Difference between revisions of "Polymorph"

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{{flavour|Randomly alters the form of a creature. It is especially effective against shape-changing creatures.}}
  
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'''Polymorph''' is a monster-only spell which inflicts a temporary [[bad form]] transformation. [[Mutation resistance]] is useless against this, but [[magic resistance]] and worshiping [[Zin]] may protect you.
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{{monsters with spell}}
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==History==
 
{{Spell
 
{{Spell
 
|name=Polymorph
 
|name=Polymorph
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|castingnoise=3
 
|castingnoise=3
 
|spellnoise=0
 
|spellnoise=0
|sources=<div>
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|sources=
* [[Book of Transfigurations]]
 
</div>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
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*Prior to [[0.14]], players could cast this spell. It was found in the [[Book of Transfigurations]] and caused an effect similar to a [[wand of polymorph]].
{{flavour|This spell randomly alters the form of another creature.}}
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*Prior to [[0.12]], this spell was called [[Polymorph Other]]. When used on the player by a monster, it had the same effects as [[Malmutate]].
 
 
'''Polymorph''' is a [[Transmutations]] spell which, if used on a [[:Category:Natural_holiness|natural]], [[:Category:Demonic_holiness|demonic]], or [[:Category:Plant_holiness|plant]] monster, will transmute it into another monster of the same category, usually with the same or slightly higher [[HD]]. Some chaotic creatures are special cases: [[ugly thing]]s simply change their color, while [[shapeshifter]]s and [[glowing shapeshifter]]s will heal some [[HP]] and change form.
 
 
 
If Polymorph is used by an enemy on a player who fails to resist, the player will suffer a temporary [[bad form]] transformation. [[Mutation resistance]] is useless against this, but [[magic resistance]] and worshiping [[Zin]] may protect you.
 
 
 
Similar effects can be achieved with a [[wand of polymorph]], the attack of a [[chaos]] weapon, and some [[Transmutations]] miscast effects.
 
 
 
==Strategy==
 
===Good Targets===
 
This is a partial list of good targets for spells, wands or clouds of polymorph other - that is, monsters which are unlikely to become more powerful when polymorphed, i.e. monsters which are low-HD, high-threat.
 
*[[Electric eel]] - They'll turn into a less dangerous flying or water-capable creature.
 
*[[Red wasp]] - If you lack poison resistance these can be very nasty.
 
*[[Moth of Wrath]] - They can turn a crowd of weaklings into a [[berserk]] mob.
 
*[[Boggart]]s (and other low-HD summoners) - Although fragile, summoners can bring lethal reinforcements into play. Fortunately they have low enough HD that the  polymorph results are usually pretty pathetic.
 
*[[Jelly]] - Polymorphing is an effective means of avoiding their corrosive attacks.
 
*[[Harpy]] - An option if you have issues dealing with very fast monsters.
 
*[[Oklob plant]] - Usually turns into a [[wandering mushroom]].
 
*[[Sigmund]] (and other well-armed uniques) - If he turns into anything but a humanoid, his branded [[scythe]], [[spell]]s, and [[wand]]s will be useless.
 
 
 
===Bad Targets===
 
These are monsters that are actually considerably less threatening than monsters of similar or slightly higher HD.
 
 
 
*[[Hydra]] - These often become [[storm dragon]]s or [[guardian serpent]]s. Even if you have problems with hydras, these alternatives are worse.
 
*Slugs - They have very high HD. An [[elephant slug]] has nearly the same HD as an [[ancient lich]]. The results will not be pretty.
 
*[[Adder]]s or other inoffensive creatures - you'd really rather have a boggart?
 
*[[Worm]]s - They may hit hard early on, but they're slow and you'll soon outgrow them. But they do have fairly high HD, and a [[human (monster)|human]] hits harder and is much faster.
 
*[[Slime creature]]s - A single one can turn into a [[giant orange brain]] or a [[storm dragon]]. Larger versions can turn into '''multiple''' such creatures.
 
*[[Grinder]] - He has unusually high HD for such an early [[unique]], and many of potential polymorph forms are quite dangerous, up to some tier-2 demons.  Grinder the [[hellion]] or Grinder the [[tormenter]] is much worse than Grinder.
 
 
 
==History==
 
Prior to [[0.12]], this spell was called [[Polymorph Other]]. When used on the player by a monster, it had the same effects as [[Malmutate]].
 

Revision as of 08:27, 23 May 2018

Version 0.21: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
Randomly alters the form of a creature. It is especially effective against shape-changing creatures.

Polymorph is a monster-only spell which inflicts a temporary bad form transformation. Mutation resistance is useless against this, but magic resistance and worshiping Zin may protect you.

The following enemies cast Polymorph:

The following enemies may be able to cast Polymorph, depending on their spell set:

History

Polymorph.png Polymorph
Level 4
School1 Transmutation
School2 Hexes
Source(s)
Casting noise 3
Spell noise 0