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The spell clearly says that it does not affect a shapechanger.
Shapechangers are not affected by this spell.
But has nothing about the opposite.
Would that mean that I can change a Goblin into a Doppelganger and that Doppelganger cannot then ever be transformed again with a True Polymorph spell?
From the spell description. (Goblin is a CR 1/4 creature).
If you turn a creature into another kind of creature, the new form can be any kind you choose whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target's (or its level, if the target doesn't have a challenge rating).
If you chose a CR 3 creature like a Killer Whale, the spell's language indicates that it is the new creature: a Doppelganger. (Likely one with a taste for raw herring). Why? Nothing in the spell description says that you can't.
There's some fine print to consider (at least in the SRD version of True Polymorph, p. 188).
If you concentrate on this spell for the full duration, the transformation lasts until it is dispelled.
The "full duration" refers to the hour of concentration it takes to make the true polymorph permanent. That true polymorph is "until dispelled" is shown in the SRD and in editions of the PHB after the first one was issued.
The Doppelganger can use its action to polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid it has seen, or back into its true form.
Its true form is now a Doppelganger, not a Killer Whale. It can't change back into its old form to go hang out with its orca friends (It could have done that had it originally been a CR 3 humanoid, for example a Hobgoblin Captain). Might the Doppelganger want to return to being a Killer Whale?
The target’s game statistics, including mental ability scores, are replaced by the statistics of the new form. It retains its alignment and personality.
If someone knows that the Doppelganger was originally a Killer Whale and wants to return it to that form, or if the now-Doppelganger encounters an effect that dispels magic, then this subsequent dispelling returns it to Killer Whale form by either a friendly or hostile action.
This raises the in-game question of "Why would he want to be a Killer Whale again?" (Beyond the obvious case of his agent wanting him to star in Free Willy 5: the money's too good!) That's up to the DM to decide based on the story and motivations of the NPC's and monsters under his control. Something about the smell of fresh herring, down by the docks at midnight, awakens a yearning deep in the Doppelgangers heart ...
In that case, convincing someone to cast another true polymorph would be wasted effort, and would not make the change per the rule you cited. A dispel magic spell could if the DC check is successful, and a dispel magic spell would if it is cast from a 9th level spell slot.
Dispel Magic(p. 136)
Choose one creature, object, or magical effect within range. Any spell of 3rd level or lower on the target ends. For each spell of 4th level or higher on the target, make an ability check using your spellcasting ability. The DC equals 10 + the spell’s level. On a successful check, the spell ends. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, you automatically end the effects of a spell on the target if the spell’s level is equal to or less than the level of the spell slot you used.
There's another way that the Doppelganger would revert (at least for a while) to its original Killer Whale form: it encounters an antimagic field.
Any active spell or other magical effect on a creature or an object in the sphere is suppressed while the creature or object is in it. (SRD p. 117)
Antimagic field lasts for up to an hour. Will the Killer Whale survive for an hour if the antimagic field is not encountered in the water? That depends on the situation, and might be the core plot hook for Free Willy 6!
Shapechangers aren't affected by this spell. An unwilling creature can make a Wisdom saving throw, and if it succeeds, it isn't affected by this spell.
When you transform a creature using true polymorph they are, by definition affected by the spell for the entire time the spell is active.
A spell's duration is the length of time the spell persists. A duration can be expressed in rounds, minutes, hours, or even years. Some spells specify that their effects last until the spells are dispelled or destroyed.
True polymorph has a duration of 1 hour or until dispelled. For that entire time, true polymorph is affecting the target.
If I turn a creature into a troll, that troll is continuously under the effects of true polymorph thus keeping the troll from becoming the original creature again.
If you try to change something into a shapechanger, it will change, but then it will instantly change back because they are now a shapechanger and thus cannot continue to be affected by the spell per the spells description.
Since they are a shapechanger, they don't even get a save. They automatically fail and would revert to their previous form. The save is only for creatures that are unwilling, but a shapechanger (regardless of willingness) can never be affected by the spell.
True polymorph is a 9th level spell and an incredibly powerful one. PCs can already use it to change their form to be so many other immensely powerful creatures that it seems silly to forbid this based on the strict ruling of the spell. As DM, I would likely allow it.
