In Dungeons & Dragons, a simulacrum is a partially real, illusory duplicate of a beast or humanoid, typically created through a powerful magical spell. Unlike a mere illusion, a simulacrum is a tangible creature, formed from ice or snow, capable of taking actions and being affected like a normal creature, making it a valuable, albeit costly, asset for high-level adventurers.
The Simulacrum Spell: Creation and Nature
The creation of a simulacrum is facilitated by the 7th-level Simulacrum spell, a potent piece of magic requiring significant time and rare components. When cast, the spell allows a spellcaster to shape an illusory duplicate of any beast or humanoid within range over an extended period.
- Nature: The duplicate is more than just a visual trick; it is described as a creature that is "partially real and formed from ice or snow." This physical manifestation allows it to interact with the world and be treated much like any other living being for the purposes of combat and other actions.
- Casting: The spell typically requires a long casting time (e.g., 12 hours) and expensive material components, such as a substantial amount of snow or ice, powdered gems, and various other costly magical reagents. This makes its creation a significant investment for any spellcaster.
Key Characteristics and Limitations
While incredibly useful, a simulacrum comes with distinct characteristics and limitations that define its role and power within the game.
- Hit Points: A simulacrum possesses exactly half the hit point maximum of the original creature it duplicates. This makes it more fragile than its counterpart.
- Abilities and Proficiencies: It inherits all the original creature's abilities, saving throws, skill proficiencies, and other features. If the original was a powerful spellcaster, the simulacrum will also possess those spellcasting abilities.
- Spell Slots and Replenishment: One of its most significant limitations is that a simulacrum cannot regain expended spell slots or other expended abilities. Once a spell slot is used, it's gone forever for that simulacrum. This means a spellcasting simulacrum functions as a limited-use battery of its original's powers.
- Healing: A simulacrum cannot regain hit points naturally (via a short or long rest) nor through most magical healing spells. The only way to restore its hit points is by casting the Simulacrum spell on it again, which is as costly as creating a new one.
- Loyalty and Control: A simulacrum is utterly loyal to its creator and obeys all spoken commands. It possesses no will or desires of its own, making it an ideal, albeit unthinking, servant.
- Experience and Growth: It does not gain experience points, cannot level up, and its statistics remain static from the moment of its creation.
Simulacrum Key Features Summary
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Origin | Created via the 7th-level Simulacrum spell. |
| Form | Illusory duplicate, partially real, made of ice or snow. |
| Target | Beast or Humanoid. |
| Hit Points | Half of the original creature's maximum. |
| Abilities | Same as original (stats, proficiencies, features, prepared spells). |
| Spell Slots | Cannot regain expended spell slots or other abilities. |
| Healing | Cannot heal naturally; requires recasting Simulacrum for full restoration. |
| Control | Obeys creator's commands; has no will of its own. |
| Growth | Cannot gain experience or level up. |
Strategic Applications
Given its unique nature, a simulacrum offers a wide array of strategic uses for adventurers, especially those with high-level spellcasters.
- Combat Support:
- Extra Action Economy: Provides an additional creature in combat, effectively doubling a spellcaster's actions or a martial character's attacks.
- Spellcasting Battery: While limited, a spellcasting simulacrum can cast powerful spells in combat, providing crucial buffs, debuffs, or damage.
- Decoy/Distraction: Its ability to be affected like a normal creature makes it an excellent decoy to draw enemy fire, protecting more valuable party members.
- Utility and Exploration:
- Scouting: Send it into dangerous areas ahead of the party to scout for traps or enemies, risking only a costly duplicate rather than a party member's life.
- Task Completion: Have it perform mundane tasks, guard a location, or even assist in crafting or research.
- Replicate Skills: If the original has specific skills (e.g., high Stealth, Expertise in certain tools), the simulacrum can perform these tasks.
- Roleplaying and Social:
- Body Double: A clever use can be as a perfect body double for a character, especially one with a high profile, to attend meetings or be seen in two places at once.
- Messenger/Courier: Send it with vital messages or items to dangerous locations.
A simulacrum is a powerful tool in the arsenal of a high-level D&D character, offering immense strategic flexibility despite its limitations and the significant cost of its creation.
