Sorcerous Origin: Illusory Power

[RonLugge]

So far, I have mechanics without the fluff.

Basic background: I had a character concept, an idea. It's makes the most sense as a sorcerer. Wizards -- who do have a school of illusion -- are generalists who rely on a large, flexible spell list to make up for the deficiencies of individual spells. I want a sorcerer, who relies on making the most out of individuals spells despite their issues.

Thus was born this basic concept, which I'm still plinking away at. (Currently considering replacing advantage on deception/insight checks with just giving proficiency/expertise in deception)

If anyone would be gracious enough to provide feedback, I'd be most pleased.

 

[jaelis]

Interesting abilities, but I don't feel like you make a very clear distinction between this and an illusionist wizard.

Some particular comments:
- It isn't clear which abilities are granted at what level.

- Touch of Illusion: this seems hard to adjudicate to me. How do I decide if someone is touching the illusion vs trying to press through it? Depending on how it is ruled, this could be too powerful.

- Touch of Truth doesn't seem to fit the theme very well to me. Also unlikely to come into play very often.

- Reflexive Mirroring would be a lot simpler if it just let you cast mirror image as a reaction.

- Comfort Zone seems too strong to me, but maybe it works OK in play.

- Dragon's Truth is really neat, but I think you should limit it to 1/day and reduce the sorcery point cost a bit (maybe 8 SP?).

 

[RonLugge]

Ooops. The level parts were very, very clear in the first version -- which had abilities which I didn't like and got faded out.

As for Touch of Truth not coming into play very often, I'm trying to see that. I mean, it's gonna hard to be subtle about it, but the stereotypical grifter who throws his arm around your shoulders to sell you a parcel of goods is, well, stereotypical. Still, I will admit that that's the one I considered replacing with just outright proficiency/expertise in Deception. As for it not fitting the theme, I'd say that has more to do with me needing to revisit the theme more clearly. Lies, trickery, and deceit. Illusion is a core approach to that, but the ability to actually lie is pretty important. Clearly I need to work lies and deceit into the rest of the theme better.

 

[cbwjm]

Touch of illusion I'd say needs a mechanical benefit. To see through an illusion requires use of investigation. Perhaps you could make it so this ability gives disadvantage to the check to anyone physically interacting with the illusion.

 

[ChameleonX]

If I had to make this a subclass, I'd do it like this:

Bonus Proficiencies
At 1st level, you gain proficiency in the Deception and Persuasion skills, if you weren't already proficient.

Beguiling Prodigy
Starting at 1st level, you have an innate knack for deception that goes above and beyond the talents of most sorcerers. When you have the opportunity to learn a new sorcerer spell (or replace one you already know) you can instead choose an illusion spell from any class spell list. You must otherwise obey the normal restrictions on choosing spells.

Illusory Touch
Also at 1st level, you learn the Minor Illusion cantrip. Starting at 2nd level, you also learn the Silent Image spell, and may cast it without components by spending 2 sorcery points. These spells don't count against your normal limit of spells known.
In addition, When you cast a spell gained from this feature, other creatures have disadvantage on Intelligence (Investigation) checks to inspect your illusions.

Reflexive Mirror
Starting at 6th level, you may spend 2 sorcery points to cast Mirror Image as a reaction to you taking damage. You may add Mirror Image to your list of known spells, if you didn't already know it. It doesn't count against your limit of spells known.

Instinctive Illusion
Starting at 14th level, your talent with illusion spells is so great that you can pull them off with almost no effort. When you use a spell slot to cast a spell of 1st level or higher, you immediately regain an expended spell slot of your choice, which can be as high as half your sorcerer level (round down), but no higher than 5th.

Subjective Reality
Starting at 18th level, you are able to interact with an illusion you created as if it were real. For example, you could cross an illusory bridge, or pass through an illusory door, or ride on the back of an illusory dragon, and so on. This benefit applies only to you. You can't use this feature to interact with other elements of the environment that are not part of the illusion. For instance, you couldn't pry open a real door with an illusory crowbar, etc.