Lord Vukodlak
2010-03-29, 05:23 PM
I recently looked up this old spell called swarm form and thought it was interesting, however the spell was 3.0 and the form taken was based off that of the summon swarm spell. Swarms functioned very differently back in 3.0 so simply put its not compatible.
Now you can't really become a swarm with regular polymorph at least not with any benefit, the stuff like distraction and the weapon resistances are all special qualities which you wouldn't gain.
So I thought I'd take a stab and making in 3.5 compatible.
Swarm Form
Transmutation
Level: Sor/Wiz 5
Components: V
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 min/level (D)
The swarm form spell allows you to transform your body and all worn and carried possessions into a swarm like that created by the summon swarm spell. Casting the spell initially restores lost hit points as if you had rested for a full day.
You can transform yourself into a warm of the animals or vermin. The assumed form can't have more Hit Dice then your caster level (or the subject's HD, whichever is lower), to a maximum of 15HD. Your type changes to match that of the swarm.
You gain the strength, dexterity and constitution scores, but retain your intelligence, wisdom and charisma scores. Unlike polymorph you gain both the extraordinary special attacks and qualities of the base form.
You keep all extraordinary special attacks and qualities derived from class levels, but you lose any from your normal form that are not derived from class levels.
As a swarm you are immune to any spell or effect that targets a specific number of creatures, with the exception of mind-affecting effects as you retain your intelligence score and possess a hive mind. Though your type may limit what can actually effect you, as a swarm of vermin or animals you'd be immune to hold person but not hold monster.
In addition you are vulnerable to things that have special effects against swarms, you take half again as much damage(+50%) from spells or effects that affect an area such as splash weapons and many evocation spells. Weapon vulnerabilities are dependent on the form taken.
You can not cast spells with verbal, cometic, material or focus components, any and all equipment worn or carried melds into the swarm and becomes nonfunctional.
Now you can't really become a swarm with regular polymorph at least not with any benefit, the stuff like distraction and the weapon resistances are all special qualities which you wouldn't gain.
So I thought I'd take a stab and making in 3.5 compatible.
Swarm Form
Transmutation
Level: Sor/Wiz 5
Components: V
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 min/level (D)
The swarm form spell allows you to transform your body and all worn and carried possessions into a swarm like that created by the summon swarm spell. Casting the spell initially restores lost hit points as if you had rested for a full day.
You can transform yourself into a warm of the animals or vermin. The assumed form can't have more Hit Dice then your caster level (or the subject's HD, whichever is lower), to a maximum of 15HD. Your type changes to match that of the swarm.
You gain the strength, dexterity and constitution scores, but retain your intelligence, wisdom and charisma scores. Unlike polymorph you gain both the extraordinary special attacks and qualities of the base form.
You keep all extraordinary special attacks and qualities derived from class levels, but you lose any from your normal form that are not derived from class levels.
As a swarm you are immune to any spell or effect that targets a specific number of creatures, with the exception of mind-affecting effects as you retain your intelligence score and possess a hive mind. Though your type may limit what can actually effect you, as a swarm of vermin or animals you'd be immune to hold person but not hold monster.
In addition you are vulnerable to things that have special effects against swarms, you take half again as much damage(+50%) from spells or effects that affect an area such as splash weapons and many evocation spells. Weapon vulnerabilities are dependent on the form taken.
You can not cast spells with verbal, cometic, material or focus components, any and all equipment worn or carried melds into the swarm and becomes nonfunctional.