Illusionists like tricksters in Dragon’s Dogma 2 and mesmers in Guild Wars allow RPG players to engage their enemies in indirect, unpredictable ways.
Anyone who typically elects to fill the role of a magic user in video games does so for the satisfaction of overcoming their adversaries with brains over brawn. While mastering the elements is one aspect of the mage archetype, another is their mastery over the mind. A real-life magician’s trade is built on their ability to weave illusions, create fantastic phantasms, and deceive their audience.
A truly magical illusionist is the same, except their audience is usually trying to kill them. A good illusionist has the ability to turn their enemies’ power against themselves and win battles through mental manipulation and tactical trickery. This means that they must outwit their enemies indirectly rather than with might. This subtle art can be challenging to implement, especially in a combat-oriented medium, but a few games have managed to pull it out of the hat. Baldur’s Gate 3 — The Illusionist Wizard
Since Baldur’s Gate 3 is an incredibly faithful adaptation of fifth-edition D&D, illusion spells pretty much work the same as they would in the pen-and-paper game. Wizards are able to specialize in the School of Illusion, which grants them access to a plethora of deceptive abilities, both for use in and out of combat.
While an illusion specialization is possible at character creation (and highly viable throughout the game), an illusion wizard will have access to a few standard magic spells from the get-go but will have plenty of chances to continue the path of the illusionist. Spells from the School of Illusion are also available to sorcerers and warlocks, but bards, clerics, and even the subclasses arcane tricksters and eldrich knights can make use of them. Guild Wars — Mesmer
Even amongst other illusionist magicians, Guild Wars’ mesmer is unique.
