Simulacrum.

[IcyCool]

If a critter who could cast spells as a sorcerer (but didn't have any sorcerer levels) created a simulacrum of itself, is the spellcasting of the Simulacrum reduced? I've noticed that creatures who "cast spells as an xth-level sorcerer" tend to have x hit dice. Since a simulacrum has x/2 hit dice, would it also follow that it would "cast spells as an (x/2)-level sorcerer"?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Actually, I've noticed that things which have the ability to "cast spells as an Xth-level sorceror" tend to have Y hit dice.

Czech, for instance:

Young adult Black Dragon: 16d12+48 (152); 1st

As for X / 2 ... Well, let's just say that simulacra and dragons don't mix well ...

 

[Len]

I've noticed that creatures who "cast spells as an xth-level sorcerer" tend to have x hit dice.

That's not always the case. In particular, it's not true for creatures that can cast Simulacrum! The only ones I can find in the MM do not have caster level = HD. (Dragons and formian queens.) So probably no, you don't cut the caster level in half, but I don't know what you do do.

It's complicated by the question of what a half-hit-dice dragon is. Is the simulacrum of a great wyrm dragon a great wyrm with half HD, or is it a younger dragon?

 

[Corsair]

It's complicated by the question of what a half-hit-dice dragon is. Is the simulacrum of a great wyrm dragon a great wyrm with half HD, or is it a younger dragon?

I'd say a great wyrm with half its HD. BAB, saves, and skills would suffer, but age dependant abilities would not, at least IMHO.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Well, to be fair, Couatl have 9HD and cast as a 9th-level Sorceror.

Dark nagas, however, have 9 HD and cast as Sor 7s.

 

[IcyCool]

Let's not get off on a dragon tangent here. I'm not looking for a Simulacrum of a Dragon. I remember how that last thread turned out *shudder*.

Would I be correct in assuming that neither SR nor Spellcasting is affected by being a Simulacrum?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Would I be correct in assuming that neither SR nor Spellcasting is affected by being a Simulacrum?

If it's a native ability, it would seem that it is not in most cases.

On the other hand, if you were to make a simulacrum of a drow ranger, both its spellcasting and SR would be affected.

 

[IcyCool]

Ok, thanks! Would the same hold true if I were to advance a creature (with native spellcasting ability) by hit dice? I.E., their spellcasting does not advance?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Ok, thanks! Would the same hold true if I were to advance a creature (with native spellcasting ability) by hit dice? I.E., their spellcasting does not advance?

Correct. Sorta.

If their ability is, "Casts spells as a 4th-level Sorceror," and they take Sorceror levels, add them together.

If their ability is, "Casts spells as a 4th-level Sorceror," and they don't take Sorc levels, or if they have Spell-like Abilties at CL 6 (for instance), then advancing the creature doesn't change their native spellcasting ability.

 

[Nail]

So let me get this straight:

A Simulacrum of a GHAELE would still cast spells as a 14th level cleric? Why or why not.........