Polymorph Duration

[Nylo]

I've noticed just recently, that the duration on polymorph has really dropped. I'm one level below JM - using extend spell, I was previously seeing durations in the upper end of 'a very long time'. Now, still with extend spell, I'm getting mid 'a while'. No changes to casting or memorizing procedure.

[Harroghty]

The polymorph spell duration was incorrect and Mask adjusted it.

[Raona]

More specifically, it had been mistakenly coded at 1 hour per level, while it should be 1 minute per level...and now is. Druidic shapechange lasts 10 minutes per level.

[Enig]

Bit late to this, but anyhow, worth noting that in D20 the spell 'shapechange' is distinct and separate from the 'Wild Shape' ability that druids naturally get that lets them turn into animals. Shapechange is a 9th level druid and wizard spell that's basically an upgraded polymorph and lets them turn into colossal or incorporeal/gaseous creatures and it does indeed have a duration of 10 minutes/ level whereas the 'Wild shape' special ability that lets druids take on animal form has a duration of 1 hour/level.

See:
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/shapechange.htm

Vs:

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/druid.htm

Code: Select all

Wild Shape (Su)
At 5th level, a druid gains the ability to turn herself into any Small or Mediun animal and back again once per day.  Her options for new
forms include all creatures with the animal type.  This ability functions like the alternate form special ability, except as noted here.
The effect lasts for 1 hour per druid level, or until she changes back.  Changing form (to animal or back) is a standard action and
doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity.  Each time you use wild shape, you regain lost hit points as if you had rested for a night.

[Tarven]

Bit late to this, but anyhow, worth noting that in D20 the spell 'shapechange' is distinct and separate from the 'Wild Shape' ability that druids naturally get that lets them turn into animals. Shapechange is a 9th level druid and wizard spell that's basically an upgraded polymorph and lets them turn into colossal or incorporeal/gaseous creatures and it does indeed have a duration of 10 minutes/ level whereas the 'Wild shape' special ability that lets druids take on animal form has a duration of 1 hour/level.

See:
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/shapechange.htm

Vs:

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/druid.htm

Code: Select all

Wild Shape (Su)
At 5th level, a druid gains the ability to turn herself into any Small or Mediun animal and back again once per day.  Her options for new
forms include all creatures with the animal type.  This ability functions like the alternate form special ability, except as noted here.
The effect lasts for 1 hour per druid level, or until she changes back.  Changing form (to animal or back) is a standard action and
doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity.  Each time you use wild shape, you regain lost hit points as if you had rested for a night.

Just thought it might also be noted:
You can become just about anything you are familiar with. You can change form once each round as a free action. The change takes place either immediately before your regular action or immediately after it, but not during the action.

Can this be done, currently? If not, couldn't it be said that a fair trade-off might be a slightly extended duration?

[Necalli]

It's a good thing. Speaking from personal experience, polymorph as it was could make you nearly invincible if you knew how to tweak it around some other spells.

I miss my troll form.

[Selveem]

It's a good thing. Speaking from personal experience, polymorph as it was could make you nearly invincible if you knew how to tweak it around some other spells.

I miss my troll form.

The problem with Polymorph was that the race's stats were stacking on top of your existing stats instead of overriding them. Maybe this wasn't the case with all races, but there most certainly were some that were reported long ago.