You can never have too many ninjas.

[Elysea]

My ninja would like to be able to create a phantom image of himself, to confuse and distract the enemy in combat.

At first this looks like an Image power, but Images cannot be moved from their creation hex unless bought with a sufficiently large AE. (At least, that is how I interpreted the Image section of the FAQ?) It also takes time and effort to manipulate the Image in any complex fashion; I want the image to just keep acting on its own to create confusion and distraction.

Should this power be bought as Duplication, but with a strong "Phantom" limitation, perhaps worth as much as -1? The duplicate is effectively just an image, unable to inflict damage, and it wouldn't take an enemy long to realize the trickery if he sees his own attacks passing through the target. The duplicate would be, effectively, permanently Desolidified. Or would the Images power, bought with the Uncontrolled advantage or something similar, be more appropriate?

Thanks.

[Steve Long]

You're interpreting Images correctly in that the Images cannot leave the designated area. There's some info on changing/manipulating Images in the Rules FAQ, and the forthcoming Fantasy Hero.

I generally don't comment on "the best way" to create a particular effect, but I'll make two suggestions:

1. Look not at the "visuals" of what you want to accomplish, but the game effect. If the game effect you want is "create confusion and distraction," there may be other ways to do that than Images -- depending on how you define "confusion and distraction."

2. Post this on "HERO System Discussion," where Herodom Assembled will undoubtedly have lots of suggestions and ideas for you. ;)