Mirror Image 5e: Unveil the Spells Secrets!
Mirror Image creates three illusory duplicates that can draw attacks away from the caster. It lasts for 1 minute without concentration.
Mirror Image 5e — Quick Spell Reference
- Casting time
- 1 action
- Range
- Self
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- 1 minute
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Three illusory duplicates of yourself appear in your space. Until the spell ends, the duplicates move with you and mimic your actions, shifting position so it's impossible to track which image is real. You can use your action to dismiss the illusory duplicates.
Each time a creature targets you with an attack during the spell's duration, roll a d20 to determine whether the attack instead targets one of your duplicates.
If you have three duplicates, you must roll a 6 or higher to change the attack's target to a duplicate. With two duplicates, you must roll an 8 or higher. With one duplicate, you must roll an 11 or higher.
A duplicate's AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier. If an attack hits a duplicate, the duplicate is destroyed. A duplicate can be destroyed only by an attack that hits it. It ignores all other damage and effects. The spell ends when all three duplicates are destroyed.
A creature is unaffected by this spell if it can't see, if it relies on senses other than sight, such as blindsight, or if it can perceive illusions as false, as with truesight.
How Mirror Image Works
Each time a creature targets the caster with an attack, roll a d20 to determine whether the attack targets a duplicate instead:
| Duplicates remaining | Roll needed to redirect the attack |
|---|---|
| 3 | 6 or higher |
| 2 | 8 or higher |
| 1 | 11 or higher |
If a duplicate is targeted, compare the attack roll with the duplicate’s AC, which equals 10 + the caster’s Dexterity modifier. A hit destroys that duplicate. A duplicate ignores all other damage and effects.
The chance of redirecting an attack decreases as duplicates are destroyed; it is not a fixed 75 percent throughout the spell.
Limits and Exceptions
The spell affects attacks only. Saving-throw effects do not target a duplicate. A creature is unaffected if it cannot see, relies on a sense other than sight such as blindsight, or can perceive illusions as false with truesight.
The duplicates mimic the caster’s actions and shift position so that tracking the real creature is impossible. Attacking or casting a spell does not reveal the real caster or end Mirror Image.
Mirror Image and Other Defenses
Mirror Image does not require concentration, so it can operate alongside Blur or another concentration spell. If an attack is redirected to a duplicate, use the duplicate’s AC rather than the caster’s. If it targets the caster, resolve other defenses normally.
FAQ
Does Mirror Image reduce every attack by 75 percent?
No. With three duplicates, 75 percent of attacks are redirected before the attack roll is checked against the duplicate’s AC. That percentage falls as duplicates are destroyed, and a redirected attack can miss the duplicate.
Can area damage destroy duplicates?
No. A duplicate is destroyed only when an attack targets and hits it.
Does the spell require concentration?
No. It lasts for 1 minute without concentration.