DaTedinator
2009-12-11, 11:22 PM
Just an idea I had recently.
The basic concept is as such: whenever a spellcaster (you can restrict this if you like, to only arcane, or only Druids, or whatever) learns a new spell, instead of learning a spell, he can learn the form of a monster. A monster has an equivalent spell level equal to half its CR (round up) + 1. So a CR 5-6 creature would be a level 4 spell, a CR 7-8 creature would be a level 5 spell, etc.. The spell is cast as a Transmutation (Polymorph) spell, and completely replaces the character's statistics other than mental ability scores. They keep any effects already present so long as they still qualify - if you have 10 points of Strength damage, turning into a Wyvern won't fix that, and it'll null the Enlarge Person effect on you, but you can keep the Mage Armor. The duration is 1 round/level.
You can prepare a monster form as a higher level spell slot to increase the duration; a slot 1 level higher makes the duration 1 minute per level, 2 higher 1 hour per level, and 3 makes it 1 day per level.
It's simple and needs tweaking. But what do you think of the basic idea?
The basic concept is as such: whenever a spellcaster (you can restrict this if you like, to only arcane, or only Druids, or whatever) learns a new spell, instead of learning a spell, he can learn the form of a monster. A monster has an equivalent spell level equal to half its CR (round up) + 1. So a CR 5-6 creature would be a level 4 spell, a CR 7-8 creature would be a level 5 spell, etc.. The spell is cast as a Transmutation (Polymorph) spell, and completely replaces the character's statistics other than mental ability scores. They keep any effects already present so long as they still qualify - if you have 10 points of Strength damage, turning into a Wyvern won't fix that, and it'll null the Enlarge Person effect on you, but you can keep the Mage Armor. The duration is 1 round/level.
You can prepare a monster form as a higher level spell slot to increase the duration; a slot 1 level higher makes the duration 1 minute per level, 2 higher 1 hour per level, and 3 makes it 1 day per level.
It's simple and needs tweaking. But what do you think of the basic idea?