This spell transforms a creature that you can see within range into a new form. An unwilling creature must make a Wisdom saving throw to avoid the effect. The spell has no effect on a shapechanger or a creature with 0 hit points.
The transformation lasts for the duration, or until the target drops to 0 hit points or dies. The new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target's (or the target's level, if it doesn't have a challenge rating). The target's game statistics, including mental ability scores, are replaced by the statistics of the chosen beast. It retains its alignment and personality.
The target assumes the hit points of its new form. When it reverts to its normal form, the creature returns to the number of hit points it had before it transformed. If it reverts as a result of dropping to 0 hit points, any excess damage carries over to its normal form. As long as the excess damage doesn't reduce the creature's normal form to 0 hit points, it isn't knocked unconscious.
The creature is limited in the actions it can perform by the nature of its new form, and it can't speak, cast spells, or take any other action that requires hands or speech.
The target's gear melds into the new form. The creature can't activate, use, wield, or otherwise benefit from any of its equipment.
* - (a caterpillar cocoon)
As a Warlock that has polymorph, can I cast it on myself?
yes
What happens if polymorph's target is in a space that will not accommodate the new form? For instance polymorphing another character into a T-Rex (huge beast) in a cramped 6 ft. by 6ft. tunnel?
I imagine you would be restrained at the very least and maybe start taking crushing damage each round.
This is the same conclusion that I came to, though I have yet to decide the precise rolls involved.
On using polymorph to chage a creature to something too large for the space occupied I would play it like the enlarge spell since it's a similar effect.
Out of curiosity the spell details says “any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than...” now does this mean exclusively the beast section of the monsters list or would something like a Chimera, Roc, etc. Under the monstrosity classification also qualify? Personally I feel like expanding it beyond the beast classification makes more sense given the highest CR rating for beasts is a 9 and limits you to only a few high level transformations.
If you polymorphed a monk into a Giant Ape, could it still do monk things? My understanding of the rules says no, but my mental theater says yes 😂
Just beasts. It's suspected that this spell is why there are so few beasts in this edition. I wanted to turn our rogue into a corpse crab, but they don't count now.
I actually weaponized polymorph with this to 1-shot a troll at level 7. I made a 5"diameter steel tube (1/2" walls), turned the troll into a rat, stuffed it in, and ended the spell. The DM did 10d10 crushing damage and burst the pipe. But later that night he did PSI calculations based on my specs and determined that anything under 2.5 tons wouldn't burst the tube and would squeeze out as a paste.
you still polymorph but into a smaller version that fits the space around you. unless your dm's a jerk and says otherwise.
I am said DM running Tomb of Annihilation, so....
I like this. If the players can weaponize it then they would understand that the same could happen to them.
Exactly. True Polymorph does not have the beast restriction: "Creature into Creature. If you turn a creature into another kind of creature, the new form can be any kind you choose whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target's (or its level, if the target doesn't have a challenge rating)."
Always wondered what would happen if you polymophed into a Beholder. It seems like an astonishingly bad idea.
You mean a good idea
can you polymorph gods if they fail the wis save ond do they take on the creature stats that they were turned into
I'm sure they have this: "Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the demilich [insert deity here] fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead."
So unless you have a Dimension Door & Nondetection in your pocket, probably not worth trying. ☠️
So if your level 18 can you polymorph into a Beholder??
No, you can only polymorph into a creature from the Beast category.
It means exclusively the beast section of the monsters list. For monstrosities such as chimeras and rocs, you need true polymorph.