Low-level Ilusionist tips

[ahenobarbi]

I am going to play illusionist. I'll start at level 4 and (probably) level pretty low. So I was wondering what can Illusionist do in combat around levels 4-6?

Silent image can be a nice battle filed control spell (walls, pits and what not). I have mirror image, blur and invisibility for defense/utility/buffing. Is there something I missed?

In case it matters my build is:

Race: Gnome
Alignment: CN
{table] Str | 9 (11 - 2 racial)
Dex | 13
Con | 16 (14 + 2 racial)
Int | 16 (15 + 1 @lvl4)
Wis | 12
Cha | 10 [/table]

Levels
{table] lvl | class | features
1 | Wizard | Focused speciallist (illusion), ban Evocation, Conjuration, Enchantment
Bonus feat: Scribe Scroll
Spell Focus (Illusion)
Familiar: Rat

2 | Wizard |
3 | Wizard | Heighten spell
4 | Master Specialist | Bonus feat: Skill Focus (Spellcraft)
+1 Int
[/table]

After that I plan to take 3 more levels of Master Speciallist, 5 levels of Shadowcraft Mage finish Master Speciallist and top with some Archmage (I'm pretty sure I will not make it that far).

[Lostbutseeking]

Even if you are going into SCM you don't want to ban conjuration, losing necromancy instead is a better option.

[ahenobarbi]

Even if you are going into SCM you don't want to ban conjuration, losing necromancy instead is a better option.

You probably are right. When looking at spell list I noticed I would use hardly any necromancy spells but could use some conjuration.

[Darrin]

What sourcebooks do you have available?

Some handy low-level illusion spells:

Color Spray (Core, Sor/Wiz 1): At low levels, this can end entire encounters. At higher levels, it's still a Will save vs. stun (worst save for most monsters). To keep your spell slots open, grab a wand (750 GP) and keep it handy for those dull moments in combat where "I fire my crossbow" would be boring.

Instant Diversion (Races of the Dragon, Brd/Sor/Wiz 1): Swift-action version of mirror image. Great spell to put in a wand chamber (100 GP, Dungeonscape).

Invisibility, Swift (Spell Compendium, Brd 1): Great spell to grab with Expanded Spellbook, if your DM allows you to get non-wizard spells that way. Particularly handy for casting *after* you attack.

Blinding Color Surge (PHBII, Beg/Sor/Wiz 2): Invisibility *and* target saves vs. blindness.

Deceptive Facade (Complete Mage, Brd 2, Sor/Wiz 3): One of the only ways in 3.x to cast a glamer on an object. Great for setting up traps (burning torch -> jeweled goblet, etc.).

[bigstipidfighte]

I'll second that banning conjuration is probably a mistake, with the addendum hat, if you're not the only arcane caster, it might be ok.

When looking for spell ideas I often turn to Treantmonk's guides. Here is the illusion edition:

http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19871874/Treantmonks_guide_to_Illusion:_Gods_Tools

[Grail]

Color Spray (Core, Sor/Wiz 1): At low levels, this can end entire encounters. At higher levels, it's still a Will save vs. stun (worst save for most monsters). To keep your spell slots open, grab a wand (750 GP) and keep it handy for those dull moments in combat where "I fire my crossbow" would be boring.


I can absolutely testify to this.
Playing Pathfinder, in the first module of the Legacy of Fire path, our party was attacked by 3 Chokers. At the time, our party consisted of.

Half-Orc Rogue
Human Paladin
Human Heal-bot Cleric
Gnome Diviner
Halfling Ranger
Elf Sorcerer

It just so happened that the Chokers went for the 3 combat characters (the Rogue, Paladin and Ranger). The Chokers CMB was too high and we were all grabbed and pinned in next to no time. We were on our way out, when the Diviner stepped forward and cast Colour Spray.

It was an utter crap shoot.

The Colour Spray covered all 6 combatants (the 3 chokers who were choking the life out of the 3 characters). It just so happened that the 3 chokers all failed their save, and the 3 characters all made their save, even my Half-Orc with his Will save of +0.

Colour Spray is the most powerful spell available to you at lower levels, and if you're an illusionist (most likely with Spell Focus), it will be your best friend.

Otherwise, Illusion spells are generally best used for avoiding combat.

[ahenobarbi]

When looking for spell ideas I often turn to Treantmonk's guides. Here is the illusion edition:

http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19871874/Treantmonks_guide_to_Illusion:_Gods_Tools

Thanks.


What sourcebooks do you have available?

PHb ans SpC for spells.



Some handy low-level illusion spells:

Color Spray (Core, Sor/Wiz 1): At low levels, this can end entire encounters. At higher levels, it's still a Will save vs. stun (worst save for most monsters). To keep your spell slots open, grab a wand (750 GP) and keep it handy for those dull moments in combat where "I fire my crossbow" would be boring.

Since we are 4th level it will just stun enemies. Thanks for the other spells.


Otherwise, Illusion spells are generally best used for avoiding combat.

Hmm.

[Zaq]

Since we are 4th level it will just stun enemies. Thanks for the other spells.

There's no such thing as "just" a stun. Stun is "just" saying "you don't get to play for a round, and we don't have to care about you." That's, frankly, pretty major. At higher levels, more and more things will become immune, but of all the things you do not want to be, stun is very high on the list.

[Lostbutseeking]

I probably should have asked this earlier - but what exactly do you want to do with SCM?

Also if you are allowed access to PGtF for the Signature Spell feat you will want the Illusion Mastery ACF found here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/specialistWizardVariants.htm)

[hoverfrog]

Silent image, when used imaginatively, can be just as useful as higher level spells. Throw a Silence into an area so none of your enemies can hear and it can pass for a much more powerful spell. Intermingle summoning spells with silent image "monsters" and the enemy doesn't know what is real and what is illusion so they have to treat everything like it's real. Illusions really do allow you to flex that imagination and use it against NPCs (and the DM).

[Urpriest]

One thing you probably should ask about is how the various Image spells interact with mindless critters. If a zombie sees a wall appear in front of it, is it going to a) just keep walking b) try to bash through it or c) assume there is now a wall there and stop chasing you ? c) makes the spell your go-to for mindless foes, a) makes it comparatively worthless.

[ahenobarbi]

I probably should have asked this earlier - but what exactly do you want to do with SCM?

Also if you are allowed access to PGtF for the Signature Spell feat you will want the Illusion Mastery ACF found here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/specialistWizardVariants.htm)

I want SCM to add some blasting to the illusionist (yes I know it's suboptimal but the group isn't really optimizing so it will not be a problem).

Thanks for the link but everything except PHb/DMG/FR needs case-by-case DM acceptance and I'm already asking for a few things so I'll pass ... this time :smallbiggrin:


Silent image, when used imaginatively, can be just as useful as higher level spells. Throw a Silence into an area so none of your enemies can hear and it can pass for a much more powerful spell. Intermingle summoning spells with silent image "monsters" and the enemy doesn't know what is real and what is illusion so they have to treat everything like it's real. Illusions really do allow you to flex that imagination and use it against NPCs (and the DM).

Thanks.


One thing you probably should ask about is how the various Image spells interact with mindless critters. If a zombie sees a wall appear in front of it, is it going to a) just keep walking b) try to bash through it or c) assume there is now a wall there and stop chasing you ? c) makes the spell your go-to for mindless foes, a) makes it comparatively worthless.

Hmm I'll check, thanks.

[Lostbutseeking]

Well for blasting with an SCM - get get Earthsense and Earthspell from Races of stone.

Earthspell with Heighten spell and a few other tools (Arcane thesis, a pile of metamagics, residual magic etc) turns Silent image into an almighty engine of destruction.

Also if you don't think the game will make it to the point where you take Archmage - consider dropping / postponing Master specalist. Wizard 5 then into SCM is a much better idea.