Mirror Image vs. Finger of Death
- Thread starter godfear
- Start date
Numion said:
It's all good.
Yup.
I have this discussions like this from time to time with my players and with people here on the boards. For example, do you take out many smaller enemies first, or do you take out one more powerful enemy first?
My philosophy tends to be to take out many smaller enemies unless they do not seem to be effective. Fewer enemies typically mean fewer counterattacks.
In the case of Mirror Image, you have two choices:
1) You can ignore it which means that your are ignoring an arcane spell caster and the images are providing even MORE protection for him, giving him the flexibility to decide on a wider variety of actions. OR
2) You can focus on it which means that the arcane spell caster might be in serious trouble and the images in fact provide LESS protection, forcing him to worry about attackers as opposed to him being totally free to pick and choose targets at will.
I choose the latter. Make the spell a liability instead of an advantage. IMO.
The fact is that in a high level campaign, there are many ways to take out the spell in a single round.
A Hasted Wizard opponent can easily take out all of images with two magic missiles spells.
Two enemy bowmen can take out the images.
A single Targeted Dispel Magic or Greater Dispel Magic will often take out the images (and possibly other magic on the caster).
An opponent spell caster with Minor Globe or Globe of Invulnerability can walk up to the caster and temporarily take out the images.
A single Chain Lightning spell or Mass Suggestion spell will take out the images.
But, the downside to the arcane spell caster using my philosophy is that opponents are targeting him as opposed to someone else, BECAUSE he has Mirror Image up. Yes, it protects him for a while, but it also makes him a target. And, nothing says that an opponent will not get lucky and actually hit the arcane spell caster multiple times.
The best protection in the game is to not be a target at all. Mirror Image gives the illusion of that, but not if the opponents are played intelligently. Instead, Mirror Image can do the exact opposite of its intent. Again, IMO.
Thanee said:
Nope. Chain Lightning allows the caster to determine the targets and it just arcs from one to the next. This spell has actual targets as opposed to an area, so it will easily take out Mirror Image.
My favorite thought on how to do this is Mass Invisibility. Your opponent will attempt to save against it, but regardless of that, all of the images poof.
Hmmmm. I wonder if you can voluntary lower your DC so that your opponent automatically makes his save (shy of rolling a 1).
A discussion for another thread I guess.
Numion said:
You've got a great point here. Mirror Image is pretty damn obvious. Maybe it's become so common in my games that I've lost the big picture .. .
Well, live and learn. I need me a new tactics!
Let us know in a week or so if you actually got your arcane spell casting PC(s) whining because everyone is picking on him.
But, if you do this to him, let him stew for a few months and see if he can figure it out on his own. Don't just tell him, no matter how great the urge.
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Area affect spells may not dispel the images but they'll sure as hell get the caster too. Every time the PC's are encountered with a mirror-image mage they just light off a fireball, lightning bolt, flame strike, etc and eventually they get it.
If you cast glitterdust are the mirror images covered in dust?
If you cast glitterdust are the mirror images covered in dust?
