Construct Creation?

[Sir Whiskers]

In 1E, my wizard created a homonculus, but nearly died when it was killed (he took 2-20 points of damage), so I never repeated that mistake! It was a lot of fun while it lasted.

The same character also used a manual of golems to create a flesh golem as a guard for the keep my characters controlled (it was common to run multiple characters back in the late 70's). I never took it on adventures, however, as the GM really didn't like that idea. It was mainly just an excuse to say we had a permanent guard for our home base. Besides, if you find a manual of golems, what are you supposed to do - sell it? Not a chance.

With the new rules, I doubt I'd ever bother. The XP cost is a bit steep, and by the time a character is able to craft one, a golem just isn't all that powerful. If I need help, I'll take leadership and bring along a cohort. Still, with the new rules for a construct race in Eberron, maybe I could do both. Hmmm...

 

[Laslo Tremaine]

In our first 3e campaign, my Conjurer/Alienist made a Homonculus (with the pseudonatural template). It was fun to make and added a few interesting roleplaying moments. But by the time he got around to making it (10th level) it's main use was as a mobile healing potion dispenser...

I really wanted him to get to the point where he could start creating Golems and other high powered constructs, but our campaign imploded at 13th level...

:\

 

[der_kluge]

So, it seems like humonculi are popular. Perhaps people would make more golems if they weren't so expensive?

Anyone else create any golems? That doesn't seem like very many.

 

[DaveStebbins]

In the old 1E/2E days, I had a magic-user which created several homonculi. i think he eventually got up to #8 or #9. The fact that their death caused damage, instead of permanent HP loss (like a familiar) was the selling factor.

Creating any of the greater golems was never considered due to the "cumulative chance per round" of them going wild. For that kind of money, why build something that is guaranteed to go into an uncontrollable destructive rage sooner or later?

My current mage is taking the craft construct feat and is interested in crafting lesser golems of different sorts. Smaller, less powerful constructs which will not go wild. With Craft Wondrous Item as a prereq, he'll also be making some interesting minor Figurines of Wonderous Power as well...

-Dave
Who has the image stuck in his head of the mage tossing out a handful of pebbles, which become a swarm of magical bees, attacking at his command.

 

[Altalazar]

In 1E one mage made lots and lots and lots of simulacrums.

And I made some custom constructs as well - basically animated armor was the bulk of it. Not too smart or tough, but useful as fodder.

And then I made a really fancy, super-duper animated armor - but only managed to make about a dozen of those. They were very very tough and had a lot of abilities.

All part of running a nation.

 

[jerichothebard]

I had a character make a construct familiar. It was pretty cool, and significantly tougher than a normal familiar (esp. with the adamantine we had salvaged from a demon's prison as it's exoskeleton - long story). In the end, though, it still rode around in my backpack, acting as a lookout and occasionally helping with a craft check (racoon familar with a template, basically, and using my ranks in Craft, could Aid another for a freebie +2).


Great for the flavor of a gnomish tinker wizard. I liked it.

 

[Bloodstone Press]

Back in 2e a certain powerful wizard in our group created an iron golem. It was expensive and time consuming. After it was built it was difficult to adventure with (too big to teleport, too big for most buildings and dungeons.) It was usually left at the character's castle as a guardian when he was away. However, he did take it to Hell with him and almost lost it in the river styx.

 

[Li Shenron]

Never happened in our games. Crafting golems just seems too far from what PCs usually do which is adventuring, instead it looks more like a defensive investment. In theory, you could craft a golem to help you in battles, but the cost is too high to run the risk it is destroyed.

However on the overall it's rather a matter of flavor why no one has ever attempted a construct creation in our campaigns.

A small one could work tho, but also it is much common to simply have a familiar.

 

[der_kluge]

Where is this craft construct feat you guys keep talking about?

 

[Voadam]

Where is this craft construct feat you guys keep talking about?

There is one in the 3.5 MM and in the 3.5 srd.