Effigy Master

[Meixuejeni]

Just a few questions regarding the Effigy Master PrC and his effigies.

1) It says that abilities requiring con-based saving throws don't carry from the base creature as constructs have no con and that only str and dex based saving throws count. What about spells and spell-like abilities? I figure spells are out since mindless automatons probably can't provide somatics. But it says nothing about spell-like. Are the saving throws lessened due to a cha of 1? Or do they need cha 10 + spell level to use the abilities? I know that other constructs have spell abilities, but effigies are copies of creatures, not indiviually designed constructs.

2) Can constructs be modified by magic? I know a few rules about attacking them: Immune to any spell requiring a fort save unless said spell also affects objects, immune to mind-influencing affects, etc. But can they be affected by beneficial spells? You're probably not going to Barkskin a golem, but what about Mage Armor or Shield? And since Magic Weapon affects lifeless (which a construct is considered) hunks of metal and wood, would it give an effigy pluses to hit / damage?

3) The only feats you keep when making an effigy are weapon mod. feats (improved multi-attack, etc). Can I add feats to this through hit die progression? The Dire Lion Effigy example in Complete Arcane has 8 hit dice. If I made the same effigy with 9 hit dice, could I select a weapon feat or do I just get the benefit of a (slightly) tougher lion?

4) Is there an official progression for Effigy Masters beyond 5th?

 

[Goolpsy]

The general statement i've heard is: There should NOT be ANY progression of 5-levels prestige classes

 

[Iku Rex]

1) It says that abilities requiring con-based saving throws don't carry from the base creature as constructs have no con and that only str and dex based saving throws count. What about spells and spell-like abilities? I figure spells are out since mindless automatons probably can't provide somatics. But it says nothing about spell-like. Are the saving throws lessened due to a cha of 1? Or do they need cha 10 + spell level to use the abilities? I know that other constructs have spell abilities, but effigies are copies of creatures, not indiviually designed constructs.

The effigy looses all spell-like abilities. (It's under "special attacks" in the template.)

2) Can constructs be modified by magic? I know a few rules about attacking them: Immune to any spell requiring a fort save unless said spell also affects objects, immune to mind-influencing affects, etc. But can they be affected by beneficial spells? You're probably not going to Barkskin a golem, but what about Mage Armor or Shield? And since Magic Weapon affects lifeless (which a construct is considered) hunks of metal and wood, would it give an effigy pluses to hit / damage?

Constructs are creatures and valid targets for any spell that affects creatures. (Unless there are additional restrictions such as "living creature touched", like the barkskin spell.)

To see if a spell can affect a construct you need to look at the "target" line. Magic weapon has "weapon touched" and an effigy isn't a "weapon". (Nor is it an object.)

3) The only feats you keep when making an effigy are weapon mod. feats (improved multi-attack, etc). Can I add feats to this through hit die progression? The Dire Lion Effigy example in Complete Arcane has 8 hit dice. If I made the same effigy with 9 hit dice, could I select a weapon feat or do I just get the benefit of a (slightly) tougher lion?

(Not sure.)

4) Is there an official progression for Effigy Masters beyond 5th?

You've seen the suggested progression in the PrC description, right? (Under "adaption".) That's all you get, as far as I know.

 

[Meixuejeni]

Thanks Iku. I guess I missed the part about spell-like abilities. Apparently effigies are meant to be straight up tanks, which is fine since enhancement spells are a go. Anything with "creature" in the target line - thank you so much. This will definetly affect my spell selection. I'll talk to my DM about the progression.

 

[Kevin Andrew Murphy]

Accessorize your effigy

While an effigy technically loses all of the nifty spells and spell-like abilities the original creature would have, anyone who can craft an effigy can also craft general wondrous items. So you make a medusa that wouldn't be able to petrify by itself, but would certainly be able to use a set of Eyes of Petrification.

Of course, if you want to have fun, just make some tiny sock monkey effigies which would be terribly cute until you have them start flinging various grenade type weapons, either spell vials or simply Necklace of Fireballs toy bombs.

And you don't even need to be an Effigy Master to do that.