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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  • [Related] Is the AC of a Mirror Image Duplicate fixed at Point of Casting?
    – SevenSidedDie
    9 hours ago















up vote
13
down vote

favorite












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






















  • [Related] Is the AC of a Mirror Image Duplicate fixed at Point of Casting?
    – SevenSidedDie
    9 hours ago













up vote
13
down vote

favorite









up vote
13
down vote

favorite











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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  • [Related] Is the AC of a Mirror Image Duplicate fixed at Point of Casting?
    – SevenSidedDie
    9 hours ago


















  • [Related] Is the AC of a Mirror Image Duplicate fixed at Point of Casting?
    – SevenSidedDie
    9 hours ago
















[Related] Is the AC of a Mirror Image Duplicate fixed at Point of Casting?
– SevenSidedDie
9 hours ago




[Related] Is the AC of a Mirror Image Duplicate fixed at Point of Casting?
– SevenSidedDie
9 hours ago










2 Answers
2






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up vote
19
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accepted










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).





You can also hide your duplicates behind cover to increase their AC.



Half cover increases their AC by 2, while 3/4 cover increases it by 5. They are valid for the Cover rules (PHB p. 196), since those reference targets in general - not just creatures.



See Mark Wells' answer for details.






share|improve this answer






























    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 make them entirely impossible to hit, since they're just visual illusions, but that's not a change in AC.






    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
      yesterday






    • 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
      yesterday






    • 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
      yesterday











    Your Answer





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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

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    active

    oldest

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    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    19
    down vote



    accepted










    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).





    You can also hide your duplicates behind cover to increase their AC.



    Half cover increases their AC by 2, while 3/4 cover increases it by 5. They are valid for the Cover rules (PHB p. 196), since those reference targets in general - not just creatures.



    See Mark Wells' answer for details.






    share|improve this answer



























      up vote
      19
      down vote



      accepted










      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).





      You can also hide your duplicates behind cover to increase their AC.



      Half cover increases their AC by 2, while 3/4 cover increases it by 5. They are valid for the Cover rules (PHB p. 196), since those reference targets in general - not just creatures.



      See Mark Wells' answer for details.






      share|improve this answer

























        up vote
        19
        down vote



        accepted







        up vote
        19
        down vote



        accepted






        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).





        You can also hide your duplicates behind cover to increase their AC.



        Half cover increases their AC by 2, while 3/4 cover increases it by 5. They are valid for the Cover rules (PHB p. 196), since those reference targets in general - not just creatures.



        See Mark Wells' answer for details.






        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).





        You can also hide your duplicates behind cover to increase their AC.



        Half cover increases their AC by 2, while 3/4 cover increases it by 5. They are valid for the Cover rules (PHB p. 196), since those reference targets in general - not just creatures.



        See Mark Wells' answer for details.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 1 hour ago









        V2Blast

        18.1k248114




        18.1k248114










        answered 2 days ago









        PixelMaster

        7,2362684




        7,2362684
























            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 make them entirely impossible to hit, since they're just visual illusions, but that's not a change in AC.






            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
              yesterday






            • 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
              yesterday






            • 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
              yesterday















            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 make them entirely impossible to hit, since they're just visual illusions, but that's not a change in AC.






            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
              yesterday






            • 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
              yesterday






            • 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
              yesterday













            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 make them entirely impossible to hit, since they're just visual illusions, but that's not a change in AC.






            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 make them entirely impossible to hit, since they're just visual illusions, but that's not a change in AC.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 11 hours ago

























            answered 2 days ago









            Mark Wells

            4,7731333




            4,7731333








            • 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
              yesterday






            • 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
              yesterday






            • 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
              yesterday














            • 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
              yesterday






            • 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
              yesterday






            • 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
              yesterday








            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
            yesterday




            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
            yesterday




            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
            yesterday




            The spell actually mentions that creatures that can't see are unaffected by the spell, so turning off the lights won't help.
            – Erik
            yesterday




            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
            yesterday




            @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
            yesterday


















             

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