What CR can I polymorph into?

The Polymorph spell transforms a target into a beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target's level (or its own CR if it has no class levels). A 5th-level character can become any beast up to CR 5.

Why does Polymorph only allow beasts?

The spell specifically restricts the new form to a beast, the creature type that includes most animals and dinosaurs. Monstrosities, dragons, and elementals are off the table, which is why the Giant Ape (CR 7) is a frequent high-end pick.

How do hit points work after polymorphing?

You gain the new form's hit points and Hit Dice. When those run out you revert with any leftover damage carrying to your original form, so a big-HP beast like the Giant Ape acts as a large temporary buffer.

What is the best low-level polymorph target?

At CR 1 the Giant Spider and Brown Bear are popular for their reach, grapple, and respectable HP. The Giant Toad can swallow smaller foes. The right pick depends on whether you want damage, control, or mobility.

Does Polymorph keep my mental stats?

Yes. The creature keeps its Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma, alignment, and personality, but takes the beast's physical stats, and cannot cast spells or use features requiring hands or speech while transformed.

What is the D&D Polymorph Stat Block Reference?

Set a challenge-rating cap to display a filtered list of polymorph-legal beasts with HP, AC, speeds, and key features. For D&D 5e Druid and Wizard players choosing a Polymorph or Wild Shape target. It runs free in your browser on Gera Tools, with nothing uploaded.

D&D Polymorph Stat Block Reference

Name: D&D Polymorph Stat Block Reference
Creator: Gera Tools
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Picking a Polymorph or Wild Shape target mid-combat is slow when you have to flip through the Monster Manual. This reference filters a curated list of common polymorph-legal beasts by challenge rating so you can compare hit points, armor class, speeds, and signature abilities at a glance.

How it works

The Polymorph spell restricts the new form to a beast whose challenge rating is at or below a cap — the target’s level for a creature with class levels, or its own CR otherwise. The rule is simply:

beast_CR ≤ cap

Set the cap to your character level (or the CR of the creature you are transforming) and the tool lists every beast in its table that qualifies. You can add a fly- or swim-speed requirement when you need a specific mobility option, since gaining flight or aquatic movement is one of Polymorph’s biggest advantages.

Popular polymorph targets by CR tier

CR 1/4 and below (levels 1-4 cap)

Giant Badger — 13 HP, burrow speed, Multiattack; solid for escape or tunnelling situations.
Giant Wolf Spider — 11 HP, 40-ft speed, climb speed, Web Walk; good mobility for pursuit.

CR 1 (level 1+ cap)

Brown Bear — 34 HP, 40-ft speed, Multiattack, decent damage output for early levels.
Giant Spider — 26 HP, 30-ft speed + climb speed, Web restrain action; strong crowd control.
Giant Toad — 39 HP, 40-ft speed + 40-ft swim, Swallow action against Small targets.

CR 2 (level 2+ cap)

Rhinoceros — 45 HP, Charge ability dealing bludgeoning damage + knock prone; reliable melee damage.
Polar Bear — 42 HP, Multiattack; better HP than a Brown Bear with similar damage.

CR 4 (level 4+ cap)

Elephant — 76 HP, Stomp (prone) and Charge, natural 11 AC; excellent damage sponge.

CR 7 (level 7+ cap)

Giant Ape — 157 HP, 40-ft speed + 40-ft climb, Multiattack hitting twice for 2d10+7; often the best non-flying melee Polymorph target in the game.

CR 8 (level 8+ cap)

Tyrannosaurus Rex — 136 HP, Multiattack (bite + tail), 50-ft speed; among the highest damage output available through Polymorph.

What transfers, what does not

When a creature becomes the new form:

Keeps: Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma, alignment, personality, and memories.
Loses: Class features, spell casting, bonus actions tied to class features, feats, proficiencies not available in beast form.
Gains: The beast’s Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, HP, speeds, AC, attacks, and special actions.

The borrowed hit points act as a buffer: when the form’s HP drop to 0, the creature reverts to its original form with whatever HP it had before polymorphing, minus any excess damage that carries over. This is why using Polymorph on a badly wounded ally can be a lifesaving tactic — the high-HP beast form lets them absorb punishment before reverting.

Confirming creature type

Always check that your candidate is the beast creature type in the Monster Manual. Several creatures that look like animals are classified differently:

Dinosaurs (Deinonychus, Pteranodon, Plesiosaurus) are beasts, but check — some newer sources classify some as monstrosities.
Owlbear is a monstrosity, not a beast — not a legal Polymorph target.
Griffon is a monstrosity.
Pegasus is a celestial.

When in doubt, check the creature’s type line in its stat block, not its appearance.