Blindsense versus Mirror Image

[Thanee]

Does Blindsense foil Mirror Image?

Specifically, can a Pseudodragon precisely discern (and then communicate this fact to its master), which of the images is the real one?

Bye
Thanee

 

[dcollins]

Due to the "attacker shuts her eyes" clause in the spell, I would say "yes" to the first question. The second question (communicating from character A to B) is more ambiguous and up to the DM. I think I would disallow that, especially since A must have his eyes closed and can't see any surroundings to communicate to B.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Due to the "attacker shuts her eyes" clause in the spell, I would say "yes" to the first question. The second question (communicating from character A to B) is more ambiguous and up to the DM. I think I would disallow that, especially since A must have his eyes closed and can't see any surroundings to communicate to B.

I'd allow him to communicate the information by sticking the real caster with a poisoned tail!



-Hyp.

 

[dcollins]

Yeah, I guess I'd allow that, followed by counterattacks on the familiar, of course.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Yeah, I guess I'd allow that, followed by counterattacks on the familiar, of course.

Yeah, counterattack me while you're asleep, Will-save-boy!

-Hyp.

 

[Liquidsabre]

Blindsense: "Using nonvisual senses, such as acute smell or hearing, a creature with blindsense notices things it cannot see. The creature usually does not need to make Spot or Listen checks to pinpoint the location of a creature within range of its blindsense ability, provided that it has line of effect to that creature."

In this case, with multiple mirror images and distinguishing the real image, I'd have the familiar make an avg difficulty spot or listen check to accurately pin-point which image (especially when such images can be very close to one another). The difficulty with relaying said info is both an amusing and problematic situation however:

Psuedodragon: "There!"
Wizard: "Where!?"
Psd: "To your left, to your left!"
Wiz: "Aha!"
Psd: "No, your other left!"
Wiz: "Damn images, which one now, he moved?
Psd: Third one from the right I think and slightly off-center to...no wait, he's moving again, he's moving! There! The one that's pointing and casting, er, the second from the left now!"
Wiz: "&*%#@!!"

With images constantly shifting in combat it would be difficult for anyone to really pin-point the true image and relay this info to someone else. It'd be better for the Wiz to charge the Psuedodragon with a touch spell and have it go after the true image instead or just attack the true image so the Wiz could see which one.

 

[Hypersmurf]

With images constantly shifting in combat...

Well, they only shift when the caster moves, to merge with and split off from an image.

So if you can determine which one is real, you know until the next time the caster moves...

-Hyp.

 

[dcollins]

Yeah, counterattack me while you're asleep, Will-save-boy!

Notice I didn't say a counterattack from the wizard himself, necessarily.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Blindsense: "Using nonvisual senses, such as acute smell or hearing, a creature with blindsense notices things it cannot see. The creature usually does not need to make Spot or Listen checks to pinpoint the location of a creature within range of its blindsense ability, provided that it has line of effect to that creature."

Actually - you can't do it using your hearing. Mirror image specifically says so.

Unfortunately this brings us to the point where blindsense is problematic. If a creature's blindsense is due to acute hearing, then it cannot pick out a mirror imaged opponent. If it's due to acute smell, then it can.

Of course if the individual cannot see you, the audible component of the spell apparently stops working on him. Which seems more than a little odd.

Frankly I think that illusions which fool visual senses should fool blindsight as well. Either that or someone should get off their butt and redo blindsight so it makes a little sense.

 

[BelXiror]

If blindsense is based of sound, it is most likely sonar, which would work fine on Mirror Image, as the sound would go straight through the images and only reflect off the actual caster.