Magic · Illusion
Project Image
Project Image creates a remote likeness of the caster. Modern D&D turns it into a long-range communication and deception spell; PF1e and D&D 3.5e instead use a short-range shadow duplicate that can serve as the point of origin for the caster’s spells.
Project Image at a Glance
| 5.5e / 2024 | 7th-level Illusion; Bard, Wizard |
|---|---|
| 5e / 2014 | 7th-level Illusion; Bard, Wizard |
| Pathfinder 1e | Illusion (shadow); Bard 6, Sorcerer/Wizard 7 |
| D&D 3.5e | Illusion (Shadow); Bard 6, Sorcerer/Wizard 7 |
Rules
Project Image by Edition
Project Image — 5.5e / 2024
| Level | 7th-level Illusion |
|---|---|
| Classes | Bard, Wizard |
| Casting Time | Action |
| Range | 500 miles |
| Components | V, S, M (a statuette of yourself worth at least 5 gp) |
| Duration | Concentration, up to 1 day |
You create an intangible illusory copy of yourself at a location within range that you have seen before. Intervening obstacles do not prevent the image from appearing there. The spell ends if the image takes any damage.
You can see through the image’s eyes and hear through its ears as though you occupied its space. As a Magic action, you can move the image up to 60 feet and make it gesture, speak and behave as you choose.
Physical interaction reveals that the image is illusory. A creature can take the Study action to examine it and make an Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC. On a success, the creature identifies the illusion and can see through it; its sounds also seem hollow to that creature.
Project Image — 5e / 2014
| Level | 7th-level Illusion |
|---|---|
| Classes | Bard, Wizard |
| Casting Time | 1 action |
| Range | 500 miles |
| Components | V, S, M (a small replica of yourself worth at least 5 gp) |
| Duration | Concentration, up to 1 day |
The copy can appear at any previously seen location within 500 miles, regardless of intervening obstacles. It looks and sounds like you, is intangible, and disappears if it takes damage.
You can use your action to move it up to twice your speed and direct its speech and behaviour. You can see and hear through it; on your turn, a bonus action switches between the image’s senses and your own. While using the image’s senses, you are blinded and deafened to your own surroundings.
Physical interaction exposes the illusion. A creature can use its action to examine the image and make an Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC. This edition also does not let you cast spells through the image.
Project Image — Pathfinder 1e
| School | Illusion (shadow) |
|---|---|
| Level | Bard 6, Sorcerer/Wizard 7 |
| Casting Time | 1 standard action |
| Range | Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level) |
| Components | V, S, M (a small replica of you worth 5 gp) |
| Effect | One shadow duplicate |
| Duration | 1 round/level (D) |
| Saving Throw | Will disbelief (if interacted with) |
| Spell Resistance | No |
You create a quasi-real shadow duplicate that looks, sounds and smells like you but is intangible. It normally mirrors your actions; directing it differently is a move action.
You can use the image’s sight and hearing and switch between its senses and your own as a free action during your turn. While using the image’s senses, your body is treated as blinded and deafened.
This edition is a spellcasting conduit: a spell you cast with range Touch or greater can originate from the image instead of you. The image cannot cast spells on itself except Illusion spells.
You must maintain line of effect to the image. If that line is blocked—or a teleportation effect such as dimension door, teleport or plane shift breaks it even briefly—the spell ends.
Project Image — D&D 3.5e
| School | Illusion (Shadow) |
|---|---|
| Level | Bard 6, Sorcerer/Wizard 7 |
| Casting Time | 1 standard action |
| Range | Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level) |
| Components | V, S, M (a small replica of you worth 5 gp) |
| Effect | One shadow duplicate |
| Duration | 1 round/level (D) |
| Saving Throw | Will disbelief (if interacted with) |
| Spell Resistance | No |
The 3.5e spell uses the same shadow-double model as PF1e. The image is intangible, may act differently from you when directed with a move action, and can relay sight and hearing.
Spells with range Touch or greater may originate from the image. You must maintain line of effect to it, and effects that break that line even momentarily end the spell.
Edition Changes
What Changed?
- Modern D&D became long-range: 2024 and 2014 use a 500-mile range and can place the image at a previously seen location despite intervening obstacles.
- The shadow conduit is legacy: casting spells through the image belongs to PF1e/3.5e, not 2024 or 2014.
- 2024 simplifies control: a Magic action moves the image up to 60 feet and directs its behaviour.
- 2014 uses sensory switching: a bonus action swaps between your senses and the image’s, with blindness and deafness affecting your own surroundings while looking through the image.
- PF1e/3.5e require line of effect and end if that connection is broken.
Play
Using Project Image in Play
In modern D&D, the spell is best treated as a remote presence: attend negotiations, scout a known place, deliver a warning, distract enemies or appear somewhere too dangerous for your body. The image can be exposed by touch, careful study or simply taking damage.
In PF1e and 3.5e, the tactical role is very different. The short-range shadow duplicate can become the origin point of touch-or-greater spells, letting the caster project magic across a battlefield or from a protected position while maintaining line of effect.
Related Magic
Related Spells
Mythical Context
One Greek version of Helen’s story says that the figure taken to Troy was a phantom, while the real Helen remained elsewhere. The gap between presence and likeness makes an apt parallel for Project Image: what others see and hear may not be where the caster truly stands. See the classical notes on Helen’s phantom.
Historical Context
Images and reflections have long provided metaphors for an appearance divorced from a person. A surviving Roman wellhead carved with Narcissus gazing into water is a tangible example of how ancient artists represented an image that could fascinate without being the person himself. See The Metropolitan Museum’s ancient Roman wellhead.
Sources & Licensing
Rules Sources
The 2024 and 2014 panels follow their corresponding public D&D rules entries. Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e use their open rules versions. Their mechanics are intentionally separated because the modern long-range illusion and the legacy shadow conduit are fundamentally different spells in play.
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