Polymorph

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Version 0.12: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.


Polymorph.png Polymorph
Level 4
School1 Transmutation
School2 Hexes
Source(s)
Casting noise 3
Spell noise 0
This spell randomly alters the form of another creature.

Polymorph is a Transmutations spell which, if used on a natural, demonic, or 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 things simply change their color, while shapeshifters and glowing shapeshifters 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.

  • 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.
  • Boggarts (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, spells, and wands will be useless.

Bad Targets

  • Hydra - These often become storm dragons or guardian serpents. 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.
  • Adders or other inoffensive creatures - you'd really rather have a boggart?
  • Worms - 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 hits harder and is much faster.
  • Slime creatures - A single one can turn into a giant orange brain or a storm dragon. Larger versions can turn into multiple such creatures.

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.