After some talking in IRC about mechanics and spells and how a mage with stone skin shifted into a troll was a great front liner, I was wondering if it is possible to make some changes to the spell.

I think that since casters get strengths of their forms, they should have weaknesses as well.

Example:

Troll form would be increased damage from fire and fire spells

Zombies would have damage from divine spells and be damaged by healing spells, as well as be able to be turned (Fear?) and healed by negative spells.

and any other ideas to the others would be nice.

Just seemed like this would make sense, since they are changing into the creature that they should have the weakness of the creature as well as the strength.

Is it possible to make new morphs, like morhping self to other kind of forms than these 5 normal?

Random_White_Guy Just seemed like this would make sense, since they are changing into the creature that they should have the weakness of the creature as well as the strength.

Well, I don't know the tone of the chat on IRC, but I don't believe the wizards get that many of the creature strengths. Trolls regenerating is about the only creature ability I saw beyond altered stats and hitpoints. While trolls -do- make good tanks, they are not half as good as a fully equipped warrior. Infact, that stoneskin would probally be better spent on the warrior considering troll AC is so low even with mage armor.

Additionally the spell lasts a minute a level. Which is generally too short for most quests even with three of the spells prepared. In a pinch, a wizard could frontline, however it won't last that long.

I like your suggestion though, if it could be implemented it would be interesting to see all the creatures get some sort of abilities as well as their native disabilites.

SanTelmo Is it possible to make new morphs, like morhping self to other kind of forms than these 5 normal?

I believe it was looked into on Arabel and no, not without a download.

SanTelmo Is it possible to make new morphs, like morhping self to other kind of forms than these 5 normal?

Yes. It would be done, I believe, in a similar fashion to the way that "druid wildshape" can been expanded. We don't have any additional shapes in mind yet, and it isn't a high priority at the moment, but it's definitely something that can be improved.

New Polymorph shapes would be really nice.

As for RwG's suggestion, I'm with LaBrea. My initial response was that it seems to me that the Wizard would be wasting a Stoneskin on themselves, even with Troll shape.

I think... Eraamion, was it? Was simply expressing a personal preference of the Troll shape combined with the Stoneskin buff, with no actual number crunching theory to support his preference.

I could say that I really love Pixie shape with Cat's Grace buff as a scout (for example), when really it would be more economical and generally better to buff the scout in your party with Cat's Grace or invis and let them do it.

Ladocicea

I could say that I really love Pixie shape with Cat's Grace buff as a scout (for example), when really it would be more economical and generally better to buff the scout in your party with Cat's Grace or invis and let them do it.

I'll say that I did not really test the timer on polymorph and assumed it was hour/level and came up with a wizard/rogue concept that would rock the polymorph spell to have multiple personalites. Too bad it did not work out. However, I did find that a Pixie with improved expertise and cat's grace can pickpocket you of all your gold long before you can hit it with a weapon.

Ladocicea I think... Eraamion, was it? Was simply expressing a personal preference of the Troll shape combined with the Stoneskin buff, with no actual number crunching theory to support his preference.

Nope, that was me. And the only good thing with that combination is that it takes ages for melee enemies to kill you, thanks to reduction and regenerating 5 hp/round or something similar. You still won't do squat for damage, and as a previous poster said, you also have low AC (18 with Mage Armor, if I recall right), so it's not horribly useful.

And I would really love to see some new polymorph shapes; as it stands now, polymorphing, with the exception of pixie, is almost only focused on combat, if you exclude the odd DM-led quest where you might be able to use it for infiltration :). I'd love to see some less hostile-looking polymorphs that could actually be used around people without them proceeding to chop you to pieces.

Ladocicea I think... Eraamion, was it? Was simply expressing a personal preference of the Troll shape combined with the Stoneskin buff, with no actual number crunching theory to support his preference.

Nah, I'm a shelgarnist. I cannot cast Shelgarn's blade while in the troll form, therefore the troll form is useless to me. :wink:

If we went by the book, wizards would not get innate abilities such as "regeneration" or "true sight" when using the polymorph spell. That is restricted to druids/shifters and the like.

It would be a good trade off for a few non combat oriented shapes but it would take scripting muscle to make such new additions.

However, wizards lose the most powerful ability they have when polymorphing in NWN - the ability to cast spells. In D&D you can still cast spells as long as you have limbs for somatic components, a mouth for verbal components etc. Nor can you equip weapons or wear equipment when polymorphed in NWN.

To make up for this the troll form should shoot fireballs out of its eyes, has twice the strength and AC and double regeneration ;)

When I play D&D I don't use polymorph mainly to make myself a better melee machine since I am a wizard. Instead I shapechange into shapes that will improve my spellcasting ability. Like a pixie or smaller would be ideal. You can fly out of reach of melee creatures, you are smaller and thus have better AC, better touch attacks, can hide better etc. But I digress.

In CoA, I have also frequently used the polymorph to turn in to a troll as Anien. With stoneskin, cat's grace, bull's strength and mage armour, you can actually get a decent melee, though you have less attacks than the fighters of the same level. Some say, it's foolish to buff self when there are others to buff, but...

In PnP, I have numerous times used Change Self/Alter Self to sprout wings and do other, slightly theatrical, yet useful tricks. In such cases, I've gained the ability to fly away from the enemy, which isn't possible in NWN.

The lack of spellcasting ability while polymorphed is sad, but you can't have it all. However, as this is a roleplaying server, I'm sure it would have it's uses on DM-run quests and in roleplaying situations, if you can turn yourself in to a goblin, when people are looking for an elf etc.