Programmed Illusion
Level 6 · Illusion
- AOE
A 6th-level spell in the illusion school, Programmed Illusion appears on the bard and wizard lists. Cast time: Action. Range 120 feet, components V/S/M, duration until dispelled. Material: jade dust worth 25+ GP. Effect: You create an illusion of an object, a creature, or some other visible phenomenon within range that activates when a specific trigger occurs.
Stat Block
- Level
- 6
- School
- Illusion
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 120 feet (30-foot cube)
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- Until dispelled
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Bard, Wizard
- Material
- jade dust worth 25+ GP
Description
You create an illusion of an object, a creature, or some other visible phenomenon within range that activates when a specific trigger occurs. The illusion is imperceptible until then. It must be no larger than a 30-foot Cube, and you decide when you cast the spell how the illusion behaves and what sounds it makes. This scripted performance can last up to 5 minutes. When the trigger you specify occurs, the illusion springs into existence and performs in the manner you described. Once the illusion finishes performing, it disappears and remains dormant for 10 minutes, after which the illusion can be activated again. The trigger can be as general or as detailed as you like, though it must be based on visual or audible phenomena that occur within 30 feet of the area. For example, you could create an illusion of yourself to appear and warn off others who attempt to open a trapped door. Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be illusory, since things can pass through it. A creature that takes the Study action to examine the image can determine that it is an illusion with a successful Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC. If a creature discerns the illusion for what it is, the creature can see through the image, and any noise it makes sounds hollow to the creature.
5e (2014) vs 2024 changes
This spell has both a 5e (2014) and 2024 Player's Handbook version. Doungim shows the current 2024 stat block above. Differences between editions typically affect components, range, or scaling — check both source books for the table.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
Illusion is the school of false report. The senses of the targets register something that is not there, and the targets believe their senses until they have reason not to. The school fit for Programmed Illusion comes from the spell creates a perceptual fiction the target's senses report as real. Level-6 slots are rare; Programmed Illusion earns its cast when the fight truly needs it.
Class Fit
- Bard: College of Valor and College of Swords Bards lean toward melee — Programmed Illusion earns its slot if it works inside or around weapon-attack turns. The 120-foot range on Programmed Illusion leaves room for the caster to stay in the back line.
- Wizard: Once Programmed Illusion is in the spellbook the cost is gold-and-ritual-time at acquisition; from then on the daily prep decision is free. 120 feet is enough range that Programmed Illusion doesn't pull the caster forward.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Programmed Illusion
- What level spell is Programmed Illusion?
- Programmed Illusion sits at level 6 in the Illusion school of magic, prepared by Bard, Wizard.
- What is the range of Programmed Illusion?
- Programmed Illusion has a range of 120 feet from the caster.
- How long does Programmed Illusion last?
- The duration on Programmed Illusion is until dispelled, with no concentration required.
- What components and casting time does Programmed Illusion need?
- The components are v, s, m. The other notable details — Material component: jade dust worth 25+ GP.