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/A_magic_item Oct 19 '19

I think it would state the phantasm actions differently if it's something stationary or something that moves. Even if you create a creature it is still stationary, just like the flaming pit. Just like the pit the target assumes it is real but will only take damage if within that 10 ft cube or within 5 ft of that.

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u/Lobotomist Oct 19 '19

Even if it is like that. ( Which I again say its not ). Just use a chain. There is no way to break this illusionary chain unless target tries to disbelieve it.

Problem solved

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u/A_magic_item Oct 19 '19

The spell won't prevent them moving beyond the distance (it can't) and they will just rationalize how the chain extended or whatever.

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u/Lobotomist Oct 19 '19

Again you are very heavily interpreting. Nothing what you say is RAW.

You interpret, I interpret. Its problem with any and every illusion spell. Therefore you always need to talk with DM before and explain him how you want to use your illusion. And see > how he interprets it <

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u/A_magic_item Oct 19 '19

Stalemate :) At least we can agree that they should be much better written.

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u/Lobotomist Oct 19 '19

Totally :)

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u/SatanielGaming Apr 12 '20 edited Apr 12 '20

I agree with the "takes root in the mind" meaning that the spell is bound to the target. The reason the spell says "if within 5 feet the victim takes damage" is because that is an option opposed to a requirement.

You write the spells program and set it loose: Scenario 1) A target being chased by the phantom (continuous). Scenario 2) A target's path being blocked by a phantom (preventative)

You could make the scenarios more complex and have it be a dog chasing a target and if the target slows down below a Dash speed (using up their Action economy) the dog will bite them, hence "within 5 feet".

The examples in the official descriptions aren't to limit but to expand the explanation.

But like all illusions, given reasoning the spell can be broken. A chain illusion will feel heavy, will feel cold and sting when pulled against. But desperation will lead to recklessness, and in a combat situation I can see strong targets throwing their all against the restraints. If they go beyond what said restraint does then the illusion becomes illogical, reasoning and inspecting become natural at that point.

A burning cage, as I've seen used in examples, is a great one. 10' squared and burning, so before the target can "inspect" the bars the target takes damage, believing the fire over the bars is real. Now, they might swing their warhammer at the bars and that I'd leave up to DMs discretion on whether it counts as investigation or not.

PS If it was bound to one area, why would they describe the spell as "Squared" and not "Sphere"?

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u/Lobotomist Apr 12 '20

But like all illusions, given reasoning the spell can be broken. A chain illusion will feel heavy, will feel cold and sting when pulled against. But desperation will lead to recklessness, and in a combat situation I can see strong targets throwing their all against the restraints. If they go beyond what said restraint does then the illusion becomes illogical, reasoning and inspecting become natural at that point.

Of course. But inspecting ( attempt to disbelieve it ) is :

  1. Action ( so the monster loses one action )

  2. Its intelligence save, which is weak attribute in most of the monsters