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.










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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.










    share|improve this question
























      up vote
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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.










      share|improve this question













      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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          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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            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.)






            share|improve this answer



















            • 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











            Your Answer





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            2 Answers
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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).






            share|improve this answer



























              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).






              share|improve this answer

























                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).






                share|improve this answer














                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).







                share|improve this answer














                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer








                edited yesterday









                SevenSidedDie

                202k26643922




                202k26643922










                answered yesterday









                PixelMaster

                7,0312583




                7,0312583
























                    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.)






                    share|improve this answer



















                    • 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















                    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.)






                    share|improve this answer



















                    • 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













                    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.)






                    share|improve this answer














                    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.)







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    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














                    • 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


















                     

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