Polymorph - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: potholes and junk

2026-05-18T22:59:18Z

potholes and junk

Phol ende wodan: /* Armor */ 3.7: cloaks get dropped rather than shredded

2026-01-24T23:32:56Z

‎Armor: 3.7: cloaks get dropped rather than shredded

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2025-04-14T13:34:38Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: /* Polymorphing */ yeesh, more out of sorts than usual

2025-04-01T22:09:28Z

‎Polymorphing: yeesh, more out of sorts than usual

Umbire the Phantom: /* Polymorphing */ initial sentence

2025-04-01T22:09:10Z

‎Polymorphing: initial sentence

Umbire the Phantom: /* SLASH'EM */ I lose more purple w that way

2024-06-02T22:24:24Z

‎SLASH'EM: I lose more purple w that way

Umbire the Phantom: /* SLASH'EM */ copyedit

2024-05-14T05:06:20Z

‎SLASH'EM: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: languages + lede

2024-02-18T15:57:17Z

languages + lede

Umbire the Phantom: style guide on variant templates + detail for slashem poly

2024-01-20T18:17:54Z

style guide on variant templates + detail for slashem poly

Umbire the Phantom: /* Self-polymorph */ clarify

2023-07-15T04:30:02Z

‎Self-polymorph: clarify

@@ Line 83: / Line 83: @@
 Your starting [[pet]] will only go so far: [[cat]]s and [[dog]]s reach a normal maximum of level 9 and 72 HP, for example. But you can get more out of it by polymorphing it.
-Since you cannot control the outcome of a pet's polymorph, the best way to do this is to use a [[polymorph trap]] repeatedly until you get a satisfactory result. The trap is never used up by pets and other monsters. If you have [[magic resistance]], you can step onto the trap and then [[displace]] your pet onto it. You can also step next to the trap and use a [[magic whistle]] until your pet happens to land on the trap. You can also [[leash]] your pet and stand next to the trap; it does not want to step onto the trap, but it eventually will. You can also [[read]] a [[scroll of earth]], push the boulders around the trap, and then displace your pet onto the trap. If you have many charges in a [[wand of polymorph]], or are able to cast the [[spellbook of polymorph|spell]], those are viable alternatives (but beware of system shock, as it will count as you having killed the pet!) Less workable methods are finding [[chameleon]] or [[doppelganger]] corpses for it to eat, or breaking a [[potion of polymorph]] on its body.
+Since you cannot control the outcome of a pet's polymorph, the best way to do this is to use a [[polymorph trap]] repeatedly until you get a satisfactory result. The trap is never used up by pets and other monsters. If you have [[magic resistance]], you can step onto the trap and then [[Displacing monsters|displace your pet onto it]]. You can also step next to the trap and use a [[magic whistle]] until your pet happens to land on the trap. You can also [[leash]] your pet and stand next to the trap; it does not want to step onto the trap, but it eventually will. You can also [[read]] a [[scroll of earth]], push the boulders around the trap, and then displace your pet onto the trap. If you have many charges in a [[wand of polymorph]], or are able to cast the [[spellbook of polymorph|spell]], those are viable alternatives (but beware of system shock, as it will count as you having killed the pet!) Less workable methods are finding [[chameleon]] or [[doppelganger]] corpses for it to eat, or breaking a [[potion of polymorph]] on its body.
 Displacing your pet onto a trap decreases its [[tameness]] by one point. Be wary about displacing pets that have already become somewhat powerful monsters. Pets, like other monsters, can suffer a [[system shock]] if you are using the spell, wand, or potion. If the pet experiences a system shock, you will suffer the usual penalties for killing your pet.
-Once your pet turns into a [[gray dragon]] or its baby form, it acquires intrinsic magic resistance and will be immune to all forms of polymorph, except from [[Shapeshifter|eating corpses]]. If it acquires a high level and [[magic resistance (monster)|monster MR]], such as if it turns into an [[arch-lich]], it may also become immune. If you do not have a magic whistle or magic resistance to displace your pet, then [[sessile]] pets will not polymorph any further. Finally, if you get a [[shapeshifter]] and do not have a ring of protection from shape changers, then it will only shapeshift on the trap. Otherwise, you can keep trying. See [[Pet#Preferred pets|Pet § Preferred pets]] for pets that many players find useful.
+Once your pet turns into a [[gray dragon]] or its baby form, it acquires intrinsic magic resistance and will be immune to all forms of polymorph, except from eating [[chameleon]] or [[doppleganger]] corpses. If it acquires a high level and [[magic resistance (monster)|monster MR]], such as if it turns into an [[arch-lich]], it may also become immune. If you do not have a magic whistle or magic resistance to displace your pet, then [[sessile]] pets will not polymorph any further. Finally, if you get a [[shapeshifter]] and do not have a ring of protection from shape changers, then it will only shapeshift on the trap. Otherwise, you can keep trying. See [[Pet#Preferred pets|Pet § Preferred pets]] for pets that many players find useful.
 You can also gain new pets by polymorphing into an [[oviparous]] creature and laying [[egg]]s.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:32, 24 January 2026
Line 49:		Line 49:

	When a creature becomes too small for its armor, the armor falls to the floor, also creating a distinctive noise ("a clank" or "a thud"). Monsters of size Small will shrink out of torso armor; Tiny monsters also shrink out of [[boots]], [[gloves]], [[shield]]s and [[helm]]s (they can wear no armor). [[Body parts\|Handless]] monsters will drop gloves and shields. [[Body parts\|Horned]] monsters will drop helmets. Non-[[humanoid]] monsters, or monsters without suitable body parts, also cannot wear certain types of armor.		When a creature becomes too small for its armor, the armor falls to the floor, also creating a distinctive noise ("a clank" or "a thud"). Monsters of size Small will shrink out of torso armor; Tiny monsters also shrink out of [[boots]], [[gloves]], [[shield]]s and [[helm]]s (they can wear no armor). [[Body parts\|Handless]] monsters will drop gloves and shields. [[Body parts\|Horned]] monsters will drop helmets. Non-[[humanoid]] monsters, or monsters without suitable body parts, also cannot wear certain types of armor.
		+
		+	{{upcoming\|NetHack 3.7.0\|Polymorphing into large monsters no longer destroys your cloak; it will instead unequip the cloak (with a message "The clasp on your cloak breaks open!") and drop it at your feet. Body armor and shirts are not changed by this.}}

	=== Other equipment ===		=== Other equipment ===

@@ Line 181: / Line 181: @@
 ==Variants==
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], the attack of a [[genetic engineer]] can polymorph the player character and other monsters, and the #[[youpoly]] [[extended command]] allows controlled polymorphing at will for races and roles with that ability. Polymorph itself functions in a considerably different manner, detailed below.
+In [[SLASH'EM]], the attack of a [[Genetic engineer (SLASH'EM)|genetic engineer]] can polymorph the hero and other monsters, and the #[[youpoly]] [[extended command]] allows controlled polymorphing at will for races and roles with that ability. Polymorph itself functions in a considerably different manner, detailed below.
 Most monster and item polymorphs are temporary: Polymorphed items revert back to their original form after 500–999 turns, and polymorphed monsters revert back to their original form after 1000–1999 turns.{{refsrc|timeout.c|455|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|timeout.c|590|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} For monsters, temporary polymorphs can be made permanent by [[stoning]] the monster, then re-animating them with the spell of [[stone to flesh]]; eating the corpse of a chameleon or doppelganger, or digesting a sandestin, will still be permanent.

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 == Polymorphing ==
-A [[wand of polymorph]] or {{+ of|polymorph}} can be aimed at monsters or piles of items on the floor. Aiming downwards using {{kbd|>}} polymorphs the objects on your square; aiming upwards using {{kbd|<}} has no effect; and aiming at [[you]]rself using {{kbd|.}} will naturally polymorph you. [[Dip]]ping an object into a [[potion of polymorph]] will polymorph it.
+A [[wand of polymorph]] or {{+ of|polymorph}} spell can be aimed at monsters or piles of items on the floor. Aiming downwards using {{kbd|>}} polymorphs the objects on your square; aiming upwards using {{kbd|<}} has no effect; and aiming at [[you]]rself using {{kbd|.}} will naturally polymorph you. [[Dip]]ping an object into a [[potion of polymorph]] will polymorph it.
 Other sources of polymorph do not apply to objects:

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 == Polymorphing ==
-You can aim a [[wand of polymorph|wand]] or [[spellbook of polymorph|spell of polymorph]] can be aimed at monsters or piles of items on the floor. Aiming downwards using {{kbd|>}} polymorphs the objects on your square; aiming upwards using {{kbd|<}} has no effect; and aiming at [[you]]rself using {{kbd|.}} will naturally polymorph you. [[Dip]]ping an object into a [[potion of polymorph]] will polymorph it.
+A [[wand of polymorph]] or {{+ of|polymorph}} can be aimed at monsters or piles of items on the floor. Aiming downwards using {{kbd|>}} polymorphs the objects on your square; aiming upwards using {{kbd|<}} has no effect; and aiming at [[you]]rself using {{kbd|.}} will naturally polymorph you. [[Dip]]ping an object into a [[potion of polymorph]] will polymorph it.
 Other sources of polymorph do not apply to objects:

@@ Line 183: / Line 183: @@
 In [[SLASH'EM]], the attack of a [[genetic engineer]] can polymorph the player character and other monsters, and the #[[youpoly]] [[extended command]] allows controlled polymorphing at will for races and roles with that ability. Polymorph itself functions in a considerably different manner, detailed below.
-Most monster and item polymorphs are temporary: Polymorphed items revert back to their original form after 500–999 turns, and polymorphed monsters revert back to their original form after 1000–1999 turns.{{refsrc|timeout.c|455|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|timeout.c|590|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} For monsters, the change can only be made permanent by [[stoning]] the monster, then re-animating them with the spell of [[stone to flesh]].
+Most monster and item polymorphs are temporary: Polymorphed items revert back to their original form after 500–999 turns, and polymorphed monsters revert back to their original form after 1000–1999 turns.{{refsrc|timeout.c|455|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|timeout.c|590|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} For monsters, temporary polymorphs can be made permanent by [[stoning]] the monster, then re-animating them with the spell of [[stone to flesh]]; eating the corpse of a chameleon or doppelganger, or digesting a sandestin, will still be permanent.
 Items that are polymorphed are sometimes described as '''"hazy"''', e.g. when polymorphed using a potion of polymorph - in wizard mode, they will also appear as "hazy", e.g. "a hazy key". Polymorphed items function as the normal item would otherwise for the duration of their polymorph, and can be "fixed" permanently in their current form by dipping them in a [[potion of restore ability]]. This makes polypiling of rings, wands, and equipment much less effective and even potentially dangerous (e.g. a character wearing a hazy [[amulet of life saving]] that used to be an [[amulet of strangulation]]) unless they have several potions to spare for "fixing" items.

@@ Line 181: / Line 181: @@
 ==Variants==
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], the attack of a [[genetic engineer]] can polymorph you or other monsters, and nd the #[[youpoly]] [[extended command]] allows controlled polymorphing at will for races and roles with that ability. Polymorph itself functions in a considerably different manner, detailed below.
+In [[SLASH'EM]], the attack of a [[genetic engineer]] can polymorph the player character and other monsters, and the #[[youpoly]] [[extended command]] allows controlled polymorphing at will for races and roles with that ability. Polymorph itself functions in a considerably different manner, detailed below.
-Most monster and item polymorphs are temporary: Polymorphed items revert back to their original form after 500–999 turns, and polymorphed monsters revert back to their original form after 1000–1999 turns.{{refsrc|timeout.c|455|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|timeout.c|590|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} For monsters, the change can only be made permanent by [[stoning]] the monster, then re-animating them with the spell of [[stone to flesh]]; items can be "fixed" in their current form by dipping them in a [[potion of restore ability]].
+Most monster and item polymorphs are temporary: Polymorphed items revert back to their original form after 500–999 turns, and polymorphed monsters revert back to their original form after 1000–1999 turns.{{refsrc|timeout.c|455|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|timeout.c|590|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} For monsters, the change can only be made permanent by [[stoning]] the monster, then re-animating them with the spell of [[stone to flesh]].
-Killing a polymorphed monster causes them to revert to their original form with reduced HP. This makes dangerous enemies much harder to kill by polymorphing them into a weaker form: hostile shapeshifters such as chameleons and lycanthropes become especially difficult, since they can often shapechange again before you can deal a finishing blow - conversely, if your luck with their choice of forms holds, you may be able to lower their HP enough that they undergo system shock and die when trying to turn bacak. Polymorphing [[shopkeeper]]s is no longer reliable for the purposes of killing them, though turning them into a weaker monster can disable, immobilize, or slow them enough for you to rob the store without killing them. Furthermore, it is no longer a simple matter to permanently upgrade your pet with polymorph.
+Items that are polymorphed are sometimes described as '''"hazy"''', e.g. when polymorphed using a potion of polymorph - in wizard mode, they will also appear as "hazy", e.g. "a hazy key". Polymorphed items function as the normal item would otherwise for the duration of their polymorph, and can be "fixed" permanently in their current form by dipping them in a [[potion of restore ability]]. This makes polypiling of rings, wands, and equipment much less effective and even potentially dangerous (e.g. a character wearing a hazy [[amulet of life saving]] that used to be an [[amulet of strangulation]]) unless they have several potions to spare for "fixing" items.
-If you polymorph into an intelligent monster with an attack that requires direct contact (biting, tentacles, etc), you will not use this attack against petrifying monsters, as opposed to being instantly stoned - attacking bare-handed will still stone you, however. If melee damage rehumanizes you, your monster difficulty can be subtracted from your current and maximum hit points. This always occurs if the polymorph was controlled, and has a {{frac|3}} chance of occurring otherwise.{{refsrc|mhitu.c|2555|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
+Killing a polymorphed monster causes them to revert to their original form with reduced HP: this makes dangerous enemies much harder to kill by polymorphing them into a weaker form, and it is also much harder to permanently upgrade a pet with polymorph. Polymorphing [[shopkeeper]]s is no longer a reliable means of killing them either, though this can still disable, immobilize, or slow them enough for a character to rob the store or else turn them to stone. Hostile shapeshifters such as chameleons and lycanthropes become especially difficult: if killed while outside of base form, they can often shapechange again before a character can deal the finishing blow - conversely, a luckier character may be able to lower their HP enough that they undergo system shock and die as normal when trying to turn back.
-Polymorphed objects in SLASH'EM will also eventually revert, making polypiling of rings, wands, and equipment much less effective (and potentially dangerous, e.g. if you start wearing an [[amulet of life saving]] that used to be an [[amulet of strangulation]]). However, a polymorphed object in SLASH'EM can be fixed to its new form by being dipped in a [[potion of restore ability]]. Objects that vanish after a single use, such as potions and scrolls, will function as normal. Objects which have been polymorphed and will eventually revert are not marked as such in a normal game, but in wizard mode will appear with the description "hazy", e.g. "a hazy key".
+When a character is polymorphed, if they become an intelligent monster with an attack that requires direct contact (biting, tentacles, etc), they will not use this attack against petrifying monsters, as opposed to using it and being instantly stoned - attacking bare-handed will still turn them to stone, however. If melee damage returns a character to normal form, they have a {{frac|3}} chance of losing current and maximum HP equal to that form's monster difficulty, and the damage always occurs if the polymorph was controlled.{{refsrc|mhitu.c|2555|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
 ===xNetHack===

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{tocright}}
-'''Polymorph''' refers to the [[magic]] that changes one creature into a different species, or changes an [[object]] to another object of the same type. [[Shapeshifter]]s and [[werecreatures]] have similar, but slightly different abilities.
+In ''[[NetHack]]'', '''polymorph''' refers to the [[magic]] that changes one creature into a different species, or changes an [[object]] to another object of the same type. [[Shapeshifter]]s and [[werecreatures]] have similar, but slightly different abilities.
 This article deals mainly with monster- or self-polymorph. The practice of polymorphing objects is also known as '''[[polypiling]]''', and is explained in the article behind that link.

@@ Line 173: / Line 173: @@
 Prior to [[NetHack 3.6.0]], HP and energy changed differently: they were grown or shrunk in direct proportion to your level change, then a further adjustment of &minus;9 to +9 points was applied.{{refsrc|polyself.c|169|nethack=3.4.3}}  It was consequently possible to bias the changes deliberately.  At a very low experience level, polymorph has an equal chance of raising your level, or decreasing it and killing you. By cheating death with an [[amulet of life saving]], one could accumulate the effects of gaining levels, which multiplied [[hit points]] and [[power]]. This was known as the [[polyself bug]].
-=== Other special cases ===
+===Other special cases===
 Polymorphing to your own race while being a monster just returns you to your basic form and then makes you "a new <race>" as in the previous section.
@@ Line 184: / Line 184: @@
 Most monster and item polymorphs are temporary: Polymorphed items revert back to their original form after 500–999 turns, and polymorphed monsters revert back to their original form after 1000–1999 turns.{{refsrc|timeout.c|455|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|timeout.c|590|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} For monsters, the change can only be made permanent by [[stoning]] the monster, then re-animating them with the spell of [[stone to flesh]]; items can be "fixed" in their current form by dipping them in a [[potion of restore ability]].
-Killing a polymorphed monster causes them to revert to its original form with reduced HP. This makes dangerous enemies much harder to kill by polymorphing them into a weaker form, and hostile shapeshifters such as chameleons and lycanthropes become especially difficult, since they can often shapechange again before you can deal a finishing blow. Polymorphing [[shopkeeper]]s is no longer reliable for the purposes of killing them, though turning them into a weaker monster can disable, immobilize, or slow them enough for you to rob the store without killing them. Furthermore, it is no longer a simple matter to permanently upgrade your pet with polymorph.
+Killing a polymorphed monster causes them to revert to their original form with reduced HP. This makes dangerous enemies much harder to kill by polymorphing them into a weaker form: hostile shapeshifters such as chameleons and lycanthropes become especially difficult, since they can often shapechange again before you can deal a finishing blow - conversely, if your luck with their choice of forms holds, you may be able to lower their HP enough that they undergo system shock and die when trying to turn bacak. Polymorphing [[shopkeeper]]s is no longer reliable for the purposes of killing them, though turning them into a weaker monster can disable, immobilize, or slow them enough for you to rob the store without killing them. Furthermore, it is no longer a simple matter to permanently upgrade your pet with polymorph.
 If you polymorph into an intelligent monster with an attack that requires direct contact (biting, tentacles, etc), you will not use this attack against petrifying monsters, as opposed to being instantly stoned - attacking bare-handed will still stone you, however. If melee damage rehumanizes you, your monster difficulty can be subtracted from your current and maximum hit points. This always occurs if the polymorph was controlled, and has a {{frac|3}} chance of occurring otherwise.{{refsrc|mhitu.c|2555|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
@@ Line 198: / Line 198: @@
 ==References==
 <references />
 {{nethack-343|offset=1}}
 [[Category:Spells]]

@@ Line 92: / Line 92: @@
 Having [[polymorph control]] allows you to specify what to polymorph yourself into, unless you are unconscious or stunned.  This is subject to the [[#Restrictions on polymorphing|game restrictions]]. For strategy, see [[Polymorph control#Strategy|Polymorph control § Strategy]].
-An [[amulet of unchanging]] blocks polymorph completely. If you are changed into a form that can [[metallivore|eat amulets]], eating one may also return you to your original form.
+An [[amulet of unchanging]] blocks polymorph completely, but a ring of protection from shape changers will not. If you are in the form of a [[metallivore]] and can [[Eating jewelry|eat amulets]], eating one may also return you to your original form.
 === Polymorphing into other monsters ===