These are something that me and one of the other players in my group came up while talking about alternatives to shield for illusionist. Just curious what you guys think about what we came up with.
Image Distortion
Image Distortion
1st-level Illusion
Casting time: 1 Reaction (which you take when you are hit by an attack)
Components: V
Duration: 1 Round
Spell Lists: Artificer, Sorcerer, Wizard
Your body becomes distorted to those who can see you. Until the start of your next turn, attack rolls made against you are done with disadvantage. An attacker is immune to this effect if it doesn't rely on sight, as with blindsight, or can see through illusions, as with truesight.
Reactive Image
Reactive Image
1st-level Illusion
Casting time: 1 Reaction (which you take when a creature targets you with an attack)
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 Round
Spell Lists: Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Upon casting and each subsequent time a creature targets you with an attack during the spell's duration, roll a d20 to determine whether the attack instead targets your duplicate. If you roll an 11 or higher, you change the attack's target to the duplicate.
The duplicate's AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier. If an attack hits a duplicate, the duplicate is destroyed. A duplicate can be destroyed only by an attack that hits it. It ignores all other damage and effects. The spell ends when all three duplicates are destroyed.
A creature is unaffected by this spell if it can't see, if it relies on senses other than sight, such as blindsight, or if it can perceive illusions as false, as with truesight.
If you're already under the effects of the Mirror Image spell, the new illusory duplicate replaces a destroyed duplicate and remains for the remainder of the Mirror Image spell. If you already have three illusory duplicates, you create a fourth illusory duplicate that remains until the start of your next turn. If a creature targets you with an attack while you have a fourth duplicate, you must roll a 5 or higher on the d20 roll to change the attack's target to a duplicate.
To me the levels seem too low, particularly for image distortion. Your replicating, to an extent, the powers of two level two spells, both of which you'd normally have to give up a turn to cast - basically it circumvents the decision of 'do I defend myself or do I try to hurt my enemies.'
Image Distortion:
Pros: 1) you can spend your turn casting something else, 2) equivalent of a 2nd level spell on all attacks made against you for the round, 3) it's first level spell so it's very easy to break out, especially at higher levels, 4) it doesn't require concentration
Cons: 1) it uses up your reaction meaning you can't counterspell (this is a very situational con though), 2) it lasts until the start of your turn so it might be difficult to get away from someone in melee with you
It's an interesting spell but to me at least it seems a bit strong a defence for a level one spell.
Reactive Image:
This one strikes me as more balanced. You're replicating mirror image, but to a lesser extent and, at best, it will protect you from one attack. If anything it seems a little weak to give up your reaction to potentially block one attack. Especially at higher levels, unless I already had mirror image up, I'm not sure I'd use this. There'd still be a 1 in 2 chance of my being hit and I'd have to use up my reaction (again use of reactions is very circumstantial). On the flip side, if I'm in a desperate situation, I'd like to know I could grant myself a minimal defence, perhaps enough to preserve me until the next round when I could do something about the situation. However, it's still very risky.
Pros: 1) it's a reaction 2) it can block an entire attack
Cons: 1) it's a reaction 2) it can only block one attack 3) there's no guarantee it will work
So yeah, of the two this seems a bit more balanced. I don't have an opinion on it stacking with mirror image, but I'm curious what other people will say. Hope this helps.
Image Distortion. Yeah this was the route that my friend wanted to go for a shield equivalent because statistically, imposing disadvantage is also granting a +5 to AC and by having it last for the same duration of shield would make it even more similar while being a reaction Blur. The main difference this and shield was that it doesn't protect against Magic Missile and had no effect against creatures that didn't need to use sight.
Reactive Image. For this one, I definitely went with the a mini mirror image approach. Which I do enjoy the fact I included the interaction with the mirror image spell itself. I have been pondering about having it scale (i.e. maybe "you create an additional image for each spell level above 1st level.") I didn't think that'd help too much even though it could be interesting to have a defensive reaction spell that can the caster can upscale like that. I've also thought about maybe having the duplicate last for one minute but I need more input before I decide if I wanted to go that route instead.
Image Distortion: That's an interesting way of looking at it. While I'm aware the math exists, I'm not directly familiar with it, so I'll take your word on that. From that viewpoint, it sounds a lot more balanced.
Reactive Image: Scaling is an interesting idea. Based on the points I raised about the risks above, I think scaling could be very interesting. Players would have to think about what slots they need, how dangerous the attack is, how many duplicates they need - it would be interesting and tactical (though it could slow things down as well potentially). Since under the current instance of this spell, it only lasts a round, they could say burn a 3rd level slot, but only end up needing one duplicate. So it'd be interesting. There are two things I'd be worried about:
Limits - although I can't imagine someone burning anything stronger than a 3rd level on this (depending on their level), letting them get too many duplicates could be an issue. You could limit it up to maximum of 3 or else go like spiritual weapon and say it scales proportionally every 2 levels rather than every one level. (On the reverse side though they would have to expend the spell slot at higher level so maybe the benefit cost would balance out)
Stacking - would the extras still stack with mirror image, because that could get a little much.
The duplicate(s) lasting for a minute is a tough one. If it were just one, I think I'd say yes. If you throw up just the one duplicate, and depending on rolls and attacks against, it disappears at the end of the round having been completely useless, that would be frustrating. I'd like it if it hung around until it was useful (potentially it may turn out in field testing that one round is sufficient for it to be useful).
However, if it were scaling, I think we'd be circling dangerous close towards a full reaction mirror image with the potential of summoning an even greater number of images. That could be a bit much for a reaction spell.
If I did go with the upscaling route I would add a limiter and yeah I wouldn't increase the base duration without if I did go that route because at that point why pick mirror image? Likely I'd start by limiting the d20 roll so it would only go down so far (likely 5 at the moment), and all images would disappear at the start of your next turn unless you're under the effects of mirror image in which up to three illusory duplicates would remain.
I mean, it sounds well thought out. Not allowing the dice to go too low makes sense - there is still a chance you should be hit.
As for disappearing - while it would be frustrating if you burned a slot and lost most of them quickly because they didn't get used, I still think that's good. Having them stick around too long would negate the use of mirror image (as you said) and it just means you have to think carefully about how many images you need.
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These are something that me and one of the other players in my group came up while talking about alternatives to shield for illusionist. Just curious what you guys think about what we came up with.
Image Distortion
Image Distortion
1st-level Illusion
Casting time: 1 Reaction (which you take when you are hit by an attack)
Components: V
Duration: 1 Round
Spell Lists: Artificer, Sorcerer, Wizard
Your body becomes distorted to those who can see you. Until the start of your next turn, attack rolls made against you are done with disadvantage. An attacker is immune to this effect if it doesn't rely on sight, as with blindsight, or can see through illusions, as with truesight.
Reactive Image
Reactive Image
1st-level Illusion
Casting time: 1 Reaction (which you take when a creature targets you with an attack)
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 Round
Spell Lists: Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Upon casting and each subsequent time a creature targets you with an attack during the spell's duration, roll a d20 to determine whether the attack instead targets your duplicate. If you roll an 11 or higher, you change the attack's target to the duplicate.
The duplicate's AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier. If an attack hits a duplicate, the duplicate is destroyed. A duplicate can be destroyed only by an attack that hits it. It ignores all other damage and effects. The spell ends when all three duplicates are destroyed.
A creature is unaffected by this spell if it can't see, if it relies on senses other than sight, such as blindsight, or if it can perceive illusions as false, as with truesight.
If you're already under the effects of the Mirror Image spell, the new illusory duplicate replaces a destroyed duplicate and remains for the remainder of the Mirror Image spell. If you already have three illusory duplicates, you create a fourth illusory duplicate that remains until the start of your next turn. If a creature targets you with an attack while you have a fourth duplicate, you must roll a 5 or higher on the d20 roll to change the attack's target to a duplicate.
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To me the levels seem too low, particularly for image distortion. Your replicating, to an extent, the powers of two level two spells, both of which you'd normally have to give up a turn to cast - basically it circumvents the decision of 'do I defend myself or do I try to hurt my enemies.'
Image Distortion:
Pros: 1) you can spend your turn casting something else, 2) equivalent of a 2nd level spell on all attacks made against you for the round, 3) it's first level spell so it's very easy to break out, especially at higher levels, 4) it doesn't require concentration
Cons: 1) it uses up your reaction meaning you can't counterspell (this is a very situational con though), 2) it lasts until the start of your turn so it might be difficult to get away from someone in melee with you
It's an interesting spell but to me at least it seems a bit strong a defence for a level one spell.
Reactive Image:
This one strikes me as more balanced. You're replicating mirror image, but to a lesser extent and, at best, it will protect you from one attack. If anything it seems a little weak to give up your reaction to potentially block one attack. Especially at higher levels, unless I already had mirror image up, I'm not sure I'd use this. There'd still be a 1 in 2 chance of my being hit and I'd have to use up my reaction (again use of reactions is very circumstantial). On the flip side, if I'm in a desperate situation, I'd like to know I could grant myself a minimal defence, perhaps enough to preserve me until the next round when I could do something about the situation. However, it's still very risky.
Pros: 1) it's a reaction 2) it can block an entire attack
Cons: 1) it's a reaction 2) it can only block one attack 3) there's no guarantee it will work
So yeah, of the two this seems a bit more balanced. I don't have an opinion on it stacking with mirror image, but I'm curious what other people will say. Hope this helps.
Fair enough, I'll try to focus on your points;
Image Distortion. Yeah this was the route that my friend wanted to go for a shield equivalent because statistically, imposing disadvantage is also granting a +5 to AC and by having it last for the same duration of shield would make it even more similar while being a reaction Blur. The main difference this and shield was that it doesn't protect against Magic Missile and had no effect against creatures that didn't need to use sight.
Reactive Image. For this one, I definitely went with the a mini mirror image approach. Which I do enjoy the fact I included the interaction with the mirror image spell itself. I have been pondering about having it scale (i.e. maybe "you create an additional image for each spell level above 1st level.") I didn't think that'd help too much even though it could be interesting to have a defensive reaction spell that can the caster can upscale like that. I've also thought about maybe having the duplicate last for one minute but I need more input before I decide if I wanted to go that route instead.
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To see my more recent homebrew creations, please check out my content on Hombrewery.
Image Distortion: That's an interesting way of looking at it. While I'm aware the math exists, I'm not directly familiar with it, so I'll take your word on that. From that viewpoint, it sounds a lot more balanced.
Reactive Image: Scaling is an interesting idea. Based on the points I raised about the risks above, I think scaling could be very interesting. Players would have to think about what slots they need, how dangerous the attack is, how many duplicates they need - it would be interesting and tactical (though it could slow things down as well potentially). Since under the current instance of this spell, it only lasts a round, they could say burn a 3rd level slot, but only end up needing one duplicate. So it'd be interesting. There are two things I'd be worried about:
Limits - although I can't imagine someone burning anything stronger than a 3rd level on this (depending on their level), letting them get too many duplicates could be an issue. You could limit it up to maximum of 3 or else go like spiritual weapon and say it scales proportionally every 2 levels rather than every one level. (On the reverse side though they would have to expend the spell slot at higher level so maybe the benefit cost would balance out)
Stacking - would the extras still stack with mirror image, because that could get a little much.
The duplicate(s) lasting for a minute is a tough one. If it were just one, I think I'd say yes. If you throw up just the one duplicate, and depending on rolls and attacks against, it disappears at the end of the round having been completely useless, that would be frustrating. I'd like it if it hung around until it was useful (potentially it may turn out in field testing that one round is sufficient for it to be useful).
However, if it were scaling, I think we'd be circling dangerous close towards a full reaction mirror image with the potential of summoning an even greater number of images. That could be a bit much for a reaction spell.
If I did go with the upscaling route I would add a limiter and yeah I wouldn't increase the base duration without if I did go that route because at that point why pick mirror image? Likely I'd start by limiting the d20 roll so it would only go down so far (likely 5 at the moment), and all images would disappear at the start of your next turn unless you're under the effects of mirror image in which up to three illusory duplicates would remain.
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I mean, it sounds well thought out. Not allowing the dice to go too low makes sense - there is still a chance you should be hit.
As for disappearing - while it would be frustrating if you burned a slot and lost most of them quickly because they didn't get used, I still think that's good. Having them stick around too long would negate the use of mirror image (as you said) and it just means you have to think carefully about how many images you need.