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, up to 1 minute
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
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, up to 1 minute
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
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
Phantasmal Force is a commonly chosen level 2 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.
- Top 50% level 2 Bard spell
- Top 50% level 2 Sorcerer spell
- Top 50% level 2 Wizard spell
Spells similar to Phantasmal Force
Phantasmal Killer 4th-level illusion
It also creates a terrifying, mind-targeted illusion that deals psychic harm over time and requires concentration to maintain.
Major Image 3rd-level illusion
This spell builds a prolonged, detailed illusion that you shape and manipulate, serving many of the same deceptive tactics even though others can perceive it.
Silent Image 1st-level illusion
A lower-level illusion that creates convincing sensory phenomena for tactical deception and staging, useful for tricking a single target or group.
Suggestion 2nd-level enchantment
Like the target spell, it manipulates a single creature's mind with a saving throw and is chosen for social or tactical control rather than direct area damage.
Dissonant Whispers 1st-level enchantment
It targets one creature's mind to inflict psychic damage and force a behavioral response, making it a common alternative for single-target mental effects.