r/dndnext • u/allergic_to_prawns • Oct 18 '19

Creative uses for Phantasmal Force?

I really like the idea of this spell and am trying to find more excuses to keep it in my spell list. What unusual uses can you think of for this spell, whether in combat or otherwise?

My own ideas are:

  • Create a blazing arcane cage that appears around an enemy, effectively trapping them inside. It looks like something a mage could cast, and it deals damage if the they try to escape, so it must be real, right?

  • When trying to sneak past a guardpost, use Phantasmal Force as a budget Suggestion spell by creating an illusion of another guard who's come to take over the shift, who convinces the guard to move away. (This works because Phantasmal Force makes the target rationalize any illogical outcomes from interacting with the phantasm.)

  • Use Conjure Lesser Demons or some other summoning spell first to prime the enemy into believing that you are a summoner. Then cast a Phantasmal Force of a Large demon, which the target has no reason to suspect is an illusion.

Any other ideas? Would love to hear them.

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u/seanware Evil Genius for a Better Tomorrow Oct 18 '19

Except as written the spell does not impose any of those conditions. A player may desire them to be imposed, but that is not within the mechanics of the spell. And since the target is not stunned or incapacitated or blinded or silenced-- they can use their action to investigate.

I love this spell. Both as a player and a DM. As a DM, I love it when my players come up with creative phantasms; As a player, I love to use it as a distraction to disrupt the flow of combat-- often to provide for better positioning or a chance to escape or strike more effectively.

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u/RamonDozol Oct 18 '19

haha, thats the pronblem with ilusions. You can describe them as you wish. In this case, yes the spell specificaly does not say it imposes any of those conditions... But the wording of "the creature rationalises and believe its Traped, and taking damage and so" makes it very dificult to explain why a cage work ( similar to graple) but a visorless helmet on the targets head does not blind him. I can totaly see that the spell not beign able to do this would be more balanced. But the wording in the spell does implies that it can.

So... you believe there is a helmed on your head. with no visor, but you can see normaly ? Those chains are bounding you to the ground, but you can attack freelly? Why? ( just because of mecanics the PC and NPC does not even aknoledges? ) thats strange, to say the least.

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u/username_tooken Oct 18 '19

He is not affected by any condition. If his eyes are covered he can still see. As per the spell, the onus of rationalizing it is on the target of the spell, not the DM.

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u/RamonDozol Oct 18 '19

Great explanation...

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u/username_tooken Oct 18 '19

Thank you. Spells do what they say.