were Project Image and Simulacrum ever fixed?

Ygramul

Project Image should consume memorized spells (rather than function as a spare copy of your spellbook) and Simulacrum should not permit using items and scrolls. There to me are obvious necessary fixes.

Were these ever addressed in EE? Is there a mod that did?

Tresset

This was not changed for EE and it is likely (by my estimation anyway) that it won't ever be changed. I do not know of any mods that do this.

Ygramul

Sad. As a house rule, I do not permit PI for my casters, especially sorcerers: it is ridiculously overpowered, even if it were a single use HLA.

For a single 7th level spell, you get to reuse ALL your existing spells (especially if you can protect the image with some tricks).

CrevsDaak

Were they ever broken...?

aTweaks has an option to the Simulacrum fix, but I don't know about the Project Image one.

mumumomo

The thing is that if they used your spellbooks, these 2 spells would be completely useless for a pure caster.
Using them is anyway more a convenience, to avoid resting (which has no impact on the gameplay anyway)

Ygramul

mumumomo said:

The thing is that if they used your spellbooks, these 2 spells would be completely useless for a pure caster.
Using them is anyway more a convenience, to avoid resting (which has no impact on the gameplay anyway)

Actually, no:
Project Image is a tactical advantage: it lets you cast while staying AWAY from danger. In all fairness it should not act as a better-than-Simulacrum duplicator of your spellbook.

"Avoid resting" is not a convenience; it is a game breaker! The game is supposed to be designed that you plan to ration your resources (e.g. spells) and resting is a risk (which makes BG a mile better than the rest-anywhere nonsense on NWN).

Simulacrum itself should be prohibited from item-use only; the summoned caster itself is nerfed (60% level), so no need for it to consume your own spells.

I think these two fixes are really no-brainer necessities that should have made to BG2EE.

@Dee‌ could you comment if a future patch will address this issue?

Thanks.

Ballad

I believe SCS has a component that addresses the Simulacrum/PI being able to use items issue.

http://www.gibberlings3.net/readmes/readme-scs.html#spelltweaks
"Prevent clones made by the Simulacrum and Project Image spells from using their magic items (BG2EE,BG2,BGT)

At present, clones can use magic items belonging to their creator - even one-shot items - which arguably isn't what the spell is intended to do. This component blocks use of useable items, by greying out the quick-item bar for clones. Magic weapons, armour, and protective devices still function normally."

As for Project Image, I am not aware of any mods or tweaks that modify/nerf the way this spell works. In fact, I do not believe it could be done as you suggest due to engine limitations. If it's any consolation, I do agree that it is a ridiculously overpowered, lame spell.

jackjack

I used to love sending hordes of Jesters after my enemies. XD

Messi

I agree that they are just ridiculously overpowered to the point of being completely broken. Since Beamdog hasn't done any balance changes though I don't think there is much chance of that being changed at this point. Their use ranges from rather cheesy to full out exploitation.

These spells don't really have much to do with their actual D&D counterparts either. In both 2nd and 3rd ed. simulacrum is meant to make copy of another creature, ie. not the spellcaster, and only if the HD and lvl of the target are lower than the casters, and even then at about half the power of the original. Project Image was a literal image, or hologram if you will, not an actual second copy of the caster.

It would be nice if they at least fixed the obvious bug that makes them the copy your quickslot items, and abilities granted by magical items. Then again that is also something that has been talked about since pretty much BG2 launched, and I'm sure Beamdog knew about that too but decided not to fix it.

For added hilarity you can also use restoration on your simulcarum to restore it to your full hp/casting lvl. Not to mention exploit with them to cast from same spellscrolls infinite times, use things like Ring of Ram dozen times a fight, etc.

Anyway my personal "fix" is simply not to use either spells.