Mirror Image

A
Support

Mirror Image is a Support spell. Support spells strengthen, protect, or buff allies.

See all Support spells →
spell that surrounds you with illusory doubles, making enemies strike the wrong target and keeping you safer in battle.

2024 Rules

Level & School
2nd-level illusion
Casting Time
Action
Range
Self
Components
V, S
Duration
1 minute
Classes
Bard, 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.

Each time a creature hits you with an attack roll during the spell's duration, roll a d6 for each of your remaining duplicates. If any of the d6s rolls a 3 or higher, one of the duplicates is hit instead of you, and the duplicate is destroyed. The duplicates otherwise ignore all other damage and effects. The spell ends when all three duplicates are destroyed.

A creature is unaffected by this spell if it has the Blinded condition, Blindsight, or Truesight.

2014 Rules

Level & School
2nd-level illusion
Casting Time
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.

Mirror Image 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Mirror Image was changed a lot: it now triggers when a creature hits you with an attack roll, then you roll a d6 for each remaining duplicate; any 3+ on those dice makes a duplicate take the hit. The old AC/threshold system is gone. Now also available to Bards.

Mirror Image popularity

Mirror Image is one of the most popular level 2 spells in the game. Choosing it adds a D&D staple to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Mirror Image

  • Blur 2nd-level illusion

    A same-level illusion that protects only you by making you harder to hit for up to a minute, so it's the closest mechanical analogue.

  • Shield 1st-level abjuration

    Although different in duration, it’s a short-term self-only defensive reaction spell casters use to avoid being hit.

  • Sanctuary 1st-level abjuration

    Provides a defensive, self-centered protection that discourages or prevents enemies from successfully attacking you.

  • Blink 3rd-level transmutation

    A self-only spell that changes how enemies interact with you for about a minute by shifting your presence and making hits unreliable.

  • Elminster's Elusion 2nd-level abjuration

    A level-2 self buff that grants illusion-flavored protection for an extended time, serving a similar defensive niche for wizards.