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I think everyone agrees that the creation of the new Polymorph subschool did little to unobfuscate this nightmarishly complex type of transmutation. Ever since the PHB2 introduce the Polymorph subschool, I've been noticing books with spells in them of this classification, which allow one to assume the form of an ancient red dragon or warforged titan, for example. I'm confused by these spells, however.
The ancient red dragon spell, for example, is, I think, 9th level. Why would you choose to prepare, know, or cast this spell instead of shapechange? That spell allows you to assume even greater age categories of red dragons than ancient! Do these spells grant temporary hit points not normally gained in Polymorph spells? Is there some special ability of the creature that these spells grant that shapechange doesn't? What would this be? I thought that spell allowed you to take on virtually all aspects of the chosen form?
The other spells, like the warforged titan one- are they simply advantageous because they are of a lower level than shapechange (I believe that to be the case, but am not sure), and thus allow access to these forms sooner? Would they not then be negated by shapechange once you actually gained 9th level spells?
I figure that they wouldn't print these spells if shapechange was obviously superior, but considering the complex nature of Polymorph spells, I can't figure out what their advantage is!
Well, I think what they'd love to do is be rid of polymorph and its derivations altogether. Then they could just have all of these more form-specific spells that are far less prone to abuse. Don't forget that in tournament play, polymorph and its ilk are banned.
Regarding your specific example, I don't feel like doing the leg work, but can shapechange enable you to morph into a red dragon with all the appropriate abilities? I would speculate, without reading the spell right now, that the red dragon spell would give you a little more bang for your buck, without all the versatility of shapechange.
I'm not so sure that it's "broken," per se, but it's certainly confusing as hell. What abilities are gained? Lost? Retained?
It's only been used a few times at my game table. The first that I can remember was a wizard avoiding a TPK by turning into a fly. It struck me a bit strange that a 4th level spell could be so powerful, providing a massive AC boost and near invisibility due to small size (try spotting a housefly in a cave during battle!), as well as flight. That was with an 8th level party, by the way.
The other time that I can remember was with an 11th level party, where the sorcerer turned into a tendriculous and ate a Medium-sized shadow dragon. However, the fight had gone on around 20 rounds at that point, and both sides were pretty much at a stalemate, with the dragon having a slight advantage over the party and forecasts looking towards a long, protracted TPK of attrition. So, eating the bastard didn't seem that unbalanced, since it was about all the party could do. Plus, it was funny as hell!
So, no one knows what the "deal" is with these new, specific form spells?
Great stories, Saern. In my book this is what polymorph is all about. If you change shape into something fearsome every combat, it's boring. If you use it to get out of a tight spot or resolve a difficult problem, it is the coolest spell around. I once played a wizard who got stuck in the mud when the BBEG transmuted rock to stone while I was standing in it. He polymorphed into a constrictor snake and slipped out. I was less impressed with my own cleverness when the party warmage cast fist of stone and jackhammered his way out, but still, I was out. I used a BBEG druid's wild shape in similar fashion to slip out of prison once (as DM), which was the coolest BBEG narrow escape I've done.
As for Body of War and such spells, I'm not sure. I don't have the Eberron books, so I don't expect that Body of War will make it into my game anytime soon.
