Dumb question, but what do you find are the most efficient/best/awesomest/whateverest ways for a wizard to use the 4th-level Polymorph spell?
Edited for spell level.
Whoever is polymorphed gets the HP of the beast as a shell that has to be broken through before they revert form and start taking real damage.
You can turn yourself or an ally (especially when they are low on health) into a Giant Ape or T-Rex. If you transform yourself, you should have War Caster or Resilient (Con), else you might lose concentration and get knocked out of polymorphed form earlier than you would like.
This is generally more reliable than trying to turn an enemy into a turtle or somesuch. Also, IIRC, isn't it a lvl 4 spell?
Yes, 4th level. Sorry.
So I'll take from this that I'm not crazy for thinking that casting it on an enemy doesn't make a ton of sense. People keep suggesting the "turtle" strategy (though usually they suggest some sort of bug), but it indeed seems like a sketchy stopgap sort of measure.
Buffs are always more reliable than debuffs, since it's no save vs. save.
There can be circumstances where the turtle technique is handy though (not enough space to polymorph into a Huge beast, martials are better off with their class, you don't want to cast on yourself and lose the ability to cast other spells).
It's also applicable outside of combat of course. Is a party member banned from some establishment? Polymorph him into a turtle and claim he is your familiar, sneaking him in.
Edit: The (non-snapping) turtle is the ideal harmless beast. I'm not sure you can even polymorph someone into an insect, but if you can and do, how are you going to keep track of them? All they have to do is break the 1 hp shell you put them in, and they revert back to their true form. Possibly right behind you.
We've used it to capture a dangerous enemy. Also to take out a heavy hitter whilst the party puts down the minions.
If you polymorph someone into something with 1 hp, and they hurt themselves for 1 hp worth of damage, do they un-polymorph and return to their original form?
If you polymorph someone into something with 1 hp, and they hurt themselves for 1 hp worth of damage, do they un-polymorph and return to their original form?
I would say yes since the text says " "until the target drops to 0 hp or dies", although this encourages suicidal behaviour metagaming.
What I'm wondering is, what is left of the target's memories, personality and tactical acumen now that its mental stats are those of the beast's shape.
Thus the turtle!
Because they fight with honor?
Because they practice ninjitsu, the art of invisibility?
A ninja turtle I'd not considered!
Capture and transport also seems a totally reasonable use for the spell, for sure.
What exactly defines a "beast," though? Just all manner of animals?
"Beast" is a type of creature in the monster manual, alongside "aberration", "plant", "dragon" and the others.
It does indeed cover all manners of animals, insects and dinosaurs.