So I am running a level 12 tier 2 mythic game set in Eberron, and navigating the higher level insanity challenges pretty well.
But one area of particular concern (which will be less an issue with this caliber of bossfight given true seeing), is the stacking of illusions.
I had a wizard and a monk PC enjoying double-stacked miss chance methods.
One argument was that the 50% from displacement or lightning stance would be counted before any rolls against the figments, and another possibility is that the mirror images get attacked before the displacement is checked.
This makes a rather considerable difference as to how long those buffs combine, as if to even approach one of the images requires a 50% miss and then the hit within 5 of their target AC.
If mirror images are removed first, the protection is still quite valuable but with reduced longevity.
Is their any kind of official or recommended ruling for that? I am inclined to follow the example of protection from energy and resist energy, where the higher level spell overlaps first(but in the example case wouldn't stack of course, unlike displacement+mirror image).
I must unfortunately suggest that displacement comes first. If the attacker doesn't even target the right "area", it won't hit a 'real' image. Displacement first also is simpler since you have to deal with 'near-hits'.
If you wanted to complicate things, you could rule that each spell is checked first half the time (roughly equal in effectiveness), and have a 50% chance to be dealing with an image first, or displacement first.
Edit: You could negotiate a 'blended' effect - since both spells essentially create an image of the caster slightly off from where they actually are. Perhaps images aren't taken off by near-hits, but there's only a 20% miss chance if the 'correct' image is picked.
Hey, that actually makes very good sense. I don't worry about tweaking the rules to make life harder on the players. If they find a brutal combo, good for them!
But yes, closing eyes and area of effect spells(at least against the wizard) are viable. Blindfight and true seeing will be common enough, but this does do a great deal for negating ranged attack threats. But then again, seeking is a +1 enhancement to a ranged weapon.
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I'm not entirely sure Lightning Stance and Displacement would stack....
Although in re-reading your post I'm thinking now that you didn't imagine that they would and it's just the Concealment + Mirror Image that's the real issue.
I would think that since there actually has to be a hit before you check to Mirror Image, the Displacement would apply first.
Mirror Image: "If the attack is a hit, roll randomly to see whether the selected target is real or a figment."
Concealment: "an enemy with total concealment has a 50% miss chance"
The attack has to hit before you check to Mirror Image, Concealment has a chance of making it a miss. SO I believe you would check Concealment first, and if it's still a hit you would then check to Mirror Image.
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Lightning Stance (Combat)
The speed at which you move makes it nearly impossible for opponents to strike you.
Prerequisites: Dex 17, Dodge, Wind Stance, base attack bonus +11.
Benefit: If you take two actions to move or a withdraw action in a turn, you gain 50% concealment for 1 round.
It give concealment, but that isn't an illusory effect, so it is not foiled by true seeing.
Perfect. I'm glad to hear that everyone has a pretty good consensus about applying the displacement and/or lightning stance first, and the mirror images last.
And yeah, you're right about the lightning stance. Paired with his mythic swift movements, that's a nasty combination.
It's these little combos that run through high levels that we don't always see coming.
Thanks again for the feedback.