Programmed Illusion
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 6th-level illusion
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (jade dust worth 25+ GP)
- Duration
- Until dispelled
- Classes
- Bard, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
You create an illusion of an object, a creature, or some other visible phenomenon within range that activates when a specific trigger occurs. The illusion is imperceptible until then. It must be no larger than a 30-foot Cube, and you decide when you cast the spell how the illusion behaves and what sounds it makes. This scripted performance can last up to 5 minutes.
When the trigger you specify occurs, the illusion springs into existence and performs in the manner you described. Once the illusion finishes performing, it disappears and remains dormant for 10 minutes, after which the illusion can be activated again.
The trigger can be as general or as detailed as you like, though it must be based on visual or audible phenomena that occur within 30 feet of the area. For example, you could create an illusion of yourself to appear and warn off others who attempt to open a trapped door.
Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be illusory, since things can pass through it. A creature that takes the 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 any noise it makes sounds hollow to the creature.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 6th-level illusion
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a bit of fleece and jade dust worth at least 25 gp)
- Duration
- Until dispelled
- Classes
- Bard, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
You create an illusion of an object, a creature, or some other visible phenomenon within range that activates when a specific condition occurs. The illusion is imperceptible until then. It must be no larger than a 30-foot cube, and you decide when you cast the spell how the illusion behaves and what sounds it makes. This scripted performance can last up to 5 minutes.
When the condition you specify occurs, the illusion springs into existence and performs in the manner you described. Once the illusion finishes performing, it disappears and remains dormant for 10 minutes. After this time, the illusion can be activated again.
The triggering condition can be as general or as detailed as you like, though it must be based on visual or audible conditions that occur within 30 feet of the area. For example, you could create an illusion of yourself to appear and warn off others who attempt to open a trapped door, or you could set the illusion to trigger only when a creature says the correct word or phrase.
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 any noise it makes sounds hollow to the creature.
Programmed Illusion 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Programmed Illusion popularity
How popular is Programmed Illusion? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, and is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may fill a specific niche for a spellbook.
- Bottom 50% of all level 6 spells
- Bottom 50% picked level 6 Wizard spell
- Bottom 25% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 10% picked level 6 Bard spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Programmed Illusion
Contingency 6th-level abjuration
The spells share a sixth-level wizard niche built around preparing a magical effect in advance to activate when a chosen trigger is met.
Players prefer Contingency over Programmed Illusion
Major Image 3rd-level illusion
This is another bard-and-wizard illusion that projects a detailed visible phenomenon with sounds at long range and can shape how creatures perceive an area.
Players prefer Major Image over Programmed Illusion
Glyph of Warding 3rd-level abjuration
Although it is not an illusion, this spell also stores a magical effect at a location until a carefully defined trigger activates it.
Players prefer Glyph of Warding over Programmed Illusion
Creation 5th-level illusion
It likewise lets an illusion-focused caster produce an apparent object or phenomenon for a practical, often highly creative purpose.
Players prefer Creation over Programmed Illusion
Magic Mouth 2nd-level illusion
Both create a lasting magical effect that remains hidden or inactive until a specified condition occurs, then delivers a scripted visual or audible message.
Players prefer Magic Mouth over Programmed Illusion
Hallucinatory Terrain 4th-level illusion
Both use persistent illusions to alter what creatures see in a substantial area, making them valuable for deception, warnings, and staged scenes.
Players prefer Hallucinatory Terrain over Programmed Illusion