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View Full Version : 3.5 Fun with Polymprph any Object



Solean
2009-11-18, 12:06 AM
So I'm playing a focused specialist transmuter and I'm getting close to 8th level spells. I have 3 8th level spell slots that can only be used for trans spells and after looking at all my options I'm not sure what to do with them all. The only great 8th level trans spell I found was PAO and lets face it - it can be a game breaker without trying too hard. Even if I DID want to use it as a super long lasting polymorph the problem remains what to do with my spell slots.

So I came up with the following solution. PAO can specifically be used for certain spells that are polymorph like spell and that got me thinking what OTHER spells can this mimic? Wall of Stone/Wall of Iron with MASSIVELY improved area. Just throw a pebble/piece of iron on the ground and BAM permanent wall that is probably 10 times thicker, higher and wider. Or for camping create a castle that takes up 100 cubic feet per caster level. ( Less safe then a rope trick but much much more stylish. ) Currently looking for something stronger then stone/iron that's not valuable so I can have a stronger wall.

Turn a pebble into something more combat oriented to fight for you. ( Will NOT obey you so looking for suggestions on what to 'summon'. Creating an angel when fighting evil outsiders seems like a safe bet but the other way around probably won't go very well. )

Change the BBEG's hat into a 100' per caster level block of something heavy.

Turn a boat into a twig. Make the book you just read into a different book...OK that probably doesn't work but its not exactly a useful combat use so your DM just might let you get away with it.

The reason I post this is to get other ideas for PAO that don't break the game. PAO could easily become my favorite spell but I don't want to break the game with it.

Yukitsu
2009-11-18, 12:10 AM
Use true creation to create a corpse, then use polymorph any object to turn the corpse into a living person, then kill him/her, the dismiss polymorph any object, then use raise dead.

There, you've just created a true life from nothing.

Edit: As above, but with something with some sort of wacky never seen before physiology.

Pharaoh's Fist
2009-11-18, 12:11 AM
Use PAO to turn that frown upside down.

Crafty Cultist
2009-11-18, 12:11 AM
Polymorph any object + mindrape = an expendable clone

Godna
2009-11-18, 12:14 AM
You probably wouldn't need to dismiss it.
Same kingdom +5
Same size +2
same class +2
related +2
same or lower intel(possible if your making a fighter:smallbiggrin:)

11 is greater than the 9 needed to make it permanent

edit: By that same logic its actually easier to use it to turn things into corpses

Doc Roc
2009-11-18, 12:19 AM
Yes, one of the normal tricks it to turn things into corpses, then into the living animal.

Or contingency revive outsider on yourself, and PaO yourself into a planetar corpse.

What happens next?
There's not a lot of clear precedent, except that you would be revived as a planetar. Given how magic in D&D checks for legality, there's a good chance that this would actually produce a situation where you are permanently and natively a planetar, in a non-dispellable way. There are a number of other tricks, such as PaO + Clone.

BobVosh
2009-11-18, 12:24 AM
Use PAO to turn that frown upside down.

Awesome.

Use PAO to turn your DM from a friend into an enemy.

Yukitsu
2009-11-18, 12:28 AM
You probably wouldn't need to dismiss it.
Same kingdom +5
Same size +2
same class +2
related +2
same or lower intel(possible if your making a fighter:smallbiggrin:)

11 is greater than the 9 needed to make it permanent

edit: By that same logic its actually easier to use it to turn things into corpses

If you don't dismiss it, there's a gigantic question mark as to what happens to the guy if he gets dispelled later. Logic dictates that even if he was brought to life from a different spell in addition to PAO, the dispel would revert him back into a corpse.

DaedalusMkV
2009-11-18, 12:30 AM
Step 1: PAO the target into a crystal ball. Who cares about duration?
Step 2: Shatter. No save, no SR, no roll. The ball no longer exists.

All you have to do is make a non-polymorph-immune (polymorph immunity is rare and expensive) creature fail a fort save and then burn a 2nd level slot or have a Warlock buddy, instant no-corpse-left death. It's an effective SoD that bypasses virtually all immunities. Undead are not big fans of this, what with the crappy fort save. Bonus points for PAOing all of the enemies first then annihilating them all with one Shatter.

Doc Roc
2009-11-18, 12:31 AM
Or I could just cast death by thorns.

Solean
2009-11-18, 12:53 AM
The idea is to NOT change into something else.... I COULD get a base int of 31 but why piss off my DM? Changing a single creature into something as a save of die isn't really the best us of an 8th level slot. ( Plus I'd rather use a fighter to smash the orb or even just my quarterstaff to do it and save the spell. ) I can Glass Strike an undead for the same effect as a 7th level spell.

Wings of Peace
2009-11-18, 03:12 AM
Turn your familiar into a Hovering Sombrero.

gdiddy
2009-11-18, 03:21 AM
Contingency: On Caster's Death, PaO his corpse into his living self.

BobVosh
2009-11-18, 03:29 AM
Contingency: On Caster's Death, PaO his corpse into his living self.

Comatose body without a soul. Not really useful.

Coidzor
2009-11-18, 03:44 AM
Put it into a trap in a fountain that activates when someone drinks from it, such that they are turned into a version of themselves that doubts the fountain does anything.

Or turns them into an elf maiden or something.

SparkMandriller
2009-11-18, 03:46 AM
Turn your familiar into a touhou girl.

Get disgusted looks from your friends!

dsmiles
2009-11-18, 05:13 AM
I once polymorphed a Drow cleric into a frog, permanently (Hooray for the number 1!).
Also, looking back in dragon magazines, have you looked into the "Shaper of Form" PrC? Good transmuting possibilities there. Turn a rock into a sword? No Problem. At higher levels, you could even turn a rock into a *gasp* magic sword.

PhoenixRivers
2009-11-18, 05:35 AM
Turn a boat into a whale. Advisable only if you're flying.

Roderick_BR
2009-11-18, 06:31 AM
Awesome.

Use PAO to turn your DM from a friend into an enemy.
You don't need a spell for that.

PhoenixRivers
2009-11-18, 06:40 AM
You don't need a spell for that.

True. Begin your conversation thusly:

"So, for the character concept I'm working on, I need to know whether Pazuzu exists in your campaign."