Guild Wars 2

So… I remember an update a while ago where they made it so if a mesmer summons an illusion, it will only replace a previous one (if you already have 3) if it’s not a clone replacing a phantasm (new phantasm will replace a clone, or if no clone then the oldest phantasm. a new clone will replace an old clone. a new clone will not spawn if only phantasms are out).
that seems to not be the case anymore as I just saw a Phantasmal Warlock replaced by a Phase Retreat Clone? when did this change?

Clones have always replaced the oldest phantasm if you already have 3 phantasms up. This is how it has been since launch, and this is by design and makes perfect sense.

They only changed it so new illusions prioritise existing clones over phantasms that are older. Previously iWarlock→Phase Retreat→DE→DE would leave you with 3 clones, now the second DE clone kills the Phase Retreat clone instead.

If you have 3 phantasms out the oldest is overwritten by the newly created illusion, even if that is a clone.

I really nice now! I took a small break from the game and was so happy to come back and find my phants weren’t getting replaced by my clones if I already had a clone out. I used to always play shatter so it didn’t matter too much… but there are times when its strategic to let the phants live for the dps.