Golem Magic Immunity

[LokiDR]

Player's Handbook, page 150:

That may be true normally, but Golems are mindless contructs incapable of making their own decisions. Thus the inability to "lower" their magic immunity to voluntarily accept spells makes perfect sense.

On the other hand, it would not be unreasonable to rule that a golem could be commanded by its master to accept a spell that would normally have no effect. I wouldn't do that, but I could see it as a not too unreasonable position.

Personally, I think golems are much more interesting when played with a really strict magic immunity that is total and uncompromising. [/B][/QUOTE]

The case can be made either way. Personally, I think life is simpler and more fun when magic immune works like infinite SR that applies to supernatural effects. Are there really that many SU effects in the players hands that would make this much different from spell immunity?

 

[der_kluge]

I think the complete immunity to spells is insane. Certainly illusions, mind-affecting spells, poisons, disease, and anything undead are immune to are out of the question.

But, I have a hard time envisioning a felsh golem being subjected to a hundred Melf's acid arrows and walking through it like it was rain drops.

I have never ran a flesh golem, but I would probably allow certain spells to affect them. Iron golems and stone golems would resist most things. As an extra twist, I reversed the spells that affect the iron golem - lightning heals them, and fire slows them.

 

[valen1949]

Golem Magic Immunity - another question

With regards to Golems Magic Immunity, are they immune to: passive detection spells such as detect magic; or spells that devine there immunties such as know protection, or even scrying

regards

valen

 

[Caliber]

I treat Golem's immunity as unbeatable SR.

Supernatural effects DON'T go against SR?

I always envisioned a Golems immunity as layers and layers of magical runes and abjurations, placed in such complex patterns that they create a slightly unstable anti-magic field around the Golem.

Of course such power can only last so long ... unless you happen to have the soul of a living thing to power it ...

 

[LokiDR]

Re: Golem Magic Immunity - another question

With regards to Golems Magic Immunity, are they immune to: passive detection spells such as detect magic; or spells that devine there immunties such as know protection, or even scrying

regards

valen

This depends on who you ask

Scrying is pretty easy: the caster is changing their perceptions. It has little to do with the golem. I would allow it.

Passive detection is more difficult. Do magical things radiate magic like people give off heat? Do magical creatures detect as magical? If you say yes to both, then detect magic works. Please not magical creatures (which the golem is) do not normally detect as magical. Obviously detect alignment and thoughts doesn't help much - golems are mindless.

Spells like know protections is the hardest judgement call. Where does this spell get its information? Since it doesn't allow SR, I would say it just examines the creature's aura and determines based on that. But if you think of it as reading the mind of the creature or trying hit the creature with various small effects (too low to actually cause damage) then the spell wouldn't work.

The simplest solution is to use SR. Note, SR does not protect from things like breath weapons, so it isn't exactly the same thing. But it will give you a consistant guide to go by. If you want to have more fun with it, go ahead. The rules are vague on what sort of effects are really stoped. Wall of Force and Transmute Rock to Mud are good examples.

 

[LokiDR]

I treat Golem's immunity as unbeatable SR.

Supernatural effects DON'T go against SR?

I always envisioned a Golems immunity as layers and layers of magical runes and abjurations, placed in such complex patterns that they create a slightly unstable anti-magic field around the Golem.

Of course such power can only last so long ... unless you happen to have the soul of a living thing to power it ...

Antimagic field doesn't explain why certain elements get through, but it is one way to explain the ability.

 

[Caliber]

Antimagic field doesn't explain why certain elements get through, but it is one way to explain the ability.

Note how I said it was a slightly unstable anti-magic field.

 

[LokiDR]

Note how I said it was a slightly unstable anti-magic field.

"Oh god, the Golem is unstable!"

Just a fun picture. You would have to make "holes" in the antimagic for supernatural abilities he has and magical effects that hit Mr. Golem, but it is a workable explanation.

I like SR personally, but either works. I don't think a golem should be able to walk through a Wall of Force. That takes most of the fun out an otherwise interesting but not broken spell.