My take on how illusion magic works is that the NPC is allowed a save once he/she/it interacts with the illusion. So for example #1, if the creature comes into being (not an uncommon thing due to summoning magic) the NPC would receive a savings throw as soon as it is engaged in battle.
Example #2 begs the question about when the illusory wall comes into being. If the NPC sees the wall appear, it's less believable. If the wall is already there before they arrive, they would have to interact with it, or touch it, in order to get a save.
Example 3 is why illusion magic is so awesome. It is limited only by the imagination of the player wielding it. If you create an opaque illusory wall that looks like a wall of stone, the NPCs would have to interact with it before they get a save (touch it, attack it, try to run through it). Unless they expect you to be an illusionist and try to run through it with their eyes closed, so be careful not to abuse this trick.
just my 0.02 cents...
If I have one of the situations below when do the characters get a check to see if the figment is real or not?
1. A creature (major image) is conjured by an invisible, silenced caster (using silent spell) - do they get to check when they first see the creature or only after they have attacked it?
2. A wall has been created using major image before the characters enter the room - do they get to make a check to see something's wrong when they walk into the room or when they touch the wall?
3. Something (anything) is conjured via major image in fromt of the characters during combat - again do they check when it "appears" or after they have attacked/interacted with the item?
Your help is appreciated.
Thanks
Moochie
For all of them the answer is the same:
"Creatures encountering an illusion usually do not receive saving throws to recognize it as illusory until they study it carefully or interact with it in some fashion."In case 1: After they have hit the creature, they would get a save.
In case 2: Only when they search the room. A perception check would reveal that something is not right about the wall, allowing a save, or something like that.
In case 3: Same as Case 1. Keep in mind that if it appears directly in front of them, if it isn't a creature (which could be summoned), you may allow a save right way, but this is a world of magic and strange things happen all the time.
To make it more fun, have someone summon creatures AND illusions at the same time. They party will think they are all illusions, until WHAM!
If I have one of the situations below when do the characters get a check to see if the figment is real or not?
1. A creature (major image) is conjured by an invisible, silenced caster (using silent spell) - do they get to check when they first see the creature or only after they have attacked it?
2. A wall has been created using major image before the characters enter the room - do they get to make a check to see something's wrong when they walk into the room or when they touch the wall?
3. Something (anything) is conjured via major image in fromt of the characters during combat - again do they check when it "appears" or after they have attacked/interacted with the item?
Your help is appreciated.
Thanks
Moochie
If the players either interact with or spend a standard action attempting to study the illusion, they get a save. They don't get one for it simply coming into existence.