Bluffing with Illusions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Bluffing with Illusions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Anskiere
10-02-06, 10:03 AM Can anyone direct me to the rules governing the use of the Bluff skill in order to bolster an Illusion spell's effect.

For instance, could a rogue/sorcerer make a bluff check before casting an illusion spell to make the target incur a penalty on their Will save?

anyone anyone..BUELLER?
Seeker95
10-02-06, 06:11 PM For instance, could a rogue/sorcerer make a bluff check before casting an illusion spell to make the target incur a penalty on their Will save?Nope.
Mechnomancer
10-03-06, 02:42 PM I think this fal into the how cool can you roleplay it to make the dm want it to work category.
JayceMD
10-03-06, 03:20 PM Using bluff to apply a penalty to an opponent's will save? Don't do it. For one thing, it will just set a really bad precedent. It's really easy to get your skill modifiers up to insane levels. Pretty soon, you'll have players trying things like "Dude, I just got a 55 on my diplomacy check. He should want to be dominated by now." Or "I just hit a 35 on my sleight of hand check, he shouldn't be able to dodge my lightning bolt as easily."

Now, if properly used, bluff could allow an illusionist to avoid will saves altogether. Remember that an observer only gets a will save if she interacts with the illusion or has a reason to believe that it's not real. If you roll a really good bluff, you might be able to cause the target not to want to interact with the illusion, thereby avoiding the will save entirely. Example:

A wizard casts an illusion of an injured, old man sleeping on a cot. A successful bluff check ("His condition is extremely fragile. Our best healers are doing the best they can for him. Please don't touch or move him.") could mean that the viewers don't even get to make a will save.
Anskiere
10-10-06, 11:46 AM Thanks Jayce.

That's more in line with what I was looking for.
User5127
10-10-06, 12:43 PM or you could bluff them into believing its real AFTER they make thier save. (if the dm lets that one go) that way you could trick them into thinking their senses are confusing them and they would have to make the will save again if the interact with the illusion.
epifreak
10-10-06, 04:39 PM or you could bluff them into believing its real AFTER they make thier save. (if the dm lets that one go) that way you could trick them into thinking their senses are confusing them and they would have to make the will save again if the interact with the illusion.

Which could lead to some real fun, incorporating the gaslighting mechanic from Ravenloft?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Anskiere 10-02-06, 10:03 AM	Can anyone direct me to the rules governing the use of the Bluff skill in order to bolster an Illusion spell's effect. For instance, could a rogue/sorcerer make a bluff check before casting an illusion spell to make the target incur a penalty on their Will save? anyone anyone..BUELLER?
Seeker95 10-02-06, 06:11 PM	For instance, could a rogue/sorcerer make a bluff check before casting an illusion spell to make the target incur a penalty on their Will save?Nope.
Mechnomancer 10-03-06, 02:42 PM	I think this fal into the how cool can you roleplay it to make the dm want it to work category.
JayceMD 10-03-06, 03:20 PM	Using bluff to apply a penalty to an opponent's will save? Don't do it. For one thing, it will just set a really bad precedent. It's really easy to get your skill modifiers up to insane levels. Pretty soon, you'll have players trying things like "Dude, I just got a 55 on my diplomacy check. He should want to be dominated by now." Or "I just hit a 35 on my sleight of hand check, he shouldn't be able to dodge my lightning bolt as easily." Now, if properly used, bluff could allow an illusionist to avoid will saves altogether. Remember that an observer only gets a will save if she interacts with the illusion or has a reason to believe that it's not real. If you roll a really good bluff, you might be able to cause the target not to want to interact with the illusion, thereby avoiding the will save entirely. Example: A wizard casts an illusion of an injured, old man sleeping on a cot. A successful bluff check ("His condition is extremely fragile. Our best healers are doing the best they can for him. Please don't touch or move him.") could mean that the viewers don't even get to make a will save.
Anskiere 10-10-06, 11:46 AM	Thanks Jayce. That's more in line with what I was looking for.
User5127 10-10-06, 12:43 PM	or you could bluff them into believing its real AFTER they make thier save. (if the dm lets that one go) that way you could trick them into thinking their senses are confusing them and they would have to make the will save again if the interact with the illusion.
epifreak 10-10-06, 04:39 PM	or you could bluff them into believing its real AFTER they make thier save. (if the dm lets that one go) that way you could trick them into thinking their senses are confusing them and they would have to make the will save again if the interact with the illusion. Which could lead to some real fun, incorporating the gaslighting mechanic from Ravenloft?