Author Topic: Silent Image counterspells  (Read 1591 times)

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Suin Bahhar

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Silent Image counterspells
« on: May 24, 2010, 10:11:32 PM »
I was wondering if Silent Image can be used in a defensive way during an encounter with spells or spelllike abilities.

I think breaking line of sight when an enemy targets a ranged (touch) attack or area spell targeted on a partymember could prove to be a nuisance. By readying a silent image of a brick wall or other solid object infront of the target to trigger on the casting this can work if I'm not mistaken.

Am I?

 :D
« Last Edit: May 24, 2010, 11:24:15 PM by Suin Bahhar »

Redeemer of Ogar

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Re: Silent Image counterspells
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2010, 10:57:04 PM »
Seems reasonable to me. Go with wall of stone or ice or even fog. Fog stands the best chance of sticking around and not being disbelieved I should think, though it has the worst chance of stopping the casting of an AoE spell attack. An illusion of Cloudkill roiling towards them might be very effective. The biggest downside to these is, if your party is big on killing all who oppose them, they might be upset at you encouraging the enemy to run away.

Jopustopin

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Re: Silent Image counterspells
« Reply #2 on: May 24, 2010, 11:15:34 PM »
I think posting a fake wall of stone seconds before someone fires a ranged touch attack at you would probably not be that effected.  As a DM i'd rule that he has  a 50% miss chance but that's about it.

Redeemer of Ogar

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Re: Silent Image counterspells
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2010, 03:42:58 AM »
I think posting a fake wall of stone seconds before someone fires a ranged touch attack at you would probably not be that effected.  As a DM i'd rule that he has  a 50% miss chance but that's about it.

Depends on the spell. 50% miss chance is nothing to sneeze at either, but it would completely negate any spell that requires a target or targets.
"Some spells have a target or targets. You cast these spells on creatures or objects, as defined by the spell itself. You must be able to see or touch the target, and you must specifically choose that target. You do not have to select your target until you finish casting the spell." Magic Missile comes to mind. Also, assuming that you believably cast your "wall of stone" you may convince them not to cast the ranged touch spell, and instead switch to something to deal with your wall, such as a Rock to Mud.

As always, illusions are only as powerful as the imagination of your Dungeon Master - if he's an illiterate slug, he'll not be able to imagine someone believing in your illusions, and they will always suck.

PhaedrusXY

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Re: Silent Image counterspells
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2010, 11:49:42 AM »
it would completely negate any spell that requires a target or targets.
"Some spells have a target or targets. You cast these spells on creatures or objects, as defined by the spell itself. You must be able to see or touch the target, and you must specifically choose that target. You do not have to select your target until you finish casting the spell."
Right. So regardless of how big of a twat your DM is, this should give you 100% immunity to any spells that target specific creatures. They have to see you, and they can't. They don't get to disbelieve the illusion either, until they've "interacted" with it. While interacting with it isn't really defined in the rules, it sure shouldn't be something they get to do in a split second while in the middle of casting another spell.

Now... you might need to use the skill trick False Theurgy, otherwise they could determine that you're casting an Illusion with a spellcraft check, and then they could either get a save to disbelieve it or just outright ignore it, depending on DM interpretation.
« Last Edit: May 25, 2010, 11:55:05 AM by PhaedrusXY »
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Suin Bahhar

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Re: Silent Image counterspells
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2010, 04:07:06 PM »
Or stay out of sight when you cast it (through invisibility glamors or hiding behind illusory cover)... :D
edit: fighting monsters with targetted spelllike abilities becomes much easier if they lack the spellcraft skill

Besides the skill trick (excellent suggestion for any Illusionist type builds) isn't there a feat for disguising spells or increasing the difficulty to recognize the casting somewhere in the complete series?

« Last Edit: May 25, 2010, 04:18:58 PM by Suin Bahhar »

gorfnad

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Re: Silent Image counterspells
« Reply #6 on: May 26, 2010, 03:36:07 AM »
Or stay out of sight when you cast it (through invisibility glamors or hiding behind illusory cover)... :D
edit: fighting monsters with targetted spelllike abilities becomes much easier if they lack the spellcraft skill

Besides the skill trick (excellent suggestion for any Illusionist type builds) isn't there a feat for disguising spells or increasing the difficulty to recognize the casting somewhere in the complete series?



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