D&D 5E Magic Missile vs. Mirror Image

[Corwin]

This is surreal. I don't find it fun at all for the rules to be 'whatever the DM thinks is fun on a whim'. It's like I'm watching the dreams of a mental patient, rather than being the protagonist in an adventure.

The rules in the book are the only thing that distinguish us from kids playing "Cops n Robbers".

 

[Zaukrie]

Huh. Was this the rule in previous editions? I don't think I've ever played it that way, in forty years. Kind of weakens the defensive usefulness

 

[robus]

The rules in the book are the only thing that distinguish us from kids playing "Cops n Robbers".

Well that's being a bit harsh. Rulings not rules remember. We can't always keep every little bit in our heads and if no one at the table has an issue then what's the concern? We all had fun which I think is the purpose of this activity?

 

[Zaukrie]

Also, what's wrong per se with loose rules?

 

[Arial Black]

Huh. Was this the rule in previous editions? I don't think I've ever played it that way, in forty years. Kind of weakens the defensive usefulness

Yes, mirror image worked differently in previous editions. Before, MM could target and take out images, deliberately. It was a sound tactic to cast MM and spread them around the images hoping not to get the real person because taking out an image was more valuable than doing 3.5 points of damage. This is why there are so many on this thread that seem convinced that it still works this way in this new edition.

In 5E, it simply doesn't work that way anymore. Adapt your tactics appropriately.

 

[Rod Staffwand]

So now that that's settled...

How do you resolve someone attempting to grapple a creature with mirror images?

 

[Arial Black]

Also, what's wrong per se with loose rules?

What's wrong is when the players don't even know what the rules are because the DM makes them up on the spur of the moment.

You cannot effectively make decisions for your PC if you don't know what the cause and effect will be.

 

[Brandegoris]

My idea of fun is to rise to the challenges presented by using my PC's abilities in a cool and sensible way.

I know what my abilities do; they are written in the rule-book.

If I use my abilities and, instead of using the rules, the DM just makes stuff up on the spur of the moment then there is no direct connection between the decision I made to use that ability and the effect that had in the game. It's like everything I do becomes like wild magic; no cause and effect that I could know.

This is surreal. I don't find it fun at all for the rules to be 'whatever the DM thinks is fun on a whim'. It's like I'm watching the dreams of a mental patient, rather than being the protagonist in an adventure.

YMMV.

I disagree but that's okay. I don't need the rules to have fun. The DM is ultimately telling a story and sometimes the rules don't help him do that. For me its all about story. rules are guidelines. I get that sometimes there are Sh*t DM's and THEY bend the rules to be Dicky, But then I just don't wanna play with those guys. That is simple, I just call the DM out and tell him hes being a douche and I am not having fun.
I wont try and convince you because we all have styles we like. There are no bad ways to role play as long as everyone is having fun.

 

[Brandegoris]

What's wrong is when the players don't even know what the rules are because the DM makes them up on the spur of the moment.

You cannot effectively make decisions for your PC if you don't know what the cause and effect will be.

This seems very melodramatic. No one is suggesting a DM should rewrite the book. In cases like the one we are discussing where there is confusion over how something works its ok for the DM to propose what he thinks is correct and as long as everyone else agrees there's no problem.
Its not DM vs Players around my table so I don't have a problem with civil discussions that lead to good solutions. Clearly you have had some dick DM's

 

[Arial Black]

This seems very melodramatic. No one is suggesting a DM should rewrite the book. In cases like the one we are discussing where there is confusion over how something works its ok for the DM to propose what he thinks is correct and as long as everyone else agrees there's no problem.
Its not DM vs Players around my table so I don't have a problem with civil discussions that lead to good solutions. Clearly you have had some dick DM's

Even without deliberately being dickish, the DM's decisions can make the difference between life and death.

In the recent example, the rules say that the wizard can exclude the ranger from his fireball, images or no. The DM's ruling-on-a-whim (for 'fun') changes the perfectly sound decision by the wizard to use fireball knowing that the ranger will be unharmed, to one which results in the ranger being damaged and possibly killed anyway.

That's not my idea of 'fun'.

If the DM is unsure how it's supposed to work then he can damn well look it up in the book! It's right there, next to the snacks! It's not on the Moon! It's not unreasonable to look the thing up. The player can look it up. It's not a secret!