Is it possible to increase the AC of a mirror image duplicate?
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Pretty straight forward question. By RAW, is it possible to increase the AC of the duplicates created by mirror image or they will always have an AC equal to 10 + Dex modifier? Be it using other spells, magic items or other effects.
dnd-5e spells armor-class
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up vote
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Pretty straight forward question. By RAW, is it possible to increase the AC of the duplicates created by mirror image or they will always have an AC equal to 10 + Dex modifier? Be it using other spells, magic items or other effects.
dnd-5e spells armor-class
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up vote
10
down vote
favorite
up vote
10
down vote
favorite
Pretty straight forward question. By RAW, is it possible to increase the AC of the duplicates created by mirror image or they will always have an AC equal to 10 + Dex modifier? Be it using other spells, magic items or other effects.
dnd-5e spells armor-class
Pretty straight forward question. By RAW, is it possible to increase the AC of the duplicates created by mirror image or they will always have an AC equal to 10 + Dex modifier? Be it using other spells, magic items or other effects.
dnd-5e spells armor-class
dnd-5e spells armor-class
asked yesterday
Kuerten
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306112
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2 Answers
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up vote
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The only way to do so is to increase your DEX modifier.
The spell clearly states:
A duplicate's AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier.
This is very explicit. D&D operates under the rule of "Specific Beats General" (PHB p. 7), meaning that in this case, you could change the formula if you found a feature that explicitly changed the AC of a Mirror Image illusion, or generally changed the AC of any illusion created by the caster.
However, to my knowledge, there is no feature or ability in any of the official rulebooks that I can think of that would have such an effect. The most likely place to find such a feature would be an illusion wizard's class features, but they disappoint in this regard.
Hence, the AC will always be calculated as $left(10 + DEXright)$, and since 10 is obviously constant, the only possibility left is to increase your DEX modifier. You can do that for example with ASIs you get from leveling up, equipping items that raise your DEX stat, or using magic items that permanently raise your DEX.
Examples for such items would be an Ioun Stone (raises DEX by 2, up to 20, while worn) or the Manual of Quickness of Action (permanently raises DEX & maximum DEX score by 2).
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14
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Hide behind something.
Partial cover provides a direct bonus of +2 to +5 AC. The illusions follow wherever you go, so they'll follow you behind cover.
Other than that, not really.
They're not solid, so they can't wear armor. (If the caster wears armor, they will have illusory armor, but it doesn't help them.)
They're not real creatures, so they don't benefit from spells like mage armor and barkskin that are designed to work on creatures.
They aren't monks or barbarians so they don't get Unarmored Defense.
Making them invisible / turning off the lights will give attacks against them disadvantage, if you still have some way to see, but that's not an increase to AC. (Thinking about this further, making them invisible might make them entirely impossible to hit, since they're just visual illusions.)
2
Your point about turning off the lights raises a question about mirror image working in the dark. They don't make any sound so are unlikely to be an actual distraction when you can't see them!
– SeriousBri
21 hours ago
4
The spell actually mentions that creatures that can't see are unaffected by the spell, so turning off the lights won't help.
– Erik
17 hours ago
2
@Erik: Well, from a technical point of view, the fact that enemies are not being affected by the spell reduces the mirror image's chance to be hit even more drastically...
– mlk
14 hours ago
Hmm... Is the Mirror Image duplicate's AC 10 + DEX at point of casting, or would it update if you gained or lost a (temporary?) increase / decrease to your Dexterity Modifier after casting?
– Chronocidal
13 hours ago
@Chronocidal That sounds like fodder for a new question. :)
– SevenSidedDie♦
30 mins ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
16
down vote
The only way to do so is to increase your DEX modifier.
The spell clearly states:
A duplicate's AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier.
This is very explicit. D&D operates under the rule of "Specific Beats General" (PHB p. 7), meaning that in this case, you could change the formula if you found a feature that explicitly changed the AC of a Mirror Image illusion, or generally changed the AC of any illusion created by the caster.
However, to my knowledge, there is no feature or ability in any of the official rulebooks that I can think of that would have such an effect. The most likely place to find such a feature would be an illusion wizard's class features, but they disappoint in this regard.
Hence, the AC will always be calculated as $left(10 + DEXright)$, and since 10 is obviously constant, the only possibility left is to increase your DEX modifier. You can do that for example with ASIs you get from leveling up, equipping items that raise your DEX stat, or using magic items that permanently raise your DEX.
Examples for such items would be an Ioun Stone (raises DEX by 2, up to 20, while worn) or the Manual of Quickness of Action (permanently raises DEX & maximum DEX score by 2).
add a comment |
up vote
16
down vote
The only way to do so is to increase your DEX modifier.
The spell clearly states:
A duplicate's AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier.
This is very explicit. D&D operates under the rule of "Specific Beats General" (PHB p. 7), meaning that in this case, you could change the formula if you found a feature that explicitly changed the AC of a Mirror Image illusion, or generally changed the AC of any illusion created by the caster.
However, to my knowledge, there is no feature or ability in any of the official rulebooks that I can think of that would have such an effect. The most likely place to find such a feature would be an illusion wizard's class features, but they disappoint in this regard.
Hence, the AC will always be calculated as $left(10 + DEXright)$, and since 10 is obviously constant, the only possibility left is to increase your DEX modifier. You can do that for example with ASIs you get from leveling up, equipping items that raise your DEX stat, or using magic items that permanently raise your DEX.
Examples for such items would be an Ioun Stone (raises DEX by 2, up to 20, while worn) or the Manual of Quickness of Action (permanently raises DEX & maximum DEX score by 2).
add a comment |
up vote
16
down vote
up vote
16
down vote
The only way to do so is to increase your DEX modifier.
The spell clearly states:
A duplicate's AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier.
This is very explicit. D&D operates under the rule of "Specific Beats General" (PHB p. 7), meaning that in this case, you could change the formula if you found a feature that explicitly changed the AC of a Mirror Image illusion, or generally changed the AC of any illusion created by the caster.
However, to my knowledge, there is no feature or ability in any of the official rulebooks that I can think of that would have such an effect. The most likely place to find such a feature would be an illusion wizard's class features, but they disappoint in this regard.
Hence, the AC will always be calculated as $left(10 + DEXright)$, and since 10 is obviously constant, the only possibility left is to increase your DEX modifier. You can do that for example with ASIs you get from leveling up, equipping items that raise your DEX stat, or using magic items that permanently raise your DEX.
Examples for such items would be an Ioun Stone (raises DEX by 2, up to 20, while worn) or the Manual of Quickness of Action (permanently raises DEX & maximum DEX score by 2).
The only way to do so is to increase your DEX modifier.
The spell clearly states:
A duplicate's AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier.
This is very explicit. D&D operates under the rule of "Specific Beats General" (PHB p. 7), meaning that in this case, you could change the formula if you found a feature that explicitly changed the AC of a Mirror Image illusion, or generally changed the AC of any illusion created by the caster.
However, to my knowledge, there is no feature or ability in any of the official rulebooks that I can think of that would have such an effect. The most likely place to find such a feature would be an illusion wizard's class features, but they disappoint in this regard.
Hence, the AC will always be calculated as $left(10 + DEXright)$, and since 10 is obviously constant, the only possibility left is to increase your DEX modifier. You can do that for example with ASIs you get from leveling up, equipping items that raise your DEX stat, or using magic items that permanently raise your DEX.
Examples for such items would be an Ioun Stone (raises DEX by 2, up to 20, while worn) or the Manual of Quickness of Action (permanently raises DEX & maximum DEX score by 2).
edited yesterday
SevenSidedDie♦
202k26643922
202k26643922
answered yesterday
PixelMaster
7,0312583
7,0312583
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
14
down vote
Hide behind something.
Partial cover provides a direct bonus of +2 to +5 AC. The illusions follow wherever you go, so they'll follow you behind cover.
Other than that, not really.
They're not solid, so they can't wear armor. (If the caster wears armor, they will have illusory armor, but it doesn't help them.)
They're not real creatures, so they don't benefit from spells like mage armor and barkskin that are designed to work on creatures.
They aren't monks or barbarians so they don't get Unarmored Defense.
Making them invisible / turning off the lights will give attacks against them disadvantage, if you still have some way to see, but that's not an increase to AC. (Thinking about this further, making them invisible might make them entirely impossible to hit, since they're just visual illusions.)
2
Your point about turning off the lights raises a question about mirror image working in the dark. They don't make any sound so are unlikely to be an actual distraction when you can't see them!
– SeriousBri
21 hours ago
4
The spell actually mentions that creatures that can't see are unaffected by the spell, so turning off the lights won't help.
– Erik
17 hours ago
2
@Erik: Well, from a technical point of view, the fact that enemies are not being affected by the spell reduces the mirror image's chance to be hit even more drastically...
– mlk
14 hours ago
Hmm... Is the Mirror Image duplicate's AC 10 + DEX at point of casting, or would it update if you gained or lost a (temporary?) increase / decrease to your Dexterity Modifier after casting?
– Chronocidal
13 hours ago
@Chronocidal That sounds like fodder for a new question. :)
– SevenSidedDie♦
30 mins ago
add a comment |
up vote
14
down vote
Hide behind something.
Partial cover provides a direct bonus of +2 to +5 AC. The illusions follow wherever you go, so they'll follow you behind cover.
Other than that, not really.
They're not solid, so they can't wear armor. (If the caster wears armor, they will have illusory armor, but it doesn't help them.)
They're not real creatures, so they don't benefit from spells like mage armor and barkskin that are designed to work on creatures.
They aren't monks or barbarians so they don't get Unarmored Defense.
Making them invisible / turning off the lights will give attacks against them disadvantage, if you still have some way to see, but that's not an increase to AC. (Thinking about this further, making them invisible might make them entirely impossible to hit, since they're just visual illusions.)
2
Your point about turning off the lights raises a question about mirror image working in the dark. They don't make any sound so are unlikely to be an actual distraction when you can't see them!
– SeriousBri
21 hours ago
4
The spell actually mentions that creatures that can't see are unaffected by the spell, so turning off the lights won't help.
– Erik
17 hours ago
2
@Erik: Well, from a technical point of view, the fact that enemies are not being affected by the spell reduces the mirror image's chance to be hit even more drastically...
– mlk
14 hours ago
Hmm... Is the Mirror Image duplicate's AC 10 + DEX at point of casting, or would it update if you gained or lost a (temporary?) increase / decrease to your Dexterity Modifier after casting?
– Chronocidal
13 hours ago
@Chronocidal That sounds like fodder for a new question. :)
– SevenSidedDie♦
30 mins ago
add a comment |
up vote
14
down vote
up vote
14
down vote
Hide behind something.
Partial cover provides a direct bonus of +2 to +5 AC. The illusions follow wherever you go, so they'll follow you behind cover.
Other than that, not really.
They're not solid, so they can't wear armor. (If the caster wears armor, they will have illusory armor, but it doesn't help them.)
They're not real creatures, so they don't benefit from spells like mage armor and barkskin that are designed to work on creatures.
They aren't monks or barbarians so they don't get Unarmored Defense.
Making them invisible / turning off the lights will give attacks against them disadvantage, if you still have some way to see, but that's not an increase to AC. (Thinking about this further, making them invisible might make them entirely impossible to hit, since they're just visual illusions.)
Hide behind something.
Partial cover provides a direct bonus of +2 to +5 AC. The illusions follow wherever you go, so they'll follow you behind cover.
Other than that, not really.
They're not solid, so they can't wear armor. (If the caster wears armor, they will have illusory armor, but it doesn't help them.)
They're not real creatures, so they don't benefit from spells like mage armor and barkskin that are designed to work on creatures.
They aren't monks or barbarians so they don't get Unarmored Defense.
Making them invisible / turning off the lights will give attacks against them disadvantage, if you still have some way to see, but that's not an increase to AC. (Thinking about this further, making them invisible might make them entirely impossible to hit, since they're just visual illusions.)
edited yesterday
answered yesterday
Mark Wells
4,7601333
4,7601333
2
Your point about turning off the lights raises a question about mirror image working in the dark. They don't make any sound so are unlikely to be an actual distraction when you can't see them!
– SeriousBri
21 hours ago
4
The spell actually mentions that creatures that can't see are unaffected by the spell, so turning off the lights won't help.
– Erik
17 hours ago
2
@Erik: Well, from a technical point of view, the fact that enemies are not being affected by the spell reduces the mirror image's chance to be hit even more drastically...
– mlk
14 hours ago
Hmm... Is the Mirror Image duplicate's AC 10 + DEX at point of casting, or would it update if you gained or lost a (temporary?) increase / decrease to your Dexterity Modifier after casting?
– Chronocidal
13 hours ago
@Chronocidal That sounds like fodder for a new question. :)
– SevenSidedDie♦
30 mins ago
add a comment |
2
Your point about turning off the lights raises a question about mirror image working in the dark. They don't make any sound so are unlikely to be an actual distraction when you can't see them!
– SeriousBri
21 hours ago
4
The spell actually mentions that creatures that can't see are unaffected by the spell, so turning off the lights won't help.
– Erik
17 hours ago
2
@Erik: Well, from a technical point of view, the fact that enemies are not being affected by the spell reduces the mirror image's chance to be hit even more drastically...
– mlk
14 hours ago
Hmm... Is the Mirror Image duplicate's AC 10 + DEX at point of casting, or would it update if you gained or lost a (temporary?) increase / decrease to your Dexterity Modifier after casting?
– Chronocidal
13 hours ago
@Chronocidal That sounds like fodder for a new question. :)
– SevenSidedDie♦
30 mins ago
2
2
Your point about turning off the lights raises a question about mirror image working in the dark. They don't make any sound so are unlikely to be an actual distraction when you can't see them!
– SeriousBri
21 hours ago
Your point about turning off the lights raises a question about mirror image working in the dark. They don't make any sound so are unlikely to be an actual distraction when you can't see them!
– SeriousBri
21 hours ago
4
4
The spell actually mentions that creatures that can't see are unaffected by the spell, so turning off the lights won't help.
– Erik
17 hours ago
The spell actually mentions that creatures that can't see are unaffected by the spell, so turning off the lights won't help.
– Erik
17 hours ago
2
2
@Erik: Well, from a technical point of view, the fact that enemies are not being affected by the spell reduces the mirror image's chance to be hit even more drastically...
– mlk
14 hours ago
@Erik: Well, from a technical point of view, the fact that enemies are not being affected by the spell reduces the mirror image's chance to be hit even more drastically...
– mlk
14 hours ago
Hmm... Is the Mirror Image duplicate's AC 10 + DEX at point of casting, or would it update if you gained or lost a (temporary?) increase / decrease to your Dexterity Modifier after casting?
– Chronocidal
13 hours ago
Hmm... Is the Mirror Image duplicate's AC 10 + DEX at point of casting, or would it update if you gained or lost a (temporary?) increase / decrease to your Dexterity Modifier after casting?
– Chronocidal
13 hours ago
@Chronocidal That sounds like fodder for a new question. :)
– SevenSidedDie♦
30 mins ago
@Chronocidal That sounds like fodder for a new question. :)
– SevenSidedDie♦
30 mins ago
add a comment |
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