Can I have my golem accept boosty spells?

[Vahktang]

They have no mind, but my character is the creator of the creature.
So, can I order them to accept Haste, Bull's Strength, etc?
Those spells do allow Saving Throws and Spell Resistance.
But one can voluntarily miss a saving throw and lower their spell resistance.
But a construct has no will, so, do they follow their creators will or always try to save, always have their immunities up?

 

[FreeXenon]

Golems, in general, are immune to all spells except as specified by their description.

Immunity to Magic (Ex): Golems have immunity to most magical and supernatural effects, except when otherwise noted.

I am thinking that they are not mindful enough to be able to lower their resistances.
It is more of an innate magical quality that cannot be lowered especially with as rudimentary as their 'intelligence' is.

 

[mvincent]

can I order them to accept Haste, Bull's Strength, etc?

From the 3.5 FAQ (if desired):
"Note that a golem cannot voluntarily lower its magic
immunity so that it can receive a harmless spell, but a golem’s
magic immunity does not extend to magic the golem uses on
itself (just as spell resistance doesn’t apply to such effects). A
golem can make use of any magic item that works continuously
or is use activated (provided whoever commands the golem is
on hand to put the item on the golem or order the golem to pick
it up). Being mindless, a golem cannot use any item activated
by command, spell, or spell completion."

 

[Vahktang]

From the 3.5 FAQ (if desired):
"Note that a golem cannot voluntarily lower its magic
immunity so that it can receive a harmless spell, but a golem’s
magic immunity does not extend to magic the golem uses on
itself (just as spell resistance doesn’t apply to such effects). A
golem can make use of any magic item that works continuously
or is use activated (provided whoever commands the golem is
on hand to put the item on the golem or order the golem to pick
it up). Being mindless, a golem cannot use any item activated
by command, spell, or spell completion."

So, if I get my golem a belt of Strength and boots of speed, that would work?
Maybe not boots of speed, or anything that involves charges.

Good for the extra items gained though.
"who wants this +1 vest of resistance?"
"Everybody has better?"
"we'll sell it in town. in the meantime, have the golem wear it."

 

[mvincent]

Maybe not boots of speed

Yeah... bing mindless, I believe golems have no capacity to learn, so they would likely have to be told each time to use them. By the time you tell a golem to click his heels together (and he does it), any benefit from speed is likely already wasted.

have the golem wear it."

Heh. It seems rare that a golem could benefit from a +1 vest of resistance.

 

[Vahktang]

Yeah, vest of resistance would be a little silly, but who checks a golem for magic?

OTOH, I could put him an outfit of magic studded leather.
No minuses on attacks, etc.

 

[Arkhandus]

Nope. Golems can't choose to fail saves or drop spell resistance. They're just naturally immune to most magic due to their construction and animation.

 

[mvincent]

I could put him an outfit of magic studded leather.
No minuses on attacks, etc.

Sure, but who wants an S&M golem?

A mithral chain shirt coupled with a masterwork light shield might look nice though.

 

[Quartz]

How about putting a Flesh Golem in Full Plate?

 

[mvincent]

How about putting a Flesh Golem in Full Plate?

I seem to recall that actually being done in module A3 - Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords.

Mind you, the plate armor was actually bolted on and made the flesh golem look a bit like an iron golem... the golem even threatened to "breath poison" on the party (in an effort to seem more like an iron golem).