Hey I'm playing an illusion wizard and I've built him up to 6th level
He's a charlatan who cons people out of their gold who found an interest in illusions to ply his trade due to him being terrible at thievery by any other means
So illusions is the key to the build but I would like your opinion on the later levels
Do I stick with wizard to 20 ?
Is a dip into warlock worth a punt ?
Higher level illusions are they worth it ?
My DM is mostly behind my illusions with in reason which is good just would like to be able to use them without losing my slots for the important crowd control a wizard takes part in
Hey man, classic character concept. Don’t bother with multiclass. Wizard will give everything you need. Go straight and own the world through your illusions.
I agree, stick with wizard. I would also keep Alter Self and Dimension Door prepared and I would use Alarm liberally on my belt pouch. And Detect Thoughts can be incredibly useful too.
You'll want to stick with Wizard. The end level features are tasty. At 18th you get a 1st and 2nd level spell you can cast infinitely without spell slots - so infinite Silent Image with Illusory Reality? Pretty dope. And at 20th you get two 3rd level which are always prepped and you can cast once each every short rest. Major Image, definitely good choice for that.
In the meantime, if you want to save slots and have Malleable Illusions, you can upcast Major Image so it's permanent without using concentration. While active you can move it around. So make a butterfly or bird or something and just use your actions to take it with you, like a pet, where-ever you go. Then when you need to, use Malleable Illusions to change it into another type of illusion. When done, use Malleable Illusions to turn it back to the butterfly or whatever. Never have to waste slots for that one illusion.
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If you are using feats and have access to tashas a invocation might be nice. For your described character change self at will would be dope. When a illusionist hits 14th level, silent image at will is insane.
Silent image at will is L18. You're thinking of Illusory Reality. Illusion wizards should at least go 18 levels in wizard. The only MC I would recommend is a trickery cleric to start at L1 or maybe 2 levels of warlock (Great Old one imo but Archfey might work since the Fae are also known for their illusions.
I would stay pure wizard. Spending a feat for eldritch adept to take mask of many faces might be very useful.
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Silent image at will is L18. You're thinking of Illusory Reality. Illusion wizards should at least go 18 levels in wizard. The only MC I would recommend is a trickery cleric to start at L1 or maybe 2 levels of warlock (Great Old one imo but Archfey might work since the Fae are also known for their illusions.
I'm thinking of a eldritch invocation Misty Visions, it gives you silent image at will. Sorry, that I was not clear. its useful at all levels but once he hits 14 its crazy good.
Silent Image becomes available, so starting the character's career as an illusionist
Minor Illusion video + audio comes online, providing a lot of utility
Mirror Image becomes available, the core defensive illusion the caster will use over his career. Invisibility also becomes available, possibly, next to Minor Illusion, the most often used utility spell. Your illusion spells can finally inflict hit point damage with Phantasmal Force and Shadow Blade.
Major Image becomes available, the core bread and butter spell of the Illusionist
Malleable Illusions comes online, reducing the number of spell slots being expended
.
.FEAT Eldritch Adept Mask of Many Faces
Creation becomes available - the first example of shadow magic. Seeming +Malleable Illusion (supported with Telepathic Bond) becomes available and can introduce a lot of fun confusion to encounters
Illusory Self comes online
Major Image, if cast as a 6th level spell, doesn't require Concentration. Most sixth-level and higher illusion spells are niche and can probably be kept on scrolls, reducing the percentage of your prepared spells which need to be illusions. Contingency + Mislead becomes available and offers a lot of illusory defense and shenanigans.
.FEAT Eldritch Adept Misty Visions setting up for Illusory Reality
The Illusionist’s most majestic spells; Simulacrum and Mirage Arcane, become available and break open the game in all kinds of interesting ways
Illusory Reality comes online
Illusory Dragon becomes available bringing terror to everyone and their grandmother within a country mile
.
Spell Mastery comes online. Since Silent Image at will was picked up at 12th and you should probably have a ring of Invisibility by now, another great option to consider is Detect Thoughts
.
.
NOTE: It is worth considering taking a level in Warlock before 5th level and combining this with Eldritch Adept One with Shadows
NOTE: It is worth considering taking a level in Warlock before 5th level and combining this with Eldritch Adept One with Shadows
You would need 5 levels of warlock to qualify for One with Shadows with the Eldritch Adept feat. You must be a warlock that meets the prerequisites for any invocation that requires one with the Eldritch Adept feat. Awesome breakdown though.
Azzarick I would not be worried about having too many illusion spells in your list. Wren did a great job of showing why. Only one point to add: Once you get to 14 your illusions spells can be made into real battlefield control effects. Those misty visions? Yeah have fun with your at-will wall spell.
You don't even need Misty Visions to avoid this problem, but it makes it much easier to limit how many illusion spells take up your prep slots. I would definitely pick it up. It's literally perfect for a level 14+ level Illusionist and still helps you save spell slots before that.
I would absolutely stay single class to get to level 14 as soon as possible. Illusory Reality is one of the coolest abilities in the game. Maybe pick up 2 levels of fighter at the very end to pick up action surge? I certainly wouldn't put off 9th level spells or spell mastery for it though. I'd rather just stick to wizard 20, but action surge is very powerful on an endgame spellcaster.
I think the most important thing to playing an illusionist is just to have fun. I like to play them like Nymphadora Tonks. I know she could actually change her shape while, if you use my level progression above, you are using Disguise at will from 8th level until 14th, so it isn't exactly like Tonks, but the playful spirit she has is perfect.
You'd very much NOT be a bookworm, but instead a natural entertainer and center of attraction. You'd cast spells sometimes for no gain, but just for fun. The rowboat you are using to cross the river becomes a swan boat or a dragon turtle. Why? Well, Why not?
sometimes when it comes to be an illusionist. It's best to just let people assume that your harmless and that your magic doesn't do much. Even other players in the group. Try not to let them get under your skin too much when they start complaining that you should be casting fireball all of the time or the like. Just bide your time and build into things because the more you level and thus increase your power the more dangerous you become when people are not ready for it. There are illusions at the higher levels that even when people realize they are illusions they can still be hurt by them.
Illusionists more than any other type of wizard are in a prime position to make people feel like you can break reality at your whim when you get creative, have fun, and manage to be patient.
Thanks for the help guys great advice I think I'll stick to wizard till at least 14 and probably on to 20 see what feats I can get along the way to help
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Hey I'm playing an illusion wizard and I've built him up to 6th level
He's a charlatan who cons people out of their gold who found an interest in illusions to ply his trade due to him being terrible at thievery by any other means
So illusions is the key to the build but I would like your opinion on the later levels
Do I stick with wizard to 20 ?
Is a dip into warlock worth a punt ?
Higher level illusions are they worth it ?
My DM is mostly behind my illusions with in reason which is good just would like to be able to use them without losing my slots for the important crowd control a wizard takes part in
Hey man, classic character concept. Don’t bother with multiclass. Wizard will give everything you need. Go straight and own the world through your illusions.
I agree, stick with wizard. I would also keep Alter Self and Dimension Door prepared and I would use Alarm liberally on my belt pouch. And Detect Thoughts can be incredibly useful too.
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You'll want to stick with Wizard. The end level features are tasty. At 18th you get a 1st and 2nd level spell you can cast infinitely without spell slots - so infinite Silent Image with Illusory Reality? Pretty dope. And at 20th you get two 3rd level which are always prepped and you can cast once each every short rest. Major Image, definitely good choice for that.
In the meantime, if you want to save slots and have Malleable Illusions, you can upcast Major Image so it's permanent without using concentration. While active you can move it around. So make a butterfly or bird or something and just use your actions to take it with you, like a pet, where-ever you go. Then when you need to, use Malleable Illusions to change it into another type of illusion. When done, use Malleable Illusions to turn it back to the butterfly or whatever. Never have to waste slots for that one illusion.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
If you are using feats and have access to tashas a invocation might be nice. For your described character change self at will would be dope. When a illusionist hits 14th level, silent image at will is insane.
Silent image at will is L18. You're thinking of Illusory Reality. Illusion wizards should at least go 18 levels in wizard. The only MC I would recommend is a trickery cleric to start at L1 or maybe 2 levels of warlock (Great Old one imo but Archfey might work since the Fae are also known for their illusions.
I would stay pure wizard. Spending a feat for eldritch adept to take mask of many faces might be very useful.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
I'm thinking of a eldritch invocation Misty Visions, it gives you silent image at will. Sorry, that I was not clear. its useful at all levels but once he hits 14 its crazy good.
Major Image, if cast as a 6th level spell, doesn't require Concentration. Most sixth-level and higher illusion spells are niche and can probably be kept on scrolls, reducing the percentage of your prepared spells which need to be illusions. Contingency + Mislead becomes available and offers a lot of illusory defense and shenanigans.
The Illusionist’s most majestic spells; Simulacrum and Mirage Arcane, become available and break open the game in all kinds of interesting ways
NOTE: It is worth considering taking a level in Warlock before 5th level and combining this with Eldritch Adept One with ShadowsSee HeirontmusZot's post below
You would need 5 levels of warlock to qualify for One with Shadows with the Eldritch Adept feat. You must be a warlock that meets the prerequisites for any invocation that requires one with the Eldritch Adept feat. Awesome breakdown though.
Azzarick I would not be worried about having too many illusion spells in your list. Wren did a great job of showing why. Only one point to add: Once you get to 14 your illusions spells can be made into real battlefield control effects. Those misty visions? Yeah have fun with your at-will wall spell.
You don't even need Misty Visions to avoid this problem, but it makes it much easier to limit how many illusion spells take up your prep slots. I would definitely pick it up. It's literally perfect for a level 14+ level Illusionist and still helps you save spell slots before that.
I would absolutely stay single class to get to level 14 as soon as possible. Illusory Reality is one of the coolest abilities in the game. Maybe pick up 2 levels of fighter at the very end to pick up action surge? I certainly wouldn't put off 9th level spells or spell mastery for it though. I'd rather just stick to wizard 20, but action surge is very powerful on an endgame spellcaster.
I think the most important thing to playing an illusionist is just to have fun. I like to play them like Nymphadora Tonks. I know she could actually change her shape while, if you use my level progression above, you are using Disguise at will from 8th level until 14th, so it isn't exactly like Tonks, but the playful spirit she has is perfect.
You'd very much NOT be a bookworm, but instead a natural entertainer and center of attraction. You'd cast spells sometimes for no gain, but just for fun. The rowboat you are using to cross the river becomes a swan boat or a dragon turtle. Why? Well, Why not?
Some great non-illusionist spells for illusionists are..
2nd Misty Step
3rd Bestow Curse
3rd Blink
3rd Enemies Abound
3rd Gaseous Form
4th Arcane Eye
5th Telepathic Bond
7th Etherealness
PLUS: pretty much anything useful which creates a sustained, useful effect which is detectable by the senses and therefore illusions can duplicate.
sometimes when it comes to be an illusionist. It's best to just let people assume that your harmless and that your magic doesn't do much. Even other players in the group. Try not to let them get under your skin too much when they start complaining that you should be casting fireball all of the time or the like. Just bide your time and build into things because the more you level and thus increase your power the more dangerous you become when people are not ready for it. There are illusions at the higher levels that even when people realize they are illusions they can still be hurt by them.
Illusionists more than any other type of wizard are in a prime position to make people feel like you can break reality at your whim when you get creative, have fun, and manage to be patient.
Thanks for the help guys great advice I think I'll stick to wizard till at least 14 and probably on to 20 see what feats I can get along the way to help