True Polymorph
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 9th-level transmutation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 30 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a drop of mercury, a dollop of gum arabic, and a wisp of smoke)
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 hour
- Classes
- Bard, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
Choose one creature or nonmagical object that you can see within range. The creature shape-shifts into a different creature or a nonmagical object, or the object shape-shifts into a creature (the object must be neither worn nor carried). The transformation lasts for the duration or until the target dies or is destroyed, but if you maintain Concentration on this spell for the full duration, the spell lasts until dispelled.
An unwilling creature can make a Wisdom saving throw, and if it succeeds, it isn't affected by this spell.
Creature into Creature. If you turn a creature into another kind of creature, the new form can be any kind you choose that has a Challenge Rating equal to or less than the target's Challenge Rating or level. The target's game statistics are replaced by the stat block of the new form, but it retains its Hit Points, Hit Point Dice, alignment, and personality.
The target gains a number of Temporary Hit Points equal to the Hit Points of the new form. These Temporary Hit Points vanish if any remain when the spell ends.
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.
Object into Creature. You can turn an object into any kind of creature, as long as the creature's size is no larger than the object's size and the creature has a Challenge Rating of 9 or lower. The creature is Friendly to you and your allies. In combat, it takes its turns immediately after yours, and it obeys your commands.
If the spell lasts more than an hour, you no longer control the creature. It might remain Friendly to you, depending on how you have treated it.
Creature into Object. If you turn a creature into an object, it transforms along with whatever it is wearing and carrying into that form, as long as the object's size is no larger than the creature's size. The creature's statistics become those of the object, and the creature has no memory of time spent in this form after the spell ends and it returns to normal.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 9th-level transmutation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 30 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a drop of mercury, a dollop of gum arabic, and a wisp of smoke)
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 hour
- Classes
- Bard, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
Choose one creature or nonmagical object that you can see within range. You transform the creature into a different creature, the creature into a nonmagical object, or the object into a creature (the object must be neither worn nor carried by another creature). The transformation lasts for the duration, or until the target drops to 0 hit points or dies. If you concentrate on this spell for the full duration, the transformation lasts until it is dispelled.
This spell has no effect on a shapechanger or a creature with 0 hit points. An unwilling creature can make a Wisdom saving throw, and if it succeeds, it isn't affected by this spell.
Creature into Creature. If you turn a creature into another kind of creature, the new form can be any kind you choose whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target's (or its level, if the target doesn't have a challenge rating). The target's game statistics, including mental ability scores, are replaced by the statistics of the new form. It retains its alignment and personality.
The target assumes the hit points of its new form, and 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 unless its new form is capable of such actions.
The target's gear melds into the new form. The creature can't activate, use, wield, or otherwise benefit from any of its equipment.
Object into Creature. You can turn an object into any kind of creature, as long as the creature's size is no larger than the object's size and the creature's challenge rating is 9 or lower. The creature is friendly to you and your companions. It acts on each of your turns. You decide what action it takes and how it moves. The DM has the creature's statistics and resolves all of its actions and movement.
If the spell becomes permanent, you no longer control the creature. It might remain friendly to you, depending on how you have treated it.
Creature into Object. If you turn a creature into an object, it transforms along with whatever it is wearing and carrying into that form, as long as the object's size is no larger than the creature's size. The creature's statistics become those of the object, and the creature has no memory of time spent in this form, after the spell ends and it returns to its normal form.
True Polymorph 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
True Polymorph popularity
How popular is True Polymorph? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, but is often chosen over other options when available. This spell could be a valuable addition for spellbooks.
- #3 picked level 9 Warlock spell
- Top 50% picked level 9 Wizard spell
- Top 50% of all level 9 spells
- Bottom 50% picked level 9 Bard spell
- Bottom 25% of all 5e spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to True Polymorph
Animal Shapes 8th-level transmutation
It changes several willing creatures into beasts, offering group-wide transformation and enhanced battlefield flexibility.
Players prefer Animal Shapes over True Polymorph
Polymorph 4th-level transmutation
Both reshape a creature into another form for up to an hour while requiring Concentration and allowing a saving throw.
Players prefer Polymorph over True Polymorph
Animate Objects 5th-level transmutation
Turning unattended objects into creatures closely mirrors one of True Polymorph's signature options and creates additional combatants.
Players prefer Animate Objects over True Polymorph
Flesh to Stone 6th-level transmutation
This Transmutation spell permanently converts an enemy into an object-like form, making it a similarly dramatic single-target transformation.
Players prefer True Polymorph over Flesh to Stone
Shapechange 9th-level transmutation
This high-level Transmutation spell likewise grants a powerful creature transformation with a broad range of tactical and mobility uses.
Players prefer True Polymorph over Shapechange
Mass Polymorph 9th-level transmutation
It is the closest match, transforming multiple creatures with the same transmutative control and temporary-form benefits.
Players prefer True Polymorph over Mass Polymorph