Does SR protect your Mirror Images?

[dcollins]

Remember that the FAQ rulings indicate that "simulated creature" illusions are legitimate targets for attacks, which is a very reasonable ruling.

To be very literal, even when a melee attack hits a mirror image it is "wasted" because it didn't hit the real creature. Nontheless, it can take down the mirror image.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Don't know if I'm getting the FAQ right, but it states:

It wouldn't matter if you got the FAQ correct or not. It is, more than often, completely incorrect in the way it rules.

For instance (as you provided):

b) "All figments occupy the same square(s) as the caster of the spell."

From the *actual* spell in question:

Mirror image creates 1d4 images plus one image per three caster levels (maximum eight images total). These figments separate from you and remain in a cluster, each within 5 feet of at least one other figment or you.

 

[Fieari]

The images may be your foes, but they aren't creatures. So they'd be valid targets for Bane, which specifies enemies, but not for Magic Missile, which specifies creatures.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Don't know if I'm getting the FAQ right, but it states:

a) "For all intents and purposes, the figments from a foe's mirror image spell are your foes."

But where does the FAQ get that from?

-Hyp.

 

[two]

a friendly warning

Let me just warn everyone, speaking as someone who has extensively used (abused) Mirror Image, that if you go by a strict interpretation which disallows things like targeted spells (magic missile, etc.) to dispel images -- this spell becomes hideously over-the-top great.

Mirror Image is my staple defensive spell. Not as in, I cast it sometimes. But as in, I cast it always. Every battle, at the start, or ahead given a round or ten to buff.

There is no situation where mirror image is bad, or suboptimal.

And it doesn't even have a duration of 1 rnd/level! How crazy is that?

Going against spellcasters? Stop those "save or be screwed" spells entirely! What mage will target you (and 7 of your figments) when they could instead target the scary-looking cleric or fighter?

Going against a big scary melee monster? Step up to the plate. Wade into melee. Monster full attacks. Step back 5', recast the 2nd level spell. Monster full attacks again. Step back, if necessary recast or maybe not if there are 3-4 images left. Etc. All the while your pals are not being attacked and are killing the thing. All you "waste" are a few 2nd level spells.

Going aginst a bunch of monsters? It works great, it stops them from hitting (or getting in a lucky crit) 95% of the time, while you can cast spells or hack away. Usually low-level baddies don't have multiple attacks...

Going against undead? Stops those pesky level drains wonderfully well.

Etc.

There are no, and I mean, no, counters except True Seeing (completely effective and very rare), Whirlwind attack (less rare but still very rare), and... that's it. Done. The only other way is to actually attack each image. This gives a typical caster 2 or so rounds of damage-free, spell-targeted free fun. That's a huge advantage. Of course, if the monsters avoid you because it's obviously hard to hit you.... one Mirror Image easily lasts the whole combat.

Oh - the enemies can close their eyes and attack of course. Giving a 50% miss chance and etc. Seems like a dumb idea. It's never really worked out that well.

As a player, a strict "no magic missile no targeted spells" rules makes my mouth water.

As a GM, it just sucks. It's very boring to play out, and the party will get tired of enemies who are always Mirror Imaged in return. ) for tat, etc.)

Note: it is a rather dull spell to play out. "ok i hit image 4, is that the real one? No. Ok it's dispelled. Ok I missed the next one I think. What is it's AC again? Uh, 14. Ok I missed it..." etc.

Further note: There are a few other spells that should be looked at in comparison to Mirror Image. Blur (2nd level) simply reeks. Displacement (3rd level) is nearly always worse than MI and lasts a fraction of the time. Etc.

To sum: resist the urge to power up mirror image for the sake of your game. Let magic missile, other targeted spells dispel figments. It's just a 2nd level spell, after all.

 

[KarinsDad]

The images may be your foes, but they aren't creatures. So they'd be valid targets for Bane, which specifies enemies, but not for Magic Missile, which specifies creatures.

No, they are not.

Figments are not enemies either. Hence, Bane would not affect them. Course, Bane would not affect them anyway (they do not get attack rolls or saves versus fear as is).

Figments can be considered foes, but not enemies. An enemy in DND terms is a specific thing. A creature who is Unfriendly to you (not that you are unfriendly to it). What is interesting is that a Hostile creature is not an enemy though.

 

[ThirdWizard]

There are no, and I mean, no, counters except True Seeing (completely effective and very rare), Whirlwind attack (less rare but still very rare), and... that's it. Done.

Fireball is a good counter, or any area spell. As is Dispel Magic.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Fireball is a good counter, or any area spell.

Depends what you mean. It damages the caster, true, but it doesn't affect the continuing functionality of the MI spell.

-Hyp.

 

[KarinsDad]

Let me just warn everyone, speaking as someone who has extensively used (abused) Mirror Image, that if you go by a strict interpretation which disallows things like targeted spells (magic missile, etc.) to dispel images -- this spell becomes hideously over-the-top great.

Only at low level.

At higher level, the Fighter and the Archer full round attack the Wizard and hit virtually every time (due to the low AC of the images) and pop most of the images, or damage the Wizard.

For smart opponents, a Wizard is begging for a stomping if he casts Mirror Image because EVERY opponent should be going after him first instead of allowing him unopposed spell casting, even if that means throwing a dagger at him from a distance. Enemy spell casters should be targeting the Wizard with area affect spells.

As a DM, if your smart NPCs are avoiding the PC Wizard because he is casting Mirror Image, they are being played inferiorly and doing the exact opposite of what they are supposed to be doing. You always take out the biggest threat and a Mirror Imaged arcane spell caster is the biggest threat because he can only be counterspelled or area affected, he cannot effectively be readied against with normal targeted attacks to disrupt his spells or attacked as well straight up.

Mirror Image is my staple defensive spell. Not as in, I cast it sometimes. But as in, I cast it always. Every battle, at the start, or ahead given a round or ten to buff.

Your DM is taking it too easy on you. He should be stomping you as the most obvious threat in many battles.

 

[ThirdWizard]

Depends what you mean. It damages the caster, true, but it doesn't affect the continuing functionality of the MI spell.

Sorry, yes, bypass would have been better suited.