Can a paladin activate smite evil against mirror image?


Rules Questions

Liberty's Edge

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Can a paladin activate smite evil against mirror image? I know it would be harder to hit and all that. The question is can the paladin activate the ability in the first place? We had this come up and our DM ruled that since a paladin needs to see the target in order to use Smite Evil, a target under the mirror image spell (or displacement etc) cannot be smited at all because the paladin can't see the target.


Yes, the paladin can activate Smite Evil against a foe with Mirror Image.

Activating Smite Evil, in itself, does not require an attack roll (though once it is active it can boost attack rolls, along with damage, AC, and other things, against its target). Mirror Image explicitly states in the spell text that it provides no protection against spells or effects that do not require an attack roll.


To my knowledge it does. If your attacking against concealment you might miss, but using something like smite or slumber don't actually have rolls to attack and don't actually have a chance to miss the target.


A creature with Concealment or Mirror Image does not prevent it from being targeted.

You CAN see the creature. I'm not sure why your GM stated that he cannot be seen.

It requires Total Concealment to prevent a creature from being seen.

Mirror Image does not do that, it provides multiple images of the same creature but that ONLY affects things with an attack roll.
For example, Magic Missile will automatically hit a creature with Mirror Image and cannot hit the mirror images.

Here is a good Q&A regarding Mirror Image:
Does it have an attack roll?
Yes: Roll to see which image (or original) you strike, then roll to attack.
No: Mirror Image has no effect.

CRB p314 wrote:
Area spells affect you normally and do not destroy any of your figments. Spells and effects that do not require an attack roll affect you normally and do not destroy any of your figments.

Note: If you are blind you also ignore Mirror Image but at that point the target has Total Concealment.

- Gauss


Displacement specifically states that it doesn't prevent targeting the creature.

Liberty's Edge

I agree with the others, smiting is perfectly acceptable.

Liberty's Edge

Thanks for the input everyone!


For that matter, can a paladin detect evil on a mirror image?


I think people are confusing 3.5 Mirror Image with PF Mirror Image. There are significant differences between the two.

3.5: The images occupied spaces in their own right. They could be individually targeted. "I attack the image in this square." Thus, you could figure out which image was 'real' and which were not.
The AC of an image is 10+size+dex.

PF: The images do not occupy individual spaces. They all occupy your space. You cannot individually target images.
The AC of an image is (effectively) your AC-5.

There is no circumstance I can think of where you cannot see the real person and you can still see the image. The image looks identical to you.

- Gauss


master_marshmallow wrote:
For that matter, can a paladin detect evil on a mirror image?

Yes and No.

Yes a paladin can detect evil on a mirror image protected wizard.

No a paladin can not counter the effect of mirror image with detect evil.

Liberty's Edge

Eridan wrote:
master_marshmallow wrote:
For that matter, can a paladin detect evil on a mirror image?

Yes and No.

Yes a paladin can detect evil on a mirror image protected wizard.

No a paladin can not counter the effect of mirror image with detect evil.

Exactly. I would ask, though, that we try and stay on target - otherwise things get needlessly confused. The question is:

Can a paladin activate smite evil against someone using the mirror image spell? Our DM ruled that since a paladin needs to see the target in order to use Smite Evil, a target under the mirror image spell (or displacement etc) cannot be smited at all without true seeing because the paladin can't see the target.


I would say that your GM made the wrong call.

Your paladin should have been able to use Smite Evil, gaining the appropriate bonuses on attack and damage. The mirror image spell would also have its normal effects, meaning that when you attack the enemy spellcaster, there is a chance you hit an image instead of the target.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder PF Special Edition, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Marc Radle wrote:
Can a paladin activate smite evil against mirror image? I know it would be harder to hit and all that. The question is can the paladin activate the ability in the first place? We had this come up and our DM ruled that since a paladin needs to see the target in order to use Smite Evil, a target under the mirror image spell (or displacement etc) cannot be smited at all because the paladin can't see the target.

There is no problem with activating smite evil against a foe protected against mirror image. It's not going to save you from having to deal with the spell, however. Mirror Image is NOT damage reduction.

Liberty's Edge

LazarX wrote:
Marc Radle wrote:
Can a paladin activate smite evil against mirror image? I know it would be harder to hit and all that. The question is can the paladin activate the ability in the first place? We had this come up and our DM ruled that since a paladin needs to see the target in order to use Smite Evil, a target under the mirror image spell (or displacement etc) cannot be smited at all because the paladin can't see the target.
There is no problem with activating smite evil against a foe protected against mirror image. It's not going to save you from having to deal with the spell, however. Mirror Image is NOT damage reduction.

Thanks LazarX!

Oh, and FYI, the fact that the paladin would still be affected by the spell as normal when he attack(s) is not in question (and we are definitely in agreement that mirror image is not the same as DR :).

The question is only 'Can a paladin activate smite evil in the first place on someone who has cast mirror image'?


Marc Radle wrote:
The question is only 'Can a paladin activate smite evil in the first place on someone who has cast mirror image'?

And the answer is 'Yes, he can.'.

After all, Pally can see his target quite well. Last time I checked, Mirror Immage didn't interfere with you being seen...


Mirror Image just means there are like 6 of you standing in a 5ft square, moving around (within the square). So its hard to pick out which is the real one and physical attacks thus have a mischance. Smite evil is not an attack, you just say "I smite that devious fellow" and it works because if you can see the images, you can see him.

Silver Crusade

Claxon wrote:
Mirror Image just means there are like 6 of you standing in a 5ft square, moving around (within the square). So its hard to pick out which is the real one and physical attacks thus have a mischance. Smite evil is not an attack, you just say "I smite that devious fellow" and it works because if you can see the images, you can see him.

Correct.

Just to be crystal clear, those six wizards you can see? Only five of them are illusions. One of them is the real thing. Since you can see him, the fact that there are illusory copies floating around doesn't stop you seeing him, and thus choosing him as your Smite target.

This is true both conceptually and rules-wise, because the spell description takes care to note that it has no effect on anything that doesn't require an attack roll. Choosing your Smite target does not require an attack roll.

Liberty's Edge

Thanks everyone!


Marc Radle,

In my first post I quoted the section which states that Mirror Image does not prevent you from targeting the person using Mirror Image.

- Gauss

Liberty's Edge

Thanks Gauss - I definitely saw it ;)

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