Golem costs

[Magus Darkholme]

Construct Question

What is the formula used to figure out the creation cost for a construct?

 

[Grazzt]

There really isnt a set method (that I know of) for determining gp cost, but XP cost is total gp cost/ 50.

 

[Devon]

We had a thread on this awhile back, which may be helpful: http://test.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2982

Among the ideas discussed, Gish Makai said:

ok I looked at Monte's formula. Basically here is what he has.

Cost for creating = 10,000 gp/HD
XP drain = 100 xp/HD or for metal 150 xp/HD (Not quite the same formula as WoTC's)

Check out the whole thread... we broke down the stats on the primary 4 golems, as well as referring to Monte Cook's "Magical Construct" template, which can be found at http://www.montecook.com./arch_stuff4.html.

We also talked about Mongoose's "Constructs" sourcebook, by Alejandro Melchior. It has a pretty in-depth system for coming up with construct costs, xp costs, and challenge ratings by factoring in powers, immunities, etc.

- Devon

 

[Grazzt]

Thanks for the heads up Devon, I stand corrected. I mustve missed that thread....

 

[Magus Darkholme]

Thank you both for the help .
I'll check out that thread post haste.

 

[Grazzt]

I may steal the golem creation guidelines and post them in the Fiend Factory since it is a little on the bare side. Credit of course will be given to all those that had a hand in it.

 

[Magus Darkholme]

You know, that's a pretty good idea Scott . I say go for it .

 

[Sixten]

Since I'm planning to do a couple of conversions of OD&D golems to d20, I was wondering whether anyone had reverse engineered the formulae for the creation costs (body, ritual, XP) involved in creating golems. I'd love to add this information for the converted types I do.

(This isn't another of those things that's actually in the core rulebooks, but I missed, right?)

 

[Grazzt]

In an older thread (which apparently has been lost in the board transfers)....it was determined that Monte Cook used something like this for his golem template:

Cost for creating = 10,000 gp/HD
XP drain = 100 xp/HD or for metal 150 xp/HD (Not quite the same formula as WoTC's)


Now- this doesnt work for the 4 golems listed in the MM. If you take gp cost and divide by HD you get:

Flesh: 50,000/9 = 5555.55 per HD
Clay: 60,000/11 = 5454.54 per HD
Stone: 80,000/14 = 5714.29 per HD
Iron: 100,000/18 = 5555.55 per HD

Doesnt seem to be a pattern. Now- XP cost is total cost in gp divided by 50. Check the MM, they all work out that way.

 

[Sixten]

Doesnt seem to be a pattern. Now- XP cost is total cost in gp divided by 50. Check the MM, they all work out that way.

So, in other words, no one's figured it out?

Those templates of Monte's -- are those from one of the Eldritch Magic books he did, or some other source?

EDIT: I just looked at those prices you posted above, and noticed this potentially interesting pattern:

Flesh: 50,000, 9 HD = 5000 + 5000 per HD
Clay: 60,000, 11 HD = 5000 + 5000 per HD
Stone: 80,000, 14 HD = 10,000 + 5000 per HD
Iron: 100,000, 18 HD = 10,000 + 5000 per HD

I suppose the question then is, what is the break point based on? HD? Special abilities? CR?