Transformation

Version 0.13: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

Transformations are effects that completely alter the form of a creature's body. While many of them are caused by Transmutations spells, a few of them have other sources. They share a few common properties:

• Undead creatures cannot be transformed. For players, this means that Ghouls and Mummies can never be transformed, while Vampires can only be transformed when at Full or higher satiation.
• Transformations are always temporary, although sometimes their duration can be extended. Whether or not they can be cancelled at will depends on the transformation itself and/or its source. Even those that can be cancelled may take a few turns to actually do so.
• Most transformations will meld at least some equipment. Melded equipment ceases to have any effect (except ponderousness from armour), positive or negative, but it is not unequipped: thus, transformations are not (usually) blocked by cursed items, but cannot get rid of them either.
  • In addition, some transformations will also restrict use of other items, such as wands. Note that this does not mean that a transformed character will be able to use an item they couldn't before they transformed -- a felid in Statue Form will not suddenly be able to evoke wands.
• Transformations frequently alter a character's unarmed damage, sometimes even imparting a brand to said attacks.
• Transformations may alter a number of other properties, including HP, movement speed, size (and therefore EV), AC, and mutations, among others.

Note that spells which have a single effect, such as Stoneskin or Blade Hands, are not full transformations, even though some of them can only be used by living casters.

Table of Transformations

For brevity, the following abbreviations are used in this table, and some clarifications are given:

• Sources: W = Wand of polymorph other, S = Player-castable spell, V = Vampire ability, C = Cards, P = Penance (from Jiyva, etc.)
• Allows: A = Body armour, H = Helmet, C = Cloak, S = Shield, B = Boots, G = Gloves, W = Weapon, R = Rings, M = Amulets. All other equipment is melded.
• Unarmed: Gives the Unarmed Combat base damage. Unless otherwise stated, your Unarmed skill is added to this damage.
• Size: Note that this substantially affects EV, with smaller size being better.

List of Transformations
Transformation	Sources	Allows	Unarmed Base	Movement Speed	HP modifier	AC	Size	Item Use	Casting	Other
Wisp Form	W	None	5	10	1.0	+5+0.5×XL	Tiny	None	Disallowed	rF++ rC++ rPois rElec rN+++ rTorm rAcid+++, Conservation, Insubstantial, foodless, occasionally moves as if confused, randomly blinks, flies, stealthy
Bat Form	WVCP	M	1, UC/5	16	1.0	0	Tiny	Can't quaff potions or evoke wands	Disallowed	Lower attack delay
Porcupine Form	W	None	0, UC/5	12.5	1.0	0	Tiny	Can't evoke wands	Disallowed	-3 Str, Spiny, unstealthy, can't be constricted, unbleeding
Spider Form	SCWP	RM	5 + venom	12.5	1.0	+2	Tiny	Can't evoke wands	-10% to success	rPois-, +5 Dex, clings
Ice Form	SCW	RMC	12 + freezing	10	1.2	+5-12	Medium	Can't evoke wands	Normal	rF- rC+++ rPois, amphibious
Tree Form	W	HSW	12	0	1.5	+20+0.5×XL	Huge	Can't quaff potions	Normal	rPois rN+++ rTorm, +10 Str, 48% GDR, -TELE, foodless, Immobile but can otherwise act, actions slowed, EV set to almost zero, very stealthy
Fungus Form	W	RMH	12 + Confusing Touch	10	1.0	+12	Tiny	Can't quaff potions or evoke wands	Disallowed	rPois rN+++ rTorm, foodless, can't move while there are hostile monsters in LoS, very stealthy
Statue Form	SCWP	RMCWSH	3 + Str/3	10 (6.67)	1.3	+17 + Earth/2	Huge	Normal	Normal	rPois rN+ rElec, 50% torment, 40% GDR, +2 Str, -2 Dex, all actions slowed.
Dragon Form	SCW	RM	18 + 2/3*Str + trample	10	1.5	+16	Gigantic	Normal	Normal	rPois rF++ rC-, 34% GDR, flies, special for draconians
Lich Form	SC	All	5 + Draining	10	1.0	+6	Medium	Can't quaff potions	Normal	rPois rC+ rN+++ rTorm +50 MR, +3 Str, Undead, holy vulnerability, foodless, Necromancy enhancer