Mirror Image Sage Advice

[Ravellion]

A funny anecdote:

One of my players makes a move action then then casts Mirror Image for the first time in 3e (we used it before in 2e). He picks up some extra mini's and places them on either side of himself. I say "Er. Why are you placing extra minis? Just use it as an image which can be hit instead of you, hence % chance of negating an attack, like we always did." He seemed annoyed and didn't want to do it that way. I then proceed to hit the only logical image several times in one round, clearaly not having to make a roll as my NPCS had 6+ Int.

Yes, by the text the images are further apart. But if that would be the case it should also very easily discernable to pick the right image to attack, especially in the first round.

Rav

 

[Hypersmurf]

I disagree. If you have Uncanny Dodge, you are aware of your attackers even while blind (aware enough to avoid their blows normally), and can thus be flanked normally.

If you have Uncanny Dodge, you do not know where your attackers are. You must still choose a square randomly into which to make your attack. You still suffer a 50% miss chance on attacks.

Uncanny Dodge is nothing like Blindsight - which is the condition the FAQ gives for a blind person to be able to be flanked.

The Sage's initial reply in the Sage Advice chat stated that you could not be flanked by invisible creatures unless you retained your Dex bonus to AC. This is not the answer that subsequently went into the Official FAQ, however. Uncanny Dodge is not sufficient to allow you to be flanked while blind, by the Official FAQ.

-Hyp.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Yes, by the text the images are further apart. But if that would be the case it should also very easily discernable to pick the right image to attack, especially in the first round.

Even in the first round, you can cast the spell and then move. If I cast the spell as the centre "me" of a line of 7 "mes" stretching out east and west, and then move, you have no way of knowing if I end up as the easternmost "me", the westernmost "me", or one of the middle "mes".

-Hyp.

 

[DM2]

Even in the first round, you can cast the spell and then move. If I cast the spell as the centre "me" of a line of 7 "mes" stretching out east and west, and then move, you have no way of knowing if I end up as the easternmost "me", the westernmost "me", or one of the middle "mes".

-Hyp.

So...a caster standing in a corridor with monsters charging can just cast mirror image and place all the images between him and the monsters?

Cool...that's a 100% chance of negating the first X number of attacks, unless they have some special ability that lets them ignore the images.

Plus, they can't cleave through them or anything, since they would have to stop their movement to attack...

DM2

 

[BeauNiddle]

So...a caster standing in a corridor with monsters charging can just cast mirror image and place all the images between him and the monsters?

Cool...that's a 100% chance of negating the first X number of attacks, unless they have some special ability that lets them ignore the images.

Plus, they can't cleave through them or anything, since they would have to stop their movement to attack...

DM2

The charger could decide to try and overrun the images till they get to the one they think is real.

If they guess wrong you get to choose to get out of the way or take the attack.

 

[Caliban]

If you have Uncanny Dodge, you do not know where your attackers are. You must still choose a square randomly into which to make your attack. You still suffer a 50% miss chance on attacks.

Uncanny Dodge is nothing like Blindsight - which is the condition the FAQ gives for a blind person to be able to be flanked.

The Sage's initial reply in the Sage Advice chat stated that you could not be flanked by invisible creatures unless you retained your Dex bonus to AC. This is not the answer that subsequently went into the Official FAQ, however. Uncanny Dodge is not sufficient to allow you to be flanked while blind, by the Official FAQ.

-Hyp.

*shrug* As I said, I disagree. You may not exactly where they are, but you know when you are being flanked, just as you know where the blow is coming from when you are attacked.

You don't have to follow the ruling in the FAQ, but if you do, it doesn't have to mean that Uncanny Dodge prevents you from being flanked.

And as a DM, I wouldn't be allowing any "free action to close my eyes only on their turn" cheese. The combatents seem to act sequentially to us, but not to the PC's. The DMG has rules on simulating simultaneous actions when appropriate. I would have no problem ruling this to be one of those situations, and if you close your eyes long enough to be "blind" on your opponents turn, then you are "blind" on your turn as well.

DM's still occasionally make judgement calls on the situation. Believe it or not, it's allowed in the rules.

 

[LokiDR]

*shrug* As I said, I disagree. You may not exactly where they are, but you know when you are being flanked, just as you know where the blow is coming from when you are attacked.

You don't have to follow the ruling in the FAQ, but if you do, it doesn't have to mean that Uncanny Dodge prevents you from being flanked.

And as a DM, I wouldn't be allowing any "free action to close my eyes only on their turn" cheese. The combatents seem to act sequentially to us, but not to the PC's. The DMG has rules on simulating simultaneous actions when appropriate. I would have no problem ruling this to be one of those situations, and if you close your eyes long enough to be "blind" on your opponents turn, then you are "blind" on your turn as well.

DM's still occasionally make judgement calls on the situation. Believe it or not, it's allowed in the rules.

I agree. I plan to use the FAQ and disallow the blinking cheese. You can't be flanked but give up AoOs and have problems hitting.

 

[Rashak Mani]

Attacking with Closed Eyes

Attacking with closed eyes means you get 50% chance of hitting the real guy... but if you miss... you DONT hit an image. So the mirror image will continue to hassle your allies.

Also even if you do allow the temporary "close my eyes".... the images themselves are easier to hit than the mage itself... they only get deflection + dex. So it might be better just to start taking down those images to help out.