Silent Image
Level 1 · Illusion
- Concentration
- AOE
Silent Image is an illusion spell at level 1, sitting on the bard, sorcerer, and wizard lists. Cast time: Action. Range 60 feet, components V/S/M, duration up to 10 minutes. Material: a bit of fleece. Marked concentration. Effect: You create the image of an object, a creature, or some other visible phenomenon that is no larger than a 15-foot Cube.
Stat Block
- Level
- 1
- School
- Illusion
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 60 feet (15-foot cube)
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- up to 10 minutes
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Material
- a bit of fleece
Description
You create the image of an object, a creature, or some other visible phenomenon that is no larger than a 15-foot Cube. The image appears at a spot within range and lasts for the duration. The image is purely visual; it isn't accompanied by sound, smell, or other sensory effects. As a Magic action, you can cause the image to move to any spot within range. As the image changes location, you can alter its appearance so that its movements appear natural for the image. For example, if you create an image of a creature and move it, you can alter the image so that it appears to be walking. Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be an illusion, since things can pass through it. A creature that takes a 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.
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 Silent Image comes from the spell creates a perceptual fiction the target's senses report as real. At level 1, Silent Image is affordable in any caster's daily plan.
Class Fit
- Bard: A Bard prepares Silent Image from the known list, which means it stays on the sheet for several levels of play before retraining is an option. Keep in mind that Silent Image ends the moment the caster takes concentration off it for any reason.
- Sorcerer: Sorcerers know very few spells. Silent Image is a permanent decision — the spell stays on the sheet unless the Sorcerer pays a level-up swap. Silent Image reaches 60 feet, which lets the caster stay clear of the front line.
- Wizard: On a Wizard sheet, Silent Image competes for prep slot with Misty Step, Counterspell, Shield (a Reaction always worth prepping), Fireball, Polymorph, and the higher-tier wall and force spells. Concentration is the binding cost — Silent Image can't share a slot with another concentration spell.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Silent Image
- What level spell is Silent Image?
- In D&D 5e, Silent Image is classified as a level 1 spell of the Illusion school. Available classes: Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard.
- What is the range of Silent Image?
- The range on Silent Image is 60 feet — far enough that most casters can stay clear of the front line.
- Is Silent Image a concentration spell?
- Concentration is required for Silent Image, with a maximum duration up to 10 minutes. The concentration rules apply: one at a time, and Con saves on damage.
- What components and casting time does Silent Image need?
- For Silent Image: the cast needs V, S, M; on top of that, Material component: a bit of fleece.