What is considered 'interacting' with an illusion? [Archive] - Wizards Community

What is considered 'interacting' with an illusion? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Furion Thamior
12-12-07, 12:47 AM What is considered 'interacting' with an illusion to get a save?

Let's say a major image is in place - is viewing the image enough to be able to make a Will save to disbelieve it? The rules don't seem to indicate as such, you have to study the image carefully or interact with it over several rounds.

What if a major image of a dragon was created, just to make swooping passes over a town - it doesn't physically touch the ground, it's just used to scare people? Or if an illusion of a summoned lion is created, and concentrated on to make it seem like it's fighting - when are those 'attacking' the illusion granted a save?
Marcus Majarra
12-12-07, 03:37 AM I think interaction would be any sort of activity that would lead the onlooker to disbelieve the illusion. Attempting physical contact is an obvious kind of interaction. If an illusion is seemingly moving within a given environment, taking time to examine it (and its environment) would also be considered interacting with it, since the illusion doesn't have any tangible effects on the environment. As a general rule, I recommend you default to physical contact and direct scrutiny.
Delfedd
12-12-07, 08:00 AM It's a move action to actively examine an illusion.
Tedronai
12-12-07, 12:01 PM If the illusion engages in conversation (as opposed to simply speaking), that would also count as 'interaction'
mvincent
12-12-07, 01:19 PM What is considered 'interacting' with an illusionCheck out this (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20060221a) article.
Sarella Starshine
12-12-07, 01:32 PM I would yes. Having a conversation with someone is considered interacting with them.

Touching, or fighting would work as well. Seeing..that is tricky. If you have a very good reason to belive what you are seeing is not really there, you MIGHT have a case. However, for the most part, most people will accept willingly what they see to be reality, and it will take more than just the sight sense to get the save to disbelive.

So, for your example of the illusionary dragon swooping overhead over a village: it depends. Is the illsion of a dragon big enough to have the frightful presence? If so, while normal commoners may run away, The PCs shouldn't. Unless you want to say that ALL your PCs made thier will saves to NOT run away, the fact that they didn't make one (when they should have) is enough of an interaction to cause a will save, assuming that at least one of your PCs made a Knowledge (Arcane) check to find out that a will save is needed when interacting with a dragon of the size the illusion is.

The people interacting with the fighting lion get the save the first time they swing and 'hit' it (when they swing thier sword and score a hit on the AC of the 'lion').
goawayugh
12-12-07, 02:59 PM Check out this (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20060221a) article.If you are going to be dealing with illusions a lot, I would also check out the other (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20060207a) three (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20060214a) articles (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20060228a).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Furion Thamior 12-12-07, 12:47 AM	What is considered 'interacting' with an illusion to get a save? Let's say a major image is in place - is viewing the image enough to be able to make a Will save to disbelieve it? The rules don't seem to indicate as such, you have to study the image carefully or interact with it over several rounds. What if a major image of a dragon was created, just to make swooping passes over a town - it doesn't physically touch the ground, it's just used to scare people? Or if an illusion of a summoned lion is created, and concentrated on to make it seem like it's fighting - when are those 'attacking' the illusion granted a save?
Marcus Majarra 12-12-07, 03:37 AM	I think interaction would be any sort of activity that would lead the onlooker to disbelieve the illusion. Attempting physical contact is an obvious kind of interaction. If an illusion is seemingly moving within a given environment, taking time to examine it (and its environment) would also be considered interacting with it, since the illusion doesn't have any tangible effects on the environment. As a general rule, I recommend you default to physical contact and direct scrutiny.
Delfedd 12-12-07, 08:00 AM	It's a move action to actively examine an illusion.
Tedronai 12-12-07, 12:01 PM	If the illusion engages in conversation (as opposed to simply speaking), that would also count as 'interaction'
mvincent 12-12-07, 01:19 PM	What is considered 'interacting' with an illusionCheck out this (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20060221a) article.
Sarella Starshine 12-12-07, 01:32 PM	I would yes. Having a conversation with someone is considered interacting with them. Touching, or fighting would work as well. Seeing..that is tricky. If you have a very good reason to belive what you are seeing is not really there, you MIGHT have a case. However, for the most part, most people will accept willingly what they see to be reality, and it will take more than just the sight sense to get the save to disbelive. So, for your example of the illusionary dragon swooping overhead over a village: it depends. Is the illsion of a dragon big enough to have the frightful presence? If so, while normal commoners may run away, The PCs shouldn't. Unless you want to say that ALL your PCs made thier will saves to NOT run away, the fact that they didn't make one (when they should have) is enough of an interaction to cause a will save, assuming that at least one of your PCs made a Knowledge (Arcane) check to find out that a will save is needed when interacting with a dragon of the size the illusion is. The people interacting with the fighting lion get the save the first time they swing and 'hit' it (when they swing thier sword and score a hit on the AC of the 'lion').
goawayugh 12-12-07, 02:59 PM	Check out this (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20060221a) article.If you are going to be dealing with illusions a lot, I would also check out the other (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20060207a) three (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20060214a) articles (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20060228a).