Polymorph Any Object Question


Rules Questions


I have a question that I need a little clarification on. The availability to higher level spell casting in my current world is limited, but in the biggest cities, it is possible to find a spellcaster with access to 8-9th level spells.

This being said, my party defeated an enemy that was using a +2 adamantine shocking flail. The party fighter is focused in using a longsword and was wondering if he could contract a wizard to change the flail into a longsword.

Do I allow this. The party would have to travel, which they have to do anyway, and track down the wizard, not a terribly hard task.

Spellcasting services are caster level x spell level x 10gp

15x8x10gp= 1200gp

I would say changing weapon types would easily be over 9. What does everyone say?

Would all the magic be the same?


Polymorph any object can only target creatures or non-magical items.


Kierato wrote:
Polymorph any object can only target creatures or non-magical items.

/facepalm right there in the discription.

Shadow Lodge Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8

You could dispel magic the item first, item becomes nonmagical for 1d4 rounds. I've heard of people doing that, but it's up to you to decide if it works.


Wow. How come I have never thought of that?
It's so obvious ^^

Anyway. I would allow it, but 1200 seems a bit cheep for that.

Seeing as the spell doesn't exactly work that way I'd say the whole thing needs a longer ritual (where the item is turned non-magical for a moment) and then polymorphed. And to prevent it from returning into flail form (when you run into an antimagic field and such) you can add a permanency spell.

This would up the costs to 3 spells. Dispell magic, Polymorph and Permanency. Try not to go too high with the costs or it will be unattractive (or the player feels penalized for it). Perhaps 1/3rd of the weapon value?


I always find it a bit weird when fighters try to come up with magical solutions to their problems. Either way I would not want to set a precedent I regret later, you can make it turn out the same as if they had sold it for half the price, so changing it to a longsword would still have them pay half the price for such an item.

That is what I would do anyway, up to you to decide, and if you tell them that in advance or let them discover after traveling and locating such a wizard.

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber

Tbh, if I had been running this, I'd probably have changed th flail to a longsword before the original fight, so that he player could have straight up benefited from it.


Kalrik wrote:

I have a question that I need a little clarification on. The availability to higher level spell casting in my current world is limited, but in the biggest cities, it is possible to find a spellcaster with access to 8-9th level spells.

This being said, my party defeated an enemy that was using a +2 adamantine shocking flail. The party fighter is focused in using a longsword and was wondering if he could contract a wizard to change the flail into a longsword.

Do I allow this. The party would have to travel, which they have to do anyway, and track down the wizard, not a terribly hard task.

Spellcasting services are caster level x spell level x 10gp

15x8x10gp= 1200gp

I would say changing weapon types would easily be over 9. What does everyone say?

Would all the magic be the same?

By RAW, I'd say no. The magic item part has already been mentioned. Eventhough dispel magic can make the item non-magical for a few rounds, it might not regain its magical proporties when you have changed it into something entirely else.

Also polymorph any object cannot be used to create adamantium, so you would have to turn it into a steel sword.

As a GM, I think I would allow it anyway. But the cost would be higher than 1200 gp. If the wizard in question had to use dispel magic, then that price has to be added to it. Also the dispel magic has a chance to fail entirely, or only supress the magic item for 1 round, which would increase the cost.
I think 4500 gp is fair. It is half of what it would cost to sell the flail and buy a similar sword (not counting adamantium price), thus rewarding the players for an alternative approach to the magic shop, but still having a reasonable price compared to what he gets.

Shadow Lodge

This came up in my game as well. Our barbarian started with a greatsword, and its what he really wants to use, but the adventures we've been using have been focused around worshipers of Rovagug who favors the greataxe, so most of the good magic weapons are great axes. He's been using them, but would greatly prefer the greatsword, so I for one am planning on letting him change the weapon's type with the dispel/polymorph any object combo. It works RAW, and it works IC so why make it more complicated unless you just like screwing the characters over.


Wait! You can make steel (or iron) with PaO?!?!?!?? I have always had a pretty conservative outlook concerning what would be considered having intrinsic value for that spell.


qlawdat wrote:
I have always had a pretty conservative outlook concerning what would be considered having intrinsic value for that spell.

The spell description lists copper, silver, gems, silk, gold, platinum, mithral and adamantine as having "great intrinsic value", but goes on to mention cold iron separately. So I'm guessing iron, steel and wood are all fair game.


"This spell cannot create material of great intrinsic value, such as copper, silver, gems, silk, gold, platinum, mithral, or adamantine."

It specifically says it cannot create. What that means to me is that one cannot polymorph a steel longsword into an adamantine longsword. However, an item already made of a material of great intrinsic value can be changed into a different item of the SAME material of great intrinsic value. :)


I have pretty much felt I have had to avoid metals in general with PaO. But now that I think about it metals like lead should absolutely be fair game. Awesome! I love PaO, it's my 2nd favorite spell after prestidigitation.

Also I really like the idea of dispelling an item to be able to polymorph it. I would allow it just because that is clever use of the rules. +1.


its like using polymorph any object to replicate the spell Fabricate, just like it says you can use it to replicate spells like rock to mud, baleful polymorph, etc.


Personally not a fan of dispelling and polymorph stuff, I rather rule that the magic is supressed but it is still a magical item for most purposes, but well it is a DM's call.

I suppose there is a reason to not allow it on magical items, it is probably something wonky like game balance.


Kalrik wrote:


This being said, my party defeated an enemy that was using a +2 adamantine shocking flail. The party fighter is focused in using a longsword and was wondering if he could contract a wizard to change the flail into a longsword.

Just skimmed through the APG and noticed this special ability, that could be a choice for you.

Transformative wrote:


This ability can only be placed on a melee weapon.

A transformative weapon alters its shape at its wielder’s command, becoming any other melee weapon of the same general shape and handedness; the weapon’s categorization as simple, martial, or exotic is irrelevant. For example, a Medium transformative longsword can take the shape of any other Medium one-handed melee weapon, such as a scimitar, flail, or trident, but not a Medium, light or Two-handed melee weapon (such as a Medium short sword or a Medium greatsword). It can even take the shape of comparable weapons of different size categories. For example, a Small greatsword is a Two-handed slashing weapon for a Small character, but is a one-handed slashing weapon for a Medium character, which is very similar to a Medium longsword; a Small transformative greatsword can become an actual Medium longsword, usable by a Medium creature without the –2 penalty for using a weapon of the wrong size. The weapon retains all of its abilities, including enhancement bonuses and weapon properties, except those prohibited by its current shape. For example, a keen transformative weapon functions normally in the form of a piercing or slashing weapon, but cannot use the keen property when in the shape of a bludgeoning weapon. When unattended, the weapon reverts to its true shape.

The price is 10.000 gp.


I was excited when I saw the Tranformative ability for weapons but after reading it, it was a real let-down. I have been looking for something similar to make a weapon that transforms from a bow to a melee weapon. Like, longsword to a shortbow.. That would be awesome. I do understand that any magic's on them would have to be done seperately to each type which to me is totally understandable.

If the character wanted to, they could just sell the items they are finding and just get a Weaponsmith to make a MW greatsword then take it to a mage/cleric and have them do the enchantments he wants. Thats what I would do. Granted the cost would probably be higher and it would take some time for them to make it but the end sum is a more preferable weapon.

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