Silent Image what does it really do.

[memorax]

I'm curious about what Silent Image can do as a spell. I'm asking because it allows a target a will save. Say I make a image of a werewolf and have it "attack" someone or something what effect does it do. Beyond that it's a illusion no description of what kind of illusion the magic is. Does it do damage? Give a penalty? Nor do I see in the spell description anything imo that would require a save. Maybe I'm missing something.

[Knight Magenta]

It, essentially, creates a hologram. You can use it to get people to make sub-optimal choices in battle. Like putting up a wall and making them go around it, etc...

The Illusion section in the SRD will help.

[VRMH]

memorax wrote:

Say I make a image of a werewolf and have it "attack" someone or something what effect does it do.

Nothing, at least not directly. Your "attacking werewolf" could scare away someone, or make them stumble backwards into a ravine. But it cannot actually do anything to anyone. Some higher-level illusions can, though.

Quote:

Beyond that it's a illusion no description of what kind of illusion the magic is.

Anything you can imagine that:

a) is visible
b) fits within the space limitation of the spell

Quote:

Does it do damage? Give a penalty?

No, and no. Though you can trick enemies into being damaged or penalised - if your illusionary wall blocks the path, they might go through the bramble bush instead. And it can block line-of-sight, so when you hide inside your illusionary tree you can see (and shoot) the enemy, but they cannot see you.

Quote:

Nor do I see in the spell description anything imo that would require a save.

It's listed in the general properties of the illusion school, and not repeated in the spell description. Basically, you don't get a save unless you "interact" with the illusion: touch it, or study it carefully, or throw a rock at it.

And when the illusion is obviously fake, you don't get any save at all: it just vanishes.

[Malag]

VRMH said it all.

[LazarX]

VRMH wrote:

It's listed in the general properties of the illusion school, and not repeated in the spell description. Basically, you don't get a save unless you "interact" with the illusion: touch it, or study it carefully, or throw a rock at it.

Interaction is a two way street. A silent image of a dragon threatening the party counts as interaction, which means that everyone involved gets to make that save because of the obvious discordance of a dragon with no sound.

Anything about an illusion which shouts out something that's not quite right... (such as the silent dragon) qualifies as interaction granting a will save. That's what the higher level spells give you more components and factors in giving the illusion life.

Now again illusions are going to have tons and tons of variance because of the very nature of the spell family means it has to be adjudicated on the spot each time it's cast.

[memorax]

Thanks for the feedback guys. My Bard went up a level and has access to a new first level spell and SI was one of my choices.

[Knight Magenta]

This is a good overview about what is interaction. The other articles in the series give some advice on illusions.

[memorax]

Thanks KM will read up on that article.

[LazarX]

It's a good article but not neccessarily exhaustive.

I had a PC who thought he'd be clever by attacking an NPC party with the Silent Image of a Dragon. Main problem here being any lack of sound from the dragon, or even a feel of the wind pressure from it's passage.

So I gave them all a will save to disbelief.

He got a bit of mileage from the two who failed their save, they got a reroll from the shouts of those who had made it.

Moral of the day...

The quality of your illusion spells matter. Especially if they lack necessary components to complete them.

[DCironlich]

I think that Silent Image (including Minor Image and Major Image) should have defined mechanics like Dirty Trick Combat Maneuver. That way the spell won't be so dependent on the GM's bias for or against illusions.

[Knight Magenta]

But silent image is so much more versatile than dirty trick. Its also usable outside of combat. Also, figments are not supposed to cause status effects. They are supposed to trick you into behaving sub-optimally.

[ikki3520]

one use would be imaginary forcefields trapping your opponents. Or perhaps fake art (like a wonderful show of light and artistry, and really really light! Artsy folk might even like it more being an illusion, haha!). Or a fake bridge over a chasm... in addition to the usual fake treasure hoards, advanding wall of blades (making you think jumping in the chasm is probly a better idea.. thats just 20d6 afterall ;)

Illusions are plain dangerous when one has a creative mind.

Or just for re-decoration, turning a boring old home into one filled with opulent furnishings and wonderful art, carpets etc. Even fake skywindows showing the stars! Never mind that you actually arent living in the penthouse, but have a neighbour above!
Sunlight.

The options are nearly limitless. Except for the sound part, and not much change in the thing you make. Programmable illusions with sound and all ones are just plain freakish ;)