Transformation - New name needed


Magic and Spells

RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32

In the Errata thread,

Shisumo wrote:


This isn't technically an errata or a typo, but this is stil probably the best thread to post this.

I'd just like to beg for a modified name for transformation.

It's the most ridiculously named spell in the SRD, because it sounds like it does something rather general, and in fact does something extremely specific and nonintuitive. In the non-SRD naming, that was fine - the specificity of So-and-so's transformation meant that it didn't have to be generic. But without the non-Open Content element, the name is extremely misleading. Something like warrior's transformation or champion's transformation would make it make so much more sense.

I think Warrior's Transformation is a fine name. Mage's Transformation, to follow the convention used by some other de-named spells, might also work, but it does't really transform anything to be magelike.


Ross Byers wrote:


I think Warrior's Transformation is a fine name. Mage's Transformation, to follow the convention used by some other de-named spells, might also work, but it does't really transform anything to be magelike.

I would suggest something that starts with the letter "T" like "Tenacious Transformation" or "Terrifying Transformation". But, you know, better.

RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32

Tremendous Transformation?


Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

In the Towers of High Sorcery (DLCS), they re-named it "Titan's Transformation"

Paizo Employee Director of Games

Yeah, I noticed this issue as well, but I am not 100% sure it worth fixing. One way or the other, you are going to need to recognize that this spell has a new name, and all of the existing OGL products just use Transformation.

Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing

Liberty's Edge

Jason Bulmahn wrote:
Yeah, I noticed this issue as well, but I am not 100% sure it worth fixing. One way or the other, you are going to need to recognize that this spell has a new name, and all of the existing OGL products just use Transformation.

For me, at least, it isn't an issue of needing to recognize the new name as it is needing to be able to immediately grasp what it is the spell does when I'm looking at an NPC's spell list. The SRD's spell naming conventions are generally extremely pragmatic, and this has always been a great benfit to me as a GM - I don't need to look up the specific mechanics to know roughly what tiny hut does, for instance. Transformation has always been the great exception to this, however, because for a moment, I always think it's polymorph, because it sounds like it should do something like polymorph. A more specific and accurate name would make it much easier to incorporate into my games as a GM.

And, although I can't speak to this directly, it seems to me that any newcomers to the game might be in a similar predicament, and find it similarly helpful to have it resolved.


I have to agree with Shisumo - anything would be better than always wondering what that new "Transformation" spell is. A 'TT' name would be good, but at least Mage's Transformation.


Torag's Transformation?


Torgo's Transformation?

Dark Archive

Transform and roll out?


Kevin Mack wrote:
Transform and roll out?

We have a winner.

The Exchange

Tactical Transformation

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