Magic Missile vs Mirror Image in Hyperborea

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Posted by lige
7/29/2025 8:39 pm
#1

This is an ancient debate (searching I found a thread on this started in 2007 by our own Handy Haversack on Dragonsfoot) but curious how you all would rule on the following:  A magic missile barrage is directed at a character using mirror image (with multiple images).  Do the missiles strike the real target unerringly?  Or do they have same chance as any other attack to hit the real targe vs the images and if so do you give each missile that chance or do you roll once for the whole flight?   

This almost came up in my latest session but I was saved from having to make the ruling by the players winning initiative and a timely use of a Wand of Lightning by the intended target.

 
Posted by rhialto
7/30/2025 5:26 am
#2

I'd rule that the magic missiles fly unerringly where aimed (i.e., the "target"). That means the missile(s) would automatically hit whichever image aimed at (real or mirrored). Since the spell description allows multiple missiles to be split up against multiple targets I'd allow a caster to do so, meaning I'd roll for each missile separately, with the chance of hitting real vs. mirror image increasing with each dissipated mirror.


"It is all very well to point out that the man lacks facility; as he asserts, sheer force can overpower sophistication."
Jack Vance, Rhialto the Marvellous
 
Posted by gizmomathboy
7/30/2025 8:17 am
#3

Yeah, I would have caster choose where each missile would go.

I would likely rule that they basically hit simultaneously so none go to another target.


What? Me worry?
 
Posted by Blackadder23
7/30/2025 12:22 pm
#4

Since the missiles can be aimed at multiple targets, I would probably allow a clever player to make the following argument: "I see four versions of the enemy sorcerer in front of me. I can unerringly fire four magic missiles when I cast the spell. Therefore, I'm going to aim one missile at each apparent sorcerer that I see." I would then allow a missile to unerringly hit each of the three duplicates (dispelling it) and the final missile to unerringly hit the actual sorcerer (inflicting damage). The player would have to think of this argument himself though. If he didn't, I would randomly determine the target of each missile as usual.

Mirror image is a first level illusionist spell, so I think there are limits to how much it should be allowed to foil other spells.


Michael Sipe 1979-2018
Rest in peace, brother.
 
Posted by gizmomathboy
7/31/2025 8:41 am
#5

Yup, I always ask which targets for magic missile, flaming missile, ice darts, etc.

Of course, ice darts are always fun because they require a "to hit" roll.

So sometimes we get to figure out how exactly that cryomancer flubbed the throwing of an ice dart so badly that it ruins the rest of them :-)


What? Me worry?
 
Posted by Osric_of_O
8/15/2025 12:18 pm
#6

I agree with the replies above; Magic Missiles strike the targets the caster points at, without any ambiguity from phrases like 'intended target' or anything.

But I read into it from first principles for myself as well – in the 3E rules; not going back to 2007!
   I think it might be worth pointing out Magic Missile's "instantaneous" Duration, give or take "instantaneously" pointing at multiple targets(!).  The caster doesn't have the time to see the effect of one missile before launching the next; and the missiles aren't in flight long enough for the interweaving Mirror Images to foil them.
   I slightly wonder at the multiple images using their DX bonuses to dodge missiles, and whether missing one ought to have a chance of hitting another!  But that's not the spirit of the spell, so let's not go full 'simulationist'

Cheers,
–Os..


|\/ Osric, aka Neville.Percy@Gmail.com
|\/ "The keener and the clearer is the reason,
|   the better fantasy will it make."  -- JRR Tolkien
 
Posted by rhialto
8/15/2025 3:13 pm
#7

Osric_of_O wrote:

The caster doesn't have the time to see the effect of one missile before launching the next; and the missiles aren't in flight long enough for the interweaving Mirror Images to foil them.
   I slightly wonder at the multiple images using their DX bonuses to dodge missiles, and whether missing one ought to have a chance of hitting another!  But that's not the spirit of the spell, so let's not go full 'simulationist'

Cheers,
–Os..

I'm all for players using their intellect to play a game, but agree that the round is too short to adjust fire after each missile. And DX bonus or not, the missiles always hit, IMO. Cheers!


"It is all very well to point out that the man lacks facility; as he asserts, sheer force can overpower sophistication."
Jack Vance, Rhialto the Marvellous
 
Posted by Osric_of_O
8/15/2025 4:51 pm
#8

Yes, @Rhialto, I shouldn't have said "to dodge missiles" when we were talking about Magic Missile, which absolutely does always hit.  I was getting carried away and thinking about ranged attacks in general.


|\/ Osric, aka Neville.Percy@Gmail.com
|\/ "The keener and the clearer is the reason,
|   the better fantasy will it make."  -- JRR Tolkien
 
Posted by rhialto
8/16/2025 7:41 am
#9

No worries, it's all good!


"It is all very well to point out that the man lacks facility; as he asserts, sheer force can overpower sophistication."
Jack Vance, Rhialto the Marvellous
 


 
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