Simulacrum Template?

[Knightfall]

Does anyone have a template that converts a creature into a simulacrum? Somethime that can be used for more than just humanoids.

Cheers!

KF72

 

[freyar]

What are you looking for in the simulacrum? Some sort of special abilities vs the base creature?

Oddly enough, we're converting "life-bane duplicates" over in the First Edition Modules conversion thread.

 

[Knightfall]

What are you looking for in the simulacrum? Some sort of special abilities vs the base creature?

I hadn't really thought about it, yet. The idea is that I'd be able to template any creature as a simulacrum. I'm "borrowing" the Jester's idea of a Simulacrum War, but I want the simulacrum to be slightly different than the base creature. Basically, I want there to be an option to create advanced simulacrum.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Basically, I want there to be an option to create advanced simulacrum.

I've been needing something similar myself.

 

[Jack Simth]

*scratches head*

The spell description spells it out clearly enough, save for special cases (such as with a dragon's age categories):

Simulacrum

Illusion (Shadow)
Level: Sor/Wiz 7 Components: V, S, M, XP Casting Time: 12 hours Range: 0 ft. Effect: One duplicate creature Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None Spell Resistance: No

Simulacrum creates an illusory duplicate of any creature. The duplicate creature is partially real and formed from ice or snow. It appears to be the same as the original, but it has only one-half of the real creature’s levels or Hit Dice (and the appropriate hit points, feats, skill ranks, and special abilities for a creature of that level or HD). You can’t create a simulacrum of a creature whose Hit Dice or levels exceed twice your caster level. You must make a Disguise check when you cast the spell to determine how good the likeness is. A creature familiar with the original might detect the ruse with a successful Spot check (opposed by the caster’s Disguise check) or a DC 20 Sense Motive check.

At all times the simulacrum remains under your absolute command. No special telepathic link exists, so command must be exercised in some other manner. A simulacrum has no ability to become more powerful. It cannot increase its level or abilities. If reduced to 0 hit points or otherwise destroyed, it reverts to snow and melts instantly into nothingness. A complex process requiring at least 24 hours, 100 gp per hit point, and a fully equipped magical laboratory can repair damage to a simulacrum.

Material Component: The spell is cast over the rough snow or ice form, and some piece of the creature to be duplicated (hair, nail, or the like) must be placed inside the snow or ice. Additionally, the spell requires powdered ruby worth 100 gp per HD of the simulacrum to be created.

XP Cost: 100 XP per HD of the simulacrum to be created (minimum 1,000 XP).

(Emphasis added).

Sure, there's some DM judgement calls in there (does a Simulacrum of an Efreeti get the 1-day 3 wishes ability?) but it's fairly straightforward, otherwise. That Dire Tiger drops to 8 hit dice (from 16; so 8d8+24 (60) hit points), BAB+6 (from BAB +12; six points of differnece, so the full attack line drops to 2 claws +14 melee (2d4+8) and bite +8 melee (2d6+4)); it loses the 9, 12, and 15 HD feats, so it loses Run, Stealthy, and Weapon Focus (Claw) (bringing the Claw attacks down to +13, rather than +14). As an Int-2 animal, it also gets exactly one skill point per level - so when it loses 8 hit dice, it loses 8 skill points - which you can take out of whatever.

 

[Knightfall]

*scratches head*

The spell description spells it out clearly enough, save for special cases (such as with a dragon's age categories):

(Emphasis added).

Sure, there's some DM judgement calls in there (does a Simulacrum of an Efreeti get the 1-day 3 wishes ability?) but it's fairly straightforward, otherwise. That Dire Tiger drops to 8 hit dice (from 16; so 8d8+24 (60) hit points), BAB+6 (from BAB +12; six points of differnece, so the full attack line drops to 2 claws +14 melee (2d4+8) and bite +8 melee (2d6+4)); it loses the 9, 12, and 15 HD feats, so it loses Run, Stealthy, and Weapon Focus (Claw) (bringing the Claw attacks down to +13, rather than +14). As an Int-2 animal, it also gets exactly one skill point per level - so when it loses 8 hit dice, it loses 8 skill points - which you can take out of whatever.

I guess I'm looking for something more in-depth to allow for more customization of a particular simulacrum. For example, the spell's description doesn't really say what type of creature the simulacrum is. Is it the same type as the base creature or is it a construct? Plus, a simulacrum is made from ice and snow, so should it (or could it) have the Cold subtype?

Plus, I seem to remember a Greater Simulacrum spell in a official D&D sourcebook, but I can't remember which book it was in.

 

[Jack Simth]

I guess I'm looking for something more in-depth to allow for more customization of a particular simulacrum. For example, the spell's description doesn't really say what type of creature the simulacrum is. Is it the same type as the base creature or is it a construct? Plus, a simulacrum is made from ice and snow, so should it (or could it) have the Cold subtype?

In general, you'll want to go with the simplest non-broken version. It's a "duplicate creature" - as a DM, my first interpretation will be "it's the same as the original except as otherwise specified" - so the Simulacrum of a Lawful-Evil Outsider will also be a Lawful-Evil outsider (with the nonhealing caveat, the death at 0 caveat, reduced skill points, reduced saves, HP, certain abilities of the DM's choice removed, and so on)

Plus, I seem to remember a Greater Simulacrum spell in a official D&D sourcebook, but I can't remember which book it was in.

Ice Assasin, from Frostburn, is I think what you're after. I believe there are also sample Simulacrum there, in the included "Delzomen’s Forge" dungeon.