Mirror Image - Need a refresher course in this...

[Dracorat]

1.) Does Deathwatch reveal the Mirror Images as "non-living"...in fact, does it do this with other Illusion spells?

I would allow it to determine which square the real castor is in, but if figments were in his square with him, then not specifically which was him.

 

[Hypersmurf]

It points out that not all figments have an auditory part by stating that some (but not stating that all) do have one. This is one case of one that doesn't.

But what's your justification for that, when the spell states that you can't use hearing to distinguish between image and reality? Doesn't that imply that there is an auditory element to the figments?

-Hyp.

 

[Dracorat]

If the inhibition against using listen to locate were active continually then I suppose so.

But that inhibition is only presented as 'when the images separate'.

Additionally, listen checks will only tell you at best which five foot section a caster is in. If there is a caster and additional images in that same section, you know which section the real dude is in, but not which one of the dudes is the real one.

 

[Artoomis]

But what's your justification for that, when the spell states that you can't use hearing to distinguish between image and reality? Doesn't that imply that there is an auditory element to the figments?

-Hyp.

Well, what it really implies is that somehow the visual component messes with your other senses as well such that the only mundane way to tell them apart is to hack at 'em and have the images go away when hit. (Short of a creature with tremorsense or something, I suppose.)

Simple, eh?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Additionally, listen checks will only tell you at best which five foot section a caster is in. If there is a caster and additional images in that same section, you know which section the real dude is in, but not which one of the dudes is the real one.

Once you know which 5 foot square he's in, you can close your eyes. A 50% miss chance is better than a 1-in-6 guess, if he's in a square with 5 images...

-Hyp.

 

[Dracorat]

Oh I totally agree. Unless you will be fighting the wizard over a large duration of rounds, in which case, its better to just get the additional images outta there so you don't take the 50/50 for a cumulatively large number of rounds.

But if a strike or two would fell the wizard, close thine eyes!

 

[pawsplay]

Met me recap:

Intrepretation A:
- The spell is a visual and auditory figment, since hearing cannot be used to tell them apart
- But the sound figments don't sound convincing, since with your eyes closed you can easily ignore them

Interpretation B:
- The spell is a visual figment
- Yet you are too stupid to discern that some of the images do not generate sound unless you close your eyes

 

[Hypersmurf]

Met me recap:

Intrepretation A:
- The spell is a visual and auditory figment, since hearing cannot be used to tell them apart
- But the sound figments don't sound convincing, since with your eyes closed you can easily ignore them

I'd say, rather:
- The spell is a visual and auditory figment, since hearing cannot be used to tell them apart
- But with your eyes closed, the spell has no effect on you.

As long as your eyes are open, the sounds are perfectly convincing.

-Hyp.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Oh I totally agree. Unless you will be fighting the wizard over a large duration of rounds, in which case, its better to just get the additional images outta there so you don't take the 50/50 for a cumulatively large number of rounds.

Especially if you have great cleave.

Oops, that's a whole other can o' wyrms.

 

[Thurbane]

Yes, I've seen a a few "Does Cleave/Great Cleave work on Mirror Images" debates in the past. My own rule is that it does not. Two reasons (purely instinct, not RAW):

1. You are expecting to connect with solid flesh and bone, not thin air - therefore your balance is sufficiently put off to ruin the Cleave.

2. Cleave, and more especially Great Cleave, are virtually area effect attacks, which are specifically stated not to destroy Mirror Images.

I think the RAW may back me up on this:

CLEAVE [GENERAL]
Prerequisites: Str 13, Power Attack.

Benefit: If you deal a creature enough damage to make it drop (typically by dropping it to below 0 hit points or killing it), you get an immediate, extra melee attack against another creature within reach. You cannot take a 5-foot step before making this extra attack. The extra attack is with the same weapon and at the same bonus as the attack that dropped the previous creature. You can use this ability once per round.

Special: A fighter may select Cleave as one of his fighter bonus feats.

Technically, Mirror Images do not "drop" as such, they pop out of existance. neither do you "kill" them, and they have no hit points to reduce...

Now on the other hand, I would let Whirlwind Attack get an attack against every image and the original.