Silent Image of a Fireball

[Olaf the Stout]

Silent Spell does no such thing.

Benefit
A silent spell can be cast with no verbal components.

Yeah, mega brain fart on my behalf there! I don't know why I was thinking that.

Olaf the Stout

 

[green slime]

Actually, this trick might come in handy when trying to convince a third party a distant observer, for example), that the caster slew the "victims" / had access to fireball, provided the targets put on an apropriate show...

But otherwise, no, no advantage vs the target.

At most a lost move action if they fail their Will save, as they are bewildered by the non-flammable fireball.

 

[roguerouge]

Ah, yes, I remember when first edition had illusion spells make you think you had taken damage when you hadn't....

I think a dazzled effect would be a fair effect from a silent image fireball. It would be very bright, yes?

 

[sparrow_]

One idea you can propose to your player:

Explode to fireball illusion above some enemies and get +X to intimidate check depending on those enemies' morale or level (determined by DM).

For example, if you throw the fireball above a bunch of low-ish kobolds. They might freak the out and run, perhaps only to bring reinforcements later. (You don't have to mention that to your character.)

If the kobolds do come back and say, the adventurers are traveling in a forest, I hope your player is smart enough to create the illusion of a big ass wall for the kobolds to go around so everyone can get the hell out of there.


Sparrow

 

[Dandu]

I think a dazzled effect would be a fair effect from a silent image fireball. It would be very bright, yes?

No it would not be a fair effect. It wouldn't be bright enough, since that would be going beyond the ability of the spell.

 

[shadyizok]

Silent Image is a figment.

Because figments and glamers (see below) are unreal, they cannot produce real effects the way that other types of illusions can. They cannot cause damage to objects or creatures, support weight, provide nutrition, or provide protection from the elements. Consequently, these spells are useful for confounding or delaying foes, but useless for attacking them directly.

I once made a spell for a wizard that was based on the illusory fireball spell wand that Jarlaxle from the Drizzt books uses (I know, I know):

Dante's Daunting Dragonsbreath
Illusion (patern)
Level: Sor/Wiz 2
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Area: 20ft radius spread
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will disbelief, then Reflex half; see text
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell looks, feels, smells and otherwise funtions exactly as a fireball spell, except that it isn't real. Any creature in the affected area get's a will save to disbelief the effect. If they fail this save, they can make a reflex save as normal for half damage.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

In 2nd edition, you can actually "damage" with figments... the target can die of system shock.

But you need: sound and heat, which is only available at 3rd spell level when a real fireball is also available.

So there is no harm using a greater image fireball like shadow evocation, but with no damage done on a will save. And even with a failed save, only subdual damage.

 

[Dandu]

That would still be going beyond the function of the spell, you know.

 

[Starbuck_II]

The resident powergamer in my group wants to use Silent Image to replicate the Fireball spell. He wanted to know if he can do this and if people fail their Will save will they take any damage?

Your player is trying to turn the spell into Shadow Evocation (lesser).

There made a similar spell in Complete Mage (5th level spell). It hurts if you disbelief though (not if you believe).
It is called Retributive image (5th level). Deals only 1d6 +1/caster (to all targets). If fail a second will save: they are dazed (succeed 1/2 damage and no daze).

I was just wondering what the spell should actually do if the person fails their Will save. I know that Silent Image doesn't have any sound, temperature, smell, etc., However, imagine a person rolls a 1 for their Will save. What effect would you make the spell have on them?

Olaf the Stout

I'd have the targets think they were hurt, but no real damage (can't die, etc from it). They might waste a cure spells in belief they were hurt (if they would heal self from real one)
But no real effect: just flavor effect.