I don't quite get how this spell works. I basically have to build up to 4 forms? And can this form be built from anything, any mix and match of abilities that's possible(if so wow that sounds game breaking) but at the same time confusing? Like I just want to turn into a laser wolf, is that even still possible? I want to turn a threat into a toad, is that still a thing I can do or is that something that requires me to 'build toad, give bonuses" and possibly actually make the enemy stronger?
And while I'm at it, why does Polymorph 1 exist when it doesn't let you basically do anything? All the actual abilities and power ups are only allowed to be picked up from level 2 casting onward.
I keep looking at this as it might be a fun thing to do with my Biohacker but I'm going "How does this work, how does one build, why can't I just say I turn into a bug bear, get +4 to stats and be done with it?".
I'm sorry, this is probably really simple when understood and finally built out but I'm not a fan of pick and choose on abilities/spells like this. More so when I have to basically remake my character sheet a few times over or have shifting note cards per level.
Just confused and annoyed that the ruleset isn't "Fire and forget" but at the same time feels very limited and forcing into meta combos if that's how it works.
I will get into the Polymorph spell in a moment, the turning a threat into a toad is Baleful Polymorph. A different spell. Its in one of the Alien Archives
So Polymorph. Going to start with the forms. It is 4 forms for each level you have, remember, taking it at level 3 gives you the level 2 and level 1 version.
From what I understand, your choices for each form is based the spell level, which is based on a page in a different book. Each level has a CR attached to it, compare that to the special ability section of an expert (AA1) of its CR will tell you how many abilities your new form can have. In level order is 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3. If you pick a generic base, you get a number of abilities at the spell allows. If its a specific base, you limit the options available but get 1 extra, as long as the beast is within the CR of the spell.
Why level 1? Well I think Starfinder likes to have spells with various power effects, remember, if you take a higher level version, you are refunded the level 1 spell known slot. At level 1, it allows you to give an ally or yourself Low light or a small resistance. For a level 1 spell, not the worst Ive seen.
It is a little heavy on the prep work, having to make 4 forms for each level, but its not something you need to do on the fly when casting. When you pick the spell, you make your choices for the forms. So you end up with effectively 4 grafts that you can apply whenever you cast the spell, 1 graft per casting.
I keep looking at this as it might be a fun thing to do with my Biohacker but I'm going "How does this work, how does one build, why can't I just say I turn into a bug bear, get +4 to stats and be done with it?".
I'm sorry, this is probably really simple when understood and finally built out but I'm not a fan of pick and choose on abilities/spells like this. More so when I have to basically remake my character sheet a few times over or have shifting note cards per level.
I haven't ever made a character that uses polymorph, so take what I say with that in mind.
However, in counterpoint to what you are saying here...
If polymorph only gave you +4 to stats and let you say that your shape had changed to whatever you wanted, that would be really vague to start with. It would also be severely overpowered if it was +4 to all of your stats. And it would be very complicated if it was only +4 to some of the stats - which could be chosen within some confusing set of rules about which are allowed to be selected and which are incompatible with each other. It would also be incredibly difficult to balance.
As far as 'fire and forget', pre-building the stats for your polymorph forms lets you make all the decisions and calculate all the stats and abilities in between game sessions. During the game play, it is a quick matter of 'I cast polymorph' *grabs new polymorphed character sheet*. Quick, easy, doesn't slow down the game by having you make a bunch of decisions and recalculate things while the rest of the table sits there and watches you.
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I basically have to build up to 4 forms?
Yup. Each time you take this spell you have to define a specific number of forms that then become your options for this spell later when you cast it. So for example, you could build
And can this form be built from anything, any mix and match of abilities that's possible(if so wow that sounds game breaking) but at the same time confusing?
You can choose to mimic a specific creature or not. "If you base your form on a specific creature (which must be of a CR no higher than the spell’s maximum CR), you can select only abilities that the base form has, but you can select one ability more than the normal maximum."
So, there is an upside to not build-a-bearing your own creature from various parts.
Like I just want to turn into a laser wolf, is that even still possible?
1st level Polymorph is limited to animal or humanoid forms. Tashtari's are magical beasts. So, you need to start at 2nd level Polymorph if you want to become a Tashtari.
With lvl 2 polymorph, you are limited to:
If you choose one of the following categories of traits you are limited to the following based on the spell level:
Tashtaris also have 2 special abilities