Hi everyone! I’m working on a new Wizard-exclusive spell for a 5E (2024) campaign. I’m torn between making it a powerful Cantrip or a utility 1st-level spell. I’d love to hear your thoughts on its balance and "power level."
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Illusory Gag
Illusion Cantrip (Wizard)
- Casting Time: Action
- Range: 60 feet (18 meters)
- Components: S
- Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
You project an illusory band of translucent, crackling energy that weaves itself around the mouth and throat of an enemy. The target must make an Intelligence Saving Throw. If it fails, it believes with absolute certainty that the band is covering its mouth and that it is physically impossible to make any sound. The creature is Silenced for the duration.
At the start of each of its turns, the creature can attempt to rationalize the situation by repeating the saving throw; on a success, the illusion vanishes.
An ally of the target can use the Help action to interact with them and prove the band is an illusion. If this action is taken, the spell ends immediately for that target.
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The Debate:
I am leaning towards making it a Cantrip for a few reasons, but I have doubts:
- The Help Action: I feel that allowing an ally to end the effect immediately by using their Action balances the power of the Silence.
- Concentration: It occupies the Wizard's concentration slot, which is a high price to pay.
However, Silence is usually a 2nd-level spell. Do you think the Intelligence save and the "Help action" clause make it weak enough to be a Cantrip, or is it still too strong and should be a 1st-level spell?
P.S.: I also have a somewhat macabre idea for scaling: at higher levels, the spell could add a die of Psychic damage (e.g., at levels 5, 11, and 17), as if the illusory band is squeezing the target's throat or mouth so hard it causes mental trauma. Would adding damage make it "too much" for a Cantrip?
What do you think?
Art: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/ZymA0?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=organic