I read one thread on here that as in 2011, so I didn't want to necro it, and none of the arguments seemed convincing as to why one would want to use lesser simulacrum.
With lesser simulacrum giving none of the magical abilities of the copied creature, limiting it to creatures of your HD or less, and the simulacrum made isn't under your control, I can't see how this would be usable save for maybe making one of yourself as a distraction and hoping it follows your reasoning and that the DM isn't going to have it turn on you at a whim.
Any reliable ways to use lesser simulacrum? Or is the spell a trap?
Maybe if you're a really lonely narcissist?
Honestly not too useful.
It's a pretty awful spell and finding uses for it is a bit of a chore. The Alchemists' version is truly useless: spending 24h creating something that'll last 8h and paying 100gp per HD for the privilege?
But with the False Focus feat granting free 1 or 2 HD Lesser Simulacra to arcane casters, there may be situations where the spell comes into play. You'll need decent Diplomacy or Bluff skills to get them to do anything for you. But creating mercenaries or craftsmen who'll melt into a puddle before you have to pay them may have its uses, once in a blue moon.
(Provided they don't make a Spellcraft check to realize what they are, and how long they have to live.)
I read one thread on here that as in 2011, so I didn't want to necro it, and none of the arguments seemed convincing as to why one would want to use lesser simulacrum.
With lesser simulacrum giving none of the magical abilities of the copied creature, limiting it to creatures of your HD or less, and the simulacrum made isn't under your control, I can't see how this would be usable save for maybe making one of yourself as a distraction and hoping it follows your reasoning and that the DM isn't going to have it turn on you at a whim.
Any reliable ways to use lesser simulacrum? Or is the spell a trap?
You can copy the party fighter for additional meatshields. You can charm/dominate them if you need control: I mean the copy not the original, but I guess you could also.