Post/Author/DateTime	Post
nnnnn 03-08-06, 02:04 PM	Illusionist tactics can be broken down into a few general categories. The details of any given instance may vary, but the tactic is basically the same. So here are the general tactics I can think of: Bluffing Whenever you make yourself appear stronger than you really are. This isn't just for avoiding combat. You can use this when negotating for release of prisoners, contracts for services, etc. Expanding your forces with illusionary archers behind you, "polymorphing" into a dragon, or even giving false magical auras during a negotiation are all examples of illusionist bluffs. Good ol phantasmal killer is the most obvious, ham-fisted version of this tactic. Distraction Distracting someone or some *thing* who should otherwise be vigilant. This usually means guards but not always. ventriloquism or ghost sounds is often the cheapest easiest way to accomplish a distraction for the guards, luring them away for a moment. Distraction can also work well when you need to steal something or get away or hide. All you need is a moment of distraction to allow you to make a hide check, for instance. Con Artistry Illusionists can make a handsome living as a con artist. Anytime you charge for services or items that are only the result of your illusions, you are a con artist. magic aura is a classic for this. But you can also engage in long-term con jobs of various sorts, where you employ some illusion daily over a period of time and this sets you up to do a con. (the perfect example comes from the movie frighteners. use your illusions to make a house seem haunted, then charge for your services as an "excorcist"). Misdirection Misdirection is more than just a simple distraction. You are influencing someone to make a tactical or strategic error, such as following the wrong trail, attacking the wrong targets, guarding the wrong door, or FAILING to guard the door because your illusory double is sleeping soundly in its cell ..., etc. etc. A perfect example of this tactic is the old "illusionary floor hiding a spiked pit" move, a favorite of illusionists everywhere. Stealth and Nondetection This is different from Misdirection because you're not influencing the actions of a target, you are avoiding any interaction at all. You either are hidden outright, or totally diguised or invisible. Also you may not be hiding you may be infiltrating or even preparing to attack. You may be doing recon or espionage work, private eye work trailing a target or sneaking behind enemy lines...regardless, you don't want to be noticed. (Note: the Abjuration spell nondetection helps a lot in conjunction with this tactic. No illusionist should ever choose Abjuration for a prohibited school, because nondetection is absolutely essential for serious stealth) Entertainer An illusionist can be a one-man special effects house. While not really of interest to adventurers normally, an illusionist can make a decent living providing special effects and music for theatrical productions. In a world with illusionist spells, stage plays would be fantastic and amazing compared to our historical notions of what they were like. Pyrotechnics, stereo sounds, frighteningly real costumes, etc. would be common to any entertainment venture. Obviously, this is why bards get lots of illusion spells. nnnnn
Anshin Mandango 03-08-06, 03:18 PM	very nicely done, I like it. have you any plans for the other specialist wizard types or was this just something that you thought of off the fly and decided to post? I'm hoping for the former.
nnnnn 03-09-06, 10:57 AM	very nicely done, I like it. have you any plans for the other specialist wizard types or was this just something that you thought of off the fly and decided to post? I'm hoping for the former. It was just something I came up with doing, because illusion spells are so wide open on what you can do with them, but I noticed that basically you are using them in very similar *ways* each time. So I broke it down as best I could. I could possibly do a breakdown for some other specialists, but there didnt' seem to be much interest in this one. Some specialists won't merit a full analysis. They're too straightforward. For example: BREAKDOWN OF EVOKERS TACTICS Hit Cast a damage dealing spell block Cast a defensive wall spell The end. :) nnnnn
Nephlite 03-09-06, 11:34 AM	Illusionist tactics can be broken down into a few general categories. The details of any given instance may vary, but the tactic is basically the same. So here are the general tactics I can think of: Bluffing Whenever you make yourself appear stronger than you really are. This isn't just for avoiding combat. You can use this when negotating for release of prisoners, contracts for services, etc. Expanding your forces with illusionary archers behind you, "polymorphing" into a dragon, or even giving false magical auras during a negotiation are all examples of illusionist bluffs. Good ol phantasmal killer is the most obvious, ham-fisted version of this tactic. Distraction Distracting someone or some *thing* who should otherwise be vigilant. This usually means guards but not always. ventriloquism or ghost sounds is often the cheapest easiest way to accomplish a distraction for the guards, luring them away for a moment. Distraction can also work well when you need to steal something or get away or hide. All you need is a moment of distraction to allow you to make a hide check, for instance. Con Artistry Illusionists can make a handsome living as a con artist. Anytime you charge for services or items that are only the result of your illusions, you are a con artist. magic aura is a classic for this. But you can also engage in long-term con jobs of various sorts, where you employ some illusion daily over a period of time and this sets you up to do a con. (the perfect example comes from the movie frighteners. use your illusions to make a house seem haunted, then charge for your services as an "excorcist"). Misdirection Misdirection is more than just a simple distraction. You are influencing someone to make a tactical or strategic error, such as following the wrong trail, attacking the wrong targets, guarding the wrong door, or FAILING to guard the door because your illusory double is sleeping soundly in its cell ..., etc. etc. A perfect example of this tactic is the old "illusionary floor hiding a spiked pit" move, a favorite of illusionists everywhere. Stealth and Nondetection This is different from Misdirection because you're not influencing the actions of a target, you are avoiding any interaction at all. You either are hidden outright, or totally diguised or invisible. Also you may not be hiding you may be infiltrating or even preparing to attack. You may be doing recon or espionage work, private eye work trailing a target or sneaking behind enemy lines...regardless, you don't want to be noticed. (Note: the Abjuration spell nondetection helps a lot in conjunction with this tactic. No illusionist should ever choose Abjuration for a prohibited school, because nondetection is absolutely essential for serious stealth) Entertainer An illusionist can be a one-man special effects house. While not really of interest to adventurers normally, an illusionist can make a decent living providing special effects and music for theatrical productions. In a world with illusionist spells, stage plays would be fantastic and amazing compared to our historical notions of what they were like. Pyrotechnics, stereo sounds, frighteningly real costumes, etc. would be common to any entertainment venture. Obviously, this is why bards get lots of illusion spells. nnnnn Don't forget you can make illusionary monsters to flank enemy/use up attacks of opportunity: granted if they get hit, they might go away (maybe add to their save versus the spell DC).
nnnnn 03-09-06, 12:18 PM	Don't forget you can make illusionary monsters to flank enemy/use up attacks of opportunity: granted if they get hit, they might go away (maybe add to their save versus the spell DC). I *do* like the example. I hadn't thought of illusionary flankers. Nice. What a great cheap way to give your pals +2. I would definitely consider that an application of [b]misdirection[/i] tactics. You have made your enemy waste attacks, or lower their defenses because of false flanker, etc etc. You have induced tactical errors through misdirection. nnnnn