Baleful Polymorph

[urmom]

A player is a druid and is choosing to use the Baleful polymorph spell and the way its saying in the book is that he's able to change the shape of any creature into an animal of his choice (with a Fort save) but then that seems pretty OP as it doenst really say the DC Save. just trying to figure out how it truely works

[Zanos]

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/balefulPolymorph.htm

It's all in the spell description. The DC for any spell is equal to 10+Spell Level(5 in this case)+Casting Stat Modifier. They get a fortitude save to negate the spell altogether, and then if the fail the fortitude save they may also must make a will save 24 hours later or become a typical creature of the type they were changed into.

[John Longarrow]

Please remember that the duration is Permanent, not Instantaneous. This means it can be dispelled.

Its a good Save or Suck spell in most cases, but if you toss it on a shape changer they can turn right back (Standard action).

[Venger]

Depending on your party's makeup, break enchantment can also fix baleful polymorph.

[Khedrac]

The main thing the caster can do with the animal type control is determine whether the recipient gets the +4 save bonus for a target type that cannot survive (such as converting an aquatic opponent into a rabbit). What they cannot do is convert someone into a bull - bulls are not harmless - the destination form has to be pretty useless in combat (though they can still flank if they make their saves - as my wizard did after failing hers, ironic as it was her favourite spell).

[Crake]

The main thing the caster can do with the animal type control is determine whether the recipient gets the +4 save bonus for a target type that cannot survive (such as converting an aquatic opponent into a rabbit). What they cannot do is convert someone into a bull - bulls are not harmless - the destination form has to be pretty useless in combat (though they can still flank if they make their saves - as my wizard did after failing hers, ironic as it was her favourite spell).

Tiny animals don't have reach, and thus don't threaten squares, and thus cannot provide flanking.

Also, usually "harmless" animals don't have a natural weapon that they can use to threaten.

[Stealth Marmot]

Also, usually "harmless" animals don't have a natural weapon that they can use to threaten.

So if they do have a natural attack they are merely "MOSTLY harmless"?

But yeah, Baleful Polymorph is a pretty harsh spell, but keep in mind that as a sorcerer/wizard, its the same level as cloudkill, an AOE kill spell.

[Eisfalken]

Step 1: Cast baleful polymorph successfully on target.
Step 2: Step directly on small, helpless target.
Step 3: ????
Step 4: Profit.

[MesiDoomstalker]

Step 1: Cast baleful polymorph successfully on target.
Step 2: Step directly on small, helpless target.
Step 3: ????
Step 4: Profit.

Note that a target retain's their HP of their normal form. Yes, they really can't fight back, but they'd be a tough little frog.