Word of Change

[Shadechild]

Can the staff put Natural spell as a select-able feat for Warlocks (Like Kaedrins Guttural Invocations) so we can cast Warlock Invocations while polymorphed =D

[wangxiuming]

They actually can access their invocations while in their polymorph form; try opening the quickcast bar from the main menu (not by pressing F).

[FriendlyNecromancer]

Erm I was under the impression that was a bug/exploit unless it's only allowed for warlocks but not mages despite well... 3.5/pathfinder allowing it assuming your form isn't an amorphous blob with no arms/mouth.

[wangxiuming]

Really? No one has ever communicated this to me in all the time I've been here. I've used warlock blasts while polymorphed in various events with no objection.

I can't speak for other spellcasting classes, but I thought it made sense that warlocks would retain their spellcasting in their various devilish/demonic forms. They have all the required appendages (fingers, arms, mouth, ability to speak). The forms themselves are creatures that can actually cast spells / use spell-like abilities.

[Valhalla]

I was told the same as Wang, when I played my warlock.

[GodBeastX]

I don't believe it's possible to script this functionality as much as I would like to. If you can find me means to accomplish it, I'd definitely stick it in.

[FriendlyNecromancer]

So... is it also possible for mages to use it because as far as it goes Shapechange is very useless mechanically without the ability to cast as per pnp. Sure you gain some nice stats but you still will not be able to hit the broad side of a barn assuming you are fighting a properly geared character, also base damage is mitigated by all sorts of resistances since you can't enchant your claws/whatever.

[Elusa]

Melissa was pretty damn effective using shapechange. You just cast all your buffs ahead of time. The only ones you miss out on are they 1 round/level spells. But they've changed the server a lot since back then, so I have no idea how she would fare now.

[Kitsunestume]

So... is it also possible for mages to use it because as far as it goes Shapechange is very useless mechanically without the ability to cast as per pnp. Sure you gain some nice stats but you still will not be able to hit the broad side of a barn assuming you are fighting a properly geared character, also base damage is mitigated by all sorts of resistances since you can't enchant your claws/whatever.

The reality of quite a few of the polymorph spells, is that only Tenzer's Transformation is actually supposed to prevent spellcasting. using Shapechange as an example, fire giants and frost giants both have spellcasters, they can use somatic, verbal, and material components, and it's hardly unrealistic to expect that a polymorphed PC aught to be able to use those functions. Similarly: mindflayers are reknown across the realms for their mystical might, and it would almost seem backwards to prevent such capacity.
However, certain forms just should not be casting all spells. My understanding from Lotus is that the Iron-golem form, as it lacks and ability to speak, cannot be used to cast any spells with a verbal component: basically leaving Silent Spell as a requirement for such casting. The exception we discussed at the time was Gas descriptors, as with Polymorph the caster should actually gain the Iron-Golem's Cloudkill-Breath ability.
Just think about what the form COULD do before you try. If you have any doubts, ask a DM.

Also, as Elusa stated, casting spells beforehand and then polymorphing can be a good way to get your buffs nice and cozy beforehand. It'll also help because polymorphs don't reliably go through one transition, and you might want those buffs in the next area.

[Shadechild]

Would it be possible to allow Shapechange to bring over Mainhand weapons? This included Word of Change and some of the master of Many forms abilities.

I don't see why an intelligent creature with a proper hand couldn't wield a weapon, or why a Spellcaster wouldn't use their own equipment for their polymorphs.

[Elusa]

I think polymorph spells are hard coded when it comes to weapons and armor.