I need Illusions for Dummies

[Rechan]

So, I started playing a 3rd level beguiler in a campaign. However, I am not completely sure how illusions work, and the DM basically wants me to do my research so that when I cast a spell we're not haggling over the rules/trying to look them up.

So can people help break down how illusions work? And all the different aspects (Glamor, figment, et al)?

For instance, Silent Image and Ghost Sound offer "Will save (if interacted with)".

Does that interaction count as "They perceive it" (They merely SEE or HEAR the illusion; I cast Silent Image to create some illusionary archers standing behind me), or they actually come into physical contact with the illusion (The proverbial false floor over the pit trap).

 

[Thurbane]

You probably know all of this from the PHB, but just in case: http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/magicSchools.html

There's also a lot of clarifications about illusions in the FAQ: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/Main35FAQv10192007.zip

 

[Rechan]

I'm not quite sure how a Figment and a Glamor differ, really. The language seems to say a lot. And the Saving Throws and Illusions doesn't help when it comes to the language of "Interaction".

I searched for Illusion in the FAQ, and it only turned up a question about Arcane Sight vs Illusion, and figment vs. shadow.

But yes - love the SRD. Use it all the time.

 

[Lorthanoth]

A figment cannot make something seem to be something else; a glamer can make something seem to be something else.

I just go by spell to be honest. "Interacted with" to me means more than just a cursory glance at it. e.g. if someone tried to talk to an illusion that couldn't speak, or touch an illusion that has no substance.

 

[Jack99]

Yeah, rules of illusions don't really seem clear cut. One of my players wanted to play a gnome illusionist for my latest campaign, but decided on a dwarf conjurer instead, simply to save me the hazzle of all the on-the-spot-calls.

So if anyone has any more info, or knows a book where this is discussed, I would really appreciate some help as well.

 

[werk]

Rules of the Game: All About Illusions (Part Three)

"Interacting With Illusions

According to page 173 in the Player's Handbook, you don't receive a saving throw against an illusion effect with a disbelief saving throw until you study the illusion carefully or interact with it in some way. The text uses an illusory floor as an example. The character in the example provided there gets a saving throw by stopping to examine the floor (study) or by probing the floor (interaction)."



Part three addresses your specific question in it's entirety....I'd link you but I'm doing a cache search (Wizards.com is blocked at work )

 

[nittanytbone]

Many illusions are often of creatures. Any sort of attack that hits an illusion (remember, AC = 10 + size modifier only, so its easy) would be considered interaction.

You can often influence enemy behavior just fine with an illusion without giving a save. For example, create a real stinking cloud. Then create an illusory stinking cloud off to one side. Most foes will not try interacting with it (running into it to take a whiff) and will likely just avoid it.

 

[Thurbane]

Part three addresses your specific question in it's entirety....I'd link you but I'm doing a cache search (Wizards.com is blocked at work )

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20060207a
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20060214a
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20060221a
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20060228a

 

[Rechan]

Thanks, the WotC thing helped.