Do you let Magic Missiles destroy Mirror Images?

[mirivor]

How is Magic Missile broken?

Maybe I should have stated it differently.

Magic Missile requires no attack, has an enormous range, scales with level, can select from any number of targets up to its missile total including the application of several missiles to one target and one missile to another, and does force damage. Relative to other 1st level spells, that is a good, even great, spell. It may be the best one in the game for its level. So good that I have rarely seen a mage without it, which sets off klaxon horns and alarms in my head.

Also grant me leniency for the broken statement with the knowledge that I am constantly seeking a more gritty, less anime-style game.

 

[Thanee]

Ok.

I just think it's wrong to say a spell is automatically too good, just because it is better than most of its level. Maybe most of the others are too weak. I think this is one such case.

There are certainly stronger (core) spells for low levels, like Color Spray.

According to Tome & Blood, Magic Missile is the benchmark for offensive 1st-level spells, BTW.

Bye
Thanee

 

[mvincent]

I believe we've previously determined that the literal interpretation of a rule isn't always the best, most correct, or intended interpretation of a rule (examples provided on request).

However, following an unambiguously clear answer given in the FAQ is usefully helpful, and indeed is expected in official (RPGA) games and such. I'm perfectly content to have DM's decide how to rule in their own games though.

 

[Li Shenron]

Then why does the spell description say "select from among indistinguishable targets", rather than "randomly redirected to one of the images"?

It's the attacker that chooses a target, not the spell...

True but irrelevant to answer the original question: "Do you let Magic Missiles destroy Mirror Images?"

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

In 1E or 2E, the Mirror Image illusions ONLY interfered with weapon attacks. The spell stated so.

No, you're wrong there- I just reread the spell in both 1Ed and 2Ed forms.

In 1Ed, it targeted creatures, but the rules were such that illusions were considered valid targets for both melee attacks and spells, but only spells could “pop” an image.

In 2Ed, the targeting language was “X targets,” and again, illusions were valid targets.

 

[MarkB]

If you stick one with a dagger, it vanishes... that's not normal behaviour for a creature!

Once you actually make your selection, the effects of whatever you attempt are dependent on whether you were right or wrong. You can distinguish them by the result, but not before you start.

But how can the spell fail completely when cast against something indistinguishable from a real creature, without actually striking that creature? The figment is indistinguishable from a creature, therefore the spell cannot distinguish it from a creature - until the missile actually strikes.

Remember, enemies can learn which is real and which are fake, until the caster moves and splits off to confound them once again.

Yes, it's possible to tell by deductive reasoning which image is false if you see an effect succeed against the real creature, but there's still no apparent difference between them. Are you claiming that a magic missile spell is capable of deductive reasoning?

 

[Delta]

Wow, I just discovered something that we played incorrectly throughout 1e.

After the above mention of the magic missile/mirror image interaction not working in 1e, I looked it up in my 1e PH, and lo and behold it appears that you can't use mm to 'pop' images in 1e- it must be a weapon.

Actually, Gygax addressed this in one of his long threads on the General forum. Short story: 1E magic missile created a magical (missile) weapon, and would pop images. Perhaps someone with Search can dig that up.

 

[Hypersmurf]

But Magic Missile only depends upon the caster being able to percieve his target- it never mentions by sight.

All targeted spells require you to be able to 'see or touch' the target.

Are you claiming that a magic missile spell is capable of deductive reasoning?

Not at all.

Let's say a Mirror Imaged wizard in steel boots walks through a field full of magnets.

The magnets stick to his boots, not to the figments. Does this mean the magnets are capable of deductive reasoning?

Let's say the wizard and his four figments walk through a muddy estuary. Only one set of footprints is left behind when they've passed. Does this mean the mud is capable of deductive reasoning?

The spell doesn't distinguish between the targets. Once it's cast, it just discovers whether or not it succeeds or fails. The glowing dart isn't something that happens prior to the success or failure of the casting; the glowing dart only occurs if the casting is successful, and the casting can only be successful if the target is valid.

-Hyp.

 

[KarinsDad]

I don't get where that is bad. The spell is reliable. That's pretty much its main effect.

The spell is too reliable.

Want to hit an incorporeal creature every time, no problem.

I do not know how many ghosts in our campaigns were shelacked by multiple arcane casters whipping out their Magic Missiles spells (and when that ran out, their Wands of Magic Missile).

Sure, it takes 3-4 Magic Missile spells and 3-4 rounds to wipe out most any same level opponent at 9th level, but the fact remains is that the arcane caster who does this will wipe out the opponent. The opponent typically has no defense against this shy of running away (or killing the arcane caster which might not always be doable).

 

[KarinsDad]

No, you're wrong there- I just reread the spell in both 1Ed and 2Ed forms.

In 1Ed, it targeted creatures, but the rules were such that illusions were considered valid targets for both melee attacks and spells, but only spells could “pop” an image.

In 2Ed, the targeting language was “X targets,” and again, illusions were valid targets.

I'm not wrong. First off, Mirror Image is the spell that only allows weapon attacks. Not Magic Missile. You were reading the wrong spell.

Go back and reread the proper spell this time.

Quote page numbers for your supposed illusion rules here.