As opposed to mass polymorph or true polymorph which both explicitly say that you choose.
Yeah it’s weird pixies can caste polymorph, like why do they need that spell at their CR. I don’t think it makes sense for lore ether.
A way to fix the banishment type effect is make it so it can only be cast on a creature who is not a threat (like being tied up, unaware, or several levels below you) so its more balanced and keeps the idea of a witch/wizard curseing someone to become a frog. Scouting I’m fine with because it is a common fantasy trope. My only solution for being a combat buff is capping the health you can have per level or stronger forms have a lesser duration.
I mean… if you’re homebrewing a fix anyway, just make it CR up to the CR of the target or up to half their level if they don’t have a CR, to keep its power in line with other spells of that level. If the unbalanced save-or-suck is an issue at your table, give an unwilling target advantage on the save if they’re not incapacitated. Unless you rebalance other things, it’s just going to mean people won’t take/prepare polymorph as much though.
The way you can nerf it, if needed, and still keep it RAW (for those AL DMs out there) is spelled out in the meme. 😁
Either way, let your players know how you’re going to run polymorph before they design their character around certain expectations.
