In Dungeons & Dragons, a simulacrum is an illusory duplicate of a creature, created through powerful magic. This duplicate is partially real, formed from materials like ice or snow, and mimics the original in appearance and abilities, though it has half the original’s hit points and cannot learn or grow stronger. Simulacra are often used by wizards to create loyal copies of themselves or other creatures to aid in their adventures.
Understanding Simulacrum
A simulacrum is an illusory duplicate of a beast or humanoid, created using the spell Simulacrum. It has the following abilities and limitations:
Abilities:
- Duplicate’s Stats: It uses all the statistics of the original creature, except it has half the hit points and is a construct.
- Obedience: It is friendly to the caster and obeys their commands.
- Actions: It can take actions and be affected as a normal creature.
Limitations:
- No Learning or Leveling: It cannot learn, gain experience, or increase its abilities.
- No Spell Slot Recovery: It cannot regain expended spell slots.
- Repair: If damaged, it can be repaired in an alchemical laboratory using rare herbs and minerals.
- Duration: It lasts until it drops to 0 hit points or the spell is dispelled.
Casting Wish:
A simulacrum can cast Wish if the original creature had it prepared and the simulacrum has not expended that spell slot. This allows for powerful combinations, but the simulacrum itself cannot regain the Wish spell slot once used.
The Wish Spell
Wish Spell Mechanics and Requirements
Mechanics:
- Casting Time: 1 action
- Range: Self
- Components: V (verbal)
- Duration: Instantaneous
Effects:
- Basic Use: Duplicate any spell of 8th level or lower without needing material components.
- Other Uses: Alter reality to achieve nearly any effect, though more complex wishes can have unintended consequences.
Simulacrum Mechanics
Mechanics:
- Casting Time: 12 hours
- Range: Touch
- Components: V (verbal), S (somatic), M (material: snow or ice, and powdered ruby worth 1,500 gp)
- Duration: Until dispelled
Effects:
- Creates an illusory duplicate of a beast or humanoid.
- The duplicate has half the original’s hit points and cannot regain spell slots or increase in power.
- It obeys the caster’s commands and acts on their turn in combat.
Interaction: Can a Simulacrum Cast Wish?
Yes, a simulacrum can cast Wish if it meets the following conditions:
- Spell Slot Availability: The simulacrum must have a 9th-level spell slot available. Since a simulacrum is created with the same spell slots as the original caster at the time of creation, it can cast Wish if the original had an unused 9th-level slot.
- Command: The simulacrum must be commanded to cast Wish, as it follows the caster’s instructions.
However, the simulacrum cannot regain expended spell slots, so it can only cast Wish once unless it was created with multiple 9th-level slots.
: Simulacrum+Wish Combo – Rules & Game Mechanics – D&D Beyond
: Simulacrum Factory – Rules & Game Mechanics – D&D Beyond
Rules and Interpretations
The official rules for Simulacrum and Wish in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition are as follows:
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Simulacrum: This spell creates an illusory duplicate of a creature, which has half the original’s hit points and cannot regain spell slots. The simulacrum is friendly to the caster and obeys their commands.
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Wish: This spell allows the caster to duplicate any other spell of 8th level or lower without needing material components. It is the most powerful spell a mortal can cast.
Common Interpretations:
- Simulacrum Casting Wish: The simulacrum can cast Wish if the original caster had it prepared at the time of the simulacrum’s creation. This is because the simulacrum retains the spell slots and prepared spells of the original.
- Infinite Simulacrum Loop: Some players interpret that a simulacrum can cast Wish to create another simulacrum, leading to an infinite loop. However, this is often debated and many DMs rule against it to maintain game balance.
Relevant Errata and Clarifications:
- Errata: There is no official errata explicitly preventing a simulacrum from casting Wish.
- Clarifications: Jeremy Crawford, a lead designer for D&D, has clarified that while a simulacrum can cast Wish, it cannot regain spell slots, which limits its ability to cast Wish multiple times.
These interpretations can vary widely depending on the Dungeon Master’s ruling and the specific context of the game.
Practical Implications
If a simulacrum can cast Wish, it opens up several gameplay scenarios and balance considerations:
Practical Implications
- Infinite Loop Potential: A simulacrum casting Wish to create another simulacrum can lead to an infinite loop, potentially creating an army of simulacra.
- Resource Management: The ability to cast Wish without material costs can significantly reduce resource constraints, allowing for more frequent and powerful spellcasting.
- Game Balance: This combination can disrupt game balance, making encounters trivial and reducing the challenge for players.
Potential Strategies
- Controlled Use: Limit the number of simulacra that can be active at one time to prevent abuse.
- DM Intervention: Dungeon Masters can impose narrative or mechanical restrictions, such as requiring rare components or introducing consequences for overuse.
- Rule Clarifications: Clarify that simulacra cannot regain expended spell slots, preventing them from casting Wish repeatedly.
Gameplay Scenarios
- Combat: Using simulacra to cast powerful spells can turn the tide of battle, but risks making combat encounters too easy.
- Exploration: Simulacra can be used for scouting or performing dangerous tasks, reducing risk to the main party.
- Role-Playing: The ethical implications of creating and using simulacra can lead to interesting role-playing opportunities and moral dilemmas.
Balance Considerations
- Spell Slot Management: Ensure that simulacra cannot regain spell slots to maintain balance.
- Stress of Wish: Apply the stress of casting Wish to both the caster and the simulacrum to limit overuse.
- Narrative Limits: Introduce story-driven limitations, such as divine intervention or magical backlash, to prevent abuse.
By carefully managing these elements, you can maintain a balanced and engaging game while allowing for creative use of simulacra and Wish.
A Simulacrum’s Wish
A simulacrum, an illusory duplicate of a creature created through powerful magic, can cast Wish if it meets two conditions: 1) the original caster had an unused 9th-level spell slot at the time of creation, and 2) the simulacrum is commanded to cast Wish.
However, the simulacrum cannot regain expended spell slots, limiting its ability to cast Wish multiple times. This combination can have significant implications for gameplay, including infinite loop potential, resource management, and game balance considerations.
To maintain a balanced game, Dungeon Masters can impose narrative or mechanical restrictions, clarify rules, and apply stress to both the caster and the simulacrum.
