Improved Mirror Image-like spell(PEACH)

[Gamer Girl]

Shadowy Ancestors
Necromancy/Conjuration(Calling)
Level: Initiate of Grankhul 9
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 10 minutes/level(D)
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell summons several of your honored ancestors from Grankhuls realm to aid you.
This spell functions much like mirror image in effect, as it makes several forms around the caster. However, unlike the lesser spell, the forms are the ancestors of the casting cleric. Any ancestor of the caster may come, though worshipers of Grankhul are the most likely to show up.

Upon completion of the spell, the caster calls 1d4+1/5 levels of the caster ancestors images of their ancestors. These images look much like tha caster and each image, plus the caster, randomly shifts in appearance from the appearance of the caster to the appearance of another image several times a round at random. Otherwise the images duplicate the casters every move.

Each image has half the HP of the caster and the same BAB and saving throws, but otherwise has the statistics of an Abyssal Ravager(MMII 57). Each ancestor has duplicates of all the casters equipment, including any magic items up to 20,000 gold pieces of value. The ancestors can't cast spells themselves, but may be used to project spell effects. The ancestor has all the knowledge it possessed in life and can speak any language it knew in life.

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So, I'm not so sure about this spell. Is it too powerful, or just about right or not powerful enough?

I'm I missing anything?

[Ceaon]

Do the images get actions?

[ericgrau]

Couldn't the duplicate use staffs and such to break action economy with machine gun casting? Even spamming 5th level spells would be broken.

You might want to say that they can't attack at all, they merely have halfway decent HP and saves, maybe AC too if the caster has AC. You also need to clarify whether or not area of effect spells affect them compared to mirror image.

The duration alone puts the spell at 5th-6th level, as spending a precious combat round is one of the major costs of regular mirror image. From there half HP images are a minor benefit, as most attacks will nuke them in a couple hits anyway, especially if they're vulnerable to area damage. So... 7th or 8th level if the spell can't be used offensively and is vulnerable to area damage. Immune to area damage or improved evasion and 8th is about right IMO, maybe 9th.

I might also be tempted to bump the spell level up by 1 simply because it's not an illusion spell, and favors specialist wizards that much more.