1st ed illusionist (I miss them)

[Particle_Man]

In 1st ed AD&D, part of the charm of the
illusionist was that her spells were very
different. She had spells on her list that the Magic-User (old name for Wizard) did not have, or had at higher levels. In addition, some spells, like Shadow Conjuration, were much more flexible in the creatures that could be summoned.

Now, there is an illusionist in 3rd ed. But a generalist wizard would be able to cast all the same spells at the same level, and some spells are no longer illusionist spells (like the prismatic ones), and shadow conjuration has been changed.

I am not arguing that the 3d ed. illusionist is too weak or anything. But the style is different. Now she is just another wizard.

Has anyone tried a 3rd ed. version of the illusionist that is closer in "Feel" to the 1st ed. illusionist? Or is this just a pipe dream?

 

[Grazzt]

I know what ya mean. I too miss the illusionist as a "stand-alone" class (not just a specialist wizard).

Perhaps a prestige class of some sort would be the way to go? Give her a spell list all her own (new illusionist spells or perhaps ones converted from 1e that havent made it to 3e yet) and let her select from that list OR the standard arcane spell list in the PHB when her caster level goes up.

 

[BV210]

I'm sorry I didn't find this thread sooner. Check out "School of Illusion" by FFG, it has the "Devoted Illusionist" as a 20 level core class that is MUCH more than just a "specialist" wizard. I wrote a review on it a few weeks ago, too. Hope it helps.

 

[the Jester]

I've worked up several prestige classes that require you be an illusionist to get in (the shadow charlatan, invisible friend, er, think there are another one or two) and I've posted a couple of them on the House Rules forum if you want to check it out- go back prolly a year and sort by thread starter.

Would you be interested in a complete book of illusionists type thingie?