The polymorph other spell is a powerful magic that completely alters the form and ability, and possibly the personality and mentality, of the recipient. Of course, while a creature with a lower Intelligence can be polymorphed in form into something with a higher Intelligence, it will not gain that creature's mental ability. The reverse--polymorphing a higher Intelligence creature into one of significantly lower Intelligence--results in a creature much more intelligent than appearances would lead one to believe. The polymorphed creature must succeed on a system shock roll to see if it survives the change. After this, it must make a special Intelligence check to see if it retains its personality (see following).
The polymorphed creature acquires the form and physical abilities of the creature it has been polymorphed into, while retaining its own mind. Form includes natural PROT and DEF, physical movement abilities (walking, swimming, and flight with wings, but not plane shifting, blinking, teleporting, etc.), and attack routines (claw/claw/bite, swoop, rake, and constriction, but not petrification, breath weapons, energy drain, etc.). Hit points and saving throws do not change from the original form. Noncorporeal forms cannot be assumed. Natural shapeshifters (lycanthropes, dopplegangers, etc.) are affected for but one round, and can then resume their normal form.
If slain, the polymorphed creature reverts to its original form, though it remains dead. (Note that most creatures generally prefer their own form and will not willingly stand the risk of being subjected to this spell!) As class and ranks are not attributes of form, abilities derived from either cannot be gained by this spell, nor can exact ability scores be specified.
When the polymorph occurs, the creature's equipment, if any, melds into the new form (in particularly challenging campaigns, the DM may allow protective devices, such as a ring of protection, to continue operating effectively). The creature retains its mental abilities, including spell use, assuming the new form allows completion of the proper verbal and somatic components. Creatures not used to a new form might be penalized at the DM's option (for example, -10 to attack rolls) until they practice sufficiently to master it.
When the physical change occurs, there is a base 100% chance that the subject's personality and mentality change into that of the new form. For each 1 point of Intelligence of the subject, subtract 5 from the base chance. The chance for assumption of the personality and mentality of the new form is checked daily until the change takes place.
A subject acquiring the mentality of the new form has effectively become the creature whose form was assumed and comes under the control of the DM until recovered by a wish spell or similar magic. Once this final change takes place, the creature acquires the new form's full range of magical and special abilities.
The wizard can use a counterspell to change the polymorphed creature back to its original form, and this requires a system shock roll. Those who have lost their individuality and are then converted back maintain the belief that they are actually the polymorphed creature and attempt to return to that form. Thus, the orc who comes to believe he is a white dragon, when converted back to his orc form, steadfastly maintains he is really a white dragon polymorphed into the shape of an orc. His companions will most likely consider him mad.
| Save | Effect |
| Failed | As indicated in the description. |
| Save Succeeds | As indicated in the description but no System Shock roll, no Intelligence check needed to retain personality. The effect lasts for 1d20 rounds. On a natural roll of 20, roll again and add the second result. |
| Saves Succeeds by Half | The spell has no effect. |
| Critical Success on Save | Works exactly as if the target were under the effect of a Polymorph Self spell of the same rank (i.e., target can change forms at will). |
| Grievous Success on Save | As Critical Success |
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