Please overlook this bold font. Something weird happened when I copied and pasted the below and I can't figure out how to undue it.
The following is for a campaign in Icewind Dale. The campaign will be 1st through 14th level. Besides the PhB, only Xanathar's will be permitted. The other PCs are a Goliath Ancestral Guardian Barbarian, a Celestial Warlock, a Bladesinger, and a Rogue of some sort.
The following is what I've got planned, but would like to get an evaluation and heavy criticism. Race is Forest Gnome. Attributes will be Point Buy, though I've yet to decide what they will be and am open to guidance in that regard. "??" obviously represents something I've yet to decide on (such as my seventh cantrip). I'm not interested in min-maxing this to death. I just want the feel of a strong and effective Illusionist. Red indicates an offensive spell. Italics is a cantrip. A "C" after a spell name indicates that I need to concentrate on that spell. Three letters after a spell indicate the attribute the spell's save is based on.
First level will largely depend on Sleep as is typical.
After first, damage at low levels will primarily be based on Shadow Blade + Booming Blade (since Tasha's Cauldron isn't being used, these two spells should stack in melee). This will be backed up with spells like Haste and Blink as well as the help of my familiar. Illusions of myself will hopefully soak about half the attacks coming my direction. Of attacks that get through that, Mirror Image will soak some as well.
By mid-level, enemy ACs might be getting high enough that Shadow Blade + Booming Blade might be getting unreliable. So, my character's combat will start looking a bit more conventional. Offensive spells have been chosen which create a visible effect (Black Tentacles, Whirlwind, etc.) which my illusions can mimic. I''ll be trying to cause as much chaos as possible (for example, Seeming + Mallleable Illusions) while relying on Telepathic Bond to keep my party organized. Some spells have been chosen with the hope that they will appear as illusions (Etherealness will hopefully make me look like I'm an illusion, particularly if the enemy already knows I'm an illusionist, while Creation will allow me to turn my cloak into a stone wall, for example, which might be believed to be an illusion as well).
I’m a huge fan of multi-target battlefield control spells like Web, Hypnotic Pattern, Slow, Black Tentacles (although somehow redundant with Web) and Watery Sphere.
I know they are not that related with Illusion school per se, but those kind of spells are major staples for any Wizard.
I’m a huge fan of multi-target battlefield control spells like Web, Hypnotic Pattern, Slow, Black Tentacles (although somehow redundant with Web) and Watery Sphere.
I know they are not that related with Illusion school per se, but those kind of spells are major staples for any Wizard.
Do you think I need more than Hideous Laughter, Black Tentacles, Seeming, Scatter, and Whirlwind?
I’m a huge fan of multi-target battlefield control spells like Web, Hypnotic Pattern, Slow, Black Tentacles (although somehow redundant with Web) and Watery Sphere.
I know they are not that related with Illusion school per se, but those kind of spells are major staples for any Wizard.
Do you think I need more than Hideous Laughter, Black Tentacles, Seeming, Scatter, and Whirlwind?
No, I think you are pretty well covered with Concentration control spells. I would just invest in some non-Concentration debuffs like Sleep (at low levels), Blindness/Deafness, Tasha’s Mind Whip and Bestow Curse using 5th level slots.
I’m a huge fan of multi-target battlefield control spells like Web, Hypnotic Pattern, Slow, Black Tentacles (although somehow redundant with Web) and Watery Sphere.
I know they are not that related with Illusion school per se, but those kind of spells are major staples for any Wizard.
Do you think I need more than Hideous Laughter, Black Tentacles, Seeming, Scatter, and Whirlwind?
No, I think you are pretty well covered with Concentration control spells. I would just invest in some non-Concentration debuffs like Sleep (at low levels), Blindness/Deafness, Tasha’s Mind Whip and Bestow Curse using 5th level slots.
Bestow Curse is a Concentration spell.
Tasha’s Mind Whip is in a book that’s not permitted. Only core + SCAG + Xanathar’s is permitted. SCAG was a recent addition.
i’m kinda on the fence about Blindness / Deafness. As an Illusionist, I want people to be able to see my illusions. Blindness / deafness seems like it might be shooting myself in the foot.
Synaptic Static is a good non-concentration debuff. I’ll replace Mislead with it.
I’m a huge fan of multi-target battlefield control spells like Web, Hypnotic Pattern, Slow, Black Tentacles (although somehow redundant with Web) and Watery Sphere.
I know they are not that related with Illusion school per se, but those kind of spells are major staples for any Wizard.
Do you think I need more than Hideous Laughter, Black Tentacles, Seeming, Scatter, and Whirlwind?
No, I think you are pretty well covered with Concentration control spells. I would just invest in some non-Concentration debuffs like Sleep (at low levels), Blindness/Deafness, Tasha’s Mind Whip and Bestow Curse using 5th level slots.
Bestow Curse is a Concentration spell.
Tasha’s Mind Whip is in a book that’s not permitted. Only core + SCAG + Xanathar’s is permitted. SCAG was a recent addition.
i’m kinda on the fence about Blindness / Deafness. As an Illusionist, I want people to be able to see my illusions. Blindness / deafness seems like it might be shooting myself in the foot.
Synaptic Static is a good non-concentration debuff. I’ll replace Mislead with it.
Bestow Curse loses the Concentration requirement if you upcast it with a 5th level spell.
I’m a huge fan of multi-target battlefield control spells like Web, Hypnotic Pattern, Slow, Black Tentacles (although somehow redundant with Web) and Watery Sphere.
I know they are not that related with Illusion school per se, but those kind of spells are major staples for any Wizard.
Do you think I need more than Hideous Laughter, Black Tentacles, Seeming, Scatter, and Whirlwind?
No, I think you are pretty well covered with Concentration control spells. I would just invest in some non-Concentration debuffs like Sleep (at low levels), Blindness/Deafness, Tasha’s Mind Whip and Bestow Curse using 5th level slots.
Bestow Curse is a Concentration spell.
Tasha’s Mind Whip is in a book that’s not permitted. Only core + SCAG + Xanathar’s is permitted. SCAG was a recent addition.
i’m kinda on the fence about Blindness / Deafness. As an Illusionist, I want people to be able to see my illusions. Blindness / deafness seems like it might be shooting myself in the foot.
Synaptic Static is a good non-concentration debuff. I’ll replace Mislead with it.
Bestow Curse loses the Concentration requirement if you upcast it with a 5th level spell.
Offensive spells are in red. Cantrips are in italics, Spells in yellow are spells I’d like to have if I could figure out a good trade-out
1st ArcaneRecovery
Prestidigitation
Chill Touch– while it doesn’t do the most damage of all cantrips, Chill Touch is nice because it is indirect. It doesn’t point back to the caster. This will be helpful when combined with spells like Improved Invisibility
Minor Illusion – going to go ahead and pick this up early, just because it is so iconic. Starting with it might help me to start forming my character’s tactical mindset as an illusionist. Keep in mind that this cantrip lasts a minute and doesn’t require concentration. After 2 level, it will also include both auditory and visual. With a bit of ingenuity, it can easily become the most often used magic in your repertoire.
??
Illusory Script – lasts for 10 days and when combined with Malleable Illusions, may serve as slightly psychic paper, Detect Thoughts (2) would create a nice combo here if I can figure out how to add it to my spell list
Sleep
Detect Magic
Find Familiar
Shield
Hideous Laughter C Wis
2ndImprovedMinorIllusion Friends
Disguise Self – particularly handy when combined with malleable illusions, another spell which would combo nicely with Detect Thoughts (2). Combine it with the Friends cantrip to sow confusion in an enemy grouping
Silent Image – one thing to remember about Silent Image is that it can be moved around a lot more than Major Image. Also, unlike Major Image, it doesn’t require concentration. Combo for sounds created with Minor Illusion
3 Detect Thoghts, Phantasmal Force
Mirror Image
Shadow Blade C Finesse – Use Prestidigitation or Silent Image to dim the light in an area before using this. Also, remember that it can be combined with Booming Blade. In dim light, attack with advantage.
4th
ASI (Mobile) – among other things, prevents you from getting attacks of opportunity from anyone you attack (whether you hit or not).
BoomingBlade Finesse –remember to combine this with Shadow Blade
Invisibility – remember that this spell will terminate if you cast a spell or attack, but malleable illusion is not casting a spell or attacking. So, you should be able to be quite helpful in a battle (just by using malleable illusion) and never terminate this spell.
Misty Step – in response to being spotted, you can use Misty Step combined with Malleable Illusion (creating a decoy of yourself) or Minor Illusion to confuse the enemy. This will take a round, though (one reaction for the Misty Step and one action for the Malleable Illusion / Minor Illusion)
5 Fear
Haste – one attack with Shadow Blade / Booming Blade and one spell / cantrip / malleable illusion. You might be able to keep a Minor Illusion with you when you are in melee. This would keep the enemy uncertain as to which of the two “you”s to attack, at least until you attack him. Once you attack with Booming Blade, move away. Then, repeat.
Major Image C Int
6th
MalleableIllusions
Blink – very handy when combined with Minor Illusion. Two of you (one of which is an illusion) keep blinking around the battlefield and the enemy should start to feel like he’s playing a shell game trying to figure out which one is you.
Bestow Curse C Int – note that when cast as a 5 level or higher spell, it doesn’t require concentration.
7th Confusionr
Arcane Eye C
Black Tentacles C Str, Dex – very useful when combined with Major Image
8th
ASI (FadeAway) – enables you to automatically turn invisible for a round after taking damage. This can set you up for casting another spell if you ever get surprised or an enemy gets too close
Greater Invis C
Fear C Wis – Your first AoE offensive spell, not including Major Image
9th
Creation – this is an illusion spell, which means that it is subject to malleable illusions. Turn a wooden ring into a stone wall in an action without casting a spell. Massive utility
Telepathic Bond – somebody in the party is going to need this
10th
IllusorySelf –one attack per short rest, guaranteed no damage
MageHand
Seeming Cha, Int – when fighting an enemy party cast this spell, make half your (random) party look like half of their (random) party and vice versa. Keep doing it every round using Malleable Illusion, so that the enemy loses track of who their allies are
To be honest, I think you are well settled. Once again, just take care of Concentration conflicts and remember that at higher levels some creatures are immune to frighten. Blindness/Deafness is a good spell against arcane enemy casters or archers!
After first, damage at low levels will primarily be based on Shadow Blade + Booming Blade (since Tasha's Cauldron isn't being used, these two spells should stack in melee). This will be backed up with spells like Haste and Blink as well as the help of my familiar. Illusions of myself will hopefully soak about half the attacks coming my direction. Of attacks that get through that, Mirror Image will soak some as well.
I have a couple of questions for you. One, what do you mean by "Illusions of myself"? You seem to reference this as something on top of Mirror Image, and it's not very clear what you're talking about.
"Offensive spells have been chosen which create a visible effect (Black Tentacles, Whirlwind, etc.) which my illusions can mimic." What exactly is the point of this? Aside from maybe area denial, I'm not sure I get why this would be useful.
In general, I'm just wondering why you are wanting to focus on melee when you already have a bladesinger in your party. Yes, wizards can use some nice spells to boost defense. But dumping a lot of spell resources (as well as action economy) into playing a melee wizard doesn't seem like a very good idea.
"Creation will allow me to turn my cloak into a stone wall, for example, which might be believed to be an illusion as well". I'm not following you here at all. Why do you want someone to think the wall is an illusion? I'm assuming you are talking about casting the spell then using Malleable Illusions to change one object into another (i.e. cloak > wall). TBH I don't think this would work because Creation creates a real object from shadow materials. I guess it will depend on the DM but I don't think it would count as an illusion. Nowhere in the spell description is an illusion referenced (only in the school). It's only called an object.
After first, damage at low levels will primarily be based on Shadow Blade + Booming Blade (since Tasha's Cauldron isn't being used, these two spells should stack in melee). This will be backed up with spells like Haste and Blink as well as the help of my familiar. Illusions of myself will hopefully soak about half the attacks coming my direction. Of attacks that get through that, Mirror Image will soak some as well.
I have a couple of questions for you. One, what do you mean by "Illusions of myself"? You seem to reference this as something on top of Mirror Image, and it's not very clear what you're talking about.
"Offensive spells have been chosen which create a visible effect (Black Tentacles, Whirlwind, etc.) which my illusions can mimic." What exactly is the point of this? Aside from maybe area denial, I'm not sure I get why this would be useful.
In general, I'm just wondering why you are wanting to focus on melee when you already have a bladesinger in your party. Yes, wizards can use some nice spells to boost defense. But dumping a lot of spell resources (as well as action economy) into playing a melee wizard doesn't seem like a very good idea.
"Creation will allow me to turn my cloak into a stone wall, for example, which might be believed to be an illusion as well". I'm not following you here at all. Why do you want someone to think the wall is an illusion? I'm assuming you are talking about casting the spell then using Malleable Illusions to change one object into another (i.e. cloak > wall). TBH I don't think this would work because Creation creates a real object from shadow materials. I guess it will depend on the DM but I don't think it would count as an illusion. Nowhere in the spell description is an illusion referenced (only in the school). It's only called an object.
Thanks for asking
what do you mean by "Illusions of myself"?
Just a straightforward illusion of myself. For example, if I cast Minor Illusion to create a duplicate of myself. As a gnome, I fall within the area of effect and as an Illusionist, my Minor Illusion has sight and sound. Minor Illusion does not require Concentration and it lasts a minute. So, the person whom I'm going into melee with will see two of me. The villain will have to decide which of the two "me" he will attack. He should be wrong half the time (unless he has some great third sense like smell or True Sight), so the idea is he'll have a guaranteed failed attempt to hit me half the time. Of course, when he does pick the real me, then he'll still have to get through my Mirror Image, my AC, and so forth.
"Offensive spells have been chosen which create a visible effect (Black Tentacles, Whirlwind, etc.) which my illusions can mimic." What exactly is the point of this? Aside from maybe area denial, I'm not sure I get why this would be useful. .
Spell Economy as well as flexibility.
Consider a battle in which I cast Black Tentacles (the real Black Tentacles spell) in the first couple of rounds. I watch as the villain has to make their saving throws and takes damage and whatever. The villain now knows that I can create that effect. A few rounds later, I need to do an area denial. But, this is starting to look like it will be awhile before I'll get a long rest. Since the villain's bruises have already predisposed to believe that a Black Tentacles spell is real, I will cast a Major Image of a Black Tentacles spell to get the area denial. That saves me a level of spell (Major Image is 3rd level while Black Tentacles is 4th). Or, let's say that Concentration conservation is more important to me than spell economy. Black Tentacles requires concentration. A Major Image cast at 6th level does not. I can get the areal denial by casting a Major Image of a Black Tentacles. OR, since I'm an Illusionist, I don't even have to do that. What if I had an Invisibility spell on me? If I cast Black Tentacles, it would drop the Invisibility. I could, instead, just do Malleable Illusions on a pre-existing Major Image.
The short answer to your question, though, is pretext. Since the enemy has already experienced a real Black Tentacles spell that I've created, the villain is more likely to believe that the next spell I create which looks like, sounds like, maybe even smells like Black Tentacles IS Black Tentacles.
That doesn't mean that every Major Image I cast requires that kind of pretext. It just that pretext helps. I could create a raging barbarian axe swinging Spongebob Squarepants or I could cast a lookalike of a spell the villain just got f'ed up by.
But, it isn't just area denial. Maybe the enemy will cast Dispel Magic on it. He thinks to himself "Black Tentacles is a fourth level spell, so I'll cast a fourth level Dispel Magic". So, not only have I saved myself a spell level, I've caused the villain to waste an extra spell level. Or, maybe he wants to cast fireball on the Black Tentacles in the hopes that the fireball will burn away the tentacles (I don't have the PHB in front of me and lack the motivation to do a web search). He's just wasted a third level spell on an illusion - an illusion that I could just recycle via Malleable Illusion.
But dumping a lot of spell resources (as well as action economy) into playing a melee wizard doesn't seem like a very good idea.
True, but the game isn't just about optimization. I think the idea of an Illusionist who uses illusions to fight (rather than cast fireballs) seems like a fun idea. At the heart of all this is that I want to focus on casting illusions, not fireballs. The only low-level damaging spells which are illusions are Shadow Blade, Phantasmal Force, and Phantasmal Killer. Of these, the one which does the most hp damage is Shadow Blade. So, I want to get the most out of that. Pure optimization bores the fk out of me. I'd much rather start with a character concept (by which I mean _character_, not set of numbers) and then figure out how to make that most effective. In this case, that character was "gnome illusionist," not "wizard."
Why do you want someone to think the wall is an illusion?
So, they'll waste attacks trying to shoot through it.
I guess it will depend on the DM but I don't think it would count as an illusion. Nowhere in the spell description is an illusion referenced (only in the school). It's only called an object.
Your argument is that the fact that it is in the Illusion school doesn't mean that it is an Illusion because it creates an actual object.
My counter argument is that DnD has a lot of illusions which are tangible objects. In 5e, the most well-known of these is probably Illusory Reality. But, taking shadow stuff from the plane of shadow and using it to create tangible illusions in the Prime Material has been party of the game since at least 1e. If the object created by Creation were meant to be an actual object and not an illusion then I believe it would be in the Conjuration or Transmutation schools.
I've added a few things. I've also replaced yellow, which seems hard to read in some cases, with blue. I've also given non-spells (such as feats and Illsionist abilities) teir own font color.
Offensive spells are in red. Cantrips are in italics, Spells in blue are spells I’d like to have if I could figure out a good trade-out. Purple font indicates non-spells.
1st ArcaneRecovery
Prestidigitation
Chill Touch– while it doesn’t do the most damage of all cantrips, Chill Touch is nice because it is indirect. It doesn’t point back to the caster. This will be helpful when combined with spells like Improved Invisibility
Minor Illusion – going to go ahead and pick this up early, just because it is so iconic. Starting with it might help me to start forming my character’s tactical mindset as an illusionist. Keep in mind that this cantrip lasts a minute and doesn’t require concentration. After 2 level, it will also include both auditory and visual. With a bit of ingenuity, it can easily become the most often used magic in your repertoire.
??
Illusory Script – lasts for 10 days and when combined with Malleable Illusions, may serve as slightly psychic paper, Detect Thoughts (2) would create a nice combo here if I can figure out how to add it to my spell list
Sleep
Detect Magic
Find Familiar
Shield
Hideous Laughter C Wis
2ndImprovedMinorIllusion Friends
Disguise Self – particularly handy when combined with malleable illusions, another spell which would combo nicely with Detect Thoughts (2). Combine it with the Friends cantrip to sow confusion in an enemy grouping
Silent Image – one thing to remember about Silent Image is that it can be moved around a lot more than Major Image. Also, unlike Major Image, it doesn’t require concentration. Combo for sounds created with Minor Illusion
3 Detect Thoghts, Phantasmal Force
Mirror Image
Shadow Blade C Finesse – Use Prestidigitation or Silent Image to dim the light in an area before using this. Also, remember that it can be combined with Booming Blade. In dim light, attack with advantage.
4th
ASI (Mobile) – among other things, prevents you from getting attacks of opportunity from anyone you attack (whether you hit or not).
BoomingBlade Finesse –remember to combine this with Shadow Blade
Invisibility – remember that this spell will terminate if you cast a spell or attack, but malleable illusion is not casting a spell or attacking. So, you should be able to be quite helpful in a battle (just by using malleable illusion) and never terminate this spell.
Misty Step – in response to being spotted, you can use Misty Step combined with Malleable Illusion (creating a decoy of yourself) or Minor Illusion to confuse the enemy. This will take a round, though (one reaction for the Misty Step and one action for the Malleable Illusion / Minor Illusion)
5 Fear
Haste – one attack with Shadow Blade / Booming Blade and one spell / cantrip / malleable illusion. You might be able to keep a Minor Illusion with you when you are in melee. This would keep the enemy uncertain as to which of the two “you”s to attack, at least until you attack him. Once you attack with Booming Blade, move away. Then, repeat.
Major Image C Int
6th
MalleableIllusions
Blink – very handy when combined with Minor Illusion. Two of you (one of which is an illusion) keep blinking around the battlefield and the enemy should start to feel like he’s playing a shell game trying to figure out which one is you.
Bestow Curse C Int – note that when cast as a 5 level or higher spell, it doesn’t require concentration.
7th Confusion
Arcane Eye C
Black Tentacles C Str, Dex – very useful when combined with Major Image
8th
ASI (FadeAway) – enables you to automatically turn invisible for a round after taking damage. This can set you up for casting another spell if you ever get surprised or an enemy gets too close
Greater Invis C
Fear C Wis – Your first AoE offensive spell, not including Major Image
9th
Creation – this is an illusion spell, which means that it is subject to malleable illusions. Turn a wooden ring into a stone wall in an action without casting a spell. Massive utility
Telepathic Bond – somebody in the party is going to need this
10th
IllusorySelf –one attack per short rest, guaranteed no damage
MageHand
Seeming Cha, Int – when fighting an enemy party cast this spell, make half your (random) party look like half of their (random) party and vice versa. Keep doing it every round using Malleable Illusion, so that the enemy loses track of who their allies are
For example, if I cast Minor Illusion to create a duplicate of myself
This doesn't work. Minor illusion can only create an image of an object, not a creature. Also, it is a fixed illusion that does not move. So even if you try to go around the object limitation by creating an illusion of a perfect wax statue of yourself as some have suggested in the past, the fact that it isn't moving will likely give it away.
I will cast a Major Image of a Black Tentacles spell to get the area denial. That saves me a level of spell
Yes, but its also an illusion. The first creature that walks into it and is unaffected will reveal to everyone in the area that the effect is an illusion. "physical interaction reveals blah blah". In the right circumstances, illusions can be good for area denial. But you can just make a solid wall (trick) or a wall of fire (frighten). I wouldn't make my spell selection based on the idea of casting fake versions.
My counter argument is that DnD has a lot of illusions which are tangible objects. In 5e, the most well-known of these is probably Illusory Reality.
I was ready to argue that Illusory Reality objects are not illusions because Illusory Reality takes an illusion of an object and makes it real. Therefore, real and illusory being mutually exclusive, it is no longer an illusion. But then I looked at Illusory Dragon which is referred to as an illusion but is also described as tangible on account of being made from shadow stuff. So I think you have convinced me on this one
.
True, but the game isn't just about optimization. I think the idea of an Illusionist who uses illusions to fight (rather than cast fireballs) seems like a fun idea. At the heart of all this is that I want to focus on casting illusions, not fireballs. The only low-level damaging spells which are illusions are Shadow Blade, Phantasmal Force, and Phantasmal Killer. Of these, the one which does the most hp damage is Shadow Blade. So, I want to get the most out of that. Pure optimization bores the fk out of me. I'd much rather start with a character concept (by which I mean _character_, not set of numbers) and then figure out how to make that most effective. In this case, that character was "gnome illusionist," not "wizard."
This seems contradictory to me. Optimization is boring, but I want to cast booming blade with shadow blade because it does the most damage... Frankly Phantasmal Force seems to fit the kind of character you are describing MUCH better than going in to attack with a shadow blade. Phantasmal force is also a fantastic spell that's very fun to use and rewards creativity, which seems right up your alley. Who cares about the damage? Your party has plenty of damage. They need you to stay alive far more than they need you to do damage.
Phantasmal Force can take enemies out of the fight very effectively and do a little damage too. It has a lot of versatility. It can be quite difficult for enemies to pass their check to resist it, if the DM even decides to allow a check to be made. So far it's been my bread and butter on my level 4 illusionist.
Please overlook this bold font. Something weird happened when I copied and pasted the below and I can't figure out how to undue it.
The following is for a campaign in Icewind Dale. The campaign will be 1st through 14th level. Besides the PhB, only Xanathar's will be permitted. The other PCs are a Goliath Ancestral Guardian Barbarian, a Celestial Warlock, a Bladesinger, and a Rogue of some sort.
The following is what I've got planned, but would like to get an evaluation and heavy criticism. Race is Forest Gnome. Attributes will be Point Buy, though I've yet to decide what they will be and am open to guidance in that regard. "??" obviously represents something I've yet to decide on (such as my seventh cantrip). I'm not interested in min-maxing this to death. I just want the feel of a strong and effective Illusionist. Red indicates an offensive spell. Italics is a cantrip. A "C" after a spell name indicates that I need to concentrate on that spell. Three letters after a spell indicate the attribute the spell's save is based on.
First level will largely depend on Sleep as is typical.
After first, damage at low levels will primarily be based on Shadow Blade + Booming Blade (since Tasha's Cauldron isn't being used, these two spells should stack in melee). This will be backed up with spells like Haste and Blink as well as the help of my familiar. Illusions of myself will hopefully soak about half the attacks coming my direction. Of attacks that get through that, Mirror Image will soak some as well.
By mid-level, enemy ACs might be getting high enough that Shadow Blade + Booming Blade might be getting unreliable. So, my character's combat will start looking a bit more conventional. Offensive spells have been chosen which create a visible effect (Black Tentacles, Whirlwind, etc.) which my illusions can mimic. I''ll be trying to cause as much chaos as possible (for example, Seeming + Mallleable Illusions) while relying on Telepathic Bond to keep my party organized. Some spells have been chosen with the hope that they will appear as illusions (Etherealness will hopefully make me look like I'm an illusion, particularly if the enemy already knows I'm an illusionist, while Creation will allow me to turn my cloak into a stone wall, for example, which might be believed to be an illusion as well).
1st Arcane Recovery
Prestidigitation Ray of Frost, Minor Illusion, ??
Illusory Script
Sleep
Detect Magic
Find Familiar
Shield
Hideous Laughter C Wis
2 Improved Minor Illusion Friends
Disguise Self
Silent Image
3
Mirror Image
Shadow Blade C Finesse
4 ASI (Fade Away)
Booming Blade
Invisibility
Misty Step
5
Haste
Major Image C Int
6 Malleable Illusions
Blink
Enemies Abound C Int
7
Arcane Eye C
Black Tentacles C Str, Dex
8 ASI (Observant)
Greater Invis C
Phantasmal Killer C Wis
9
Creation
Telepathic Bond
10 Illusory Self
Mage Hand
Seeming Cha, Int
Mislead C
11
Contingency
Globe of Invulnerability C
12 ASI, Permanent Major Image
Scatter
Eyebite Wis
13
Etherealness
Mirage Arcane
14 Illusory Reality
Simulacrum
Whirlwind C Dex / Str
I’m a huge fan of multi-target battlefield control spells like Web, Hypnotic Pattern, Slow, Black Tentacles (although somehow redundant with Web) and Watery Sphere.
I know they are not that related with Illusion school per se, but those kind of spells are major staples for any Wizard.
Do you think I need more than Hideous Laughter, Black Tentacles, Seeming, Scatter, and Whirlwind?
No, I think you are pretty well covered with Concentration control spells. I would just invest in some non-Concentration debuffs like Sleep (at low levels), Blindness/Deafness, Tasha’s Mind Whip and Bestow Curse using 5th level slots.
Bestow Curse is a Concentration spell.
Tasha’s Mind Whip is in a book that’s not permitted. Only core + SCAG + Xanathar’s is permitted. SCAG was a recent addition.
i’m kinda on the fence about Blindness / Deafness. As an Illusionist, I want people to be able to see my illusions. Blindness / deafness seems like it might be shooting myself in the foot.
Synaptic Static is a good non-concentration debuff. I’ll replace Mislead with it.
Bestow Curse loses the Concentration requirement if you upcast it with a 5th level spell.
Thank you, I did not notice that.
VERSION 2
Offensive spells are in red. Cantrips are in italics, Spells in yellow are spells I’d like to have if I could figure out a good trade-out
1st Arcane Recovery
Prestidigitation
Chill Touch – while it doesn’t do the most damage of all cantrips, Chill Touch is nice because it is indirect. It doesn’t point back to the caster. This will be helpful when combined with spells like Improved Invisibility
Minor Illusion – going to go ahead and pick this up early, just because it is so iconic. Starting with it might help me to start forming my character’s tactical mindset as an illusionist. Keep in mind that this cantrip lasts a minute and doesn’t require concentration. After 2 level, it will also include both auditory and visual. With a bit of ingenuity, it can easily become the most often used magic in your repertoire.
??
Illusory Script – lasts for 10 days and when combined with Malleable Illusions, may serve as slightly psychic paper, Detect Thoughts (2) would create a nice combo here if I can figure out how to add it to my spell list
Sleep
Detect Magic
Find Familiar
Shield
Hideous Laughter C Wis
2nd Improved Minor Illusion Friends
Disguise Self – particularly handy when combined with malleable illusions, another spell which would combo nicely with Detect Thoughts (2). Combine it with the Friends cantrip to sow confusion in an enemy grouping
Silent Image – one thing to remember about Silent Image is that it can be moved around a lot more than Major Image. Also, unlike Major Image, it doesn’t require concentration. Combo for sounds created with Minor Illusion
3 Detect Thoghts, Phantasmal Force
Mirror Image
Shadow Blade C Finesse – Use Prestidigitation or Silent Image to dim the light in an area before using this. Also, remember that it can be combined with Booming Blade. In dim light, attack with advantage.
4th
ASI (Mobile) – among other things, prevents you from getting attacks of opportunity from anyone you attack (whether you hit or not).
Booming Blade Finesse – remember to combine this with Shadow Blade
Invisibility – remember that this spell will terminate if you cast a spell or attack, but malleable illusion is not casting a spell or attacking. So, you should be able to be quite helpful in a battle (just by using malleable illusion) and never terminate this spell.
Misty Step – in response to being spotted, you can use Misty Step combined with Malleable Illusion (creating a decoy of yourself) or Minor Illusion to confuse the enemy. This will take a round, though (one reaction for the Misty Step and one action for the Malleable Illusion / Minor Illusion)
5 Fear
Haste – one attack with Shadow Blade / Booming Blade and one spell / cantrip / malleable illusion. You might be able to keep a Minor Illusion with you when you are in melee. This would keep the enemy uncertain as to which of the two “you”s to attack, at least until you attack him. Once you attack with Booming Blade, move away. Then, repeat.
Major Image C Int
6th
Malleable Illusions
Blink – very handy when combined with Minor Illusion. Two of you (one of which is an illusion) keep blinking around the battlefield and the enemy should start to feel like he’s playing a shell game trying to figure out which one is you.
Bestow Curse C Int – note that when cast as a 5 level or higher spell, it doesn’t require concentration.
7th Confusionr
Arcane Eye C
Black Tentacles C Str, Dex – very useful when combined with Major Image
8th
ASI (Fade Away) – enables you to automatically turn invisible for a round after taking damage. This can set you up for casting another spell if you ever get surprised or an enemy gets too close
Greater Invis C
Fear C Wis – Your first AoE offensive spell, not including Major Image
9th
Creation – this is an illusion spell, which means that it is subject to malleable illusions. Turn a wooden ring into a stone wall in an action without casting a spell. Massive utility
Telepathic Bond – somebody in the party is going to need this
10th
Illusory Self – one attack per short rest, guaranteed no damage
Mage Hand
Seeming Cha, Int – when fighting an enemy party cast this spell, make half your (random) party look like half of their (random) party and vice versa. Keep doing it every round using Malleable Illusion, so that the enemy loses track of who their allies are
Mislead C – combines well with Contingency
11th
Scatter
Globe of Invulnerability C
12th
ASI +2 Int
Concentration-free Major Image, Bestow Curse
Contingency
Synaptic Static
13th
Whirlwind C Dex / Str
Mirage Arcane
14th
Illusory Reality
Simulacrum
Etherealness
To be honest, I think you are well settled. Once again, just take care of Concentration conflicts and remember that at higher levels some creatures are immune to frighten. Blindness/Deafness is a good spell against arcane enemy casters or archers!
I have a couple of questions for you. One, what do you mean by "Illusions of myself"? You seem to reference this as something on top of Mirror Image, and it's not very clear what you're talking about.
"Offensive spells have been chosen which create a visible effect (Black Tentacles, Whirlwind, etc.) which my illusions can mimic." What exactly is the point of this? Aside from maybe area denial, I'm not sure I get why this would be useful.
In general, I'm just wondering why you are wanting to focus on melee when you already have a bladesinger in your party. Yes, wizards can use some nice spells to boost defense. But dumping a lot of spell resources (as well as action economy) into playing a melee wizard doesn't seem like a very good idea.
"Creation will allow me to turn my cloak into a stone wall, for example, which might be believed to be an illusion as well". I'm not following you here at all. Why do you want someone to think the wall is an illusion? I'm assuming you are talking about casting the spell then using Malleable Illusions to change one object into another (i.e. cloak > wall). TBH I don't think this would work because Creation creates a real object from shadow materials. I guess it will depend on the DM but I don't think it would count as an illusion. Nowhere in the spell description is an illusion referenced (only in the school). It's only called an object.
Thanks for asking
Just a straightforward illusion of myself. For example, if I cast Minor Illusion to create a duplicate of myself. As a gnome, I fall within the area of effect and as an Illusionist, my Minor Illusion has sight and sound. Minor Illusion does not require Concentration and it lasts a minute. So, the person whom I'm going into melee with will see two of me. The villain will have to decide which of the two "me" he will attack. He should be wrong half the time (unless he has some great third sense like smell or True Sight), so the idea is he'll have a guaranteed failed attempt to hit me half the time. Of course, when he does pick the real me, then he'll still have to get through my Mirror Image, my AC, and so forth.
So, they'll waste attacks trying to shoot through it.
Your argument is that the fact that it is in the Illusion school doesn't mean that it is an Illusion because it creates an actual object.
My counter argument is that DnD has a lot of illusions which are tangible objects. In 5e, the most well-known of these is probably Illusory Reality. But, taking shadow stuff from the plane of shadow and using it to create tangible illusions in the Prime Material has been party of the game since at least 1e. If the object created by Creation were meant to be an actual object and not an illusion then I believe it would be in the Conjuration or Transmutation schools.
Version 3
I've added a few things. I've also replaced yellow, which seems hard to read in some cases, with blue. I've also given non-spells (such as feats and Illsionist abilities) teir own font color.
Offensive spells are in red. Cantrips are in italics, Spells in blue are spells I’d like to have if I could figure out a good trade-out. Purple font indicates non-spells.
1st Arcane Recovery
Prestidigitation
Chill Touch – while it doesn’t do the most damage of all cantrips, Chill Touch is nice because it is indirect. It doesn’t point back to the caster. This will be helpful when combined with spells like Improved Invisibility
Minor Illusion – going to go ahead and pick this up early, just because it is so iconic. Starting with it might help me to start forming my character’s tactical mindset as an illusionist. Keep in mind that this cantrip lasts a minute and doesn’t require concentration. After 2 level, it will also include both auditory and visual. With a bit of ingenuity, it can easily become the most often used magic in your repertoire.
??
Illusory Script – lasts for 10 days and when combined with Malleable Illusions, may serve as slightly psychic paper, Detect Thoughts (2) would create a nice combo here if I can figure out how to add it to my spell list
Sleep
Detect Magic
Find Familiar
Shield
Hideous Laughter C Wis
2nd Improved Minor Illusion Friends
Disguise Self – particularly handy when combined with malleable illusions, another spell which would combo nicely with Detect Thoughts (2). Combine it with the Friends cantrip to sow confusion in an enemy grouping
Silent Image – one thing to remember about Silent Image is that it can be moved around a lot more than Major Image. Also, unlike Major Image, it doesn’t require concentration. Combo for sounds created with Minor Illusion
3 Detect Thoghts, Phantasmal Force
Mirror Image
Shadow Blade C Finesse – Use Prestidigitation or Silent Image to dim the light in an area before using this. Also, remember that it can be combined with Booming Blade. In dim light, attack with advantage.
4th
ASI (Mobile) – among other things, prevents you from getting attacks of opportunity from anyone you attack (whether you hit or not).
Booming Blade Finesse – remember to combine this with Shadow Blade
Invisibility – remember that this spell will terminate if you cast a spell or attack, but malleable illusion is not casting a spell or attacking. So, you should be able to be quite helpful in a battle (just by using malleable illusion) and never terminate this spell.
Misty Step – in response to being spotted, you can use Misty Step combined with Malleable Illusion (creating a decoy of yourself) or Minor Illusion to confuse the enemy. This will take a round, though (one reaction for the Misty Step and one action for the Malleable Illusion / Minor Illusion)
5 Fear
Haste – one attack with Shadow Blade / Booming Blade and one spell / cantrip / malleable illusion. You might be able to keep a Minor Illusion with you when you are in melee. This would keep the enemy uncertain as to which of the two “you”s to attack, at least until you attack him. Once you attack with Booming Blade, move away. Then, repeat.
Major Image C Int
6th
Malleable Illusions
Blink – very handy when combined with Minor Illusion. Two of you (one of which is an illusion) keep blinking around the battlefield and the enemy should start to feel like he’s playing a shell game trying to figure out which one is you.
Bestow Curse C Int – note that when cast as a 5 level or higher spell, it doesn’t require concentration.
7th Confusion
Arcane Eye C
Black Tentacles C Str, Dex – very useful when combined with Major Image
8th
ASI (Fade Away) – enables you to automatically turn invisible for a round after taking damage. This can set you up for casting another spell if you ever get surprised or an enemy gets too close
Greater Invis C
Fear C Wis – Your first AoE offensive spell, not including Major Image
9th
Creation – this is an illusion spell, which means that it is subject to malleable illusions. Turn a wooden ring into a stone wall in an action without casting a spell. Massive utility
Telepathic Bond – somebody in the party is going to need this
10th
Illusory Self – one attack per short rest, guaranteed no damage
Mage Hand
Seeming Cha, Int – when fighting an enemy party cast this spell, make half your (random) party look like half of their (random) party and vice versa. Keep doing it every round using Malleable Illusion, so that the enemy loses track of who their allies are
Mislead C – combines well with Contingency
11th
Scatter
Globe of Invulnerability C
12th
ASI +2 Int or Lucky
Concentration-free Major Image, Bestow Curse
Contingency
Synaptic Static
13th
Whirlwind C Dex / Str
Mirage Arcane
14th
Illusory Reality
Simulacrum
Etherealness
This doesn't work. Minor illusion can only create an image of an object, not a creature. Also, it is a fixed illusion that does not move. So even if you try to go around the object limitation by creating an illusion of a perfect wax statue of yourself as some have suggested in the past, the fact that it isn't moving will likely give it away.
Yes, but its also an illusion. The first creature that walks into it and is unaffected will reveal to everyone in the area that the effect is an illusion. "physical interaction reveals blah blah". In the right circumstances, illusions can be good for area denial. But you can just make a solid wall (trick) or a wall of fire (frighten). I wouldn't make my spell selection based on the idea of casting fake versions.
I was ready to argue that Illusory Reality objects are not illusions because Illusory Reality takes an illusion of an object and makes it real. Therefore, real and illusory being mutually exclusive, it is no longer an illusion. But then I looked at Illusory Dragon which is referred to as an illusion but is also described as tangible on account of being made from shadow stuff. So I think you have convinced me on this one
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This seems contradictory to me. Optimization is boring, but I want to cast booming blade with shadow blade because it does the most damage... Frankly Phantasmal Force seems to fit the kind of character you are describing MUCH better than going in to attack with a shadow blade. Phantasmal force is also a fantastic spell that's very fun to use and rewards creativity, which seems right up your alley. Who cares about the damage? Your party has plenty of damage. They need you to stay alive far more than they need you to do damage.
Phantasmal Force can take enemies out of the fight very effectively and do a little damage too. It has a lot of versatility. It can be quite difficult for enemies to pass their check to resist it, if the DM even decides to allow a check to be made. So far it's been my bread and butter on my level 4 illusionist.