Mind of tempest
(he/him)advocate for 5e psionics
what is the difference between enchantment magic and illusion magic? as they both deal with deceiving the mind so why not just merge them into one easy to use school?
D&D General what is the difference between enchantment magic and illusion magic?
- Thread starter Mind of tempest
- Start date
Flamestrike
Legend
Enchantment subverts the will of the target, forcing it to do things it does not want to do.
Illusion affects the perception of the target. Its will remains intact.
Illusion affects the perception of the target. Its will remains intact.
jgsugden
Legend
My first stance would normally be enchantments are about influencing the mind by altering the mind, while illusions create sensory stimulations outside the mind ... but ... Phantasmal Force.
This is the spell at the crux of the discussion, IMHO. Is it really an illusion, or is it a particular type of enchantment? By RAW, we can see the word illusion, and know it is an illusion - but it exists only in the mind of the target, so to me, RAF, it should be an enchantment.
I made a second version of it in my world that is identical to the first, except that it is an enchantment, just so that characters that can do things with enchantments (Aberrant Mind Sorcerer, School of Enchantment Wizard, etc...) can access it.
This is the spell at the crux of the discussion, IMHO. Is it really an illusion, or is it a particular type of enchantment? By RAW, we can see the word illusion, and know it is an illusion - but it exists only in the mind of the target, so to me, RAF, it should be an enchantment.
I made a second version of it in my world that is identical to the first, except that it is an enchantment, just so that characters that can do things with enchantments (Aberrant Mind Sorcerer, School of Enchantment Wizard, etc...) can access it.
toucanbuzz
No rule is inviolate
Illusion
The AD&D "Complete Wizard's Handbook" described Illusion as the school that "bends reality to create apparent changes in the environment, in the caster, or in [others]." This was different from the school of Alteration (aka Transmutation) that actually modified matter. Illusion magic had two primary forms: illusions (simulating reality, such as creating images and sounds that can't actually do anything (e.g. the sound can't ever be loud enough to harm someone's ears)) and phantasms (evoking a response from the target by preying upon their 5 senses, often fear-based).
While Phantasm-style magic would seem similar to enchantments (below), they were different insofar as @Orius and @Flamestrike put it in that they modify what you're "sensing" (whether by eyes or other means), and most prey upon a primal response of fear. Unlike enchanters, the illusionist is not taking control of the target's mind. Phantasms can't direct the target where to flee to.
Enchantment
From the same source, enchantments actually changed the mental or emotion state of a creature, usually to force something the target normally wouldn't want to do.
As to Phantasmal Force, it was nerfed (originally affected anyone who saw it, way too strong) but returned to its AD&D roots of what it did. Regardless, it seems to function just like a single-target phantasm in that it modifies what the target senses. It can't make the target cross the illusionary bridge, but it can scramble the 5 senses.
An enchantment spell, on the other hand, would generally force the creature to step into the chasm, knowing full well there's no bridge but there's nothing they can do about it.
The AD&D "Complete Wizard's Handbook" described Illusion as the school that "bends reality to create apparent changes in the environment, in the caster, or in [others]." This was different from the school of Alteration (aka Transmutation) that actually modified matter. Illusion magic had two primary forms: illusions (simulating reality, such as creating images and sounds that can't actually do anything (e.g. the sound can't ever be loud enough to harm someone's ears)) and phantasms (evoking a response from the target by preying upon their 5 senses, often fear-based).
While Phantasm-style magic would seem similar to enchantments (below), they were different insofar as @Orius and @Flamestrike put it in that they modify what you're "sensing" (whether by eyes or other means), and most prey upon a primal response of fear. Unlike enchanters, the illusionist is not taking control of the target's mind. Phantasms can't direct the target where to flee to.
Enchantment
From the same source, enchantments actually changed the mental or emotion state of a creature, usually to force something the target normally wouldn't want to do.
As to Phantasmal Force, it was nerfed (originally affected anyone who saw it, way too strong) but returned to its AD&D roots of what it did. Regardless, it seems to function just like a single-target phantasm in that it modifies what the target senses. It can't make the target cross the illusionary bridge, but it can scramble the 5 senses.
An enchantment spell, on the other hand, would generally force the creature to step into the chasm, knowing full well there's no bridge but there's nothing they can do about it.
Mind of tempest
(he/him)advocate for 5e psionics
look all I am seeing is mess with the head magic and given that no one seems to be able to tell me what will is I presently see very little difference like comparing working iron to working steel.
Crimson Longinus
Legend
Whilst a flimsy argument for technical difference can be made, they're indeed thematically very similar and would make more sense as one school. But then again most of the magic schools in D&D are confused and/or thematically weak. 
billd91
Not your screen monkey (he/him) 🇺🇦🇵🇸🏳️⚧️
That's because you're looking at the same basic metal/methodology as part of the analogy when the difference between illusion and enchantment is wider. You're loading your analogy.
Illusion magic nudges the mind to make the illusion more believable while enchantments do more to outright override the target's will. Think of them as affecting different parts of the mind - sensory input and interpretation vs free will.
It's magic. If you're looking for logic in magic, you're probably looking in the wrong place.
D&D magic schools are thematically weak. Conjuration, evocation, they're just synonyms. Necromancy vs. healing? It's all what you want to make of it. A FIRE school on the other hand - that I can get behind. I know what that's all about. BOOM!
I should totally make a game with a fire school. What?
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