Odd transformation spell...

[ArkhanTheBlack]

I experimented a bit with the transformation spell after I read a comment about transforming a tree lord. I used the spell on naiads and got bears, wolfs, giant spiders, etc. I think for a Naiad that's kind of okay if I consider the size of a Naiad.
However, if I use the same spell on a tree lord I get giant ants, monkeys and also the typical animals. BUT, according to the description the caster transforms into a random monster! MONSTER!!! Not 'Cute little pet'! Could the spell get some size dependency please?! I think the forest animal is okay for human sized stuff, but for giants it's a bit underwhelming. Otherwise the spell description is irritating since the transformation turns the caster into little animals and pets but certainly not a monster.

[kasnavada]

Another question about transformation : what is the upkeep cost of the tranformed mage ?

[ano]

Upkeep will be equal to 1/15 of the received creature cost. Usually it is 0 for transformation spell.

[Zeldor]

I think that spell isn't really worth the gems. Maybe if it was 1N, not 8N... but even with 1N it usually isn't worth the risk. Not so high level spell so it is better to research. I made like 100 test transformations and best things I got were ice drake, wyvern, chimera, bog beast!. But you can as well die or get changed into foul spawn and feebleminded.

[ano]

It has sense if you want to get 0-upkeep mages from high-upkeep ones and have some healing powers.
And yes, it is expensive and not very useful as nature gems always have some better use.

[Tuidjy]

What are the death chances? Feeblemind can be healed, but even a 10% chance of
death would automatically make me disregard the spell.

[ano]

Don't know. It just seems to me that effect depends on luck scales.

[CUnknown]

I find it is somewhat useful for EA/MA Pangea at times, especially if you are doing the turmoil/luck thing. Those Pans are horribly expensive to upkeep, and you have tons of nature gems.

Although admittedly, you would lose your menaed generators. I wouldn't do it all the time, but sometimes you just need the cash and menaeds aren't so useful.

[Cor2]

cast twiceborn and if you have the gift of health up its pretty safe. Works for LA Pyhtium Where the mages get both nature and death. Still not a tactic for MP.

[K]

The things you turn into is determined by the province you change in. I find that mountains and wastes have the best monsters. Forests always seem to give me moose or dragonflies or such crap.

[Zeldor]

I would rather sell that nature gems and use gold for upkeep.

[Wauthan]

Heh, I never cast it for the new shapes, only for saving valuable mages that are dying of old age. I too found that you get the best results in mountains and wastes, with a strong luck scale. Would love to see the list on what creatures you can become. Guess we could start writing down our results and see if there's any real reason for a "roll of the dice".

Kind of wierd that the anti-age is the primary reason to cast this, and the transformation itself is the annoying side effect.

[ologm]

It is also a way to get full slots for a mage. Does transformation heal afflictions?

Chimera is big bad guy.
Flying monkey is funny.

[cleveland]

Only truly justified use:
High level nature mage gets diseased & is down to 2hp.

[mindlar]

cleveland said:
Only truly justified use:
High level nature mage gets diseased & is down to 2hp.



Or a treelord that you want to become a blood hunter.

[cleveland]

mindlar said:
Or a treelord that you want to become a blood hunter.



Not sure I understand. How would Transformation help? And if it did help, how would the risk of feeblemind be justified?

[NTJedi]

Speaking of transformations... I wonder if Illwinter may consider adding a transformation spell which turns the caster into a demon in exchange for better stats and longer life.

If no, then perhaps making unique transformation spells possible via modding commands.

[kasnavada]

I think it has a great use for LA pangaea, possibly for MA too. I mean, Pans (death and earth version) cost 20+ gold per turn... it doesn't matter if you lose a few, it will pay for itself in 15 turns. And your access to nature magic means that you will have fairy queens or gift of health sooner or later anyway.

Pandemoniacs for MA are in the same situation. If you took turmoil / luck for EA and MA you will no produce maenads so you actually lose something, so it's a bad idea.

[cleveland]

cleveland said:
Only truly justified use:
High level nature mage gets diseased & is down to 2hp.


I'd like to retract my earlier statement, as I was COMPLETELY wrong.

I've found a fantastic, totally justified use for the spell:
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7563/dogve3.th.jpg (http://img182.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dogve3.jpg)

[sector24]

The other gods will never suspect...

[Dedas]

Cave canem!!!