Polymorph
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 4th-level transmutation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a caterpillar cocoon)
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 hour
- Classes
- Bard, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
You attempt to transform a creature that you can see within range into a Beast. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or shape-shift into Beast form for the duration. That form can be any Beast you choose that has a Challenge Rating equal to or less than the target's (or the target's level if it doesn't have a Challenge Rating). The target's game statistics are replaced by the stat block of the chosen Beast, but the target retains its alignment, personality, creature type, Hit Points, and Hit Point Dice.
The target gains a number of Temporary Hit Points equal to the Hit Points of the Beast form. These Temporary Hit Points vanish if any remain when the spell ends. The spell ends early on the target if it has no Temporary Hit Points left.
The target is limited in the actions it can perform by the anatomy of its new form, and it can't speak or cast spells.
The target's gear melds into the new form. The creature can't use or otherwise benefit from any of that equipment.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 4th-level transmutation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a caterpillar cocoon)
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 hour
- Classes
- Bard, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
This spell transforms a creature that you can see within range into a new form. An unwilling creature must make a Wisdom saving throw to avoid the effect. The spell has no effect on a shapechanger or a creature with 0 hit points.
The transformation lasts for the duration, or until the target drops to 0 hit points or dies. The new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target's (or the target's level, if it doesn't have a challenge rating). The target's game statistics, including mental ability scores, are replaced by the statistics of the chosen beast. It retains its alignment and personality.
The target assumes the hit points of its new form. When it reverts to its normal form, the creature returns to the number of hit points it had before it transformed. If it reverts as a result of dropping to 0 hit points, any excess damage carries over to its normal form. As long as the excess damage doesn't reduce the creature's normal form to 0 hit points, it isn't knocked unconscious.
The creature is limited in the actions it can perform by the nature of its new form, and it can't speak, cast spells, or take any other action that requires hands or speech.
The target's gear melds into the new form. The creature can't activate, use, wield, or otherwise benefit from any of its equipment.
Polymorph 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Polymorph popularity
How popular is Polymorph? It is a commonly found spell in the game, and is often chosen over other options when available. This spell is a reliable addition to any spellbook.
- #1 picked level 4 Druid spell
- #3 of all level 4 spells
- #3 picked level 4 Bard spell
- Top 25% picked level 4 Wizard spell
- Top 25% picked level 4 Sorcerer spell
- Top 25% of all 5e spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Polymorph
Animal Shapes 8th-level transmutation
Like Polymorph, it turns creatures into chosen Beasts and provides a major tactical shift through altered anatomy and movement.
Players prefer Animal Shapes over Polymorph
Dominate Monster 8th-level enchantment
This is a same-duration, same-range concentration spell that can remove an enemy's meaningful control of its actions after a failed save.
Players prefer Polymorph over Dominate Monster
True Polymorph 9th-level transmutation
It is the closest parallel, transforming a creature for an hour while potentially granting a radically different form and capabilities.
Players prefer Polymorph over True Polymorph
Flesh to Stone 6th-level transmutation
The two spells are single-target Transmutations that use a saving throw and concentration to impose a dramatic, fight-changing transformation.
Players prefer Polymorph over Flesh to Stone
Shapechange 9th-level transmutation
Both are high-impact Transmutation spells that replace a creature's practical capabilities with those of another form for up to an hour.
Players prefer Polymorph over Shapechange
Mass Polymorph 9th-level transmutation
This expands Polymorph's creature-transformation effect to multiple targets with the same concentration-based duration and saving-throw structure.
Players prefer Polymorph over Mass Polymorph