I would allow an active clone (as per the clone spell, but simultaneously active) with a wish spell, but it would be a GM-controlled NPC.
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Polymorph Any Object may fit the bill. Using the table, you can do:
Mindless Clone to Thinking Human
Same Kingdom (+5)
Same Class (+2)
Same Size (+2)
That's enough to make it permanent. It's like a more complicated version of "Marionette to Human" option, only the clone and you are much more related.
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I would allow an active clone (as per the clone spell, but simultaneously active) with a wish spell, but it would be a GM-controlled NPC.-Pass, it feels like a cop out. It's a magical "fix everything" spell when the GM allows it, and if one buys enough scrolls of it, it kinda defeats any and all conflict... Ever.
...And when the GM doesn't want it to be that way, he can just twist the wording and Everything is broken again.
As such, I want to be sure I've tried every option before using Wish; so as to avoid both the Deus Ex Machina Problem, and the Diabolus Ex Machina Problem.
Then make a unique cloning spell. I would not make it less than 9th-level and it would have an expensive material component. At least then you can clearly state what it does and does not do without being readily screwed by the GM.
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Put a soul in the clone (by breaking the gem used for a Soul Bind spell by example).
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Become a Lich, and turn your Clone into your Phylactery.
Take a leaf out of Harry Potter, and use Wish to split your soul to have multiple Phylacteries with multiple Clones.
Sounds like a great idea for a Campaign, actually. Hmm......
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I wonder if anyone understood what I meant when I made the reference to the original Gygax supplied Clone spell.
Of course. The clone would go psycho and become obsessed with killing the original.
Simple solution is, of course, Simulacrum. GM fiat, but in theory one might work out metamagic feats to create improved Simulacra, adding templates, HD, and so on to make them more "you".
A Mirror of Opposition creates an exact duplicate (with the caveat, alas, that the duplicate hates the original). I suppose one could generate copies of oneself with a Mirror of Opposition set up in a bar-type forcecage, and then cast Dominate Person on them as they emerge from the Mirror (and maybe Suffocation on those which save versus Domination, etc.) If you kept the duplicates pretty well Charmed, Dominated, Geased, etc. it can work, though it's managerially complex.
If you can find ways to duplicate your soul, Magic Jar is an option. Nothing is quite coming to mind, though, at least in terms of RAW. I'm sure there's *something* lurking in the depths of the Astral Plane which can do this, though :)
Finally, there's always the "Coppelia" route: constructs (maybe a version of soulbound doll) which are indistinguishable from you, except for a certain creepy "uncanny valley" effect (detectable with Sense Motive, perhaps?) - this is how my high-level Wizard attends boring parties/protects himself from assassination... he just sends doll-versions of himself (through which he can perceive, of course)!
There are stories in the Forgotten Realms about Manshoon, the founder of the Zhentarim. He creates a dozen clones and three of them live simultaneously. Manshoon is/was a very epic spellcaster .. 20th level PCs are nothing compared to him.
So i think it should be possible to create a perfect clone but not for PCs. I should be some kind of epic quest, an artifact is needed or a god intervenes and splits someone into two. In every way it is an exception, nothing common and nearly an impossible task.
Creating a fake clone is something other. A perfect clone has class levels, skills etc from the original. A fake clone only looks like the original and maybe thinks he is the original.
Use some polymorph spells (for the appearance) and some mind changing spells (like a homemade version of modify memory) to create a fake clone from someone .. a bad lucky guy that comes down the street.
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I'd say Mirror of Opposition is the only truly viable option for what you want without houserules. Ideally get two, and use the second mirroron your duplicate from the first. Then find a way to imprison your first duplicate without killing it, or allowing the second duplicate to discover its location, etc. Bust out your diplomancy and convince the duplicate to aide you in exchange for revealing the location of its foe, or even that it should drop its quest and simply team up with you.
Of course there's a lot of DM interpretation required even here, and the question is why is the duplicate mtoivated to kill its originator? If its a simply unavoidable magical compulsion thats fine, but if it must destroy all copies in a Highlander stlye, "there can only be one," deally then this plan would not really work. Essentially it should work if it would only attack the duplicate it was copied from, but not if it would attack you to.
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A Mirror of Opposition creates an exact duplicate (with the caveat, alas, that the duplicate hates the original). I suppose one could generate copies of oneself with a Mirror of Opposition set up in a bar-type forcecage, and then cast Dominate Person on them as they emerge from the Mirror (and maybe Suffocation on those which save versus Domination, etc.) If you kept the duplicates pretty well Charmed, Dominated, Geased, etc. it can work, though it's managerially complex
Use this idea, but intentionally create a cursed item called Helm of Opposite Alignment. Slap it on their head, now they're friendly again. Downside is, you have to make a new helmet for each clone.
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It does not matter how many bodies you create, you still have only one soul.
You might be able to use a wish to split your soul. It also might not be a good idea.
Murder.
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I think the big issue from a rules-perspective would be: are these "clones" versions of you whom you actually control directly? or are they multiples of "you" whom you simply trust to serve you and/or further your agenda? (not necessarily a safe assumption, especially as time passes!)
If the former, there's a whole school of magic - enchantment - which pretty well covers it.
If the latter, it's really a matter of necromancy (with clones and magic jars and the like being bandied about), so some kind of undead option seems reasonable. Being creative - and assuming one can research novel spells for this - one might imagine a more powerful version of the 4th level Shadow Projection spell - let's call it "Corporeal Projection" - with which a caster can send forth duplicates of himself which have some manner of self-determination (or not): how would these be "used"? is it a move action? standard? swift? Controlling very many might be problematic.
It sounds like what you really want is a Matrix 2, Agent Smith-style cloning, which, I think it's safe to say, really isn't doable with existing PFS rules/spells/etc.
Assuming we're talking about a powerful caster (always the sourcepoint for creative shenanigans!), I think what you want is to craft - or have crafted - a very powerful item (maybe it will come to be regarded as an artifact) which allows you to "inhabit" clones to do your bidding. Some kind of powerful necromantic chair (no, throne!) in your stronghold, from which you can commune with, scry, and act through clones which you have strategically placed throughout the world. These clones may not even *know* they are clones - perhaps you've installed captured souls in them as "standby" mode - and they go about their lives as merchant, guards, even adventurers... until you need to use them (perhaps an enemy is in their city, or you need to consult a rare tome in a library there, or you just need to personally visit the Duke, or whatever), at which point they merely "black out". They don't even recall their service to you (Modify Memory!), though they may be fatigued the next day.
Naturally, they are still *clones*, so should you happen to die nearby... you can displace their soul and assume the new body, per the conventional use of Clone ;)
Essentially, Clone but with the actual clones being more useful than their typical Gentle Reposed condition.
One (slightly creepy) idea :)
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I believe that the following list of spells and magical powers, by the Pathfinder rules, should work:
Step 1. Cast Clone twice on an individual to get two back-up clones for when they die.
Step 2. Cast Polymorph Any Object on the individual to turn them into an ettin, which should be permanent if the subject is a human.
Step 3. Cast Polymorph Any Object to turn the ettin into conjoined twins.
Step 4. Surgically separate the conjoined twins. Will likely require a high Heal check plus fancy equipment and a lab, but still doable.
Step 5. Have a powerful witch come in to cast the Forced Reincarnation hex on each separated twin.
Step 6. Kill one twin by an awaiting clone. Watch the clone wake up.
Step 7. Repeat step 6 with the other twin and clone.
Note: Steps 1, 6 & 7 may be skipped by adding in two Wishes and/or Miracles, since those may be expressly used to return a target to its original form.
Why do I have a feeling that this is turning into Paranoia?
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If you’re interested in evil clones you could also try using demonic possession. Just use planer binding to get a shadow demon and have it magic jar the clone. It can work with ghosts too if you can find one that's willing to cooperate.
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This thread had a nice clone war: http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2n5ha?Wizard-Vs-Alchemist
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One could look at undead plague, simulacrums or heres a curveball.
A 3.5 book named Lost Empires of Faerun has Deepspawn (page 166). They can eat someone and spit out "clones" of them.
It’s only six years later... I’m sure this thread is still totally relevant... cough...
Deepspawn, man. Nice.
Anyhoo, for anyone still interested (or interested again) in this sort of thing, if you’re going the 3.5 route, there was a spell called ice assassin, effectively a hopped-up variant of simulacrum; it cost more cash, was ninth level, had a copy exactly as powerful as the original, completely under you control (and, so long as it stayed in one mile of you, held a telepathic bond), and was filled with an overriding desire to murder the original. There were a few other traits, too. For the curious; for the record, remember it is absolutely loyal at all times unless set free, so even if made by you it would serve you... within one mile...