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Recently, I ran a Pathfinder Society scenario where a hidden wizard used a Silent Image spell to create a skeleton warrior to hinder the or hopefully scare away the PCs. I was wondering how GMs handle using this spell in this way.
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School illusion (figment); Level bard 1, sorcerer/wizard 1
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, F (a bit of fleece)
Range long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Effect visual figment that cannot extend beyond four 10-ft. cubes + one 10-ft. cube/level (S)
Duration concentration
Saving Throw Will disbelief (if interacted with); Spell Resistance no
This spell creates the visual illusion of an object, creature, or force, as visualized by you. The illusion does not create sound, smell, texture, or temperature. You can move the image within the limits of the size of the effect.
How I handled it was that each time a player attacked or cast a spell at the Skeleton, I secretly rolled a Will save on their behalf. If they failed the save, they did not see through the illusion. If they made their save, they saw something that made it plain that it was an illusion. I also would have given an additional save if someone studied the skeleton (such as using knowledge religion).
Each time the skeleton attacked, I rolled the dice and had the skeleton purposefully miss the attack so the illusion was not spoiled. For one round, I also had the skeleton step back as if to let out a silent scream at the PCs (as an intimidation).
Since the spell has no audible component, I wonder if I shouldn't have just given each player in melee with the creature a save each round since it woul dbe pretty obvious that weapon parries would make no noise.
Anyway, just wondering how others would have handled it. It will also be helpful to know when more powerful illusion spells come up in games.
I would have given the players a huge bonus if not an auto success the first time they came within 5 of hitting the target. This represents making contact with the image and realizing you just passed through it (note the within 5 idea comes from the magic missile deal where coming within 5 of hitting the target may still pop an image.
Having said that... Silent image is not intended as a combat spell in any way. It's great for putting up illusory walls and objects or non interactive creatures but not really combat.
I think the better way to have handled that would have been to create a silent image of something really dangerous but believable... Like an ogre or troll standing in the hall ready to fight them. It would have reasonably taken them a round or two to get will saves bassed on knowlage checks or noticing a lack of sound or smell. you could have even let it 'dodge' ranged attackes in order to extend the effect.
But once they engage it the jig is up because above all else the image should not be smart enough to engage complex tactics and interactions like combat.
On a side note you don't have to go too far to trick your players. If they are mature players they should know how to divorce player knowledge from character knowledge. If not don't be afraid to remind them.
Suppose your bad guy cast the illusion of a troll standing in a combat stance with a wicked grin on his face occasionally making threatening gestures. The runs away.
The players come around the corner and see the image described above. If one of your players who usually plays a Mage but is currently playing an int/wiz 10 barbarian says, Oh that could be an illusion I roll a will to disbelieve.... Ask him why knuckles would think that, ask him to explain why his character is acting completely out of character. Force him to at least spend a round using some skill to come to the conclusion
.....unless his natural reaction would be to scream and leap at anything in his path..... In which case you let him do it and chalk it up to good roll play and a bad choice by the bad guy.
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It wasn't so much about effectively tricking the players. It was a PFS scenario. Personally, I thought the use of Silent Image to animate a skeleton for the PCs to fight was poorly thought out...but as a PFS GM, it was my job to run it as best I could as it was written.
I chose to run it the way I did because it would be pretty anti-climactic for all the PCs to walk into the room, immediately roll will saves, and then half of the PCs say "Oh, that's just an illusion. Ignore it." Of course, I also wanted to run it fairly for the players and have it be interesting.
I do have to disagree with you about giving a save (or auto-success) when a PC came within 5 feet of the image. The spell states that the the effect cannot extend beyond a certain size. It does not say that the effect is the entire area. In this case, the only area affected by the illusion was the actual skeleton on the ground (which was masked by the illusion after the skeleton 'rose') and the skeleton illusion.
Anyway, I do appreciate the insight.