Transformation is an Alteration 6 2 ritual that transforms the caster into a random monster or animal for 8
. The spell has a higher likelihood of succeeding in
luck scales; if it fails, the caster either transforms into a critter, a feebleminded Foul Spawn, or simply dies. Aside from magic paths, no properties are carried over from the original caster into their transformed body. Their age is also set to the default age of whichever monster or animal they transformed into. Any items that they can no longer carry due to their new equipment slots are returned to the inventory.
The possible transformation results are highly variable, ranging from size 1 to 6 with traits and equipment slots specific to that particular chassis. A mage may transform into a stealthy but highly fragile Winged Monkey or luck into a supercombatant-tier Ettin with an extra head and arm slot. To add to the variability, many transformation results have a chance of gaining additional magic paths. However, most results have only two misc slots due to being animals, rendering them incapable of equipping the majority of magic boosters. If a mage casts Transformation underwater, the result is selected from a different pool of mostly aquatic chassis.
The most straightforward application of Transformation is to remove undesirable traits from nature mages, such as the high upkeep of Pans and Pearl Kings or the homesickness of Naiads. The variability of chassis stats and traits means that transforming for a better chassis alone is unreliable and likely to waste gems. For nations with small
death
nature mages, transformation may be of particular consideration due to its interaction with Twiceborn.
Transformation has a (20 + misfortune)% chance to fail. If the caster fails this check, they make the same check again. Succeeding on this second check gives a bad result from the table below (and feebleminds the caster if the new form is not mindless), while failing again kills the mage.1)
If the caster succeeds on the first roll, they are transformed into a random chassis depending on whether they are underwater or on land. While many of the results are undisciplined due to being animals, they will still follow scripts as normal during combat. Most results also have subpar magic resistance, making them more vulnerable to spells like Soul Slay and Mind Hunt.
What are the bad transformation results underwater?
Sprite | Unit Name | Special Attributes | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Foul Spawn and 8 other variations | Variable. One gains amphibious, some have different attacks, but none stand out. | Will be feebleminded, but has full slots. |
![]() | Foul Spawn | Will be feebleminded. No body or hand equipment slots, but five attacks, size 5 and a reasonable amount of hitpoints. | |
![]() | Freak | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Will not lose paths due to being mindless. Has only 2 misc slots despite the pictured limbs. Trample, fear, and crossbreeding can all be situationally useful. |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Dragonfly Frog Large Ant Large Beetle Large Spider | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Will not lose paths due to being mindless. All die to a stiff breeze, but being stealthy makes them more difficult to catch. |
Sprite | Unit Name | Special Attributes | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Dog | ![]() ![]() | |
![]() | Winged Monkey | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() Ridiculously mobile at 34 map move with flying, with full slots just for fun. Good chance at getting the astral crosspath. |
![]() | Wolf | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() | Boar | ![]() ![]() | |
![]() | Crocodile | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Cold blooded can be pretty debilitating for casters. |
![]() | Dire Wolf | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() A better version of the Wolf. |
![]() | Great Boar | ![]() ![]() ![]() | A better version of the Boar with trample. |
![]() | Great Hawk | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() Highly mobile at 28 map move with flying. |
![]() | Great Lion | ![]() ![]() | |
![]() | Hydra Hatchling | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Wounded shape: Hydra Hatchling, Hydra Hatchling | Chance for bonus ![]() Costs ![]() |
![]() | Jade Lizard | ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() | Leogryph | ![]() | |
![]() | Lioness | ![]() ![]() Female | |
![]() | Salamander | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() Costs ![]() |
![]() | Serpent | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() |
![]() | Tiger | ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() | Troll Seithberender | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Of the results that cost upkeep, this is the most expensive at a ridiculous ![]() |
![]() | Amphiptere | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() Chance for bonus ![]() A durable, poison resistant chassis with great flying mobility. |
![]() | Bog Beast | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() Poison clouds can be a dangerous source of friendly fire. |
![]() | Giant Spider | ![]() ![]() | |
![]() | Great Bear | ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() | Great Bear Great Bear | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Sacred opens up some interesting possibilities, but these are otherwise unremarkable. |
![]() | Ice Drake | ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() Has a neat ice breath attack. |
![]() | Moose | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() Like a cheaper and permanent Thistle Mace that can sneak around. |
![]() | Swamp Drake | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() Chance for bonus ![]() |
![]() | Yeti Shaman | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | High magic resistance, hit points and a moderate chill aura on top of full equipment slots. Be aware of the cold aura when positioning within an army. |
![]() | Giant Shaman | ![]() | A larger, beefier Yeti without the chilly theme. |
![]() | Great Spider | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() | Gryphon | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() Decent magic resistance and can good flying mobility. |
![]() | Manticore | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Notably not an animal. A Gryphon made much nastier by the addition of fear and poison. |
![]() | Monster Boar | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() The same boar as the one generated by unlucky events and the Monster Boar spell, which means that it increases unrest and is somehow stealthier than its smaller cousins. |
![]() | Chimera | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() A flying monster with poison and fire. |
![]() | Ettin | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | One less misc slot is a small price to pay for an extra arm and head slot, along with moderately high magic resistance. Eminently suitable for both solo operator and army support roles. |
![]() | Giant Sorcerer | ![]() ![]() | Another a very tough chassis. Can grab and swallow opponents |
![]() | Great Eagle | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() A ridiculously mobile flyer with moderately high magic resistance and very high morale. |
![]() | Hydra | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Wounded shape: Hydra, Hydra, Hydra, Hydra | Chance for bonus ![]() Costs ![]() |
If the transformed mage is underwater, the result is selected from the table below instead. Except for the Sea Dog, all are fully aquatic and will need an Amulet of the Fish or something similar to go above water. Gaining an extra magic path is much more common than transforming on land, but path gain is largely restricted to nature and
water.
Sprite | Unit Name | Special Attributes | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Small Shark | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() |
![]() | Hippocampus | ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() |
![]() | Sea Dog | ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() The only amphibious underwater result. |
![]() | Sea Stag | ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() |
![]() | Leocampus | ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() |
![]() | Giant Lobster | ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() |
![]() | Kraken King | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() Unlike the Ancient Kraken pretender chassis, this kraken has a meagre 2 misc slots. Still stealthy, however. |
![]() | Shark | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Chance for bonus ![]() |
Dominions 5 - Transformation and Twiceborn by Attica
Notable Spells | ||
---|---|---|
Rituals | Personal Enchantments | Divine Name/Gift of Reason • Transformation • Twiceborn • Cure Disease |
Strategic | Domes • Globals • Magic Phase Movement • Remote Attacks | |
Summons | Cross Breeding • Elemental Royalty • Hidden Underneath/in Snow/in Sand • Infernal Breeding • Reanimation • Release Lord of Civilization • Ritual of Rebirth • Tartarian Gate | |
Other | Wish | |
Combat Magic | Battlefield Enchantments | |
Buffs | Hell Power • Life after Death • Mossbody • Pain Transfer • Phoenix Pyre • Returning • Soul Vortex • Strength of Giants • Time Stop | |
Debuffs | Armor of Achilles • Earth Grip • False Fetters | |
Direct Damage | Divine Magic • Magic Duel • Soul Slay | |
Summons | Reanimation | |
Other | Communions • Enslave Mind |