What happened when I remove the target from Mirror Image?

When you remove the target of Mirror Image (e.g., by bouncing it to a hand or killing it) after the spell has been played but before it resolves, the following happens:

The Result

Your opponent still gets the Reflection token, but the token fails to copy the target.

Sequence of Events

1. Opponent plays Mirror Image: They target a unit and place the spell on the chain.
2. You play a Reaction: You play a card to remove that unit from the battlefield (e.g., return it to hand). You place this on top of the chain.
3. Chain Resolves (Last-In, First-Out):
   • Your Reaction resolves first: The unit is moved to the hand (or another zone). It is no longer on the battlefield.
   • Mirror Image resolves second: It attempts to execute its instructions in order:
     1. "Play a ready Reflection unit token to your base": This succeeds. A 0-Might Reflection token enters play.
     2. "It becomes a copy of that unit": This instruction fails because the target is no longer on the board. According to Rule 359.3.e.6, this instruction is ignored.
     3. "Give it [Temporary]": This executes successfully. The Reflection token remains on the board with the [Temporary] keyword and its base stats (0 Might).

Summary

Because spells and abilities in Riftbound resolve as much as they can (ignoring only the parts that are impossible to execute, per Rule 359.3.e.11), the token is still created, but the "copy" effect fails to find its target and is skipped. The token remains on the board until the start of your opponent's next Beginning Phase, when the [Temporary] effect kills it.

This interpretation is based on standard chain and timing rules (Rule 359.3) and is supported by RiftJudge FAQs #9807 and #10681 regarding similar targeting interactions.