... a 1 round/level reverse Mirror Image spell?
For clarity:
"This spell creates a number of illusory doubles of you that initially appear within your square. These doubles make it difficult for enemies to precisely locate and attack you.
When this spell is cast, 1d4 images plus one image per three caster levels (maximum eight images total) are created. These images can share a square with one another or you, act on the same initiative as you, take a 5-foot step each round, but otherwise mimic your movements, sounds, and actions exactly.
Each image threatens all squares adjacent to it for the purposes of determining flanking, but can’t actually make attacks. While one or more figments share your square, whenever you are attacked or are the target of a spell that requires an attack roll there is a possibility that the attack targets one of your images instead. If the attack is a hit, roll randomly to see whether the selected target is you or a figment. If it is a figment, the figment is destroyed. If the attack misses by 5 or less, one of your figments is destroyed by the near miss. 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. Spells that require a touch attack are harmlessly discharged if used to destroy a figment.
An attacker must be able to see the figments to be fooled. If you are invisible or the attacker is blind, the spell has no effect (although the normal miss chances still apply)."
Basically, Mirror Image plus a flanking bonus for the caster. Thoughts?
Forgot to state that this is intended to be a magus spell.
It’s somewhere between level 3 and 4. Still gives you most of the benefits of mirror image while also providing flanking. I’d probably vote for level 3, but wouldn’t argue with a DM saying it should be 4
That's more or less where I'm at as well.
I figure it's not on the same level as, say, Pernicious Pranksters, but it's always good to get fresh eyes and perspectives.
so the images can take 5' steps to eventually get into flanking position? giving both the caster and his allies flanking bonus?
If an image has moved away from the caster does it still provide the mirror image protection? (I think your wording seems to imply it doesn't)
So are the images that have moved away considered one of the ones that go away, or only the images still in your square?
for example, let's say you create 7 image, you keep 3 with you and 4 move away. If someone attacks you, but not a lone image, is the chance of hitting you 1 in 4, or 1 in 8?
if they attack a lone image, is it just gone? or do you check to see if it might hit you, etc.
considering how powerful flanking can be, I'd make this a 4th level spell, but I believe it needs some clarification.
so the images can take 5' steps to eventually get into flanking position? giving both the caster and his allies flanking bonus?
The intent was to give the caster flanking bonus, not his allies. This needs to be clarified. Thank you!
If an image has moved away from the caster does it still provide the mirror image protection? (I think your wording seems to imply it doesn't)
Not as such, though I imagine it could be argued that the creature being targeted by the caster has to decide which is the actual caster.
So are the images that have moved away considered one of the ones that go away, or only the images still in your square?
for example, let's say you create 7 image, you keep 3 with you and 4 move away. If someone attacks you, but not a lone image, is the chance of hitting you 1 in 4, or 1 in 8?
I envisioned it being a 1 in 4 chance, but for the sake of argument let's flip this around and assume the images all somehow make it in different squares and the intent is 1 in 8. Does that make it more powerful than a 4th level spell?
And because, on second thought, an adjacent enemy with 2+ attacks might just destroy all the images if they each take a 5-foot step in squares he threatens, how much more powerful would this spell become if its range went from Personal to Close in terms of where the caster can position his images?
if they attack a lone image, is it just gone? or do you check to see if it might hit you, etc.
If they attack a lone image, it is gone (assuming they hit the standard AC for a figment (10 + size modifier).
Busy Work:
For me, the tactical advantage after two rounds makes this very potent. Round 1, cast spell and have mirror image benefits. Round 2, spread images around you (or forward, since most enemies aren't going to be all around you), doubling them up or keeping one or two in your space (or moving to a space with more images) to increase flanking potential. Optionally spell recall and cast it again (depending on situation or number of foes). Round 3, space them out even more.
Plus, unlike with mirror image, which still indicates the caster's location, If there's 5 images and the magus, they all technically look the same, so you still have to pick the right one (at least with MI you have a chance to hit the caster).
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Add to the fact that the only way to clear freestanding images is with an attack—you can't disbelieve them or clear them with AoE or magic missiles. They stay there until you dedicate an attack to clear them and their threatened coverage for flanking, which is at least 5 dedicated attacks and that's major control.
Yes, this cuts to the heart of the matter. I hadn't (foolishly, I'll concede) considered the impact Spell Recall could have on this (in large part because I'm currently playing an Eldritch Scion), and the impact multiple castings could have (especially at higher level) is substantial.
Obviously, you need allies to flank to get full benefits (other than yourself and the defenses they give), but we have to rate this as being used in optimal circumstances, with a party that probably has at least two other members that use melee or flanking. So this is pretty potent.
As I offered to Sam, above, I don't envision actual allies benefitting from this spell. Thematically, I envisioned the images created all facing the magus's current target.
I genuinely appreciate the feedback you've both given me!
so the images can take 5' steps to eventually get into flanking position? giving both the caster and his allies flanking bonus?The intent was to give the caster flanking bonus, not his allies. This needs to be clarified. Thank you!
here's the Crux of the issue - if the images threaten, then they threaten - this can give anyone they are partnered with a flanking bonus. I know you can have the spell say that only the caster can gain the flanking bonus, but it won't make any sense game wise. i know.... "but it's magic"
So aside from the double casting and having a butt load of copies of the caster running around, he can also provide flanking for every member of the party, which is normally just a +2, not too bad. But, if any of them are Inquisitors, then suddenly some are getting +4. I can't think of very many spells that give the whole party +2 to hit, much less +4.
all in all, it's a neat concept, just needs to refinement and it needs to fit the game logic. I still place it at a 4th level spell.
I'm guessing my reply got dumped when the fora went down. Sorry about that!
here's the Crux of the issue - if the images threaten, then they threaten - this can give anyone they are partnered with a flanking bonus. I know you can have the spell say that only the caster can gain the flanking bonus, but it won't make any sense game wise. i know.... "but it's magic"
I think that's what our internal discussions will hinge on: whether or not it's appropriate to hand-wave that/explain it thematically (e.g., all images face the caster's current target and ignore all other creatures, ergo allies don't benefit).
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Some people would close their eyes and use Blind Fighting/Echo Location to get around the spell & miss chance.
Or the enemy spellcaster may just cast Dispel Magic. I take your point.