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Simulacrum

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Simulacrum
  • Level: 7
  • School: Illusion
  • Class: Wizard
  • Casting Time: 12 hours
  • Range: Touch
  • Components: V, S, M (powdered ruby worth 1,500+ GP, which the spell consumes)
  • Duration: Until dispelled

You create a simulacrum of one Beast or Humanoid that is within 10 feet of you for the entire casting of the spell. You finish the casting by touching both the creature and a pile of ice or snow that is the same size as that creature, and the pile turns into the simulacrum, which is a creature. It uses the game statistics of the original creature at the time of casting, except it is a Construct, its Hit Point maximum is half as much, and it can't cast this spell.

The simulacrum is Friendly to you and creatures you designate. It obeys your commands and acts on your turn in combat. The simulacrum can't gain levels, and it can't take Short or Long Rests.

If the simulacrum takes damage, the only way to restore its Hit Points is to repair it as you take a Long Rest, during which you expend components worth 100 GP per Hit Point restored. The simulacrum must stay within 5 feet of you for the repair.

The simulacrum lasts until it drops to 0 Hit Points, at which point it reverts to snow and melts away. If you cast this spell again, any simulacrum you created with this spell is instantly destroyed.

Tactical Usage​

Permanent Magical Duplicate. Simulacrum creates a loyal construct duplicate with half hit points and full abilities except for this spell and advancement.

Additional Action Economy. The simulacrum acts on your turn but provides additional actions, effectively doubling certain capabilities during encounters.

Specialized Task Performance. The construct can perform tasks requiring the original's abilities while the caster focuses on other activities.

Spell Combinations​

Force Multiplication. Combining with protective magic helps preserve the valuable simulacrum investment through enhanced survivability.

Skill Specialization. Using simulacrums of creatures with specific skills or abilities provides access to capabilities the caster lacks.

Strategic Coordination. Coordinating simulacrum actions with party tactics maximizes the value of additional action economy.

Material Component Details​

Substantial Ruby Investment. The 1,500+ gold piece powdered ruby represents major monetary commitment for permanent magical servitor creation.

Component Consumption. The spell consumes expensive components, requiring careful consideration about when to create simulacrums.

Ice and Snow Requirement. The spell requires creature-sized ice or snow pile that transforms into the final construct body.

Creator Notes​

Campaign-Changing Magic. Simulacrum provides mechanics that can significantly impact campaign balance through additional ally creation.

Resource Management. The expensive creation and repair costs create meaningful economic decisions about simulacrum investment.

Loyalty Guarantee. The construct's unwavering loyalty removes concerns about ally reliability or betrayal.

Environmental Interactions​

Construct Nature. The simulacrum gains construct traits, making it immune to many effects that target living creatures.

Temperature Considerations. The ice and snow origin might create vulnerabilities to fire or heat-based effects.

Repair Requirements. Long rest repairs require proximity and expensive components, creating logistical considerations.

Common Rulings & Clarifications​

Stat Block Duplication. The simulacrum uses original creature statistics at casting time with half maximum hit points.

Spell Restriction. The construct cannot cast Simulacrum, preventing infinite duplication chains.

Command Structure. The simulacrum follows your commands and acts during your turn in combat initiative.

Destruction Replacement. Casting the spell again destroys any existing simulacrum created by the caster.

Alternative Applications​

Diplomatic Representation. Creating duplicates for dangerous negotiations or meetings where the original's safety is at risk.

Research Assistance. Utilizing simulacrum capabilities for extended research, study, or complex task completion.

Specialized Labor. Employing construct duplicates for tasks requiring specific skills or abilities unavailable to the party.

Creature Creation Comparison. Various spells create allies, but Simulacrum offers permanent duration with specific creature replication.

Illusion Magic Evolution. The spell represents advanced illusion magic that creates semi-real constructs rather than pure deception.

7th Level Power. As a high-level spell, Simulacrum provides benefits appropriate for significant magical investment.

Scaling Analysis​

Permanent Investment Value. Simulacrum provides lasting benefits that justify the expensive components and high-level spell slot.

Campaign Integration. High-level campaigns benefit from additional ally capabilities and specialized task performance.

Economic Considerations. The substantial creation and maintenance costs create ongoing resource management challenges.

Narrative Flavor​

Perfect Duplication. The spell should emphasize the uncanny accuracy of the duplicate while highlighting its construct nature.

Ice Transformation. The creation process should show ice and snow magically reforming into living-seeming flesh and features.

Loyal Servitude. The simulacrum should demonstrate unwavering loyalty and dedication to fulfilling the creator's commands and intentions.