Illusionist Wizard?

[CombatTacos]

Hey guys, I've recently started to put together an illusionist wizard but I'm abit lost as to where to begin. I'm assuming it'll be an Elf Wizard but apart from Silent Image and Ghost Sound, What else is there? Note that this wizard is more meant to trick her way out of combat and make people serve her through tricks rather then the usual "SHOOT FIREBALL! LIGHTNING! PEW PEW!" As fun as that is.

[VRMH]

Illusionists are best served by hiding their spell casting. So you'll want Still Spell and Silent Spell, as well as the Eschew Materials feat.

As for your spell selection, you need to make sure you have something that'll "work" even when illusions won't (or failed) - don't be ashamed to memorise Grease or Magic Missile. Apart form that, look for synergies. A few real summoned monsters in among the illusionary ones can make all the difference, and spells like Ventriloquism can further hide your activities.

Lastly: stay away from Enchantments. They may fit the theme, but there's just too much overlap.

[Malag]

Here is a good note; monsters immune to mind effecting spells aren't immune to glamers and figments. This is written in general monster traits, for example the undead is immune to phantasms, shadows and patterns but again, not to glamers and figments. What does this mean? The ghoul can be affected normally with Silent Image spell!

[Hendelbolaf]

Grab Color Spray early and use it often. The fighters and rogues will love you!

[StreamOfTheSky]

Malag wrote:

Here is a good note; monsters immune to mind effecting spells aren't immune to glamers and figments. This is written in general monster traits, for example the undead is immune to phantasms, shadows and patterns but again, not to glamers and figments. What does this mean? The ghoul can be affected normally with Silent Image spell!

Only patterns and phantasms are mind-affecting, shadow spells are not.

[Dwarfakin]

another thing you can do is use your illusion spells to "control" the battlefield. Use them to mimic other spells. For example I used a silent image to throw web onto the field. Conjuration is also a good way to suppliment an illusionist IMO. Summon monsters and then "clone" your monsters with illusions. You can also do this to your own party members and suddenly there is 4 barbarians surrounding the BBEG and he has to guess which one is the real one. few evocation spells is also handy to have in the illusionist spellbook but you can easily suppliment those later on with shadow evocation spells that require 2 saves instead of one.

[Adamantine Dragon]

The only advice I have for a player who wants to play an illusionist is to take your GM out to lunch and tell him/her that the purpose is to get on the same page with how illusions work.

Too many times I've seen games become arguments between a player and a GM and how they interpret illusion effectiveness.

[bfobar]

The Gnome race also gets a good race feat, "Effortless Trickery" for illusions and may be worth a look.

Color Spray is a good 1st level save or die for enemies.

Invisibility is the goto second level illusion spell.

Shadow evocation and Shadow Conjuration have a whole guide written about them here.

[CombatTacos]

Alright thanks guys, Those are all helpful. I'm not forgoing any important spells, I still have Grease and Magic Missle. I'll still have Summon Monster and etc. And yeah. Illusions are fun.. When the GM understands how they work.