New illusion spells

[ecliptic]

Here are some rough drafts for some new illusion spells. Opinions appreciated.

Similitude I
Illusion (Figment)
Level: Brd 1, Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: See text
Effect: See text
Duration: See text
Saving Throw: Will disbelief (if interacted with); see text
This spell can create a figment that emulates that of another effect of a non-illusion spell of 1st level or lower. The spell you choose to emulate must be one with obvious visual, auditory, olfactory, textural and/or thermal components that convincingly portrays the effect. So a creature could be effected by magic missle but not by sleep. The spell maintains the same duration, effect and range as the emulated spell. Any spell effect that requires a saving throw (such as a fireball Reflex save) or some kind of attack must also when emulated.
Damage done by the emulated spell effect is the same as the real spell but is considered tempory hit point damage thus a character cannot be killed by the figment but only knocked unconscious. Any damage done to the victim disappears if the character successfully disbelieves. A victim knocked unconscious is still unconcious even after the spell ends.
Similtude I cannot grant bonus temporary hit points nor can it grant any other benefits to a
creature's ability scores, attack rolls, skill checks, or saving throws. This spell also cannot emulate mind effecting components of spells. It also cannot permanently effect the surrounding area or items held by a character. Any damage done to the area or items is only illusionary and end when the area items are no longer under the effect of the illusion such as when the spell ends. Although anyone who has previously disbelieved the the illusion see everything as normal.
Visual, auditory, olfactory, textural and thermal components of the spell can be changed to the caster's imagination but in no way can it improve the spell's effectiveness. Nor can any of the required components that makes the spell believable be removed. Such as the thermal component of a chill touch.

Similitude II
Illusion (Figment)
Level: Brd 2, Sor/Wiz 2
This spell functions like similtude I, except you can emulate spells of 2nd level or lower.

Similitude III
Illusion (Figment)
Level: Brd 3, Sor/Wiz 3
This spell functions like similtude I, except you can emulate spells of 3rd level or lower.

Similitude IV
Illusion (Figment)
Level: Brd 4, Sor/Wiz 4
This spell functions like similtude I, except you can emulate spells of 4th level or lower.

Similitude V
Illusion (Figment)
Level: Brd 5, Sor/Wiz 5
This spell functions like similtude I, except you canemulate spells of 5th level or lower.

Similitude VI
Illusion (Figment)
Level: Brd 6, Sor/Wiz 6
This spell functions like similtude I, except you can emulate spells of 6th level or lower.

Similitude VII
Illusion (Figment)
Level: Sor/Wiz 7
This spell functions like similtude I, except you can emulate spells of 7th level or lower.

Similitude VIII
Illusion (Figment)
Level: Sor/Wiz 8
This spell functions like similtude I, except you can emulate spells of 8th level or lower.

Similitude IX
Illusion (Figment)
Level: Sor/Wiz 9
This spell functions like similtude I, except you can emulate spells of 9th level or lower.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Hmmm, sounds interesting but why take other spells when these spells can duplicate so many? Temporary damage or real, it doesn't matter b/c once you're unconscious you're as good as dead anyways. Would you only get one save for a Fireball? You should probably get a Will save and, if failed, the Reflex save.

Seems a little powerful...

 

[rkanodia]

I agree with Ogorok. Seems like you've basically made 'Better Shadow Evocation I-IX'.

 

[ecliptic]

Seems pretty self explanatory to me.

Saving Throw: Will disbelief (if interacted with); see text

Any spell effect that requires a saving throw (such as a fireball Reflex save) or some kind of attack must also when emulated.

 

[Three_Haligonians]

IMC, I run a house rule very similar to these ideas combined with the existing shadow illusion spells. In essence, any illusion spell with the shadow discriptor gains that "all or nothing" feel. Characters targeted by such a spell get to make a will save. Those who pass, realize the spell is illusionary and the spell becomes harmless. Those who fail, believe it to be 100 % real and, thus, it affects them normally (including giving them the saves they would regularily make), except that damage done (and other effects) are treated as non-leathal damage. The character, however, thinks that they have taken real damage, even though they have not.

It is possible for a character to die from these effects, and any fall below -10 HP forces the character to make a fortitude save (DC 15) or die (the same as they would from the shock of massive damage). Healing, however, occurs at the same rate as non-leathal damage. If, at any point, the character is made aware that the "damage" he/she has taken is from an illusion spell, that character's wounds "heal".

Just to make this clear as mud: say a rogue, a wizard, and a fighter walk into a bar...I mean....are fighting an illusion. Everyone makes will saves! The wizard makes his will save and realizes that the pit fiend doesn't exist. The fighter and the rogue, however, do not. The pit fiend casts fireball. The fighter and the rogue make reflex saves (no point for the wizard). The rogue fails his save and takes half damage due to improved evasion. The fighter does not make his save, and...lets say...takes enough damage to knock him to -15. The fighter then makes a fortitude save (DC 15) to see if he dies or not. Meanwhile, the wizard turns to the rogue and says "why are you bothering to fight something that isn't there, dummy" and the rogue goes "hadn't thought of that" and his wounds/3rd degree burns go away as does the pit fiend before him. Lets say the fighter makes his save...just because I'm a sucker for a happy ending!

Because we're talking house rules and illusions, I thought this may be of interest to you. Hope it helps!

Cheers!
J and T from Three Haligonians

 

[ecliptic]

Why would you make illusions even more weak? It is one of the only schools that has a single spell that nullifies most of their spells, a skill check can make their spells uselss, and most of their spells are damn near useless to begin with.

Even the Shadow spells are weak for what they are.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

But your spells take it from one extreme to the other.

 

[ecliptic]

So you are trying to tell me a spell that basically emulates combat spells and requires a Will save ontop of everything else is overpowered? Give me a break.