There is a disagreement between myself and my DM on the effect of mirror images spells versus spells such as magic missile and lightning bolts.
If an MU has a mirror image spell on and another targeted him with a lightning bolt or Magic Missile spell would the Mirror Images be discounted and the MU hit by the spells or would the MI be taken into account and a possible miss could result.
One's point is that a spell always finds it's target while the other is that since the MU has multiple images he could still escaped unscatted since the caster must first find the right target.
Even though magic missiles unerringly hit their target, they must still be directed by the caster(i.e. they hit what the caster directs them to hit). The caster of a magic missile spell can be fooled by any number of things; illusions being the most prominent. Targeting a subject under the affect of a mirror image spell with magic missiles may be handled in one of two ways:
1. The caster directs a single magic missile each at an image, which will destroy any images hit, plus possibly damage the real target. When there are more mirror images than magic missiles, you need to randomly roll what is hit. Here is one method for randomizing hits when you have a large, odd number of total miror images(including the real target), like 9: As the DM I usually assign the real target as #1. Roll a d6; if it is odd, an odd numbered image is hit, and if it is even, an even numbered image is hit. As there are only 5 odd numbered images and 4 even numbered images, you can now simply roll a d5(roll a d10, where 1-2=1, 3-4=2, 5-6=3, 7-8=4, 9-10=5) or d4 to find out if an image or the real target is hit. Very simple.
2. The caster of the magic missile targets a single image with ALL of their magic missiles, hoping that they have chosen the real target. Roll randomly to see if a mirror image or the real target is hit. Use the method mentioned above for larger odd numbers.
Of course, if the caster of the magic missile spell is under the effects of a true seeing spell, or any other similar spells that allows them to see the mirror images for what they are, then they can easily direct their magic missiles unerringly at the real target and simply ignore the mirror images.
As to lightning bolts and other Area spells, they do damage to every target in the area. This means that not only will the target under the effects of a mirror image spell be hit by the lightning bolt, but all of the mirror images will be hit as well. As we all know, a mirror image that takes any sort of damage immediately winks out of existence. Consequently, Area spells are very useful against the mirror image spell.
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Crag of course gives a good suggestion too. The DM decides the mirror imaged caster is actually image #4, then the DM asks what image number(s) will be the target(s) of the magic missle spell.
Some people just like to roll dice though, or maybe they want to eliminate the chances of DM fudging as much as is possible.
By the way, burning hands is a very effective Area spell to use against a foe under the affects of a mirror image spell. For a first level spell it is very useful to have memorized, and does a good amount of damage, whether you are using it to roast an enemy and their mirror images, finish off a regenerating troll, or kill some sort of slime, ooze, or pudding. _________________ - Moderator/Admin (in some areas)/Member -
As a veteran player/DM, I would agree that area-affect spells are the best way to deal with a pesky Mirror Images spell, though with respect to the Burning Hands, not sure how many images it would effectively cancel (all, or a good many of them?).
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