So a sorcerer wants to polymorph and then use subtle spell to cast while polymorphed. The argument is that with polymorph, the lack of ability to use hands or voice is nullified by subtle spells not requiring verbal or somatic components.
Here is the appropriate section of polymorph spell:
"The creature is limited in the actions it can perform by the nature of its new form, and it can't speak, cast spells, or take any other action that requires hands or speech."
Here is subtle spell:
"When you cast a spell, you can spend 1 sorcery point to cast it without any somatic or verbal components."
I guess it comes down to this:
Is casting spells something different from other action that require hands or speech? Or is casting spells included in the text as an example of something you can not do? The word "or" is the sticky widget here. If the reason that casting spells is forbidden in polymorph is solely because of the need for hands and voice, then subtle spell would seem to negate that.
Remember also, that subtle spell requires a sorcery point, so its not an unlimited trick.
I know ultimately the DM gets to decide this and its up to them, but what do you guys think?
I'd allow it because the limitations of Polymorphed are pretty clearly spelled out. It's not that you can't cast spells due to Polymorph, it's because the forms you change into don't have the requirements. Remove the restrictions on casting spells (Verbal, Somatic, Focus, etc) and you now can. I'd allow it, but mainly because it requires a secondary element (Sorcery Points) to perform and is thus, limited in scope.
It does say "can't cast spells"...?
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It also says you can't speak. Does this mean a human polymorphed into an elf cannot speak?
Or is spellcasting such a special type of activity, you have to be in your own body or form?
I wouldn't allow it. If subtle spell was intended to override the "can't cast spells" limitation of polymorph, it would explicitly say so.
It also says you can't speak. Does this mean a human polymorphed into an elf cannot speak?
The polymorph spell turns the target into a beast:
The new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target's (or the target's level, if it doesn't have a challenge rating).
Subtle Spell overrides needing to wiggle (demi-)human fingers, speak through (demi-)human lips or manipulate material components, which seems to cover all the reason you can't cast when polymorphed. YMMV.
It also says you can't speak. Does this mean a human polymorphed into an elf cannot speak?The polymorph spell turns the target into a beast:
The new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target's (or the target's level, if it doesn't have a challenge rating).
My bad.
Maybe it will be on the "official" FAQ one of these days.