I haven't really had any problems with Polymorph/Transformation spells in 3.5E nor do I have a problem with their current incarnation in Pathfinder RPG, but the reason for this lack of problems is that my players don't really use these spells very much. Transformation is such a flexible and powerful ability that an entire class could be built around it, rather than having a few spells that can do it all. As such, if we have transformation/polymorph spells, wouldn't it be most balanced to have 1 spell per form it can change into? That would be the easiest to balance and would not provide ultimate flexibility just for the cost of one spell. Also, we could then have flavorful spells with names such as:
Bearform
Woflform
etcetera
Spellcasters specializing in polymorph would also be differentiated by the types of polymorph spells they had and would seek to collect more to gain new forms.
This would result in dozens over dozens of spells. Bad option for sorcerers.
I posted something along those lines a while ago but it wasn't picked up so I'll repost it here, I think you could have both options, the versatile spells as they are and others defined as a form of template spell.
Here is what I wrote then:
I think it would be interesting to have “Shape-specific” versions of the polymorph spells.
Let me explain by an example:
Lesser Beast Shape I: (Selected Animal Shape)
School transmutation (polymorph); Level wizard/sorcerer 2
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Components: V, S, M (a piece of the chosen creature whose form you assume)
Range: personal
Target: you
Duration: 1 min/level (D)
Description:
When you cast this spell you can assume the form of a single specific animal within the limits and gaining the benefits of Beast Shape I. Another form is another spell.
This shape is always the same and doesn’t allow any changes in the appearance of the chosen shape witch usually carries has subtle marks remnants of the caster’s natural form. The Disguise bonus of this spell drops to +10 if the observer knows the caster.
Ex.: The same arcane caster could have Lesser Beast Shape I (Eagle) and Lesser Beast Shape I (Black Bear) as separate 2nd level spells known.
I think these spells would be very flavourful and appreciated. The spells would be less multi-useful than the “base” version and would give wizards and sorcerers the possibility of having “signature shapes”.
Divine versions could be offered by deities associated with a specific form/totem like: Lesser Beast Shape (3-eyed Jackal) usable as a Level 2 (or 3) Divine spell by clerics of Lamashtu.
I’m not sure about Lesser Alter Self spells since they would be first level but they might also work.
I would also suggest that Sorcerers be allowed to “upgrade” Polymorph spell (possibly even Summon Monster) on their selection every level, clearing up a lower level for a new lower level spell (not necessarily of the same type).
Tell me what you think
Lesser Beast Shape I: (Selected Animal Shape)
School transmutation (polymorph); Level wizard/sorcerer 2
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Components: V, S, M (a piece of the chosen creature whose form you assume)
Range: personal
Target: you
Duration: 1 min/level (D)Description:
When you cast this spell you can assume the form of a single specific animal within the limits and gaining the benefits of Beast Shape I. Another form is another spell.
This shape is always the same and doesn’t allow any changes in the appearance of the chosen shape witch usually carries has subtle marks remnants of the caster’s natural form. The Disguise bonus of this spell drops to +10 if the observer knows the caster.Ex.: The same arcane caster could have Lesser Beast Shape I (Eagle) and Lesser Beast Shape I (Black Bear) as separate 2nd level spells known.
I think these spells would be very flavourful and appreciated. The spells would be less multi-useful than the “base” version and would give wizards and sorcerers the possibility of having “signature shapes”.
[snip]
Tell me what you think
Like it or not, I think that there has been an effort to make sure that the power of flight is not available before level 5 (except for levitation).
I like the idea of having individual polymorph spells with a slightly more powerful version of a specific shape than the generic version. It wouldn't eliminate the more generic beast shape/ elemental body spells. It's tough to put something like that in core though since it would be a bucketload of additional spells.
Like it or not, I think that there has been an effort to make sure that the power of flight is not available before level 5 (except for levitation).
Good point.
... It's tough to put something like that in core though since it would be a bucketload of additional spells.
I'd see it as a partial write up limiting and refering to the main spell, like versions of Confusion do. But clearly not a must.
Pesonally, I suspect that "free download" OGL is just about as good as "core", especially since back-compatibility is a major goal: this has a template for constructing specific polymorph spells and auite a few examples. Would that do?
http://www.lulu.com/content/440052
All the polymorph spells are really missing is a
Beast Shape 0
1st level spell
10min/level
small medium animal
you gain +2 DEX as a small animal
you gain +2 STR as a medium animal
you gain the base attack of the animal you assume
you gain the land based speed of the animal you assume
you DO NOT gain any of the animal traits or abilites nor do you gain any of the alternative movements such as burrow, climb or fly
You are an approximation of the animal but it is quite obvious to all who see you that you just don't look quite right.
Sounds pretty balanced to me
How about Mages can only take the forms of creatures they know well, which can be mechanically implemented with Knowledge skills.
Knowledge: Avian Anatomy
Knowledge: Vermin
Knowledge: Pachyderms
etc, etc...
This way the spell could still do everything it was intended to do, but Mages would have to learn about the things they want to become, limiting their choices to what they study (and burn valuable skill points in).
I know P3 is 'down-sizing' the skill list, but I think more skills involving magic (like the Fly Skill, which I applaud) would be appropriate, and of course, give everyone the same skill points (Magic-types would spend them on magic Skills, and Marshal types on Weapon Skills, which is what proficiences SHOULD be turned into).
You are an approximation of the animal but it is quite obvious to all who see you that you just don't look quite right.
Ah, the old Live-Action Garfield I spell.
I like the idea of having individual polymorph spells with a slightly more powerful version of a specific shape than the generic version. It wouldn't eliminate the more generic beast shape/ elemental body spells. It's tough to put something like that in core though since it would be a bucketload of additional spells.
Hmm, I suppose having individual spells as supplemental options rather than replacing the various Beastshape et al spells would also work. In essence, the individual spells could be sort of 'True' Hawkform granting all abilities of the new form, since they would have to be balanced only against the form in question.
In the past, I was considering replacing the old general Polymorph spells with spells capable of changing the target only into a specific type of creature or creating type distances and making changing into other types more difficult. This, however, would not have solved the problem of new creatures being created that it is impossible to balance the spells against before knowing what they are... hence the individual form spells.