Disguise Skill vs Disguise Self

[This Side]

Hey all,

First of all, I couldn't quite decide if this post should go in the Rules sub-forum rather than Advice, so I apologize if this is not the right place.

I am playing an Intrigue Oracle in a Hell's Rebels campaign, and one of the mysteries I have chosen says this:

Assumed Form (Sp): You can change your appearance at will, as disguise self with a caster level equal to your oracle level.

Looking into this, I am trying to figure out the various pros/cons of disguise self vs using the disguise skill, and wanted to see if others had any advice/could add things I am not taking into account.

Disguise Self

Pros

• More difficult to see through (requires "interacting" with rather than just suspiciously looking)
  
• Instantaneous disguise upon casting spell, rather than 10's of minutes

Cons

• DC to see through is lower (~DC 15 Will currently, vs ~DC 30 Perception for disguise skill when taking 10, +2 from disguise kit, and adding +10 from spell)
  
• Can't emulate specific people
  
• Potentially lose disguise if spell runs out in dangerous situation; Only can be used a certain number of minutes per day (not a factor for me with an at will usage)
  
• Can be dispelled

Based on these factors, in seems that using the Disguise skill is more useful if you have time to apply it, while Disguise Self is really only best used if you need a spur of the moment disguise.

Does this seem like a pretty decent analysis?

[Dave Justus]

Generally speaking, unless it were a very close examination, I would think that the perception would have to be beat before the will save would apply. Someone just seeing you is not 'interacting' with your disguise.

The main downside of using a spell instead of the skill is that all of the ways magic can be detected or penetrated that a mundane disguise won't be effected by. Assuming your skill is good enough and you have time, a mundane disguise is generally the best choice.

[Mysterious Stranger]

The best solution is to use both. If you look at the description of both the spell and the skill it says that doing so give you a +10 on your disguise roll. That means you take all the modifiers for using the disguise skill and get an extra +10 bonus. This can allow you to pull of some really difficult disguises like pretending to be someone’s spouse. I have a player who is playing a bard in a campaign I run that does this.

[JDLPF]

Yes, the bonus from Disguise Self is untyped, and therefore stacks with all other sources besides itself.

Technically it also stacks with the Alter Self spell as well, though YMMV depending on DM. Alter Self is a Transmutation effect that morphs your physical form into something else. Disguise Self is an Illusion effect that simply overlays your current form with a skin deep simulacrum of a different person. The Disguise skill is actually using make-up and acting skills to pretend to be someone else.