D&D 5E Minor Ilusion SPELL

[maritimo80]

During my gaming sessions minor ilusion spell has been quite effective because the sorcerer getting this distract enemies with it.


The spell says that .... If the creature uses its action to examine the sound or
image, the creature can determine que it is an illusion with a successful Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC. If a creature discerns the
illusion for what it is, the faint illusion passe to the creature.


This action that the creature uses to examine the sound or picture is an action, or free action?


M in o r I l l u s io n
Illusion cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: S, M (a bit o f fleece)
Duration: 1 minute
You create a sound or an image o f an object within
range that lasts for the duration. The illusion also ends if
you dismiss it as an action or cast this spell again.
If you create a sound, its volume can range from a
whisper to a scream. It can be your voice, someone
else’s voice, a lion’s roar, a beating o f drums, or any
other sound you choose. The sound continues unabated
throughout the duration, or you can make discrete
sounds at different times before the spell ends.
If you create an image o f an object—such as a chair,
muddy footprints, or a small chest—it must be no larger
than a 5-foot cube. The image can’t create sound, light,
smell, or any other sensory effect. Physical interaction
with the image reveals it to be an illusion, because
things can pass through it.
If a creature uses its action to examine the sound or
image, the creature can determine that it is an illusion
with a successful Intelligence (Investigation) check
against your spell save DC. If a creature discerns the
illusion for what it is, the illusion becomes faint to
the creature.

 

[Astrosicebear]

Based on the wording, a creature would use its action for the turn. Meaning a move, and inspect the illusion and that is all.

 

[Chthonic]

I would rule that an investigation check, specially in this case, is at least an action, and in some cases, several rounds, depending on the distance between the illusion and the onlooker.

In a recent encounter in my campaign, the party were investigating miner dissapearances and discovered some trogrodytes had killed off the miners and were using the the cabins out of the mine as hideouts during daylight. The bard in the group, cast a minor illusion of a wounded sheep to lure some trogs out of the cabins, which triggered a good surprise situation for the party

 

[maritimo80]

This magic is very powerful, because it distracts the enemy and still makes you lose your action investigating the event, giving a big advantage to the heroes.

 

[MarkB]

Bear in mind that a creature will only inspect the illusion if it has reason to doubt its reality, considers it an immediate concern, and is either unable or unwilling to interact with it physically. Consider the creatures' options, and play them accordingly.

 

[maritimo80]

Bear in mind that a creature will only inspect the illusion if it has reason to doubt its reality, considers it an immediate concern, and is either unable or unwilling to interact with it physically. Consider the creatures' options, and play them accordingly.

Ok, but to inspect (investigation) the illusion he spends an action or a free action?

 

[MarkB]

Ok, but to inspect (investigation) the illusion he spends an action or a free action?

It says an action, so it takes an action. But interacting with the illusion identifies it automatically, so if the creature can simply walk through it, that will be 'cheaper' action- wise than using its action to inspect it.

 

[maritimo80]

It says an action, so it takes an action. But interacting with the illusion identifies it automatically, so if the creature can simply walk through it, that will be 'cheaper' action- wise than using its action to inspect it.

I did not understand. The magic speaks that needs an action to investigation.

 

[Astrosicebear]

I did not understand. The magic speaks that needs an action to investigation.

If you cast an illusion of a 5ft pit, the creature would need to either move around it, thinking its real, or interact with it, using up its action to determine if it was real.

What im not sure about is what if the creature interacts with say a fake illusory pit and fails the save... they couldn't "fall into" the pit.. what if they stick their sword in the pit... it would tink on the floor... Usually knowing its an illusion is enough... does it just not become transparent?

 

[raleel]

well, for one, it doesn't have a save, so they can't fail it. They can't "fall" into the pit, or even believe they are. If they interact with it, including walking into it, they see it for what it is. it becomes transparent at that point.

They can instead use an action to inspect it, but NOT actually interact with it. Sort of like saying "photoshop! I can tell by the pixels!"

I would also argue that a pit is not an object, but that's more of a DM adjudication thing.