Can you polymorph into a swarm?
Polymorph states that you can not assume a form smaller than tiny, so would you count a swarm’s size as the individual creature or count the size of the entire swarm. Also do you get swarm traits? I think they're special qualities which is out, but it seems like a integral to a swarm.
I guess no matter what you could polymorph into a swarm of rats which has a size of tiny.
If the answer is no how does this spell look?
Swarm Form
Level: Sor/Wiz 3/4?
Comp: V,S,M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: Willing living creature
Duration: 1 min/lv
Saving Throw: None
SR: No
This spell functions just like polymorph except you change the willing subject into the form of a living swarm. (Everything else as polymorph except the size restriction which will accommodate a swarm’s size.)
I wasn’t sure if the spell level should be the same as polymorph or not, it is more restrictive. I’m temped to say that as it is above it should be a 3rd lv spell. If it is 4th I’m thinking it should included swarm traits which I think are special qualities which are not allowed via polymorph.
I'm hoping for dramatic escapes and exits!
All help appreciated! I’m very confused and making it worse polymorph strikes again!
Fizz
Being able to become a swarm is definitely more powerful than gaseous form and polymorph is limited to a single creature, so a new spell would be required (4th or 5th level). The base spell should allow the caster to change into a swarm of Tiny land-based animal (rats), gaining the swarm traits (including half damage from slashing and piercing weapons, cannot be staggered, bull rushed, grappled, or tripped, a hive mind, extra damage from area or splash attacks, swarm attack based on the caster's level, and distraction), retaining normal hp total (if reduced to 0 hp the character dies as the swarm breaks up). You could also have the spell gain extra effects as the character increases in level (which would definitely push it towards 5th level): flight (bats), Diminutive vermin (locusts), and poison (centipedes, spiders, or wasps).
Thanks for the reply, but to go back to the base question can you use polymorph to turn into a swarm? Lets say a rat swarm or a flock of muderous crows which both are Tiny in size?
Fizz
I'd compare it to the warlock invocation Dark Discorporation. That one's a Dark invocation (and counts as being an 8th-level spell) but basically turns you into 8x 5-ft squares worth of bat swarm, gives a few modifiers, and the swarm subtype. If you have a look at that you could probably reverse-engineer that into a spell, somehow.