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So one of the AP's (not mentioning which to avoid spoilers) refers to an improved clone spell that's 9th level however it only say's this exists and will fetch you 15k gp but will take a lifetime to understand. However I can't think of anything except no penalty to level that would be an improvement to the normal clone spell used in other AP's and even for a trait. So I'm just wondering what kind of things would people suggest changing about the normal 8th level clone spell if you created an improved 9th level version?
Clone
School necromancy; Level arcanist 8, sorcerer 8, witch 8, wizard 8
Casting
Casting Time 10 minutes
Components V, S, M (laboratory supplies worth 1,000 gp), F (special laboratory equipment costing 500 gp)
Range 0 ft.
Effect one clone
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
Description
This spell makes an inert duplicate of a creature. If the original individual has been slain, its soul immediately transfers to the clone, creating a replacement (provided that the soul is free and willing to return). The original's physical remains, should they still exist, become inert and cannot thereafter be restored to life. If the original creature has reached the end of its natural life span (that is, it has died of natural causes), any cloning attempt fails.
To create the duplicate, you must have a piece of flesh (not hair, nails, scales, or the like) with a volume of at least 1 cubic inch that was taken from the original creature's living body. The piece of flesh need not be fresh, but it must be kept from rotting. Once the spell is cast, the duplicate must be grown in a laboratory for 2d4 months.
When the clone is completed, the original's soul enters it immediately, if that creature is already dead. The clone is physically identical to the original and possesses the same personality and memories as the original. In other respects, treat the clone as if it were the original character raised from the dead, including its gaining of two permanent negative levels, just as if it had been hit by an energy-draining creature. If the subject is 1st level, it takes 2 points of Constitution drain instead (if this would reduce its Con to 0 or less, it can't be cloned). If the original creature gained permanent negative levels since the flesh sample was taken, the clone gains these negative levels as well.
The spell duplicates only the original's body and mind, not its equipment. A duplicate can be grown while the original still lives, or when the original soul is unavailable, but the resulting body is merely a soulless bit of inert flesh which rots if not preserved.
About all I can see is maybe a reduced time but that's hardly worth worrying about. So um anyone got advice on what could be improved here?
Not sure if Immortality being cheap is something I'd want. I would turn it into a more offensive use and basically making it a stronger Simulacrum.
"Once the spell is cast, the duplicate must be grown in a laboratory for 2d4 months." - this seems like the easiest thing for a 9th level clone to change.
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The ability to be brought back to life in a young body is critical for this 9th level clone spell. Its the whole point of this improved version.
I'm under the impression that the reason why you have to relearn this spell after using it is because it was using 3.5 rules. The adventure paths started in 2007 while pathfinder core rulebook showed up in 2009. For those who don't know, back then you could literally lose levels for being brought back from the dead or gaining negative levels. Consequentially, I think whenever this wizard got revived by this spell, he'd lose levels and had to relearn those lost levels before he could cast this spell again. Thats my theory at least.
Wait you don't lose levels with the pathfinder clone?
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Interesting well several ideas there for an improved clone. I do like . . .
Lets you set the age of the clone, so you can make them come back as a kid or young adult or . . .
Lets the soul choose which Clone to come back within, provided there are multiple Clones available.
Will work on someone who dies of natural causes provided the soul is free and willing to return.
No negative levels on returning.
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Wait. I'm confused. Are we trying to recreate the 9th level spell from that adventure path, or are we trying to create an improved improved version of clone?
In the latter case, might I suggest getting rid of the tissue sample requirement? A cubic inch of flesh isn't some small piece of your body that won't go unnoticed. I'm not really sure how you would go about getting it without harming the patient. Also you don't have any antibiotics so infection is a risk. How about changing it to a few drops of blood instead?
Sort of both really as that adventure path doesn't really give much information about what the improved clone spell is.