Ideas for image spells

[BMF]

So, I think my next character will be an illusionist (drow, 9th level). I haven’t played with illusions much yet in 3e (besides the obvious mirror image, invisibility etc.). I’ve reread all the info in the PHB about illusions, but I was wondering if there are other sources of information, specifically about the “image” spells (silent image, major image etc.). I’d like to see more examples of what you can do with them and what exactly constitutes “interacting with” the illusion.

Also, I’ve got a few plans for images, but I was wondering if anyone had some other ideas. So far, I’ve got the obvious “creature” image that can pretend to fight with an opponent as long as they fail their saving throw (as described in the PHB). I’ve also thought about filling the area of a silent image spell with a small complex of maze-like walls. Anyone who fails their save should think the walls are real (as long as they don’t start touching them), right? I’ve also thought that a major image of a wall of fire, although it won’t cause damage, should deter any non-fire resistant creature that fails its Will save from entering the area (from fear of getting burned). A similar idea is to create an image of a billowing cloud of hideously green gas that starts slowly drifting towards an opponent. It won’t hurt anyone, but it sure looks like it could!

Can you think of any other good ideas to use an image spell for? Remember that figments cannot change the way something looks. You need glamours for that. Figments can only create an image where there was none before. They cannot do damage or even produce light.

And, are there any other guidelines or rules for illusions anywhere?

 

[Celtavian]

Re

I have used illusions fairly effectively over my time as a caster. One thing about illusions though, you need to have a fairly good description of your environment and a good grasp of how to use the environment to your advantage.

Here are a few examples of how I have used illusions:

1. We assaulted an underground castle surrounded by a bottomless chasm. There was a bridge over the chasm, a bridge with no rails. A group of trolls was rushing us from across the bridge. I cast an illusion that cover the bridge with an identical bridge that ended with a fall into the chasm.

The trolls failed to notice the bridge had slightly changed and ran right off into the chasm.

2. A few of us had left the main party to explore the forest. We were ambushed by some creatures. It was nighttime and I used an illusion to create a signal in the sky of our location. The rest of the party followed the signal to our location to assist in the fight.


Good use of illusions takes some real creative thought by both the player and the DM. Enjoy trying to be a good illusionist. If successful, you should be a great asset. I hope you don't operate in the Underdark that often, too many creatures in the Underdark are immune to illusions.

 

[Shallown]

Illusions also have to be believable. We had a gnome illusionist in the classic mold who always created outragious and unbelievable illusions, so they almost always failed.

I know with magic a lot of things are possible that aren't but still stick with realistic it works more often. The example (by Celt) of the bridge above is a perfect one. just make it seem a little off and no one would suspect, including your own people so find a code to warn them.

Illusions fall much more into what the Gm thinks is realsitic for the game then other spells so instead of saying I cast this illusion ask would this illusion achieve this goal at least until you get a good Idea of the GM's thoughts on them.

Do the unexpected as well. use illusions to make some party members look dead or near death. I once worked with the rogue in our party to make him appear to go down after a blow from an ogre that allowed him to sneak attack with an AoO when the ogre moved on to fresher targets. All it took was some planning and skill rolls from the rogue but it worked.

Remember illusions can be used to enhance other characters abilities.

later

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

I played two wizard brothers in 2e. One was an evoker, he used his spells to blow stuff up, mainly.

The other brother was an illusionist. He mostly used his spells to help his brothers spells look more scary. For example, enhancing a wall of fire to make it look like there were huge hands reaching out of it to burn people. It kept people directly in front of the wall which meant they kept taking the burning damage.

 

[MeepoTheMighty]

I played an elven fighter-wizard once, and as our party of mostly elves (hey, it was 2e) prepared to attack a group of orcs, I created an image of the sky of Corellon laying down the smack on Grummush. The DM was nice and let that affect the morale of the orcs