Gruftzwerg
2016-08-28, 12:47 AM
Hi folks, I am thinking for a longer time about a build around the "Shadow Illusion" ability.
But after reading many guides and threads about it, I discovered that I had a totally different opinion about how to read the ability. I put many thoughts into it even after discovering it, but I can't help it and feel the need for a lil discussion^^
So pls let me hear what you think about my interpretations of the ability. I will go sentence by sentence.
Last said before we start: Lets keep in mind that abilities who alter other abilities may either add or even exchange the rules/ruletext of the altered ability.
Shadow Illusion (Su):
Beginning at 3rd level, a shadowcraft mage is able to infuse some of her figments (see the list below) with material from the Plane of Shadow, making them partially real.
Imho, the sentence indicates that the figment is already in place. It doesn't mention that it is cast as shadow spell as it is the common interpretation on the i-net.
The subschool of these spells changes from figment to shadow.
again nothing about a cast. the subschool of a spell already in place could also be changed.
A shadowcraft mage can use the altered spell to mimic any sorcerer or wizard conjuration (summoning), conjuration (creation), or evocation spell at least one level lower than the illusion spell.
Again nothing about a the spell being cast as shadow spell. imho it reads again, "alter a figment into a shadow"-ability.
The altered spell functions identically to the shadow conjuration or shadow evocation spell, except that the spell's strength equals 10% per level of the figment spell used.
Same as the last one (altered spell).
For example, a shadowcraft mage who uses silent image to create an acid splash would deal 10% of the normal damage to a creature that succeeds on its Will save to disbelieve the shadow. If she used programmed image to mimic summon monster V, the creature would have 60% of the hit points of a normal creature of its kind, and its damage would be 60% normal against a creature that succeeds on its Will save to disbelieve.
Just the rules about the mimic effect. Nothing to argue here.
A shadowcraft mage can apply shadow illusion to any of the following figment spells: silent image, minor image, major image, persistent image, and programmed image.
This is the only sentence, where I could see the possibility that the ability affects the casting and not the figment already in place. But it could also fit the description how I see the ability. Imho all other sentences indicates otherwise and it feels wrong to me to write something that important in the last sentence of the ruletext.
My conclusion:
If I am right, you would first need to cast the figment spell and than in the next round can start to alter it. And yeah, you could alter it every round for the full duration of the figment spell after the first. But imho the shadow spell is limited by the "range" and "effect" limits from the figment spell (is it in "range"? does it fit into the "effect" space?).
my interpretation would have ups and downs compared to the common interpretation.
You could use the same figment multiple times, cause the illusion spell lets you alter the figments (-produce more-) for the duration.
But your "shadow grease" wouldn't cover as much space as an original if you only use silent image, cause silent image has a smaller effect radius than grease.
And shadow summons could only move within the range of the figment spell.
I'm confused. Maybe you too after reading this. Pls share your thoughts. Do I see this totally wrong? Or are the rules just written so wonky that you could see it either way? Can at least anybody else see why I am in a dilemma here`?^^ *help*
But after reading many guides and threads about it, I discovered that I had a totally different opinion about how to read the ability. I put many thoughts into it even after discovering it, but I can't help it and feel the need for a lil discussion^^
So pls let me hear what you think about my interpretations of the ability. I will go sentence by sentence.
Last said before we start: Lets keep in mind that abilities who alter other abilities may either add or even exchange the rules/ruletext of the altered ability.
Shadow Illusion (Su):
Beginning at 3rd level, a shadowcraft mage is able to infuse some of her figments (see the list below) with material from the Plane of Shadow, making them partially real.
Imho, the sentence indicates that the figment is already in place. It doesn't mention that it is cast as shadow spell as it is the common interpretation on the i-net.
The subschool of these spells changes from figment to shadow.
again nothing about a cast. the subschool of a spell already in place could also be changed.
A shadowcraft mage can use the altered spell to mimic any sorcerer or wizard conjuration (summoning), conjuration (creation), or evocation spell at least one level lower than the illusion spell.
Again nothing about a the spell being cast as shadow spell. imho it reads again, "alter a figment into a shadow"-ability.
The altered spell functions identically to the shadow conjuration or shadow evocation spell, except that the spell's strength equals 10% per level of the figment spell used.
Same as the last one (altered spell).
For example, a shadowcraft mage who uses silent image to create an acid splash would deal 10% of the normal damage to a creature that succeeds on its Will save to disbelieve the shadow. If she used programmed image to mimic summon monster V, the creature would have 60% of the hit points of a normal creature of its kind, and its damage would be 60% normal against a creature that succeeds on its Will save to disbelieve.
Just the rules about the mimic effect. Nothing to argue here.
A shadowcraft mage can apply shadow illusion to any of the following figment spells: silent image, minor image, major image, persistent image, and programmed image.
This is the only sentence, where I could see the possibility that the ability affects the casting and not the figment already in place. But it could also fit the description how I see the ability. Imho all other sentences indicates otherwise and it feels wrong to me to write something that important in the last sentence of the ruletext.
My conclusion:
If I am right, you would first need to cast the figment spell and than in the next round can start to alter it. And yeah, you could alter it every round for the full duration of the figment spell after the first. But imho the shadow spell is limited by the "range" and "effect" limits from the figment spell (is it in "range"? does it fit into the "effect" space?).
my interpretation would have ups and downs compared to the common interpretation.
You could use the same figment multiple times, cause the illusion spell lets you alter the figments (-produce more-) for the duration.
But your "shadow grease" wouldn't cover as much space as an original if you only use silent image, cause silent image has a smaller effect radius than grease.
And shadow summons could only move within the range of the figment spell.
I'm confused. Maybe you too after reading this. Pls share your thoughts. Do I see this totally wrong? Or are the rules just written so wonky that you could see it either way? Can at least anybody else see why I am in a dilemma here`?^^ *help*