Illusionists?

[Varianor Abroad]

I happened across an old character sheet circa 1984 for my illusionist gnome, Graden ap Gannoch. Sure, it was a 1E sheet, but it got me to thinking.

Illusion is downplayed in 3E. It's effective mind you, but still downplayed.

What's the fun of illusionism for you? What are the fun things that you think it could do that the current system misses?

 

[caudor]

I agree that from 1e to 3e, the spotlight has been removed from the illusionist. Of course, with Eberron support...psionics seems to be the hot ticket now days.

I think that is because the school of illusion is now simply one of the schools for wizards to specialize in...one choice among many. Plus, the favored class for gnomes now is bard (ala 3.5).

Fortunately, I've seen a couple of d20 supplements that focus specifically on illusion, so if I get the urge I'll probably turn to one of those resources if I want to bring an illusionist into my campaign (player or villian).

Come to think of it, they do make great villians

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

Illusions have always been problematic for DMs. It's quite hard to come up with an illusion system that allows for creativity and flexibility on the player's part that doesn't become a major pain in the butt to adjudicate.

Think of illusions as save-or-die type spells. In the hands of a clever player, a successful illusion could do almost anything, and be very powerful. If the target disbelieves, though, there is almost no effect. This holds true when used against the players, too. I can remember many times when, as soon as one illusion was discovered, every party member would begin encounters with 'I attempt to disbelieve'

 

[adwyn]

The problem with illusions is that they take away from the DM the sole ability to describe a scene. This makes things take longer, but when the DM is fair the game is benefited for having them.

I like the current system, it answers some old questions that hindered the earlier additions (can illusions still be scene if you disbelieve?), while still leaving much to the player's imagination.

While most of the players I've watched try to use them in 3E have failed, its more due to the players than the rules. We currently have one low level sorceror who is doing quite well with illusions. Examples include;

Illusionary traps/pits to funnell attackers into the party's tanks.
Illusionary wall spells to thwart ranged attacks.
Illusionary opponents to help suck up opponents ranged spells. Fireballs always seem to go for the biggest clump of people.

In fact I'd argue that, if anything, the tactical nature of the game promotes illusions.

 

[kigmatzomat]

Illusionists are the hardest to deal with because there's so much "is it a believable illusion" debate. If I saw a cell-shaded scooby-doo illusion I'd be looking for the special effects but if it was a brown great dane I'd just wonder where it came from.

We adjucated it a bit by using Knowledge:bestiary or nature vs. opponent's rolls to realize it was "wrong" prior to any interaction tests. Of course wrong didn't always mean illusion since it could mean a poorly done Alter Self/disguise for creatures or look like a trap (i.e. illusionary wall looks weird so it could look like paper mache).

Of course the trick to good illusions is as much content as accuracy. All to often the illusionist goes for a dragon or beholder, which are too weird for people to take at face value. My illusionist/summoner sorceror would summon a few critters and send them into the fight in the first round and the next cast an illusion of twice as many of the same creatures being summoned in as protection for him and the cleric (usually 30' away to be outside blast radii).

Other good illusions are scouts/horns of the local constabulary, powerful spells that are *just* off target (disintigrate is a good one since it just makes a tree disappear), spiritual weapon/mord's sword and summoning large common creatures (bears, bulls, boar, etc).

When you go to cast an illusion, go for the simplest, smallest, most stationary, and probable illusion that can do the job. Odds are it's also the most familiar and the hardest for you to screw up.

Oh, and when in doubt and you need to illusion in people, use your family. No DM in their right mind can say you can't cast a decent illusion of your mother, father, siblings, and childhood friends.