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.
How Mirror Image plays
Three illusory copies of you appear in your space for one minute and move with you, so no one can tell which is real. Each time a creature targets you with an attack, roll a d20: with three duplicates left, a 6 or higher means the attack targets a duplicate instead; with two, an 8 or higher; with one, an 11 or higher.
A duplicate has AC 10 + your Dexterity modifier, and an attack that hits it destroys it. It ignores all other damage and effects. So the first attack against you has a 75% chance to go astray, the second 65%, the third 50%, and it keeps working until three attacks have hit a duplicate. It doesn’t need concentration, so it stacks with anything else you’re holding.
When to pick Mirror Image
Sorcerers, warlocks and wizards who keep ending up in melee. It turns a low Armor Class into a much better chance of not being hit at all.
Against many attacks, not big spells. It stops weapon and spell attacks. It does nothing against a saving throw, so a dragon’s breath or a Fireball still hits you.
Check the enemy’s senses. Creatures that can’t see, rely on blindsight or have truesight ignore it. Oozes, bats and many high-level fiends and dragons see straight through it.
Common questions
Does Mirror Image need concentration?
No. It lasts a minute or until all three duplicates are destroyed, and you can keep concentrating on another spell the whole time.
What happens if an attack targets a duplicate and misses?
The attack misses and the duplicate survives. A duplicate is destroyed only by an attack that hits it, and its AC is 10 + your Dexterity modifier.
Does Mirror Image work against spells?
Only spells that make attack rolls, like Fire Bolt or Scorching Ray. Spells that call for a saving throw, or areas like Fireball, affect you normally.
Does Mirror Image stack with Blur?
Yes. Blur gives attackers disadvantage, and Mirror Image redirects the attacks that are left. Blur needs concentration; Mirror Image doesn’t.
Who can see through Mirror Image?
A creature is unaffected if it can’t see, relies on senses other than sight such as blindsight, or can perceive illusions as false, as with truesight.
Did the 2024 rules change Mirror Image?
Yes. In the 2024 Player’s Handbook it only triggers when an attack would hit you: roll a d6 for each remaining duplicate, and if any shows 3 or higher, a duplicate is hit and destroyed instead. Duplicates no longer have an Armor Class, and bards can learn it.
The 2024 Player’s Handbook revised many spells, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new text. What changed from the 2014 version above:
Added to the Bard spell list.
Casting time
Action
Range
Self
Components
V, S
Duration
1 minute
School
Illusion
Level
2
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.
2024 version from the SRD 5.2. Most tables settle on one edition, so check which one yours uses.
