Magic Jar 5e: When is a Magic Door not a Magic Door?

[@WilliamRoop-xt6rp]

What Bob is suggesting as non-evil uses FEELS like the older Quantum Leap episodes... without the time travel aspects. Possess the evil king and have them surrender the kingdom. Possess the Pied Piper and have him release the children.. Possess Dr. Evil and have him sleep with Margaret Thatcher... It feels like the perfect trap spell that someone could WANT to use to do good, but eventually finds out that they're doing more harm than good.

[@cavernsandcreatures]

Or start off doing good but slowly get seduced by power.

[@princephantom1294]

There are a million and one ways to break this spell, so much so that I couldn’t possibly cover it all here. The easiest is to combo it with magic aura, turning your target from its creature type to humanoid, at least as far as spell detection is concerned. You do need to find a way to make your target willing, but charm spells can help with that, especially since magic aura isn’t directly harmful. There are also a few ways to end the spell while still in a different body, keeping you safe from a dispel magic. It’s arguably the most complex spell in the game, so I only recommend it for experienced players who want to try something new. Also, make sure the DM is on board for it. Permanently becoming a Kraken still with all your spells sounds awesome, but may not be the best fit for your campaign.

[@cavernsandcreatures]

That doesn't sound awesome to me. Who wants to be a kraken?

[@princephantom1294]

@@cavernsandcreatures alright, bad example. Pick your favorite high CR monster.

[@matthewlaird5235]

At high levels this spell can be absolutely abused when combined with true polymorph, simulacrum, and deathward. With two simulacrum one can true polymorph into an adult gold dragon and the other a ghost. The ghost one attacks the dragon until it becomes ancient, then you hit dragon with the magic jar have it fail on purpose. Cast death ward with a scroll or other means. Then you move the bodies into the right distances and have your other simulacrum destroy the gem. Best part is the spell ends, no more magic (there is nothing left to dispell), you are permanently an ancient gold dragon with all your spells.

[@princephantom1294]

The dragon still isn’t a humanoid, but that’s easily fixed. Since the dragon is an ally, cast nystul’s magic aura on it so magical effects detect its creature type as humanoid, making it now a valid target of the jar.

[@matthewlaird5235]

Adult gold dragons have shape change.

[@princephantom1294]

@@matthewlaird5235 oh yeah, never mind then!

[@cavernsandcreatures]

I appreciate all the thought you put into that.

[@chadcurtis7967]

Simulacrum, have it cast magic jar on amulet, now you have a magic item, no attunement that can possess someone.

[@princephantom1294]

Alright Find Steed guy, tell me how this one works lol.

[@cavernsandcreatures]

Ugh... I'm getting a headache just thinking about it.