True Illusionist - Class & Discussion

[faeryn]

True Illusionist


   
"When do you think they'll realize the wall doesn't really exist?"

-Cyra, Changeling Illusionist

A true illusionist has dedicated the entirety of their magical training to mastering the art illusion. Favoring illusions over all other schools of magic, a true illusionist excess at misdirection.

MAKING A TRUE ILLUSIONIST
Short description of play style.
Abilities: Intelligence
Alignment: Alignment restrictions (if any).
Starting Gold: Xd4x10(average gp)
Starting Age: As (core Illusionist).

Class Skills
The True Illusionist's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Hide (Dex), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int).
Skill Points at 1st Level: (2 + int)x4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + int

Hit Dice: d4

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special	0th	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th
1st	+0	+0	+0	+2	Illusion Focus, Brief Figment	5	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
2nd	+1	+0	+0	+3	Chains of Disbelief, Wavering Image	6	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
3rd	+1	+1	+1	+3	Stalking Figments, Wavering Image	6	5	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
4th	+2	+1	+1	+4	-	6	6	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
5th	+2	+1	+1	+4	Extended Illusions, Exceptional Hide	6	6	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
6th	+3	+2	+2	+5	-	6	6	5	3	-	-	-	-	-	-
7th	+3	+2	+2	+5	Irresistible Illusions, Empowered Illusions	6	6	6	4	-	-	-	-	-	-
8th	+4	+2	+2	+6	-	6	6	6	5	3	-	-	-	-	-
9th	+4	+3	+3	+6	-	6	6	6	6	4	-	-	-	-	-
10th	+5	+3	+3	+7	Insidious Illusions, Shadow Shaper	6	6	6	6	5	3	-	-	-	-
11th	+5	+3	+3	+7	-	6	6	6	6	6	4	-	-	-	-
12th	+6/+1	+4	+4	+8	-	6	6	6	6	6	5	3	-	-	-
13th	+6/+1	+4	+4	+8	-	6	6	6	6	6	6	4	-	-	-
14th	+7/+2	+4	+4	+9	-	6	6	6	6	6	6	5	3	-	-
15th	+7/+2	+5	+5	+9	Illusory Touch, Hide in Plain Sight	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	4	-	-
16th	+8/+3	+5	+5	+10	-	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	5	3	-
17th	+8/+3	+5	+5	+10	-	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	4	-
18th	+9/+4	+6	+6	+11	-	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	5	3
19th	+9/+4	+6	+6	+11	-	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	4
20th	+10/+5	+6	+6	+12	Shadow Blend, Illusion Mastery	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	5

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: Illusionist are proficient with the club, dagger, heavy crossbow, light crossbow, and quarterstaff, but not with any type of armor or shield. Armor of any type interferes with a Illusionist's movements, which can cause her spells with somatic components to fail.

Spells: A Illusionist casts arcane spells (the same type of spells available to sorcerers and wizards), which are drawn from the True Illusionist spell list given below. She can cast any spell she knows without preparing it ahead of time the way a cleric or wizard must. When a Illusionist gains access to a new level of spells, she automatically knows all the spells for that level listed on the True Illusionist's spell list. Essentially, her spell list is the same as her spells known list.
To cast a spell, a Illusionist must have a Intelligence score of 10 + the spell's level (Int 10 for 0-level spells, Int 11 for 1st-level spells, and so forth). The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a Illusionist's spell is 10 + the spell's level + the Illusionist's Intelligence modifier. Like other spellcasters, a Illusionist can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day. In addition, she receives bonus spells for a high Intelligence score (see Table 1—1, page 8 of the Player's Handbook).
Unlike a cleric or a wizard, a Illusionist need not prepare her spells in advance. She can cast any spell she knows at any time, assuming she has not yet used up her spells per day for that spell level.

Illusion Focus (Ex): A Illusionist increases the caster level of illusion spells she cast by +1.

Brief Figment (Su): At 1st level a Illusionist can create a figment double of herself (similar to mirror image). The image lasts until it is struck or until the start of her next turn. Activating this ability is an immediate action, and she can use this supernatural ability a number of times per day equal to her Intelligence bonus (minimum 1). Its equivalent spell level is equal to one-half her Illusionist level (minimum 1st), and the caster level is her Illusionist level. She can't activate this ability in response to an attack that she isn't aware of.

Chains of Disbelief (Ex) Starting at 2nd level, if a viewer disbelieves an illusion created by an Illusionist and communicates the details of the illusion to other creatures, those other creatures do not receive the normal +4 bonus on their saying throws to disbelieve the illusion. Furthermore, even when presented with incontrovertible proof that the illusion isn't real, creatures must still succeed on a Will saving throw to see objects or creatures that the illusion obscures, although they get a +10 bonus on the saving throw.

Stalking Figments: Starting at 3rd level, if an illusionist attacks or casts a spell on a creature who cannot currently sense her due to one or more illusion spells she has cast, all spells or attacks made by her against that creature this round have a +1 bonus to attack, damage,caster level, and DC. If this is a surprise round, double these benefits.

Wavering Image: At 3rd level the Illusionist can create a wavering image at will. This ability functions like the Silent Image spell with a CL of 1.

Extended Illusions (Su): At 5th level a Illusionist gains the ability to create illusions that last longer than normal. When she casts any illusion spell that has a duration other than instantaneous, the duration of the spell is doubled. A spell with a duration of concentration lasts for the duration of the Illusionist's concentration plus 1d4 rounds. A spell with a duration of concentration plus a certain increment of time lasts for the duration of the Illusionist's concentration plus double that increment of time. Thus, a mirror image spell cast by a 10th-level Illusionist lasts for 20 minutes, a silent image spell lasts for the duration of the caster's concentration plus 1d4 rounds, a minor image spell lasts for the duration of the caster's concentration plus 4 rounds, and a mirage arcana lasts for the duration of her concentration plus 20 hours.

Exceptional Hide (Ex): At 5th level a Illusionist may add her Intelligence modifier (in addition to her Dexterity modifier) to her Hide skill checks.

Irresistible Illusions (Ex): At 7th level, for every illusion spell a Illusionist casts she gain a bonus on caster level checks made to defeat spell resistance equal to half her caster level

Empowered Illusions: Starting at 7th level the Illusionist may choose to add one of the following effects to their illusions.
Shimmering Images: Opponents who see an illusion affected by this ability must make a will save (DC 11 + the Illusionist's caster level) or be dazed for 1 round.
Captivating Images: Opponents who see an illusion affected by this ability find it irresistible and just can't look away. Affected enemies must make a will save (DC 11 + the Illusionist's caster level) each round or be rendered flatfooted and suffer a -5 penalty to hit until the start of their next turn.
Nightmarish Images: Opponents who succeed on a will save to disbelieve an illusion affected by this ability must immediately make a second will save against the same DC or become panicked as the illusion warps and twists into a nightmarish image.
Lingering Images: Opponents who succeed a will save to disbelieve an illusion affected by this ability must make another save every time they interact with the illusion.
Uncanny Illusions: Illusions affected by this ability have their save DC reduced by 5, but opponents may now only attempt to disbelieve upon attempting physical contact with the illusion.


Insidious Illusions (Su): At 10th level a Illusionist can cast illusion spells that are harder for other creatures to detect or pierce. When any creature employs a divination spell, spell-like ability, or magic item (such as detect magic or true seeing) that would detect or pierce an illusion spell cast by the illusionist, that creature must make a caster level check (DC 11 + the Illusionist's caster level) to successfully detect or pierce the illusion. Additionally, when a creature employs a special quality (such as scent or blindsense) that would detect or pierce an illusion spell cast by the illusionist, that creature must make a spot or listen check (DC 11 + the Illusionist's caster level) to successfully detect or pierce the illusion. The detecting creature can check only once for each divination spell or effect used, no matter how many of the Illusionist's illusion spells are operating in an area.

Shadow Shaper (Su): At 10th level the Illusionist's illusions become infused with shadow stuff from the Plane of shadow, making them more realistic and more likely to fool the senses. The save DCs of the illusionist's illusion spells increase by +1. This benefit stacks with similar bonuses, such as from Spell Focus.

Illusory Touch (Ex): At 15th level, a Illusionist may cast any personal illusion spell as a touch spell.

Hide in Plain Sight (Su): At 15th level a Illusionist can hide in plain sight (as the ranger ability, except that the Illusionist need not be in natural terrain).

Shadow Blend (Su): At 20th level, the Illusionist gains the ability to blend into shadows. In any condition of illumination that would normally grant the Illusionist concealment, she instead gains total concealment (as if she were invisible).

Illusion Mastery (Ex): At 20th level a whenever Illusionist cast an illusion (shadow) spell that creates a partially real effect (such as shadow conjuration or shadow evocation), the effect is 10% more real than normal. Thus, a creature created by shadow conjuration is 30% as strong as a real creature of the same kind, instead of the normal 20%.


 
TRUE ILLUSIONIST SPELLS <WIP>
All 0-level Arcane spells
All Illusion spells
Mage Armor, Shield, <WIP> need more specific non-illusion spells
<WIP> I'd love some input on this class and some help creating a complete spell list... I'd like to include all illusion spells and a handful of useful/essential non-illusion spells. The primary focus of the class is obviously illusions, but they should still have enough non-illusion spells to hold their own when backed into a corner.

[Samwise]

I've had players in my game take Craft (illusion) (or visual art, or something similar) to serve as a guideline for whether creatures try to disbelieve the illusion before directly interacting with it, or qualify for any bonuses to disbelieve.
Likewise various Knowledge skills come into play when creating illusionary creatures or landscape alterations.

[Stratovarius]

Various thoughts:

I'd honestly give them all Illusion spells as their spells known, and then fill in the little bits around it that seem appropriate (mostly Enchantment/Divination ones, I'd think).

The class abilities aren't that strong, and the capstone isn't much of one either, especially as it only applies to a subschool of all illusion spells, not all of them. I would recommend adding in a fair number of extra class features to flesh the table out more.

How does the Illusionist deal with Blindsight/True Seeing/Tremorsense, etc? All of those just punch straight through illusions, and are pretty common at higher levels, and yet there's nothing here to counteract those being in play.

[Nanshork]

Various thoughts:

I'd honestly give them all Illusion spells as their spells known, and then fill in the little bits around it that seem appropriate (mostly Enchantment/Divination ones, I'd think).

The class abilities aren't that strong, and the capstone isn't much of one either, especially as it only applies to a subschool of all illusion spells, not all of them. I would recommend adding in a fair number of extra class features to flesh the table out more.

How does the Illusionist deal with Blindsight/True Seeing/Tremorsense, etc? All of those just punch straight through illusions, and are pretty common at higher levels, and yet there's nothing here to counteract those being in play.

True Seeing is explicitly called out by Insidious Illusions.

[Stratovarius]

Unless it's a monster special quality or from a source not mentioned there. So it's only partially covered.

[Nanshork]

Unless it's a monster special quality or from a source not mentioned there. So it's only partially covered.

Given that it's a WIP and the class ability seems to be copy/pasted from another source I think a little slack can be cut on the wording   

[faeryn]

Various thoughts:

I'd honestly give them all Illusion spells as their spells known, and then fill in the little bits around it that seem appropriate (mostly Enchantment/Divination ones, I'd think).

That's pretty much what I'm wanting to do... though a few choice aburation & conjuration spells for defensive purposes will likely also be on the list, such as mage armor & shield.

The class abilities aren't that strong, and the capstone isn't much of one either, especially as it only applies to a subschool of all illusion spells, not all of them. I would recommend adding in a fair number of extra class features to flesh the table out more.

any suggestions as to what those extra class features should pertain to?

Unless it's a monster special quality or from a source not mentioned there. So it's only partially covered.

Given that it's a WIP and the class ability seems to be copy/pasted from another source I think a little slack can be cut on the wording   

The abilities are actually pulled from various Wizard ACFs...

[Stratovarius]

Class ability ideas:

Being able to choose at a couple levels (maybe a least/lesser/greater/supreme set) of which subschool of illusions to get bonuses on. Shadows become 10% more real for each option picked, for ex.

Additional defenses against the true seeing/blindsight/tremorsense/scent type abilities that can poke big holes in illusion spells.

Ability to defend by using immediate action mirror images, etc.

Benefits in the surprise round caused by illusions.

Able to "attach" illusions to allies, so that they can hide inside them and move around.

Ability to create a few minor illusions at will, or add rider effects to illusions when cast.

That's a bit of a jumbled list, but I hope it sparks a few more concrete ideas.

[faeryn]

Class ability ideas:

Being able to choose at a couple levels (maybe a least/lesser/greater/supreme set) of which subschool of illusions to get bonuses on. Shadows become 10% more real for each option picked, for ex.

That sounds reasonable... I'll see what I can come up with for the other subschools.

Additional defenses against the true seeing/blindsight/tremorsense/scent type abilities that can poke big holes in illusion spells.

Well atleast when it comes to Image spells, 3rd Lv Major Image and above already counter Scent... Perhaps I could add a class feature along the lines of Weighted Illusions to counter Tremorsense... or expand Insideous Illusions to cover non-magical sorces...

Ability to defend by using immediate action mirror images, etc.

That would be Brief Figment... Though I think I might drop the Int/day or maybe change it to be a staged feature granting more daily uses every so many levels...

Benefits in the surprise round caused by illusions.

Not sure what sort of benefits it could grant.... maybe an extra round of your target being flatfooted to you? Or if your the target of a suprise round a 50% miss chance against you (and your allies?) for that round?

Able to "attach" illusions to allies, so that they can hide inside them and move around.

Isn't that exactly what Glamer's already do?

Ability to create a few minor illusions at will, or add rider effects to illusions when cast.

How's this sound?

Wavering Image: The Illusionist can create a wavering image at will. This ability functions like the Silent Image spell with a CL of 1.

Empowered Ilusions: Starting at Xth level the Ilusionist may choose to add one of the following effects to their illusions.

• Shimmering Images: Opponents who see an illusion affected by this ability must make a will save (DC 11 + the Illusionist's caster level) or be dazed for X rounds.
• Captivating Imagess: Opponents who see an illusion affected by this ability find it irrisistable and just can't look away. Affected enemies must make a will save (DC 11 + the Illusionist's caster level) each round or be rendered fatfooted and suffer a -5 penalty to hit until the start of their next turn.
• Nightmarish Images: Opponents who succeed on a willsave to disbelieve an illusion affected by this ability must immediately make a second will save against the same DC or become panicked as the illusion warps and twists into a nightmarish image.
• Lingering Images: Opponents who succeed a willsave to disbelieve an illusion affected by this ability must make another save every time they interact with the illusion.
• Uncanny Illusions: Illusions affected by this ability have their save DC reduced by 5, but opponents may now only attempt to disbelieve upon attempting physical contact with the illusion.

[Garryl]

Could this feat be of use to you? It makes your mirror images harder to differentiate from you with special senses and more likely to be missed if attacked.

[faeryn]

Could this feat be of use to you? It makes your mirror images harder to differentiate from you with special senses and more likely to be missed if attacked.

It certainly gives me a couple ideas....

[Stratovarius]

Definitely like the additions you've come up with, they're nicely done, especially Empowered.

For the surprise round, I was thinking something like this. "If you attack or cast a spell on a creature who cannot currently sense you due to one or more illusion spells you have cast, all spells or attacks made against that creature this round have a +1 bonus to attack and damage/caster level and DC. If this is a surprise round, double those benefits."

Glamers, yes, but I was more thinking Figments. So you could pull of the classic Till Birnam wood remove to Dunsinane.

[faeryn]

Definitely like the additions you've come up with, they're nicely done, especially Empowered.

For the surprise round, I was thinking something like this. "If you attack or cast a spell on a creature who cannot currently sense you due to one or more illusion spells you have cast, all spells or attacks made against that creature this round have a +1 bonus to attack and damage/caster level and DC. If this is a surprise round, double those benefits."

Glamers, yes, but I was more thinking Figments. So you could pull of the classic Till Birnam wood remove to Dunsinane.

ooo... that could work... I'll put some thought into something for figments.

I'll update the OP and table with the new abilities...

EDIT: Updated the OP to include the new abilities... also updated Insidious Illusions to include special qualities.