Illusionist: Masters of deceit and trickery, illusionists have access to a variety of powerful spells that can be far more dangerous than simple attack spells. Illusionists must have a minimum Dexterity (Dexterity/Aim) score of 16 to perform the intricate gestures and patterns required by spells of their school. The school of illusion/phantasm is opposed by necromancy, invocation/evocation, and abjuration.

Illusionists gain the normal benefits of specialist wizards. When an illusionist reaches 8th level, he gains an additional +1 bonus to his saving throws against illusion spells cast by nonillusionists. (This is cumulative with his normal +1 bonus, for a total of +2). At 11th level, the illusionist gains the ability to cast a special dispel phantasmal force or dispel improved phantasmal force up to three times per day. The base chance of success is 50%, ±5% per level difference between the illusionist and the caster of the phantasmal force; for example, if a 16th-level illusionist is attempting to dispel an illusion cast by a 9th-level wizard, his chance of success is 85%. The dispel has a range of 30 yards and a casting time of 1; the illusionist need only point at the illusion and concentrate. If the illusionist attempts to dispel something that turns out to be real, the attempt still counts against his limit of three dispels per day.

An illusionist can be extremely effective in combat despite his lack of high-powered damaging spells, especially if he concentrates on creating distractions and false opponents for his enemies. Every sword swing directed at an illusion is one less that’s aimed at the illusionist and his companions. Illusionists should always seek creative and unusual uses for their spells; of all the specialist wizards, they require the most player originality to be run effectively.

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