Mirror Image vs Magic Missile

[Nail]

Mirror Image is a figment, so it doesn't fall under the can't destroy objects clause of Magic Missile.

In brief:

Figments are not creatures, so Magic Missile cannot target them.

 

[Mistwell]

The thing is that you are targeting the creature. But can the damage from each missile be negated by destroying an image.

Actually, reading the text:
Enemies attempting to attack you or cast spells at you must select from among indistinguishable targets.

This states that an image is a valid target though you wouldn't know if it is real until after the damage is resolved.

Under magic missile text:
Inanimate objects are not damaged by this spell.

I think that applies to objects, not an illusion which is tied to saving your butt. An illusion is not an object.

These particular illusions are also not inananimate. Indeed, they are specifically animate.

 

[Mistwell]

In brief:

Figments are not creatures, so Magic Missile cannot target them.

Can you target the actual caster (100% of the time) with a magic missle if they have mirror image cast on them then? If not, why not? You have line of sight and line of effect. You can target a creature, and the caster is a creature. Mirror Image doesn't give concealment or cover that I am aware of.

 

[werk]

Do you mean magic missile fizzle and image remains? That is what I'm reading from your comment.

Either the spell's target is invalid and the spell is wasted, I think that would be RAW, or...?

 

[evilbob]

As many have said before and will undoubtedly say again, this topic (like the sunder debate and several others) tends to resurface about as often as the last thread drops out of the top ten pages. It's a pretty simple argument at this point and both sides are well-supported: very strict interpretation of the rules says MM cannot target images and the spell fizzles; most folks (including I think the FAQ writers and notoriously random support responders) allow it. Neither side is right; it's at best a matter of opinion... like many of the other continually resurfacing debates in the rules forum. Pick either side and you will have gobs of evidence to back you up. In the end, you just have to choose for yourself.

 

[Nail]

Can you target the actual caster (100% of the time) with a magic missle if they have mirror image cast on them then? If not, why not? You have line of sight and line of effect. You can target a creature, and the caster is a creature. Mirror Image doesn't give concealment or cover that I am aware of.

Considering we have the Sunder argument in play, might as well get another oft-debated topic started.

When targeting with a magic missile, how do you select the target? Can you say "the creature in that area over there?", thus asking the spell to distinguish from between the figments and the creature?

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. You do not have to select your target until you finish casting the spell.

 

[Mistwell]

Considering we have the Sunder argument in play, might as well get another oft-debated topic started.

When targeting with a magic missile, how do you select the target? Can you say "the creature in that area over there?", thus asking the spell to distinguish from between the figments and the creature?

I specifically choose the spell caster. I know what space he occupies, and exactly what he looks like, and I can see him, and there is nothing stopping line of effect. And because you cannot strike a specific body part, we know by "specific" they do not mean "perfect specificity". Sounds like "spellcaster in that space that I can see" is specific enough to me.

Honestly, it's a silly debate at this point. We all know how this ends. Three camps are created:

1) MM can hit the individual images themselves. Most people seem to support this view.
2) The MM fizzles because you cannot target an image. This is a small but distinct minority.
3) The MM strikes the caster and ignores the images entirely. This is an even smaller minority.

My view is actually #1, though I think either of the other two can be supported by the rules.

 

[delericho]

I know what space he occupies,

Actually, you don't (usually). In the 3.5 ruleset, the images created by Mirror Image do not necessarily occupy the same space as the caster.

For simplicity, I'm inclined to rule that Magic Missiles will strike and destroy images created by Mirror Image.

 

[RigaMortus2]

I specifically choose the spell caster. I know what space he occupies,

These figments separate from you and remain in a cluster, each within 5 feet of at least one other figment or you

If these figments appear within 5 feet of at least one other image, how do you know which of those spaces is occupied by an image, and which one is occupied by the caster? If you DID know which one was occupied by the caster, then there would be no need to randomly determine if you hit a figment or the caster, because... well... you know!

The only time you might know where the caster is when the caster actually gets struck, and then they would have to...

While moving, you can merge with and split off from figments so that enemies who have learned which image is real are again confounded

So, to recap...

Since the figments are always within 5 feet of one another, you do not know which of those 5 foot spaces hold an image or the caster.
If you DID know, then MM would work fine if you specifically targetted the caster (with all the missiles). But so would any other attack on him for that matter.

 

[Nail]

I specifically choose the spell caster...

Normally that would be possible.....

....except that in the case of Mirror Image:

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

So....which one is the spell caster you specifically chose?

Answer: They are indistinguishable (barring a special circumstance). You can't apriori chose the spell caster from among the possible targets. If you chose a target that is an invalid target for the spell Magic Missile, your spell fails.