move away from combat fast.
I was more thinking the Pixies would be casting polymorph on the party, then hiding, rather than casting it on each other. That would leave a couple of pixies floating around invisible in case we need to escape through fly.
You have 8 pixies. If you have a party of 4 then the other 4 pixes could do something. Honestly you would be better off if 4 pixies cast polymorph on you, then the other four pixies cast invisibility on the four that polymorped you to give them a chance to hide.
Fly is a horrible escape, unless the monster has no ranged capabilities as if you really need to escape, flying is going to be too slow to not end up getting hit once or twice. Best to keep the polymorph up as long as possible, which should result in you not needing to escape (at least until the DM plans on you doing this and increases the difficulty of encounters to match it).
They can't cast invisibility on others, just on themselves. I think having 100 ft speed with dash would be pretty useful as an escape, especially if you can go a little bit up to avoid getting attacked in melee. and since you aren't the one concentrating, even if you do get hit, you won't just drop out of the sky from it. Since pixies are tiny, I would think you'd be able to provide full cover for your pixie just by holding it in front of you where the attackers won't be able to hit it while flying away.
But where is that in the rules? Under the spell description it does not state that the Dm decides.
Granted it doesn't explicitly state that the PCs decide either beyond the "a woodland being of cr..." but I think a natural reading would indicate the pc decides.
But where is that in the rules? Under the spell description it does not state that the Dm decides.
Granted it doesn't explicitly state that the PCs decide either beyond the "a woodland being of cr..." but I think a natural reading would indicate the pc decides.
It's in the part where Jeremy Crawford (the guy who makes the rules) stated it as such:
When you cast a spell like conjure woodland beings, does the spellcaster or the DM choose the creatures that are conjured?
A number of spells in the game let you summon creatures. Conjure animals, conjure celestial, conjure minor elementals, and conjure woodland beings are just a few examples. Some spells of this sort specify that the spellcaster chooses the creature conjured. For example, find familiar gives the caster a list of animals to choose from. Other spells of this sort let the spellcaster choose from among several broad options. For example, conjure minor elementals offers four options. Here are the first two: • One elemental of challenge rating 2 or lower • Two elementals of challenge rating 1 or lower The design intent for options like these is that the spellcaster chooses one of them, and then the DM decides what creatures appear that fit the chosen option. For example, if you pick the second option, the DM chooses the two elementals that have a challenge rating of 1 or lower. A spellcaster can certainly express a preference for what creatures shows up, but it’s up to the DM to determine if they do. The DM will often choose creatures that are appropriate for the campaign and that will be fun to introduce in a scene?
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
What Crawford says is irrelevant unless it is written in the rule book. No where in the rules does it say that the DM decides which creature is summoned. It says you summon a creature with a certain CR which clearly implies you the caster determines which creature is summoned.
Also the OP clearly took this as what the rules state (as well as a lot of other people) since asking staring the spell was overpowered.
Crawford even has to state "the design intent was" which indicates they failed to convey that in the rules.
Even awake seems to indicate a position of the rules indicating the PC decides by stating it was "subject to a nerf" which indicates the rule was changed.
In every conjure spell , it is written: " The DM has the statistic". So it is up to the DM.
Yes... That implies only that the dm has the statistic (in the monster manual). Not that the dm decides.
Yes... But again, the spell description says: " Choose one of the following options: 1 monster CR 2, 2 monsters CR 1...." . It does not say " choose the monster according to the following options". Since the player does not have the monster manual, the player cannot decide which creature is CR 2, which one is CR 1.... SO, the DM selects the creatures.
Saying the DM has the stats basically is not saying the Dm will decide. Even in live games I've watched the DM assumed/read the spell as the player decides. So the book does a horrible job of conveying it isn't the player who decides.
I'd say for most people the default assumption is the player decides unless the rule or spell specifically States the Dm decides.
This is also probably a moot point as 8 well played blink dogs can potentially be more vicious than the 8 pixies, assuming the blink dogs are well played.
The spell Conjure Woodland Beings is a 4th lvl spell available to Druids and Rangers (and Bards who use their magical secrets on it). It allows you to summon 8 CR 1/4 fey creatures. That means you can summon 8 Pixies.
Pixies can cast Polymorph once per day. Polymorph replaces your stats with those of the creature you are turned into (except for your personality and alignment) and can turn you into any beast of CR equal or less than your level if you accept the spell. You get the HP of the new form and when dropped to zero hp, you don't die outright, but have your original hp minus any extra damage that carries over. That means you can turn up to 8 people into the semi-intelligent (7) Giant Apes, while they maintain their alignment and personality. That's a huge meat shield of HP (average 157 hp) and up to a few rounds of tearing up the field with 2 3d10+6 fist attacks made at reach or throw rocks that deal 7d6+6 damage before you get knocked out of the form and continue the battle in your original form. The form will last up to an hour before it wears off from the pixie poofing after the conjuration spell (and all the pixies) disappears.
And if you aren't interested in being a giant ape, you can also have the pixie make you fly, have it cast entangle or confusion on your foes, or a few other things. Pixies summoned by this are probably quite a bit stronger than any other fey you could summon (depending on the context). Not sure if that's intentional or not.
No doubts Pixies are very much useful. Although:
1) Polymorph can transform you into a beast with CR equal to or lower than your level. Some DMs might consider the fact that your Intelligence score is lowered.
2) All those spells (Entangle, Confusion, Polymorph) are concentration spells. Their invisibility feature also requires concentration.
3) Pixie have 1 (average) hit point.
I would think that having 7 int would make it so you would mostly behave the way you had before, just not as intelligently. If you were changed into a T-Rex, you'd probably fight amongst yourselves rather than dealing with the enemy. You're right about the concentration thing. I hadn't thought about that. That would make things different. Enemy can see a Pixie flitting about and may put two and two together.
Yep. Also, if whoever cast Conjure Woodland Beings is hit, you might lose both the pixies and their spells.
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“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
To be honest, Pixie's have like 1 hp or maybe 4...So Unless you have half the pixies polymorph you, then the other half polymorph the pixies that polymorphed you, it isn't going to be something that is going to last longer than a round or two. Depending on the monsters you are fighting and whether or not they are smart enough to figure out the Pixie's are the source of the magic. Granted, if you are in a tough spot and need to buy yourself a round (and if you get lucky 2-3 rounds) then it could be beneficial. Which granted, that one to two rounds is going to be a huge advantage for you and you can still do pretty decent damage and hit fairly well. Could be well worth it, Especially against a boss or any other solo creature, who even with three attacks would take 3 rounds of solid hitting to get the entire party unpolymorphed. BUT
Would such a creature choose to continue the fight? Suddenly pixie's show up, then the party turns into Mammoths, its possible most intelligent creatures would realize they are in serious trouble now and would chose to retreat than attempt to go 3 rounds to get the polymorph to drop. You could cast sanctuary (an unaffected party member) on a pixie or yourself to make it even harder to drop the polymorph's on everyone.
So yeah, if you can get it going for 2-3 rounds, you are going to blow straight through the encounter without much effort. So it would be an awesome idea. I'm assuming that at the level you can cast summon woodland beings that the Mammoth's Hp is going to make it easier to kill the Pixies then to attempt to knock you unconscious and end the spell that way. However you must still pass your concentration checks to keep the spell up or goodbye pixies and polymorth. However, that 1-2 rounds will likely turn the encounter entirely in your direction and is probably all the time you need to make the fight no longer winnable for the monsters.
You can also command the pixies to fly high up into the air, thus making it nearly impossible to kill them.
If you can conjure pixies then it is probably over powered.
On the plus side, a mammoth has +5 to con saves downside a mammoth is not proficient in con saves. Which may or may not matter for you. Its possible you could choose something else to turn into for yourself.
You wouldn't necessarily fight among yourselves as you retain your personality and your alignment. So I think this would make it unlikely that you would fight against each other.
Click Here to Download my Lancer Class w/ Dragoon and Legionnaire Archetypes via DM's Guild - Pay What You Want
Click Here to Download the Mind Flayer: Thoon Hulk converted from 4e via DM's Guild
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
Fireball is very specific and most opponents aren't going to have access to it. So its safe to say that generally speaking, fireball isn't going to apply. 19hp is still better than 1hp. But this assumes you don't simply polymorph the pixie's into ants that can basically hide and potentially avoid getting attacked...though you might accidentally step on one yourself. I mean I would opt for something extremely small that can move away from combat fast.
I was more thinking the Pixies would be casting polymorph on the party, then hiding, rather than casting it on each other. That would leave a couple of pixies floating around invisible in case we need to escape through fly.
You have 8 pixies. If you have a party of 4 then the other 4 pixes could do something. Honestly you would be better off if 4 pixies cast polymorph on you, then the other four pixies cast invisibility on the four that polymorped you to give them a chance to hide.
Fly is a horrible escape, unless the monster has no ranged capabilities as if you really need to escape, flying is going to be too slow to not end up getting hit once or twice. Best to keep the polymorph up as long as possible, which should result in you not needing to escape (at least until the DM plans on you doing this and increases the difficulty of encounters to match it).
They can't cast invisibility on others, just on themselves. I think having 100 ft speed with dash would be pretty useful as an escape, especially if you can go a little bit up to avoid getting attacked in melee. and since you aren't the one concentrating, even if you do get hit, you won't just drop out of the sky from it. Since pixies are tiny, I would think you'd be able to provide full cover for your pixie just by holding it in front of you where the attackers won't be able to hit it while flying away.
Eh, nope this doesn't work.
It was subject to a nerf.
The DM gets to pick what shows up.
http://www.sageadvice.eu/2016/04/09/conjure-woodland-beings-pixies-and-giant-apes/
2 "B" or not 2 "B" , that is the question my kitty avatar's Tail is secretly signing. You can see it, I know you can.
In every conjure spell , it is written: " The DM has the statistic". So it is up to the DM.
It's in the part where Jeremy Crawford (the guy who makes the rules) stated it as such:
Click Here to Download my Lancer Class w/ Dragoon and Legionnaire Archetypes via DM's Guild - Pay What You Want
Click Here to Download the Mind Flayer: Thoon Hulk converted from 4e via DM's Guild
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
What Crawford says is irrelevant unless it is written in the rule book. No where in the rules does it say that the DM decides which creature is summoned. It says you summon a creature with a certain CR which clearly implies you the caster determines which creature is summoned.
Also the OP clearly took this as what the rules state (as well as a lot of other people) since asking staring the spell was overpowered.
Crawford even has to state "the design intent was" which indicates they failed to convey that in the rules.
Even awake seems to indicate a position of the rules indicating the PC decides by stating it was "subject to a nerf" which indicates the rule was changed.
Saying the DM has the stats basically is not saying the Dm will decide. Even in live games I've watched the DM assumed/read the spell as the player decides. So the book does a horrible job of conveying it isn't the player who decides.
I'd say for most people the default assumption is the player decides unless the rule or spell specifically States the Dm decides.
This is also probably a moot point as 8 well played blink dogs can potentially be more vicious than the 8 pixies, assuming the blink dogs are well played.