How do you polymorph? What is the command or key I must use?
How to polymorph in NetHack
nethack
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Best Answer
You can't really polymorph at will.
There are 6 different types of things that can polymorph you.
Stepping on a polymorph trap will turn you into a random monster (magic-resistance will block this)
The spell of polymorph, cast at you (at yourself or possibly by a monster, though I don't think they cast that spell)
Wand of polymorph, zapped at you. Monsters can't do this, but you can also zap yourself.
Wearing the ring of polymorph (not polymorph control) will cause you to polymorph at random intervals and into random monsters (beware, you can just as easily turn into a dragon as a lichen).
Drinking (and maybe thrown at you) a polymorph potion.
Eating a chameleon or doppelganger (both natural shape-shifters) corpse. Note the doppelganger corpse counts as cannibalism for humans.
Becoming a werecreature, either wererat, werewolf, or werejackal, will randomly polymorph you into your animal/human form. Praying, eating wolfsbane, or quaffing holy water will fix you however.
In wizard mode, the extended command
#polyself
also works.Note if you are already polymorphed into a magic-resistant monster (most common is grey dragon), some of these methods won't polymorph you.
For more information about the effects of polymorphing, see the Nethack wiki page on polymorph.
All forms of polymorph other than being a werecreature and
#polyself
in wizard mode don't let you control what you turn into.In addition, ring of polymorph and being a werecreature don't let you control when you polymorph. Eating a shapeshifter corpse, being cast at/zapped, and drinking polymorph potions apply immediately, and only polymorph you once.
While a werecreature, you can only polymorph to and from your wereform and normal form.
Finally, with a ring of polymorph control you can always control the result of a polymorph, including not changing at all. This will also stop transforming into/from your wereform if applicable, but will not stop you from gaining lycanthropy in the first place.