A Different Kind of Illusionist

[Peter]

Here is my take on the Illusionist. It is an attempt at making a real performing illusionist. I am looking for suggestions to improve it. After I receive enough input, I'll do a full writeup and calculate the EXP.

DISGUISE (Charisma): As old Illusionist

ESCAPE ARTIST (Dexterity): This ability allows the illusionist to escape from rope bindings, manacles, or other restraints. If the restraint is caused by a spell or spell-like ability, the illusionist suffers a -5 penalty.

This ability may also be used to squeeze through a tight space. The space may be no bigger than the illusionist's head and the check is made at a CL 15. For every 6 feet of tight space, another check must be made.

CATCH WEAPON (Dexterity): As Monk

FASCINATE (Charisma): As Bard

HIDE (Dexterity): As Rogue

HOLD BREATH (Constitution): As Lizardfolk

HYPNOTISM: As Spell

MOVE SILENTLY (Dexterity): As Rogue

OPEN LOCK (Dexterity): As Rogue

PERFORM: Not written yet
Conjure:
Levitate:
Penetrate:
Restore:
Teleport:
Transform:

PICK POCKET (Dexterity): As Rogue

PREDICT (Intelligence): Not written yet

SHARP SENSES (Wisdom): As old Illusionist

SWAY CROWD (Charisma): As bard

TRAPS (Intelligence): As Rogue

VENTRILOQUISM: As Spell

http://www.d20srd.org/ogl.htm

[DeadReborn]

Cool idea! The first thing that popped into my head while reading this was the movie Lord of Illusions.

[koralas]

This is a great concept Peter! I'll have to ruminate a bit on the Illusion skill/spell and such, but thought I'd throw out a couple of possible class names...

My favorites would be Charlatan or Mountebank with Trickster as a close third option. Not really a big fan of, but could see, Grifter. With a lot of thief-based skills, I can see a number of low-level characters of this type being snake-oil salesmen, while those of higher levels being major antagonists in epic scale campaigns that are publicly visible and operating through their exquisite use of deception (think Palpatine). As a PC, depending on the setting mood and alignment, I could see them being anything from the above, to a reformed swindler, or simply a scoundrel, be it kind hearted or otherwise.

[Peter]

Cool idea! The first thing that popped into my head while reading this was the movie Lord of Illusions.

Ah ya, I remember watching that on VHS, it was quite disturbing

This is a great concept Peter! I'll have to ruminate a bit on the Illusion skill/spell and such, but thought I'd throw out a couple of possible class names...

My favorites would be Charlatan or Mountebank with Trickster as a close third option. Not really a big fan of, but could see, Grifter. With a lot of thief-based skills, I can see a number of low-level characters of this type being snake-oil salesmen, while those of higher levels being major antagonists in epic scale campaigns that are publicly visible and operating through their exquisite use of deception (think Palpatine). As a PC, depending on the setting mood and alignment, I could see them being anything from the above, to a reformed swindler, or simply a scoundrel, be it kind hearted or otherwise.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, you are heading a totally different direction Although they are really good ideas and a good concept for a class, this illusionist is suppose to be like a David Copperfield or David Blaine.

The rogue abilities are picked up from performing. Sneaking into the audience, breaking free from traps on stage, etc.

The illusion ability/spell doesn't really fit with this concept, but in a world of magic it wouldn't be smart for an illusionist to avoid it.

[serleran]

This is the sort of illusionist I was pushing for in the development days. A classic stage magician with no magical ability, directly, but the ability to fake it.

[Peter]

Got any suggestions for abilities to add? I'm thinking about kicking out the Illusion ability, but he probably needs more abilities to be able to fake the illusions. Or maybe I could just reword it as a straight skill, and have it require props and such.

EDIT: I replaced the Illusion ability with Catch Weapon, Hold Breath, and Hypnotism.

[serleran]

My original idea was to give a few crowd control abilities, somewhat like the bardic Fascinate, and with the appropriate time and resources, the option to mimic certain spell effects to a limited degree, like polymorph and teleport. Never decided exactly how far to go with it, and I had to move across country when the class was being written for C&C, so that's where it got left.

[Relaxo]

This is very cool!
I love the "catch weapon" as an ability.

[Peter]

My original idea was to give a few crowd control abilities, somewhat like the bardic Fascinate, and with the appropriate time and resources, the option to mimic certain spell effects to a limited degree, like polymorph and teleport. Never decided exactly how far to go with it, and I had to move across country when the class was being written for C&C, so that's where it got left.

Yes, fascinate (reworded) and sway crowd should fit the type well.

Stuff like polymorph, teleport, rope trick, etc. is a little difficult while adventuring without the use of real magic. What I'll do is make an ability called perform, and have it contain magic tricks for city-type environments. They would require skill checks, special equipment, and sometimes an assistant.