Shinobi subclass
Path of Genjutsu
Illusion, misdirection, and mental pressure expressed through chakra.
Path of Genjutsu changes how the Shinobi applies chakra, techniques, reactions, and path features during play.
This page collects the path overview, feature progression, subclass features, and playstyle guidance.
Path Overview
Shinobi who follow the Path of Genjutsu manipulate the chakra flowing through another creature nervous system. Their techniques distort sight, sound, memory and perception.
A Genjutsu Shinobi can create false targets, conceal allies and trap enemies inside convincing illusions.
Path Features
| Shinobi Level | Feature |
|---|---|
| 3 | Genjutsu Training |
| 6 | Distorted Perception |
| 10 | Persistent Illusion |
| 14 | World of Illusion |
Genjutsu Training
Gain proficiency in either Deception or Insight. If you already have proficiency in the selected skill, your proficiency bonus is doubled for checks made with it.
Learn two additional Genjutsu Path Techniques. They must be of a rank you can use and do not count against your number of techniques known.
Distorted Perception
When a creature you can see within 60 feet makes an attack roll, you can use your reaction and expend 1 Chakra Point to distort its perception.
The creature must make a Wisdom saving throw against your Technique Save DC. On a failed save, the attack roll is made with disadvantage. If the attack misses, you can immediately move up to 10 feet without provoking opportunity attacks.
A creature immune to the charmed condition automatically succeeds on this saving throw.
Persistent Illusion
When a creature succeeds on a saving throw against one of your Genjutsu techniques, you can expend 1 Chakra Point to force it to reroll the saving throw. The creature must use the new result.
You can use this feature once on each of your turns. In addition, when your concentration on a Genjutsu technique ends because you failed a concentration saving throw, the technique remains active until the end of your next turn.
World of Illusion
As an action, choose a point you can see within 60 feet. Each creature of your choice in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must make a Wisdom saving throw against your Technique Save DC.
On a failed save, a creature is charmed and incapacitated for up to 1 minute as it becomes trapped inside a shared illusion. The effect requires concentration.
An affected creature repeats the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. A creature also repeats the saving throw whenever it takes damage. Once you use this feature, you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.
Play This Path If You Want To
- Control enemies without relying on direct damage.
- Create false targets and environments.
- Manipulate enemy attacks.
- Support infiltration and deception.
- Use psychic and illusion-based abilities.
FAQ
What is the Path of Genjutsu?
The Path of Genjutsu is a control-focused Shinobi Path built around illusion, misdirection and mental pressure. It gains Genjutsu Training, Distorted Perception, Persistent Illusion and World of Illusion, allowing the Shinobi to improve Genjutsu access, interfere with enemy attacks, force rerolls against Genjutsu and eventually trap multiple enemies in a shared illusion.
Read more: Path of Genjutsu 
D&D Portal - What is the Path of Genjutsu? Path of Genjutsu FAQ The Path of Genjutsu is a control-focused Shinobi Path built around illusion, misdirection and mental pressure. It gains Genjutsu Training, Distorted Perception, Persistent Illusion and World of Illusion, allowing the Shinobi to improve Genjutsu access, interfere with enemy attacks, force rerolls against Genjutsu and eventually trap multiple enemies in a shared illusion. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/faq/path-of-genjutsu/what-is-the-path-of-genjutsu/
What are the main Path of Genjutsu features?
The Path gains Genjutsu Training at 3rd level, Distorted Perception at 6th, Persistent Illusion at 10th and World of Illusion at 14th. These features expand Genjutsu technique access, disrupt attacks, improve the reliability and persistence of illusions and provide a powerful area-control effect.
Read more: Path of Genjutsu D&D Portal - What are the main Path of Genjutsu features? Path of Genjutsu FAQ The Path gains Genjutsu Training at 3rd level, Distorted Perception at 6th, Persistent Illusion at 10th and World of Illusion at 14th. These features expand Genjutsu technique access, disrupt attacks, improve the reliability and persistence of illusions and provide a powerful area-control effect. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/faq/path-of-genjutsu/what-are-the-main-path-of-genjutsu-features/
How do you build and play a Path of Genjutsu Shinobi?
Prioritize Wisdom for Technique Save DC and Dexterity for the Shinobi chassis, choose Genjutsu techniques that solve different control problems, and protect concentration. The Path is strongest when it denies enemy actions, creates misses and changes positioning rather than trying to compete with a pure damage build.
Read more: Path of Genjutsu D&D Portal - How do you build and play a Path of Genjutsu Shinobi? Path of Genjutsu FAQ Prioritize Wisdom for Technique Save DC and Dexterity for the Shinobi chassis, choose Genjutsu techniques that solve different control problems, and protect concentration. The Path is strongest when it denies enemy actions, creates misses and changes positioning rather than trying to compete with a pure damage build. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/faq/path-of-genjutsu/how-do-you-build-and-play-a-path-of-genjutsu-shinobi/
How do Genjutsu techniques interact with Persistent Illusion?
Persistent Illusion improves Genjutsu in two ways: once on each of your turns, after a creature succeeds on a saving throw against one of your Genjutsu techniques, you may spend 1 Chakra Point to force a reroll; and if you lose concentration on a Genjutsu technique because you failed the concentration save, that technique remains active until the end of your next turn.
Read more: Path of Genjutsu D&D Portal - How do Genjutsu techniques interact with Persistent Illusion? Path of Genjutsu FAQ Persistent Illusion improves Genjutsu in two ways: once on each of your turns, after a creature succeeds on a saving throw against one of your Genjutsu techniques, you may spend 1 Chakra Point to force a reroll; and if you lose concentration on a Genjutsu technique because you failed the concentration save, that technique remains active until the end of your next turn. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/faq/path-of-genjutsu/how-do-genjutsu-techniques-interact-with-persistent-illusion/
How does World of Illusion work?
World of Illusion is the 14th-level Genjutsu Path feature. As an action, choose a point within 60 feet; each chosen creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere makes a Wisdom save against your Technique Save DC. On a failure, it is charmed and incapacitated for up to 1 minute while you concentrate. Affected creatures repeat the save at the end of each turn and whenever they take damage. You can use the feature once per long rest.
Read more: Path of Genjutsu D&D Portal - How does World of Illusion work? Path of Genjutsu FAQ World of Illusion is the 14th-level Genjutsu Path feature. As an action, choose a point within 60 feet; each chosen creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere makes a Wisdom save against your Technique Save DC. On a failure, it is charmed and incapacitated for up to 1 minute while you concentrate. Affected creatures repeat the save at the end of each turn and whenever they take damage. You can use the feature once per long rest. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/faq/path-of-genjutsu/how-does-world-of-illusion-work/