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Can you use a beast's innate abilities while polymorphed?

Can a Druid Wild Shape into a Swarm or “Giant”?What all is included in a creature's game statistics?Can a druid Wild Shape into a Cranium Rat and use Telepathy?Can a willing lycanthrope be True Polymorphed?Can you get pregnant while True Polymorphed?Can a Polymorphed creature grapple?Can you use class features while Polymorphed?Do you retain darkvision while polymorphed?If you have cast Spiritual Weapon and then you are polymorphed, can you make melee spell attacks?Can I use strike maneuvers while polymorphed?Can a bunch of druids wild-shape into a creature that can swarm, then form a swarm with other wild-shaped druids?How does the ability to cast healing spells affect a monster's CR?Can I benefit from a feat effect while polymorphed?

4

$begingroup$

I'm just getting access to the Polymorph spell this level, and I'm curious about beasts with innate capabilities. Swarm of Cranium Rats (CR5) are probably the strongest example:

Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The swarm’s innate spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 13). As long as it has more
than half of its hit points, it can innately cast the following
spells, requiring no components:

At will: command, comprehend languages, detect thoughts

1/day each: confusion, dominate monster

Do you have access to a monster's innate capabilities while you are polymorphed into them? I'm interested in learning the answer for all monster traits in general, but I'm particularly focused on spellcasting.

dnd-5e spells polymorph

share|improve this question

edited 6 hours ago

Rubiksmoose

57.4k9279429

asked 6 hours ago

EagerToLearnEagerToLearn

3287

$endgroup$

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  @NautArch: It's actually not homebrew, just a site that distributes non-SRD content for free. I'll fix the link to point to D&D Beyond instead. That said, the link is to the Swarm of Cranium Rats statblock, instead of the Cranium Rat statblock; only the swarm has spellcasting. OP, are you aware that a swarm is a group of creatures, and so not a valid target for the polymorph spell (or Wild Shape)? Your question's still valid for other valid targets' innate abilities. And are you only asking about innate spellcasting, or all traits of the creature?
  $endgroup$
  – V2Blast
  6 hours ago
  
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  @V2Blast Oh, I was not. I thought it worked based on CR of it. So no swarm is a valid target?
  $endgroup$
  – EagerToLearn
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  To be clear, I'm talking about all traits, with a focus on spellcasting.
  $endgroup$
  – EagerToLearn
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  Nope, it's not a valid target form, because swarms are groups of multiple creatures. See a related question about Wild Shape: Can a Druid Wild Shape into a Swarm or “Giant”? Both abilities let you turn into "a beast", which a swarm isn't. (Another related question about Wild Shaping into a single cranium rat: Can a druid Wild Shape into a Cranium Rat and use Telepathy?)
  $endgroup$
  – V2Blast
  6 hours ago
  
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  👍good to know. I'll have to make sure I'm feeling particularly sinister when I burn a ton of high level slots to become a swarm of rats lol. Thanks for the help!
  $endgroup$
  – EagerToLearn
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 2 more comments

4

$begingroup$

I'm just getting access to the Polymorph spell this level, and I'm curious about beasts with innate capabilities. Swarm of Cranium Rats (CR5) are probably the strongest example:

Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The swarm’s innate spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 13). As long as it has more
than half of its hit points, it can innately cast the following
spells, requiring no components:

At will: command, comprehend languages, detect thoughts

1/day each: confusion, dominate monster

Do you have access to a monster's innate capabilities while you are polymorphed into them? I'm interested in learning the answer for all monster traits in general, but I'm particularly focused on spellcasting.

dnd-5e spells polymorph

share|improve this question

edited 6 hours ago

Rubiksmoose

57.4k9279429

asked 6 hours ago

EagerToLearnEagerToLearn

3287

$endgroup$

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  @NautArch: It's actually not homebrew, just a site that distributes non-SRD content for free. I'll fix the link to point to D&D Beyond instead. That said, the link is to the Swarm of Cranium Rats statblock, instead of the Cranium Rat statblock; only the swarm has spellcasting. OP, are you aware that a swarm is a group of creatures, and so not a valid target for the polymorph spell (or Wild Shape)? Your question's still valid for other valid targets' innate abilities. And are you only asking about innate spellcasting, or all traits of the creature?
  $endgroup$
  – V2Blast
  6 hours ago
  
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  @V2Blast Oh, I was not. I thought it worked based on CR of it. So no swarm is a valid target?
  $endgroup$
  – EagerToLearn
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  To be clear, I'm talking about all traits, with a focus on spellcasting.
  $endgroup$
  – EagerToLearn
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  Nope, it's not a valid target form, because swarms are groups of multiple creatures. See a related question about Wild Shape: Can a Druid Wild Shape into a Swarm or “Giant”? Both abilities let you turn into "a beast", which a swarm isn't. (Another related question about Wild Shaping into a single cranium rat: Can a druid Wild Shape into a Cranium Rat and use Telepathy?)
  $endgroup$
  – V2Blast
  6 hours ago
  
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  👍good to know. I'll have to make sure I'm feeling particularly sinister when I burn a ton of high level slots to become a swarm of rats lol. Thanks for the help!
  $endgroup$
  – EagerToLearn
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 2 more comments

$begingroup$

I'm just getting access to the Polymorph spell this level, and I'm curious about beasts with innate capabilities. Swarm of Cranium Rats (CR5) are probably the strongest example:

Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The swarm’s innate spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 13). As long as it has more
than half of its hit points, it can innately cast the following
spells, requiring no components:

At will: command, comprehend languages, detect thoughts

1/day each: confusion, dominate monster

Do you have access to a monster's innate capabilities while you are polymorphed into them? I'm interested in learning the answer for all monster traits in general, but I'm particularly focused on spellcasting.

dnd-5e spells polymorph

share|improve this question

edited 6 hours ago

Rubiksmoose

57.4k9279429

asked 6 hours ago

EagerToLearnEagerToLearn

3287

$endgroup$

share|improve this question

edited 6 hours ago

Rubiksmoose

57.4k9279429

asked 6 hours ago

EagerToLearnEagerToLearn

3287

share|improve this question

edited 6 hours ago

Rubiksmoose

57.4k9279429

asked 6 hours ago

EagerToLearnEagerToLearn

3287

edited 6 hours ago

Rubiksmoose

57.4k9279429

edited 6 hours ago

Rubiksmoose

57.4k9279429

asked 6 hours ago

EagerToLearnEagerToLearn

3287

asked 6 hours ago

EagerToLearnEagerToLearn

3287

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

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7

$begingroup$

You can use a beast's innate abilities while Polymorphed (but you probably can't Polymorph into a swarm of beasts)

Polymorph states that:

The target's game statistics, including mental ability scores, are replaced by the statistics of the chosen beast.

And as the guidance on reading monster entries indicates, a monster's game statistics are everything in its stat block, which includes any special actions available to the monster and special traits it has. If a beast has an innate property like spellcasting or darkvision or telepathy, it is available for you to use when polymorphed.

However, you may have the problem in your specific example of becoming a swarm of cranium rats, because Polymorph allows you to assume the form of "a beast", singular - and a swarm is a collection of many beasts, as explored a little in this question about wild shape and swarms.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

CarcerCarcer

24.5k471130

$endgroup$

add a comment | 

4

$begingroup$

Polymorph gives you access to all of a creature's abilities in their stat block

The target’s game statistics, including mental ability scores, are replaced by the statistics of the chosen beast. It retains its alignment and personality.

Anything that is in a monster's stat block is considered their statistics (including any innate abilities)(see here for more about what counts as "statistics"). You can use any of them just as the monster can.

A swarm of cranium rats is likely not valid for polymorph

Polymorph works on one singular beast. A swarm is a bit muddy but is in fact described as more than one beast by the rules. Thus, your DM could technically allow it, but it likely is not RAW.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

RubiksmooseRubiksmoose

57.4k9279429

$endgroup$

add a comment | 

4

$begingroup$

Yes

Polymorph clearly states (emphasis mine):

The creature is limited in the actions it can perform by
the nature of its new form

So, you can use whatever abilities/actions you receive form this new form. Telepathy is an spell, and casting a spell is an action, so you could use that while polymorphed into a swarm of cranium rats.

---

However, a swarm of cranium rats is a swarm, and polymorph says (emphasis mine):

The new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target’s

So you could not polymorph into a swarm of cranium rats.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

JustinJustin

2,4311930

$endgroup$

add a comment | 

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7

$begingroup$

You can use a beast's innate abilities while Polymorphed (but you probably can't Polymorph into a swarm of beasts)

Polymorph states that:

The target's game statistics, including mental ability scores, are replaced by the statistics of the chosen beast.

And as the guidance on reading monster entries indicates, a monster's game statistics are everything in its stat block, which includes any special actions available to the monster and special traits it has. If a beast has an innate property like spellcasting or darkvision or telepathy, it is available for you to use when polymorphed.

However, you may have the problem in your specific example of becoming a swarm of cranium rats, because Polymorph allows you to assume the form of "a beast", singular - and a swarm is a collection of many beasts, as explored a little in this question about wild shape and swarms.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

CarcerCarcer

24.5k471130

$endgroup$

add a comment | 

7

$begingroup$

You can use a beast's innate abilities while Polymorphed (but you probably can't Polymorph into a swarm of beasts)

Polymorph states that:

The target's game statistics, including mental ability scores, are replaced by the statistics of the chosen beast.

And as the guidance on reading monster entries indicates, a monster's game statistics are everything in its stat block, which includes any special actions available to the monster and special traits it has. If a beast has an innate property like spellcasting or darkvision or telepathy, it is available for you to use when polymorphed.

However, you may have the problem in your specific example of becoming a swarm of cranium rats, because Polymorph allows you to assume the form of "a beast", singular - and a swarm is a collection of many beasts, as explored a little in this question about wild shape and swarms.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

CarcerCarcer

24.5k471130

$endgroup$

add a comment | 

$begingroup$

You can use a beast's innate abilities while Polymorphed (but you probably can't Polymorph into a swarm of beasts)

Polymorph states that:

The target's game statistics, including mental ability scores, are replaced by the statistics of the chosen beast.

And as the guidance on reading monster entries indicates, a monster's game statistics are everything in its stat block, which includes any special actions available to the monster and special traits it has. If a beast has an innate property like spellcasting or darkvision or telepathy, it is available for you to use when polymorphed.

However, you may have the problem in your specific example of becoming a swarm of cranium rats, because Polymorph allows you to assume the form of "a beast", singular - and a swarm is a collection of many beasts, as explored a little in this question about wild shape and swarms.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

CarcerCarcer

24.5k471130

$endgroup$

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

CarcerCarcer

24.5k471130

answered 6 hours ago

CarcerCarcer

24.5k471130

answered 6 hours ago

CarcerCarcer

24.5k471130

4

$begingroup$

Polymorph gives you access to all of a creature's abilities in their stat block

The target’s game statistics, including mental ability scores, are replaced by the statistics of the chosen beast. It retains its alignment and personality.

Anything that is in a monster's stat block is considered their statistics (including any innate abilities)(see here for more about what counts as "statistics"). You can use any of them just as the monster can.

A swarm of cranium rats is likely not valid for polymorph

Polymorph works on one singular beast. A swarm is a bit muddy but is in fact described as more than one beast by the rules. Thus, your DM could technically allow it, but it likely is not RAW.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

RubiksmooseRubiksmoose

57.4k9279429

$endgroup$

add a comment | 

4

$begingroup$

Polymorph gives you access to all of a creature's abilities in their stat block

The target’s game statistics, including mental ability scores, are replaced by the statistics of the chosen beast. It retains its alignment and personality.

Anything that is in a monster's stat block is considered their statistics (including any innate abilities)(see here for more about what counts as "statistics"). You can use any of them just as the monster can.

A swarm of cranium rats is likely not valid for polymorph

Polymorph works on one singular beast. A swarm is a bit muddy but is in fact described as more than one beast by the rules. Thus, your DM could technically allow it, but it likely is not RAW.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

RubiksmooseRubiksmoose

57.4k9279429

$endgroup$

add a comment | 

$begingroup$

Polymorph gives you access to all of a creature's abilities in their stat block

The target’s game statistics, including mental ability scores, are replaced by the statistics of the chosen beast. It retains its alignment and personality.

Anything that is in a monster's stat block is considered their statistics (including any innate abilities)(see here for more about what counts as "statistics"). You can use any of them just as the monster can.

A swarm of cranium rats is likely not valid for polymorph

Polymorph works on one singular beast. A swarm is a bit muddy but is in fact described as more than one beast by the rules. Thus, your DM could technically allow it, but it likely is not RAW.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

RubiksmooseRubiksmoose

57.4k9279429

$endgroup$

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

RubiksmooseRubiksmoose

57.4k9279429

answered 6 hours ago

RubiksmooseRubiksmoose

57.4k9279429

answered 6 hours ago

RubiksmooseRubiksmoose

57.4k9279429

4

$begingroup$

Yes

Polymorph clearly states (emphasis mine):

The creature is limited in the actions it can perform by
the nature of its new form

So, you can use whatever abilities/actions you receive form this new form. Telepathy is an spell, and casting a spell is an action, so you could use that while polymorphed into a swarm of cranium rats.

---

However, a swarm of cranium rats is a swarm, and polymorph says (emphasis mine):

The new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target’s

So you could not polymorph into a swarm of cranium rats.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

JustinJustin

2,4311930

$endgroup$

add a comment | 

4

$begingroup$

Yes

Polymorph clearly states (emphasis mine):

The creature is limited in the actions it can perform by
the nature of its new form

So, you can use whatever abilities/actions you receive form this new form. Telepathy is an spell, and casting a spell is an action, so you could use that while polymorphed into a swarm of cranium rats.

---

However, a swarm of cranium rats is a swarm, and polymorph says (emphasis mine):

The new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target’s

So you could not polymorph into a swarm of cranium rats.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

JustinJustin

2,4311930

$endgroup$

add a comment | 

$begingroup$

Yes

Polymorph clearly states (emphasis mine):

The creature is limited in the actions it can perform by
the nature of its new form

So, you can use whatever abilities/actions you receive form this new form. Telepathy is an spell, and casting a spell is an action, so you could use that while polymorphed into a swarm of cranium rats.

---

However, a swarm of cranium rats is a swarm, and polymorph says (emphasis mine):

The new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target’s

So you could not polymorph into a swarm of cranium rats.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

JustinJustin

2,4311930

$endgroup$

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

JustinJustin

2,4311930

answered 6 hours ago

JustinJustin

2,4311930

answered 6 hours ago

JustinJustin

2,4311930