damage from animate objects

[Lamoni]

Hello. I have never used the spell animate objects before. The cleric in our party decided to prepare it. She hasn't been used yet, but in looking at the SRD description I am confused at the damage it would deal.

It allows you to animate one small object per level, but how much damage does each object deal? I would imagine that there is no magic or strength bonuses so would they deal 1d4 damage? 1d6? How about large objects? Huge? Gargantuan?

How difficult is it to stop animated objects? If you hit a medium object, is it destroyed and drop to the ground? Or does it split into two small objects and keep fighting?

I am guessing that some of this may be answered in the DMG, but I don't have one with me and I can't find an answer in the SRD. Thanks.

 

[Lamoni]

One other question I had... What about armor class? Do the animated objects each get an attack roll? Do they all get the same attack roll? At what bonus? Or do they automatically hit?

And for your information, here is the entry from the SRD for the spell description

Animate Objects
Transmutation
Level: Brd 6, Chaos 6, Clr 6
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Targets: One Small object per caster level; see text
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
You imbue inanimate objects with mobility and a semblance of life. Each such animated object then immediately attacks whomever or whatever you initially designate.
An animated object can be of any nonmagical material. You may animate one Small or smaller object or an equivalent number of larger objects per caster level. A Medium object counts as two Small or smaller objects, a Large object as four, a Huge object as eight, a Gargantuan object as sixteen, and a Colossal object as thirty-two. You can change the designated target or targets as a move action, as if directing an active spell.
This spell cannot animate objects carried or worn by a creature.
Animate objects can be made permanent with a permanency spell.

 

[Darklone]

They have hardness... IIRC there's a list in the MM of animated objects.

 

[James McMurray]

Yep, check the MMI or the SRD monster section. Animated objects are all statted out according to size, with differences based on material type and general shaped (wheeled vs. legged, etc.)

 

[Stalker0]

It's really annoying sorcs can't get that spell

 

[Lamoni]

Yep, check the MMI or the SRD monster section. Animated objects are all statted out according to size, with differences based on material type and general shaped (wheeled vs. legged, etc.)

Thanks. For some reason I didn't think to look under monsters, I kept wanting to find it under material properties or in combat under improvised weapons.

It's really annoying sorcs can't get that spell

After looking at the properties of the spell, It doesn't seem like it is that good of a 6th level spell. Comparing the damage that would be dealt by animate objects to the damage done from the 2nd level spell, Spiritual Weapon makes spiritual weapon seem much better.
But it doesn't look as cool as making tables walk and ladders run.

 

[Stalker0]

Thanks. For some reason I didn't think to look under monsters, I kept wanting to find it under material properties or in combat under improvised weapons.

After looking at the properties of the spell, It doesn't seem like it is that good of a 6th level spell. Comparing the damage that would be dealt by animate objects to the damage done from the 2nd level spell, Spiritual Weapon makes spiritual weapon seem much better.
But it doesn't look as cool as making tables walk and ladders run.

Its the versatility of the spell that sells it. Those objects can do a whole lot of things.

 

[Saeviomagy]

It's really annoying sorcs can't get that spell

It's one of those nonsensical spell assignments that managed to slip into 3.5 (storm of vengeance for instance is now available to druids as it probably should always have been).