[RPG] the maximum number of Simulacra I can have

dnd-5eoptimizationsimulacrumspells

Simulacrum seems like a powerful spell; I assume that the duplicate gets all my known spells and spell slots due to this part of the description:

Otherwise, the illusion uses all the statistics of the creature it duplicates

So let us assume that I have all the material components (which are very expensive). If I cast Simulacrum, have the duplicate cast Simulacrum and continue doing that, what would my limit be?

Would my limit be how many times I can halve my health?:

It appears to be the same as the original, but it has half the creature’s hit point maximum

If not, what is the maximum number of duplicates I can create with Simulacrum?

I know if I cast Simulacrum more than once, then the illusion disappears, but I believe having the copy cast the spell itself will bypass this.

Best Answer

This problem is easily circumvented once you have access to wish:

  1. Cast Simulacrum to create an exact copy of yourself (minus one 7th level spell slot).
  2. Tell Simulacrum-1 (Sim-1) to cast wish to make a simulacrum of you (does not require materials). Sim-2 has been created.
  3. Tell Sim-2 to cast wish to make a simulacrum of you (creating Sim-3).
  4. Repeat until you have the desired number of simulacra.

The simulacra all have half your hp, and are missing one 7th Level spell slot (and one 9th level spell slot once they have cast wish).

This can be used as many times as you like (/can be bothered with, as each casting of wish requires an explicit command). Also, the simulacra cannot act independently; they require orders for every action, which can become tiresome once you have too many. Also, they can be got rid of with dispel magic.

Keep those limitations in mind, and you should be able to take over the world with a simulacrum army (assuming your DM doesn't ban the whole thing once he cottons on to what you're doing - I certainly would).

Note: This strategy is explicitly disallowed by the Adventurers League FAQ Version 6.1, which states: "Simulacrums can’t cast simulacrum, or any spell that duplicates its effects."


You may wish to look at: Can a Simulacrum cast Wish?