Wizard Spells 10-16 Two Page Spread

[Kobold Avenger]

Personally, my problem with it is that it affects AC, but not Reflex. It makes much more sense for it to augment Reflex (which then augments AC, as well), since it would stymie a caster's attempt to target you with a spell (Reflex) as much as a fighter's attempt to stab you (AC).

It's a maintained effect that doesn't end with a saving throw or the moment it was cast. Therefore with the potential to do more damage than some spells, it's going to be harder to hit with.

 

[Graf]

It needs work. Currently a psychic attack would pop an image even though the image doesn't serve as an impediment.

If the psionic attack is vs AC (i.e. a psionic blade that swings through the air) why would that not be affected? Mirror Image doesn't imped things. It tricks you into attacking empty space.

If your psionic attack is a reflex attack (i.e. affect an area) then Mirror Image won't affect it. But it it tries to "stab" somebody then it's affected, just like a weapon strike.

That makes sense to me. I guess, and is basically just like a (clearly worded) version of the spell in earlier editions.

 

[The Little Raven]

My impression was that Reflex was like fireball or burning hands.
Historically mirror image never affected those spells.

Historically, the wizard wasn't making an attack roll, he was assumed auto-success and his target was given the task of determining whether he reduced the effect or not.

Now, the wizard is making an attack roll, so he is aiming and targeting with his spells. Magic Missile, for example, is a single-target Reflex attacking at-will spell. There's no reason it shouldn't be affected by Mirror Image (since you might have aimed it at one of the images).

The mage isn't targeting you, he's waving his (or her) hand in a direction and flame billows forth.

Except with things like Sonic Orb and Acid Arrow being single-target attacks that produce an AoE on a successful attack as a secondary effect. They still require to you aim and hit your target.

 

[fafhrd]

I was trying to provide the most absurd case I could imagine, an attack vs will.
Yet text indicates,

Each time an attack misses you, one of your duplicate images disappears

that an image would wink out.

 

[The Little Raven]

It's a maintained effect that doesn't end with a saving throw or the moment it was cast. Therefore with the potential to do more damage than some spells, it's going to be harder to hit with.

In the words of hong: "Lolwut?"

I seriously don't know what you're referring to here. I was talking about how Mirror Image boosts AC (attacks that are attempting to penetrate your armor in addition to your ability to dodge) when I think it should, logically, target Reflex (attacks that attempt to penetrate your ability to dodge, which is made more effective by the fact that there are now 4 of you instead of 1, making target selection more difficult).

 

[Mentat55]

My impression was that Reflex was like fireball or burning hands.
Historically mirror image never affected those spells.

You just target an area (a square or set of squares) and whether the person is affected ('hit') depends on how agile they are.

The mage isn't targeting you, he's waving his (or her) hand in a direction and flame billows forth.

It's just rolled as an attack roll to keep the system consistent.

However, Reflex defense can also be targeted by rays, orbs, and other touch attacks. Take, for example, the tiefling wizard's Magic Missile and Force Orb powers, or the rogue's Piercing Strike. So I can see why having the +6 power bonus apply to Reflex defense would be appropriate -- in some cases. It would be pretty easy to say "adds a +6 power bonus to AC and Reflex defense. Whenever an attack against AC or Reflex defense misses, this bonus decreases by 2."

 

[fafhrd]

Whenever an attack against AC or Reflex defense misses, this bonus decreases by 2."

Unfortunately the rolling boulder trap attacks reflex. Doesn't make a lot of sense that Mirror Image would work in such a scenario. They should probably scrap it and try again.

 

[The Little Raven]

So I can see why having the +6 power bonus apply to Reflex defense would be appropriate -- in some cases. It would be pretty easy to say "adds a +6 power bonus to AC and Reflex defense. Whenever an attack against AC or Reflex defense misses, this bonus decreases by 2."

I agreed with you completely until I got to this point in my post, and realized something... since poison attacks are usually against Fortitude, this wouldn't defend from poison stinger attacks and stuff like that. The power probably needs a bit more tweaking.

 

[The Little Raven]

Unfortunately the rolling boulder trap attacks reflex. Doesn't make a lot of sense that Mirror Image would work in such a scenario. They should probably scrap it and try again.

"Traps are immune to Illusions."

Problem solved in five words.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

In the words of hong: "Lolwut?"

Oops, wrongs spell: that was Bigby's Grasping Hand.

Anyways I think the lack of Reflex going up in Mirror Image, is due to the fact that it never defended much against fireballs in the past.