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A few weeks ago, two of our party members got into a fight with an assassin. All we know so far is that the assassin is a doppelganger.

During the fight, the wizard used magic missile on the assassin, but the missiles were deflected and hit the other party member. The DM didn't explain how the assassin did so.

We're about to fight the doppelganger again, and we want to avoid this scenario if possible. What can deflect or redirect magic missiles?

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    \$\begingroup\$ Did the DM say that the missiles were "deflected", or did they just say that the missiles hit another party member? Asking because a doppelganger assassin sounds like a potential trickster who might try to get party members to target each other. \$\endgroup\$
    – Nat
    Mar 9, 2018 at 17:08
  • \$\begingroup\$ deflected, the missiles were directly aimed at the doppelganger specifically \$\endgroup\$
    – Bwash
    Mar 9, 2018 at 18:21
  • \$\begingroup\$ You might want to ask "What can make it appear as though a magic missile were deflected when it wasn't". \$\endgroup\$
    – psr
    Mar 9, 2018 at 19:32
  • \$\begingroup\$ but that's not the case. the magic missiles were actually deflected \$\endgroup\$
    – Bwash
    Mar 9, 2018 at 20:28

1 Answer 1

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The Shield spell and the Brooch of Shielding both stop Magic Missile cold, completely negating the damage. Some creatures (like the tarrasque) have abilities that can reflect Magic Missile, but the doppelganger does not.

You're dealing with a house rule (possibly including a custom magic item, or property borrowed from another creature) or a mistake on the GM's part (perhaps misunderstanding the Ring of Spell Turning).

In character, you could ask around, doing research to determine the existence of such an ability or item.

Out of character, you could ask the DM which it is.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Might be possible that the DM thinks a Ring of Spell Turning works on Magic Missile. \$\endgroup\$
    – Slagmoth
    Mar 9, 2018 at 14:12
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Slagmoth Decent possibility. Added to the answer. :) \$\endgroup\$
    – T.J.L.
    Mar 9, 2018 at 14:15
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    \$\begingroup\$ There's also the spectator's Spell Reflection ability. Doppelgangers don't have it and it shouldn't affect Magic Missile even if they did, but it's not unheard of for a monster to have something like that innately. \$\endgroup\$ Mar 9, 2018 at 14:19
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    \$\begingroup\$ the Tarrasque's hide can deflect magic missiles. - Reflective Carapace.Any time the tarrasque is targeted by a magic missile spell, a line spell, or a spell that requires a ranged attack roll, roll a d6. On a 1 to 5, the tarrasque is unaffected. On a 6, the tarrasque is unaffected, and the effect is reflected back at the caster as though it originated from the tarrasque, turning the caster into the target. \$\endgroup\$
    – goodguy5
    Mar 9, 2018 at 14:20
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    \$\begingroup\$ While yes creative license was the phrase I was looking for, technically lenience works in the context \$\endgroup\$
    – Bwash
    Mar 9, 2018 at 15:11

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