To-do list:
- Since the definition was expanded to include beneficial transformations and the trope was renamed to Forced Transformation, move any Baleful Polymorph wicks that fit and remove ones that don't.
Original post
Baleful Polymorph is defined as applying when a character is involuntarily transformed into another form that negatively affects them. However, this ATT
expressed concerns that it's being used for any involuntary transformation, regardless of impact on the transformed. A wick check was performed to see if these concerns are founded, and... they are.
expressed concerns that it's being used for any involuntary transformation, regardless of impact on the transformed. A wick check was performed to see if these concerns are founded, and... they are.
- 18/68 wicks (26.5%) use the trope correctly
- 18/68 wicks (26.5%) are used for transformations with no mention of effect
- 13/68 wicks (19%) are used for transformations with a positive effect
- 19/68 wicks (28%) are Zero-Context Examples and potholes
Given the relatively even percentages, I suspect the issue is Trope-Namer Syndrome (it's named after a spell from Dungeons & Dragons) combined with the average user not knowing what "baleful" means (destructive or harmful in effect). Therefore, I am proposing a rename to make the "negative impact" requirement more apparent.
Based on current usage I could also see making "character is turned into something that ends up being useful" and "character is involuntarily turned into something" into tropes if we don't already have them, but the priority is making sure people understand what this trope is supposed to be.
Edited by GastonRabbit on May 22nd 2022 at 5:13:55 AM
CompletelyNormalGuy
Am I a weirdo?
from that rainy city where they throw fish
(Oldest One in the Book)
Am I a weirdo?
#52: Sep 17th 2022 at 10:14:06 PM
The "Main" namespace is now cleared.
Bigotry will NEVER be welcome on TV Tropes.
CompletelyNormalGuy
Am I a weirdo?
from that rainy city where they throw fish
(Oldest One in the Book)
Am I a weirdo?
#53: Sep 20th 2022 at 10:49:21 PM
Now we're at 3300. Making progress.
#54: Sep 23rd 2022 at 9:38:31 PM
Down to 3000
CompletelyNormalGuy
Am I a weirdo?
from that rainy city where they throw fish
(Oldest One in the Book)
Am I a weirdo?
#55: Sep 27th 2022 at 11:14:41 PM
2700.
Bigotry will NEVER be welcome on TV Tropes.
#56: Sep 29th 2022 at 12:00:50 AM
Below 2500
EDIT: 2370
Edited by randomtroper89 on Sep 29th 2022 at 12:48:02 PM
CompletelyNormalGuy
Am I a weirdo?
from that rainy city where they throw fish
(Oldest One in the Book)
Am I a weirdo?
#57: Oct 3rd 2022 at 8:00:11 PM
2200 now.
Bigotry will NEVER be welcome on TV Tropes.
CompletelyNormalGuy
Am I a weirdo?
from that rainy city where they throw fish
(Oldest One in the Book)
Am I a weirdo?
#58: Oct 5th 2022 at 3:40:05 PM
Down to 2000.
Bigotry will NEVER be welcome on TV Tropes.
CompletelyNormalGuy
Am I a weirdo?
from that rainy city where they throw fish
(Oldest One in the Book)
Am I a weirdo?
#59: Oct 12th 2022 at 3:49:46 PM
Bigotry will NEVER be welcome on TV Tropes.
How sweet it is
#60: Oct 16th 2022 at 6:59:24 PM
We're below 1160 now!
she/her | TRS needs your help! | Contributor of Trope Report
CompletelyNormalGuy
Am I a weirdo?
from that rainy city where they throw fish
(Oldest One in the Book)
Am I a weirdo?
#61: Oct 17th 2022 at 3:11:48 PM
And we're down to 1000.
Bigotry will NEVER be welcome on TV Tropes.
How sweet it is
#62: Oct 18th 2022 at 7:12:20 AM
Should the redirect target be moved for Involuntary Transformation? I was thinking of moving it to Involuntary Shapeshifting.
Edit: Or should it disambiguate?
Edited by Berrenta on Oct 18th 2022 at 9:36:15 AM
she/her | TRS needs your help! | Contributor of Trope Report
(she/her)
#63: Oct 18th 2022 at 7:46:17 AM
I'd disambiguate.
Macron's notes
How sweet it is
#64: Oct 18th 2022 at 3:21:56 PM
Sounds good. I'll get it up and running.
she/her | TRS needs your help! | Contributor of Trope Report
How sweet it is
#65: Oct 18th 2022 at 10:02:41 PM
she/her | TRS needs your help! | Contributor of Trope Report
Archiving the wick check here before cutting.
Baleful Polymorph is defined as applying when a character is involuntarily transformed into another form that negatively affects them. This ATT expressed concerns that it's being used for any involuntary transformation, regardless of impact on the transformed.
Wicks to check: 68/68
open/close all folders
Correct Usage 18/ 68
- Anime.Oh Edo Rocket: In episode 10, Genzo is turned into a dove and stays that way until episode 21. A few characters notice his absence, but only his mother still remembers who he is.
- Anime.Twelve Months: The mother and the daughter are transformed into dogs at the end of the movie and cursed to stay that way until they change for the better.
- Characters.Killer Instinct: Black Orchid - Her Frog Stomp finisher, where she magically turns her defeated opponents into a frog before stomping on them. She can even do this to herself if the opponent is B.Orchid.
- Characters.Phantom Investigators: Wad - He was originally a pixie named Tad, but was changed into a chewing gum sprite as punishment for ding-dong ditching the Earth Elemental.
- Characters.The Desolate Hope: Bio-Beta - His "Toy Virus" attack transforms the enemy virus into a toy (similar to the bobble-heads found in Miradmoore) that is incapable of attacking for around one second.
- Characters.The Wolf Among Us: The Crooked Man - In Episode 5, one of the possible fates Bigby can give him is to "imprison" him, via transforming him into a raven and sticking him in a bird cage.
- Characters.Ultimate Spider Man 2012 Villains: Is extremely fond of inflicting this upon others - with every episode he appears being centered around him turning someone into something in order to defeat/humiliate them.
- Fridge.The Conversion Bureau: According to Chatoyance's story The Reasonably Adamant Down With Celestia Newfoal Society!, which takes place several years after Earth was destroyed, over 50% of the human race died, mostly from apparent mass suicide (note that by this point, the world population was roughly 18 billion). Even worse, most of the survivors are indicated to be from the last holdout regions who were forcibly converted by World Gov emergency response teams.
- (Involuntary Transformation redirect) TheElderScrolls/TropesH: Throughout the series, the were-creatures, especially werewolves, exemplify this trait. The disease which causes the transformation was created by the Daedric Prince of the Hunt, Hircine, and the were-creatures are his minions. For most were-creatures, this is an Involuntary Transformation at nightfall, with the exact frequency varying depending on the particular strain of the disease. They are overcome with an intense bloodlust and typically must hunt and kill at least one sentient being while transformed. If they fail to do so, they will return to their original form in an extremely weakened state. (Note: Although this makes the affected temporarily more powerful, it seems to be portrayed as terrible, and the "are extremely weakened if they can't kill" part probably makes this a valid example.)
- (Involuntary Transformation redirect) Recap/FanboyAndChumChumS1E17ChickenPox: Kyle becoming a chicken. (Note: A Zero Context Example as written, this nonetheless probably counts as a Played for Laughs example. Although the character retains his sapience, it's still portrayed as embarrassing and undesirable.)
- Override Command: In Discworld Noir, Lewton must get into the Archeologists' Guild vault, which is guarded by a magical lock which will Baleful Polymorph anyone who enters the wrong code. The trick is to talk to a wizard, who will tell you there's a "back passage" code.
- Quotes.Gender Bender: Listen, for all the adjustments I may have to make to my life, this is the most lateral. Consider: I no longer have to plan around "that time of the month".
- Recap.Gotham Girls S 1 E 5 A Little Night Magic: After getting ticked off by the theft of her hat, Zatanna transforms the thieves into frogs.
- TabletopGame.Blue Rose: A common form of Black Magic, known as Flesh Shaping. Voluntary Shapeshifting exists but is much more difficult.
- The Mirror Shows Your True Self: In Dragon Quest II, it's used to break a Baleful Polymorph by revealing that the dog who follows you around in one village is actually the cursed Princess of Moonbrooke.
- Trivia.Dark Parables: Bianca Pace's story seems to be based on The Bluebird. Jealous of her beauty, her stepmother imprisons her in a tower so as to avoid her giving competition to her stepsisters. A prince tries to rescue her, only to end up a Baleful Polymorph. They're only able get a happy ending thanks to the Godmother.
- VideoGame.Ninjala: The Beyond the Gum Special turns whoever gets caught in its radius into a an ice cream-shaped statue with Gumchi's face, only allowing them to run, jump, and dodge. This leaves them helpless.
- VideoGame.The Count Lucanor: The old lady's pig is revealed to actually be her son, who was cursed by a witch to take a pig's form. He shows his human form in the castle, but still acts like a pig.
Just A Transformation 18/ 68
- Advertising.The Burger King: One commercial advertising a tie-in to The Simpsons had him - along with Kang and Kodos - turn everyone into characters from the cartoon. (This was an animated version of the King.)
- Characters.Assist Me: Doom decides to drink a potion Max had to make for Ultratech. He turns into Benny in the shape of Sabrewulf.
- Characters.Harvest December: Kasumi - She often takes on the form of a little girl.
- DarthWiki.Q Basic Gorillas: Part of Lord Quirini's Evil Plan to Take Over the World somehow involves turning humanity into cats so that they're easier to enslave. His followers don't even bother trying to question his logic. (As written, it implies the downside is in Quirini's head.)
- A Shadow of the Titans:
- The Cackler forcibly transforms Jade back into her Shadowkhan form (although she still has her normal mindset).
- She also gets turned into a monkey by Mumbo (to serve as his assistant), but that is undone rather quickly.
- Fanfic.Harry Potter And The Rest Of The Sentence: Harry's OGDEN causes Hermione to turn into a soft little black horse.
- Fanfic.Total Drama Equestria:
- All the TDI cast (and Brady) get turned into ponies. Averted with Chris and Chef though.
- In one chapter, Celestia turns Chris into a frog after he rants/whines about Ezekiel being changed back to normal one too many times.
- Funny.The Seven Deadly Sins: Side story; A Tender Way To Dispel Magic: When Griamore is returned to normal, with no memory of being transformed naked in Veronica's bedroom.
- GoodBadBugs.Simulation Game: In a similar vein, the pale green wallpaper somehow shares an item ID code with the Prismatic Shard, the rarest and most valuable gem in the game. So you can instantly befriend everyone except Haley (who hates Prismatic Shards), summon/forge the Galaxy Sword, and Baleful Polymorph away unwanted children... with a piece of wallpaper. This was eventually patched out.
- (Involuntary Transformation redirect) Anime/PokemonTheRiseOfDarkrai: Baron Alberto is transformed into a Lickilicky. Actually an illusion caused by Darkrai's nightmares brought to life by Palkia's actions. (Note: Not an example in context. The character is a Jerkass who isn't exactly thrilled with the transformation, but he's not impaired by it. The Pokémon he's transformed into is anthropomorphic and he retains the ability to speak. It might even count as "makes character powerful", since at one point he uses his newly-gained long tongue to at least momentarily restrain what is established to be an Olympus Mon.)
- (Involuntary Transformation redirect) VideoGame/ClubPenguin: "Ghosts Just Wanna Dance" is Exactly What It Says on the Tin. In the music video, The ghosts of Cadence and the Penguin Band greet 3 innocent penguins as friendly and music-loving. The penguins don't mind being turned into ghosts too. (Note: The fact that the penguins don't even mind the transformation indicates this does not really impair them in any way.)
- (Involuntary Transformation redirect) WesternAnimation/JohnnyTest: In the episode "Tom and Johnny", Johnny's sisters turn Johnny into a mouse by cashing in one of their experiment coupons for an experiment. Unfortunately Mr. Mittens crashes in and freezes Mary, Susan, and Dukey. And upon realizing Johnny is a mouse, Mr. Mittens then spends the whole episode trying to catch and eat him while Johnny constantly foils him Jerry-style. (Note: A very cartoony series. As written, the fact that the character spends the entire episode outwitting a larger enemy indicates that he's at least not non-sapient or significantly weakened.)
- LetsPlay.Spearbreakers: The new Spawn can inflict this on any dwarf they successfully land a bite on.
- Literature.Age Of Steam: In Dead Iron, Cedar's brother Wil was permanently turned into a wolf—with, fortunately, his own mind—as opposed to Cedar's Involuntary Shapeshifter.
- Literature.Hocus Pocus Horror: Mysterio's magical powder can transform either you and your friend Zack, or his puppy Ralph, into monsters. The cover art depicts either you or Ralph in one of these scenarios after being monsterized. There's also an ending where a run-in with a witch turns you into a rat.
- Literature.The Islands Of Chaldea: Every person who angers Lady Loma, except for Aunt Beck, gets turned into a donkey while the Lady is drunk.
- MoralMyopia.Literature: The Fairy Godmother: Alexander starts off with a severe case of "anything a noble like me does is fine". Trying to trample a crippled old woman under his warhorse's hooves? A reasonable tactic. Being transformed by the not-so-crippled, not-so-old Godmother he just tried to kill, and dragged off for lessons in being a decent person? She's obviously a peasant, which makes this totally unforgivable. She quickly breaks him of this thought process.
- Toys.Ever After High: Kick the Dog: In this case, transform the dog. Raven had a cute puppy that her father gave her, and her mother then turned it into a bone rat. Raven since then decided to never be evil.
Transformation is Useful/Makes Character Powerful 13/ 68
- Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf: In Mighty Little Defenders, Wolffy is accidentally transformed into a dog. Initially he doesn't like this change at all, but eventually he uses his new form to go undercover and gain the goats' trust.
- Awesome.Fire Emblem Fates: In the Heirs of Fate DLC, Forrest gets a very nice one by keeping his wits as he and some of the children are lost in the Deeprealms and Male Kana is so freaked out that he goes into his Dragon Form. He goes as far as briefly using his magic against Kana to calm him down and then giving the other chidren a KirkSummation to help them.
- Characters.Assassins Creed Odyssey Legendary Creatures: They(Legendary Creatures) are humans corrupted by a Piece of Eden.
- Characters.Final Fantasy XIII Main Party: Odin - The strongest creature in Valhalla - is now a bright choccobo. (Note: With context this is incorrect. The character is not powerless, nor is their goal hindered by the transformation)
- Characters.Hero 108:
- Once when High Roller summoned two demons, he was nearly turned into an octopus and later he was turned into a boar to infiltrate High Roller's castle.
- he's nearly turned into a cheetah early on later in Animals Within, he voluntarily goes full panther.
- She nearly gets turned into a parrot in one episode and is completely tuned into a swan voluntarily later in season two.
- Characters.Ninja Gaiden: Lovelace is pushed into her own experiment by the Regent of the Mask, transforming her into a monster that Ryu has to defeat.
- Characters.Red Hood And The Outlaws: Crux did that to himself, but it's clear that he only did it to make himself into a more efficient alien hunter.
- Characters.The Legend Of Zelda Twilight Princess: Link - His wolf transformation, especially when he is shown writhing painfully when he first becomes a wolf. (Note: Link’s wolf form is a primary game mechanic that Link relies on and can fight in)
- Characters.The Portal: Thomas gets turned into a dragon upon being pulled into the Dragon Realms. He soon grows to like his new form.
- CursedWithAwesome.Video Games: In Chrono Trigger, Frog is a human squire who was turned into, well, a frog by Magus. Although Frog initially regarded his new form as a curse, he later realized that being an anthropomorphic form has kickass side-effects, like increasing your strength, and making your tongue long and versatile enough to use it effectively in battle. Nice Job Fixing It, Villain.
- (Involuntary Transformation redirect) Characters/PokemonMysteryDungeonRescueTeam: The Hero - They are an amnesiac human who wakes up one day, having suddenly transformed into a Pokémon. They eventually learn that they actually came to the world of Pokémon of their own accord, though it is unclear whether or not they expected to actually turning into a Pokémon. (Note: Described as being Cursed with Awesome at worst on the page itself, the spoilered plot events reveal that it was not even an involuntary transformation.)
- (Involuntary Transformation redirect) Characters/CookieRunEpicCookies: Squid Ink Cookie - Overlapping with Power Incontinence; Judging by its description and some of its lines, it is unable to control its actions as a giant squid. Its transforming animation even looks like it's screaming in pain. (Note: This actually seems to be a benefitial gameplay mechanic more akin to a Super Mode.)
- The Hammer Trinity: Hap much prefers to live as a human being and refuses point blank to transform back into a dragon. Circumstances get the better of him however. (Barely counts as this trope, but being a dragon sounds like it'd be useful...)
ZCEs 19/ 68
- Animation.Sheep And Wolves: Grey turns into a sheep, unbeknownst to him until after he drank the potion.
- Dispel Magic: In Andre Norton's Dread Companion, the notus blooms revert Kilda's Baleful Polymorph to a certain extent.
- Characters.Dungeons And Dragons Chronicles Of Mystara: One of her main offensive spells.
- Characters.Maho Girls Precure: Living creatures are not immune to being turned into one of these things, but doing so does not completely overwrite their mind, allowing them to try and keep themselves from hurting others.
- Characters.Officer Misako: Vixen Foxtrot - Can you say 'Mechanical Fox?' by chapter 21.
- Characters.The Sevenwaters Trilogy: Liam - Is this while under Oonagh's curse.
- Characters.The Wall Will Fall: Hercule Poirot - He did not appreciate the Wicked Witch turning him into a croissant. (Note: While I think this is correct, it needs a bit more context to count)
- Characters.Wings Of Fire Sky Wings: Like Pyrite, she is actually the transformed version of another dragon, in her case Tourmaline.
- Fanfic.Son Of The Western Sea: Deep breath. Be polite to deities, for they are short-tempered and quick to transmogrify.
- Funny.Hellfire Commentaries: N Tom and Helldragon's reaction to Baron Alberto's sudden Baleful Polymorph into a Lickylicky.
- (Involuntary Transformation redirect) Characters/WildArms2: Ashley Winchester - His transformation into the demon-thing Protoblazer in the first part of the main story.
- (Involuntary Transformation redirect) Fanfic/Ponyfall: Aside from the Equestrians, Ashton ends up turned into a dingo.
- (Involuntary Transformation redirect) Literature/MagicTime: Mostly into goblin-like or fairy-like creatures, though dragons and Living Shadows also appear.
- (Involuntary Transformation redirect) VideoGame/Segagaga: The reason why the programmers look so strange is because the high stress of making a game causes them to mutate into bizarre creatures. (Note: But does this actually harm or impair them?)
- Literature.The Darksword Trilogy: Powerful sorcerers can do this.
- SelfDemonstrating.Loki: Amongst other things, I have transmogrified Thor into a frog and my own grandfather into the snow- yes, the snow, as in, all snow everywhere.
- VideoGame.Alchemist Code: Chapter 3 is set in a Lady Land Wizarding School with Cute Witches, but in the backdrop, a resultant gender-based Civil War brought on by the men and victims of an ancient curse, against the female Alchemy-phobic Court Mages. (Random pothole)
- VideoGame.Super Time Force: Merlin's charge attack turns enemies into Woodland Creatures.
- WesternAnimation.The New Misadventures Of Ichabod Crane: Velma turns Rip Van Winkle into a possum.
CompletelyNormalGuy
Am I a weirdo?
from that rainy city where they throw fish
(Oldest One in the Book)
Am I a weirdo?
#66: Oct 20th 2022 at 12:07:46 AM
Down to 500 now.
Bigotry will NEVER be welcome on TV Tropes.
How sweet it is
#67: Oct 20th 2022 at 8:08:56 AM
The newly-converted disambiguation is done. Back to the Baleful wicks.
she/her | TRS needs your help! | Contributor of Trope Report
#68: Oct 20th 2022 at 2:41:42 PM
Down below 400
EDIT: Below 200
EDIT 2: Below 100, someone get ready to lock thread
Edited by randomtroper89 on Oct 21st 2022 at 2:09:06 PM
CompletelyNormalGuy
Am I a weirdo?
from that rainy city where they throw fish
(Oldest One in the Book)
Am I a weirdo?
#69: Oct 21st 2022 at 12:41:12 AM
Just about done. All that's left is a single ghost wick and the TRS sandbox.
Bigotry will NEVER be welcome on TV Tropes.
GastonRabbit
Sounds good on paper (he/him)
from Robinson, Illinois, USA
(General of TV Troops)
Relationship Status: I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me
Sounds good on paper (he/him)
#70: Oct 21st 2022 at 1:57:45 AM
I took care of the ghost wick, so I'll get out the padlock.
Patiently awaiting the release of Paper Luigi and the Marvelous Compass.
Trope Repair Shop:
BalefulPolymorph Alt titles
4th May '22 11:51:54 AM
Crown Description:
What should we rename Baleful Polymorph to?
Total posts: 70
Down to 3626!
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