Major Image

A
Utility

Major Image is a Utility spell. Utility spells solve problems outside of combat or provide unique situational advantages.

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spell that creates a convincing moving illusion with sound, scent, and warmth, and lets you reshape it with
a magic action

Major Image is a Action Economy spell. Action Economy spells grant you more choices on future turns.

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.

2024 Rules

Level & School
3rd-level illusion
Casting Time
Action
Range
120 feet
Components
V, S, M (a bit of fleece)
Duration
Concentration, up to 10 minutes
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

You create the image of an object, a creature, or some other visible phenomenon that is no larger than a 20-foot Cube. The image appears at a spot that you can see within range and lasts for the duration. It seems real, including sounds, smells, and temperature appropriate to the thing depicted, but it can't deal damage or cause conditions.

If you are within range of the illusion, you can take a Magic action to cause the image to move to any other 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. Similarly, you can cause the illusion to make different sounds at different times, even making it carry on a conversation, for example.

Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be an illusion, for 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, and its other sensory qualities become faint to the creature.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The spell lasts until dispelled, without requiring Concentration, if cast with a level 4+ spell slot.

2014 Rules

Level & School
3rd-level illusion
Casting Time
Action
Range
120 feet
Components
V, S, M (a bit of fleece)
Duration
Concentration, 10 minutes
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

You create the image of an object, a creature, or some other visible phenomenon that is no larger than a 20-foot cube. The image appears at a spot that you can see within range and lasts for the duration. It seems completely real, including sounds, smells, and temperature appropriate to the thing depicted. You can't create sufficient heat or cold to cause damage, a sound loud enough to deal thunder damage or deafen a creature, or a smell that might sicken a creature (like a troglodyte's stench).

As long as you are within range of the illusion, you can use your action to cause the image to move to any other 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. Similarly, you can cause the illusion to make different sounds at different times, even making it carry on a conversation, for example.

Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be an illusion, because things can pass through it. A creature that uses its 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 its other sensory qualities become faint to the creature.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 6th level or higher, the spell lasts until dispelled, without requiring your concentration.

Major Image 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

The upcast benefit now kicks in at 4th level instead of 6th: if cast with a 4th-level+ slot, it lasts until dispelled and doesn’t require Concentration. Its illusion can no longer deal damage or cause conditions, replacing the older specific limits on heat, cold, thunder, deafening, and sickening smells.

Major Image popularity

Major Image is a seldom chosen level 3 spell. Choosing it adds a unique option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Major Image

  • Silent Image 1st-level illusion

    It is the closest lower-level version of creating a visible, movable illusion that lasts for minutes and is used for deception and battlefield trickery.

  • Minor Illusion Illusion cantrip

    This cantrip provides the same basic mechanic of creating an image or sound to mislead people, though on a much smaller scale.

  • Programmed Illusion 6th-level illusion

    A higher-level spell that builds on Major Image's concept by scripting complex, sensory illusions that trigger and act without concentration.

  • Hallucinatory Terrain 4th-level illusion

    Both create large, realistic environmental illusions that change how an area appears and can fool multiple observers for extended periods.

  • Phantasmal Force 2nd-level illusion

    Although it targets a single mind, it shares Major Image's use of crafted illusory sensory detail to deceive and manipulate perception.

Major Image is featured in