Foe Mirror, a new illusion. Comments much appreciated!

[Ferret]

Because the spell change self doesn't give combat bonuses (which you could probably houserule).

I had thought that it could be a phantasm type spell, and work only whenever someone moved into one of your threatened space, but it didn't seem to make sense.

 

[Technik4]

In short, yes, the numbers are skewed a bit high, but the caster is putting himself/herself at a greater than normal risk. It would be silly if the caster uses this spell while still standing behind his or her comrades. If so, it would be relatively easy to distinguish the true from the false. No, the only practicle application involves standing virtually toe to toe with the foe to be copied, and that's not something most casters are immediately comfortable with, having so few hit points and crappy armour class and all. Hence, the 10 foot range.

Of course, this is that the assumption is a Sor/Wiz (for which it is a second level spell). It seems far more usable/likely that our caster is a bard, who might not mind being at the front of a melee. It is also only a 1st level bard spell, and a very nice one at that. I would oppose making it a free action to cast but would increase the range to 30 ft. As someone else said, its very easy to distinguish between comrade A fighting against your enemies and comrade B (who happens to look just like A) who is behind your enemies, seemingly aiding them. With that change in mind, I would lower the main opponents negative to -4, but keep other opponents at -2.

Technik

 

[Ferret]

Hmm, I don't like the idea of it 30ft. Your not facing yourself in combat. thats why I chose the short range.

 

[Technik4]

True, but think of 30 ft. as the absolute range rather than the average range. The average range could very well be 10 ft. (or even 5 ft.), extending the maximum to 30 ft. means your double could not end the spell with a 5 ft. step (which he could rather easily if you were 10 ft. away).

Technik

 

[Tuzenbach]

I had an odd idea about this one while attempting slumber last night.....

Why not make it a 'touch attack' kind of a thing? That way, the caster is GUARANTEED to be standing next to the victim. No?

It could even have a wierd contingency placed upon it. You could cast it upon yourself and the first opponent that hits you with it in melee activates it. They're the one who becomes "mirrored", i.e., the one the caster replicates. But only a MELEE attack (i.e., close range) could trigger it. Double no?

 

[Ferret]

I really like the touch attack idea. I mean really, and then the 30 foot range now makes sense. I'll update when I wake up.

 

[Kyrail]

I honestly wouldn't use the spell as it is. I understand why they have to be within 10 feet for the benifits, as it's ment to confuse his allies with which one they are attacks, and attacking yourself is quite unnerving. But does it need to dispell when you move 10 feet away? How about the benifits you recieve from the spell only apply when within 10 feet of the target, yet you still retain that form? Then it seems quite functional, yet not over balanced.

 

[Liquidsabre]

I'd check out the Forgotten Realms spell Reflective Disguise (2nd Level spell) and Reflective Disguise, Mass (6th Level spell) in the Underdark book, exactly what you're looking for.

 

[Ferret]

How close is it to my spell? Same effect, or is it more generally applied, i.e it give a penalty to more then just skills?

I'm also toying with other look-a-like spells, one that makes everyone they see to look like them, and one to make an army of them.

Anyway here is the update.

Foe mirror

Illusion
Level: Bard 2, Sor/Wiz 2
Components: V
Casting Time: 1 swift action*
Range: Personal
Target: 1 creature / You
Duration: 1 round per level
Saving Throw: Will
Spell Resistance: No

This spell causes your appearance to imitate one creature that enters one of your threatened spaces with the intent of combat, also the spell requires that the creature is of similar size and shape to the caster. Because of the casters new, unnerving form the opponent takes a -6 moral penalty to attack the caster, this applies before the first attack. Further more the caster gains a +10 to disguise checks when trying to impersonate their opponent, making it hard to tell who is who. If the target disengages from the caster (but can still see the caster) they keep a -1 penalty on all attacks as they are still unnerved.

*as free action, but only once per round.

 

[Liquidsabre]

How close is it to my spell? Same effect, or is it more generally applied, i.e it give a penalty to more then just skills?

Pretty close, but much simpler.

Refelctive Disguise
Illusion (glamer)
Level: Bard 2, Sor/Wiz 2
Casting Time: 1 Std Action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 10 min/level

Others perceive you as being of the same race and gender.

Reflective Disguise, Mass
Level: Bard 5, Sor/Wiz 6