Programmed Illusion / Programmed Image
Modern D&D calls this spell Programmed Illusion; PF1e and D&D 3.5e use Programmed Image. Both create an illusion that waits for a trigger, but the modern spell can reset and activate again while the legacy spell ends after its triggered performance.
At a Glance
| 2024 | Programmed Illusion — Bard 6, Wizard 6 |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Programmed Illusion — Bard 6, Wizard 6 |
| PF1e | Programmed Image — Bard 6, Sorcerer/Wizard 6 |
| D&D 3.5e | Programmed Image — Bard 6, Sorcerer/Wizard 6 |
| Key divide | Modern spell re-arms after 10 minutes; legacy spell lasts only 1 round/level after activation. |
Choose Your Edition
Programmed Illusion — 5.5e / 2024
| Level | 6th |
|---|---|
| School | Illusion |
| Casting Time | Action |
| Range | 120 feet |
| Components | V, S, M (jade dust worth 25+ GP) |
| Duration | Until dispelled |
| Classes | Bard, Wizard |
Create an illusion of an object, creature or other visible phenomenon no larger than a 30-foot cube. The illusion is imperceptible until a trigger you define occurs. You decide its appearance, behaviour and sounds when casting; the scripted performance can last up to 5 minutes.
After the performance ends, the illusion disappears and remains dormant for 10 minutes. It can then trigger again. The trigger must rely on visual or audible phenomena within 30 feet of the area.
Physical interaction reveals the illusion. A creature can use the Study action to examine it and identify the illusion with a successful Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC.
Programmed Illusion — 5e / 2014
| Level | 6th |
|---|---|
| School | Illusion |
| Casting Time | 1 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 |
The 2014 spell uses the same 30-foot-cube, up-to-5-minute scripted illusion and the same 10-minute dormancy before it can activate again.
The trigger can be general or detailed but must be based on visual or audible conditions within 30 feet. A creature uses its action to examine the image and can identify it as an illusion with a successful Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC.
Edition note: 2024 drops the fleece from the material component and uses the newer Study-action terminology.
Programmed Image — Pathfinder 1e
| School | Illusion (Figment) |
|---|---|
| Level | Bard 6, Sorcerer/Wizard 6 |
| Casting Time | 1 standard action |
| Range | Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level) |
| Effect | Visual figment up to a 20-ft. cube + one 10-ft. cube/level |
| Duration | Permanent until triggered, then 1 round/level |
| Saving Throw | Will disbelief (if interacted with) |
| Spell Resistance | No |
The spell functions like Silent Image, except that it waits for a trigger and includes visual, auditory, olfactory and thermal elements, including intelligible speech.
The trigger may be general or specific and can use audible, tactile, olfactory or visual conditions. It cannot depend on a quality the senses cannot normally detect, such as alignment.
Material component: a bit of fleece and jade dust worth 25 gp.
Programmed Image — D&D 3.5e
| School | Illusion (Figment) |
|---|---|
| Level | Bard 6, Sorcerer/Wizard 6 |
| Casting Time | 1 standard action |
| Range | Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level) |
| Effect | Visual figment up to a 20-ft. cube + one 10-ft. cube/level |
| Duration | Permanent until triggered, then 1 round/level |
| Saving Throw | Will disbelief (if interacted with) |
| Spell Resistance | No |
The 3.5e spell follows the same legacy structure as PF1e. It functions like Silent Image, but adds sound, smell, heat and intelligible speech and remains dormant until its sensory trigger occurs.
Once triggered, the image lasts 1 round per caster level. Unlike the modern spell, it does not disappear for 10 minutes and then reset for repeated activation.
Material component: a bit of fleece and jade dust worth 25 gp.
What Changed?
- Name: modern rules use Programmed Illusion; PF1e and 3.5e use Programmed Image.
- Repeat use: modern Programmed Illusion re-arms after 10 minutes and can activate repeatedly until dispelled. Legacy Programmed Image lasts 1 round/level after its trigger and then ends.
- Trigger senses: modern rules restrict the trigger to visual or audible phenomena within 30 feet; legacy rules also allow tactile and olfactory triggers.
- 2024 material: jade dust only; 2014 and legacy versions also use fleece.
Using Programmed Illusion
The spell excels as an unattended magical performance: warnings, false guardians, rehearsed instructions, ritual pageantry, decoys, theatrical reveals or repeated alarms.
Because the modern spell can reset, it is especially effective in a permanent stronghold or public space. A single casting can continue reacting to the same trigger until dispelled.
Legacy Programmed Image is better treated as a long-waiting one-shot scene. Once the trigger fires, the programmed performance runs for its duration and the spell is spent.
Related Magic
- Silent Image — the legacy base spell referenced by Programmed Image.
- Major Image — a flexible active illusion rather than a dormant triggered one.
- Magic Mouth — another classic trigger-based magical message.
- Bard Spells — modern and legacy Bard access.
- Sorcerer and Wizard Spells — legacy arcane access.
Sources and Licensing
- D&D 2024 Basic Rules — Programmed Illusion. SRD 5.2 material is available under CC BY 4.0.
- D&D 2014 Basic Rules — Programmed Illusion. SRD 5.1 material is available under CC BY 4.0.
- Pathfinder 1e Core Rulebook — Programmed Image. Open Game Content under OGL v1.0a.
- D&D 3.5 SRD — Programmed Image. Open Game Content under OGL v1.0a.
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