Phantasmal Force
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 2nd-level illusion
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a bit of fleece)
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
You attempt to craft an illusion in the mind of a creature you can see within range. The target makes an Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save, you create a phantasmal object, creature, or other phenomenon that is no larger than a 10-foot Cube and that is perceivable only to the target for the duration. The phantasm includes sound, temperature, and other stimuli.
The target can take a Study action to examine the phantasm with an Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC. If the check succeeds, the target realizes that the phantasm is an illusion, and the spell ends.
While affected by the spell, the target treats the phantasm as if it were real and rationalizes any illogical outcomes from interacting with it. For example, if the target steps through a phantasmal bridge and survives the fall, it believes the bridge exists and something else caused it to fall.
An affected target can even take damage from the illusion if the phantasm represents a dangerous creature or hazard. On each of your turns, such a phantasm can deal 2d8 Psychic damage to the target if it is in the phantasm's area or within 5 feet of the phantasm. The target perceives the damage as a type appropriate to the illusion.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 2nd-level illusion
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a bit of fleece)
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
You craft an illusion that takes root in the mind of a creature that you can see within range. The target must make an Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save, you create a phantasmal object, creature, or other visible phenomenon of your choice that is no larger than a 10-foot cube and that is perceivable only to the target for the duration. This spell has no effect on undead or constructs.
The phantasm includes sound, temperature, and other stimuli, also evident only to the creature.
The target can use its action to examine the phantasm with an Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC. If the check succeeds, the target realizes that the phantasm is an illusion, and the spell ends.
While a target is affected by the spell, the target treats the phantasm as if it were real. The target rationalizes any illogical outcomes from interacting with the phantasm. For example, a target attempting to walk across a phantasmal bridge that spans a chasm falls once it steps onto the bridge. If the target survives the fall, it still believes that the bridge exists and comes up with some other explanation for its fall—it was pushed, it slipped, or a strong wind might have knocked it off.
An affected target is so convinced of the phantasm's reality that it can even take damage from the illusion. A phantasm created to appear as a creature can attack the target. Similarly, a phantasm created to appear as fire, a pool of acid, or lava can burn the target. Each round on your turn, the phantasm can deal 1d6 psychic damage to the target if it is in the phantasm's area or within 5 feet of the phantasm, provided that the illusion is of a creature or hazard that could logically deal damage, such as by attacking. The target perceives the damage as a type appropriate to the illusion.
Phantasmal Force 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Phantasmal Force popularity
How popular is Phantasmal Force? It is a commonly found spell in the game, and is often chosen over other options when available. This spell is a reliable addition to any spellbook.
- Top 25% picked level 2 Wizard spell
- Top 25% of all 5e spells
- Top 25% picked level 2 Sorcerer spell
- Top 25% of all level 2 spells
- Top 50% picked level 2 Bard spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Phantasmal Force
Suggestion 2nd-level enchantment
Both spells influence a creature's behavior through a failed saving throw and reward clever, situational interpretation rather than straightforward damage.
Players prefer Suggestion over Phantasmal Force
Phantasmal Killer 4th-level illusion
This higher-level illusion likewise targets one creature, uses psychic fear imagery, and can inflict ongoing damage while concentration lasts.
Players prefer Phantasmal Force over Phantasmal Killer
Major Image 3rd-level illusion
The spells share the Illusion school, concentration, and the ability to create convincing multisensory phenomena at range.
Players prefer Phantasmal Force over Major Image
Mental Prison 6th-level illusion
Both are concentration illusions that trap a single creature in a damaging psychic scenario after a failed save.
Players prefer Phantasmal Force over Mental Prison
Silent Image 1st-level illusion
Although less powerful, it is also a ranged concentration illusion used to fabricate believable objects, creatures, or hazards.
Players prefer Phantasmal Force over Silent Image
Nathair's Mischief 2nd-level illusion
It is a same-level, concentration-based illusion that disrupts enemies through deceptive phenomena and unusual battlefield effects.
Players prefer Phantasmal Force over Nathair's Mischief