Magic Missile vs. Mirror Image

[KarinsDad]

I would disagree with you. With Magic missile you target the character. However, you don't target specific images. At the instant that they strike, let us say 4 images and 1 npc, each missile rolls which target that it hits. Theoretically, all 5 missiles could hit the same image or the caster. Images don't disappear until where they are going has bee determined.

You won't beat Hyp this way. We've had this discussion too many times for that. The targeting rules prevent your type of interpretation.

Target or Targets: Some spells have a target or targets. You cast these spells on creatures or objects, as defined by the spell itself. You must be able to see or touch the target, and you must specifically choose that target.

...

Enemies attempting to attack you or cast spells at you must select from among indistinguishable targets.

One can specifically choose a target and also select from indistinguishable targets, but one cannot do this and guarantee that one is targeting the creature.

There are no "auto target" rules. Illusions can deceive the senses and allow a caster to mistarget a spell.

Best case ruling (i.e. a generous DM who still follows the rules): The selection rule of Mirror Image forces one to sometimes target the creature, sometimes target the image. If one targets the creature (randomly), then fine the missile hits the creature. If one targets an image (randomly), then minimally that missile fizzles (an image is not a creature).

Worse case ruling (i.e. a stingy DM who follows a stricker reading of the rules): If you select one target for all of the missiles, you might get lucky. If you select more than one target for the missiles, they all fail because the targeting conditions for the spell are not met (as mentioned earlier in the thread).

 

[Notmousse]

Since all images must be within 5 feet of another or the caster and you happen to attack one in the middle of a line what happens?

if say the line looks like this...

ÇÇÇÇÇÇX

or this...

ÇÇÇÇXÇÇ

 

[Darklone]

Me too.....

....even though that is contrary to the rules as written.

That's why rule 0 is included

 

[airwalkrr]

pg 62:


the next page has an Q/A about touch spells hitting an image--the touch spell is discharged and the image goes away.

pg 56 has a long answer about Animated objects that includes letting MM damage animated objects as well.

The FAQ still leaves it vague as to whether or not a magic missile causes an image to be destroyed, although I suppose it is implied, and maybe the author is just assuming that everything thinks the way he does.

A touch spell is arguably quite different, as it requires an attack roll whereas magic missile does not.

 

[airwalkrr]

Since all images must be within 5 feet of another or the caster and you happen to attack one in the middle of a line what happens?

if say the line looks like this...

ÇÇÇÇÇÇX

or this...

ÇÇÇÇXÇÇ

I don't have the book in front of me, but I am pretty sure the spell stipulates that all images occupy the same square. It does make for a quite a jumble, but if you don't try too hard to visualize it, it works mechanically with no problem.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I don't have the book in front of me, but I am pretty sure the spell stipulates that all images occupy the same square.

No; the spell states that each image must be within 5 feet of the caster or another image.

Thus it can be seen that it's within the limitations of the spell for one image to be ten feet from the caster, if it is five feet from an image that is five feet from the caster; an image ten feet from the caster cannot also be in the same five foot square.

The FAQ recommends that for simplicity, one assumes all images to be in the same square, but it is certainly not mandated by the spell text.

-Hyp.

 

[airwalkrr]

The FAQ recommends that for simplicity, one assumes all images to be in the same square, but it is certainly not mandated by the spell text.

-Hyp.

Ah, that must have been what I was recalling. Either way, that is the way I have ruled it for years. And it really makes little difference in play whether you place the images on the board or not.