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There are two main interpretations that I have come across for this spell.

  1. The spell "functions like greater polymorph" with objects added. They interpret "functions like" to mean “behaves exactly the same as for all purposes and obeys every rule of,” except add objects. The quoted line is from a answer to another question by KRyan, and while the context is different, it serves the purpose of this question well.

  2. The spell "functions like greater polymorph" is further defined in the context of the spell by the text "This spell functions like greater polymorph, except that it changes one object or creature into another. You can use this spell to transform all manner of objects and creatures into new forms". Meaning that the forms a creature or object can be transmuted into by Polymorph Any Object are not limited to the forms featured in greater polymorph.

What is the proper interpretation of the "functions like greater polymorph" line, in the context of the entire spell?

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tl;dr You can use this spell to transform all manner of objects and creatures into new forms—you aren’t limited to transforming a living creature into another living form restates the spell's possible targets not its results; its results are still limited as per greater polymorph plus some objects.


When polymorph any object says it functions like greater polymorph, it means it's precisely like greater polymorph except…

The changes made by the polymorph any object spell to the greater polymorph spell are reflected first in the polymorph any object spell's header entries then in its description.

When the Pathfinder spell polymorph any object in its description says, "This spell functions like greater polymorph, except that it changes one object or creature into another" object or creature, the description echoes the D&D 3.5e spell polymorph any object's description, Pathfinder having changed in that description only greater polymorph from the original's polymorph.

So far, so good, right? And were the polymorph any object spell description in Pathfinder to go from this introductory statement straight into computing the duration of the polymorph any object spell effect—as the spell's description did in Pathfinder's antecedent—, this reader believes there'd be no discussion about how the spell works. However, new to the Pathfinder spell description of polymorph any object is this line "You can use this spell [polymorph any object] to transform all manner of objects and creatures into new forms—you aren't limited to transforming a living creature into another living form." This reader honestly has no idea why this line was added—it brings nothing to the table.

See, one of the traditional restrictions on the spell greater polymorph is that spell's entry of Target living creature touched. So when the description of the spell polymorph any object says, "You can use this spell [polymorph any object] to transform all manner of objects and creatures into new forms—you aren't limited to transforming a living creature into another living form," the polymorph any object spell's description is pointing out that an update has been made to the polymorph any object spell's Target entry.

In short, that line reminds the reader that that the spell polymorph any object has the entry Target one creature, or one nonmagical object of up to 100 cu. ft./level rather than the greater polymorph spell's entry of Target living creature touched. (To be fair, this is an easily overlooked detail.) Thus the new forms in the sentence, "You can use this spell to transform all manner of objects and creatures into new forms," are either new forms that can be assumed via the greater polymorph spell or new object forms, an exception added by the spell description's first line and worded up later in the spell's description.

To be clear, that line in the description of the polymorph any object spell does not change what a target can be transformed into but a reminder of what can be the target of the spell. Just to be extra-clear I'm going to parrot here that line again: "You can use this spell [polymorph any object] to transform all manner of objects and creatures into new forms—you aren't limited to transforming a living creature into another living form" (emphasis mine). And for super clarity: The line does not say, "You can transform objects and creatures into all manner of new forms." (Were the spell to actually instead say that, this reader would totally abandon this position and go with this fine answer!) So the restrictions on the spell's result—those from the greater polymorph spell plus the any object spell's own objects exception—remain firmly in place despite this largely superfluous sentence.

For example, any living creature can be the target of a polymorph any object spell, but so could a creature that possesses the type undead or a Small copper cube, even though such a creature or object couldn't be the subject of a greater polymorph spell. (An undead creature's immunity to effects requiring Fortitude saving throws doesn't extend to effects that also affect objects like the spell polymorph any object.)

Thus new forms that a caster can inflict upon the polymorph any object spell's target remain limited to A) forms that can be assumed with the spell greater polymorph and B) some objects as per the spell's own description.

The remainder of the polymorph any object spell's description actually does bear this out. The spell's description continues, saying, "The duration of the spell depends on how radical a change is made from the original state to its transmuted state. The duration is determined by using the following guidelines," with those guidelines never really contradicting this premise: casting the spell on a Tiny copper cube so as to transform it into a Small fire elemental likely makes the spell's duration only 20 min., and casting the spell on a manticore so as to transform it into a shrew makes the spell's duration anywhere from 1 hour to permanent. (Both durations are ultimately dependent upon the GM's adjudication of the original's and ensuing creature's kingdom and class.)

After the polymorph any object spell effect's duration is computed, the spell's description continues, describing what happens if the target lacks one or more ability scores, explaining that damage in one form (somehow!) carries over if the original form's resumed, how the spell can neither make nor target magic items, how the spell can't transform a target into wealth nor transform a target into some special materials, and ends with—for convenience—what other spells the parent spell can duplicate. None of this contradicts the spell description's first two sentences either.

In sum, the polymorph any object spell just can't transform a creature or object into anything but either an object (and that's limited as per the spell's own description) or a creature that possesses the type animal, humanoid or elemental (as per the polymorph spell) or the type dragon, magical beast, or plant (as per the greater polymorph spell). Transforming the target into anything else remains beyond the spell's still considerable power.


Note: For comparison, keep in mind that the higher-level spell shapechange also limits the forms its caster can assume.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Let us continue this discussion in chat. \$\endgroup\$
    – Zarus
    Aug 19, 2018 at 23:08
  • \$\begingroup\$ Friendly reminder that, despite being polymorphed into all sorts of new forms, your creature type is not actually changed. \$\endgroup\$
    – ShadowKras
    Aug 20, 2018 at 13:50
  • \$\begingroup\$ @ShadowKras (I don't think this answer makes the claim of type changing, but I can add it to the note if you think it necessary. Also, that gets really weird when targeting an object with the spell—I mean, then what's the creature type of an object that becomes a creature via the spell polymorph any object anyway?) \$\endgroup\$ Aug 20, 2018 at 13:54
  • \$\begingroup\$ @HeyICanChan Oh no, you dont claim that it does. But that is often the thought process of those trying to become giants and dragons in the game. To answer your question, it is probably immune to Charm Monster. \$\endgroup\$
    – ShadowKras
    Aug 20, 2018 at 13:57
  • \$\begingroup\$ @HeyICanChan Add magical beast to your last paragraph. \$\endgroup\$
    – Zarus
    Aug 20, 2018 at 20:00
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Polymorph Any Object states

This spell functions like greater polymorph, except that it changes one object or creature into another. You can use this spell to transform all manner of objects and creatures into new forms-you aren’t limited to transforming a living creature into another living form.

This is indeed the crux of the issue, "What does functions like greater polymorph mean?" Does this mean it is limited to what it can do by greater ploymorph, except add on objects? I'm having a hard time buying this due to the reasons below...

Greater Polymorph states

This spell functions as polymorph except that it allows the creature to take on the form of a dragon or plant creature.

Greater Polymorph adds the dragon, magical beast, and plant forms on top of polymorph's animal, humanoid or elemental as choices, but there doesn't seem to be a limit to what you can turn something into with Polymorph Any Object (hence the "transform all manner of objects and creatures into new forms" line) except

A non-magical object cannot be made into a magic item with this spell. Magic items aren’t affected by this spell.

This spell cannot create material of great intrinsic value, such as copper, silver, gems, silk, gold, platinum, mithral, or adamantine. It also cannot reproduce the special properties of cold iron in order to overcome the damage reduction of certain creatures.

"Incorporeal or gaseous creatures are immune to being polymorphed, and a creature with the shapechanger subtype can revert to its natural form as a standard action."

and the duration

The duration of the spell depends on how radical a change is made from the original state to its transmuted state. The duration is determined by using the following guidelines.

Changed Subject Is                         Increase to Duration Factor*
Same kingdom (animal, vegetable, mineral)                       +5

Same class (mammals, fungi, metals, etc.)                       +2
Same size                                                       +2
Related (twig is to tree, wolf fur is to wolf, etc.)            +2
Same or lower Intelligence                                      +2
*Add all that apply. Look up the total on the next table.


Duration Factor     Duration    Example
0                   20 minutes  Pebble to human
2                   1 hour      Marionette to human
4                   3 hours     Human to marionette
5                   12 hours    Lizard to manticore
6                   2 days      Sheep to wool coat
7                   1 week      Shrew to manticore
9+                  Permanent   Manticore to shrew

The "Changed Subject" can be transmuted across "Kingdom", "Class", and "Size". Think about that for a second. The above implies (with the rest of the spell) all types of radical transformations are supported (except the limits mentioned in the spell). With the strict limited by greater polymorph interpretation, forms like Aberration, Construct, Fey, Monstrous Humanoid, Ooze, Outsider, Undead, Vermin are all out. That really seems to go against the text of the spell.

I could see using the various transmutation (polymorph) "form" spells that paizo has published, for the rules governing of the change of form. If Paizo hasn't covered it (e.g. Aberration), use the best third party source that can be found (e.g. Legendary Games Aberrant Form spells) perhaps.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Does anyone beg to differ? \$\endgroup\$
    – Zarus
    Aug 19, 2018 at 15:13
  • \$\begingroup\$ Maybe. Just to be clear, is the argument put forth here that the line You can use this spell to transform all manner of objects and creatures into new forms—you aren’t limited to transforming a living creature into another living form overrides the previous line saying that This spell functions like greater polymorph, except that it changes one object or creature into another? \$\endgroup\$ Aug 19, 2018 at 15:23
  • \$\begingroup\$ I gave a shot. I hope there's enough there to still be useful even if you disagree. \$\endgroup\$ Aug 19, 2018 at 21:14
  • \$\begingroup\$ Hey Chan! ;) It doesn't override, but further clarifies the meaning of that line and the intent of the spell. The first line states..."except that it changes one object or creature into another." So the question is, "What does it mean by 'except that it changes one object or creature into another?'" Which is answered by "You can use this spell to transform all manner (i.e. all kinds or sorts) of objects and creatures into new forms". Looking at the the spell as a whole, there doesn't appear to be a limit on forms, except no magic item interaction, no "materials of great intrinsic value" and... \$\endgroup\$
    – Zarus
    Aug 19, 2018 at 22:04
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    \$\begingroup\$ Chan you earned your rep giving good answers worthy of respect! Also your respectful/cool character shines through in your answers and comments. \$\endgroup\$
    – Zarus
    Aug 19, 2018 at 22:08

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