Iron_Chef
First Post
The Simulacrum spell description in the PHB seems to raise more questions than it answers. Please help me, as the creation of simulacrums is about to factor very heavily in my campaign...
There's really no end to the trouble this spell could cause, and in a way, it's far superior to clone (especially if you don't plan on dying). Over time, a high level wizard could create a veritable army of simulacrums of herself to function as 100% loyal minions, each with an arsenal of spells. Or she could create bunches of simulacrums from her enemy's most powerful troops to serve as spies, asassins or guardians.
1. Does a simulacrum realize that it is not really the person or creature it was copied from? If yes, what effect does this have on its personality? If no, but it is confronted with evidence of its true nature, what effect does this have on its personality?
2. If you create a simulacrum of yourself, how do you explain to the copy what it is, why you made it, why it must obey you, etc.? Is there some way to alter its memory so it will believe it is your "real" twin? What happens if you treat it like an expendable slave?
3. A simulacrum is made of ice and snow and is not really alive. Wouldn't it be considered a construct? Should it take +50% damage from fire-based attacks?
4. If it is a construct, then the Repair __ Damage spells from T&B would then heal it without needing to waste lots of time and money, and the various spells that control/damage constructs would affect it as well.
5. If it is copied from a wizard, can the simulacrum still call a familiar or improved familiar just like the original wizard could?
6. The PHB spell description says the creator can exercise control over the simulacrum, but only directly. Does this mean the simulacrum does as it wishes when alone, so long as it follows the creator's instructions on what it can and cannot do when the creator is not around? Or does it not even need to follow any directions if its creator is not present to give them?
7. I assume a simulacrum would behave like the original being it was copied from, with the same reactions, emotional triggers, etc., but can it ever grow in different directions than its progenitor, as it will likely experience a very different future than its creator?
8. Do the use of able telepathy from a distance (or sending spells, etc.). count as excercising "direct control" over the simulacrum?
9. Would the simulacrum of an evil, ambitious person or creature plot to supplant and replace its creator (assuming the creator was not aware of this)?
There's really no end to the trouble this spell could cause, and in a way, it's far superior to clone (especially if you don't plan on dying). Over time, a high level wizard could create a veritable army of simulacrums of herself to function as 100% loyal minions, each with an arsenal of spells. Or she could create bunches of simulacrums from her enemy's most powerful troops to serve as spies, asassins or guardians.
1. Does a simulacrum realize that it is not really the person or creature it was copied from? If yes, what effect does this have on its personality? If no, but it is confronted with evidence of its true nature, what effect does this have on its personality?
2. If you create a simulacrum of yourself, how do you explain to the copy what it is, why you made it, why it must obey you, etc.? Is there some way to alter its memory so it will believe it is your "real" twin? What happens if you treat it like an expendable slave?
3. A simulacrum is made of ice and snow and is not really alive. Wouldn't it be considered a construct? Should it take +50% damage from fire-based attacks?
4. If it is a construct, then the Repair __ Damage spells from T&B would then heal it without needing to waste lots of time and money, and the various spells that control/damage constructs would affect it as well.
5. If it is copied from a wizard, can the simulacrum still call a familiar or improved familiar just like the original wizard could?
6. The PHB spell description says the creator can exercise control over the simulacrum, but only directly. Does this mean the simulacrum does as it wishes when alone, so long as it follows the creator's instructions on what it can and cannot do when the creator is not around? Or does it not even need to follow any directions if its creator is not present to give them?
7. I assume a simulacrum would behave like the original being it was copied from, with the same reactions, emotional triggers, etc., but can it ever grow in different directions than its progenitor, as it will likely experience a very different future than its creator?
8. Do the use of able telepathy from a distance (or sending spells, etc.). count as excercising "direct control" over the simulacrum?
9. Would the simulacrum of an evil, ambitious person or creature plot to supplant and replace its creator (assuming the creator was not aware of this)?
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