Golems: Method to Madness?

[Vrylakos]

Hello everyone!

Well, I'm designing a golem, and naturally enough want to include a section on "construction".

So, I look things over, observe the various costs and so forth, and try to find a pattern.

Well... I'm stumped.

Does anyone have any clue as to whether there is a formula for calculating the XP and GP requirements for golems?

Thanks in advance!

Vrylakos

 

[Clay_More]

Theres actually one in Spells & Spellcraft by WoTC. I have gone over it and some of their own golems don't fit the rules, but its okay otherwise. I normally improvise, as I do with everything else

 

[Vrylakos]

Theres actually one in Spells & Spellcraft by WoTC. I have gone over it and some of their own golems don't fit the rules, but its okay otherwise. I normally improvise, as I do with everything else

Hm... Spells and Spellcraft by WOTC? Is that 2nd Edition?

Or am I thinking of the FFG book?

Vrylakos

 

[Clay_More]

Its actually a 3 ed. book, got it myself, which is why I know

You are right though, it was FFG that published it, I was wrong. It is a useful book though. But still, it is 3 ed.

Do you got it, since you know its FFG?

 

[Vrylakos]

Yes, I do have it, though it's one of many books I seem to have bought but not actually read very thoroughly. I'll give it a look, though I guess since it's FFG it's not the "official" word on Golems.

Hm, I've also got the Constructs: It's Alive book by Mongoose... I'd better check there too.

sigh... so many books...

Vrylakos

 

[Clay_More]

hehehe, I sometimes wish I had as many books as I could possible read. Barely have 50 books

 

[Sixten]

Hmm.

A long, long time ago, I posted a partial solution to this riddle. But, since I'm not a paying member, I can't search for my old posts. IIRC, the key was that the costs were related to either the CR or HD of the golem (I forget). The construction DCs didn't fit a strict pattern, but were loosely related as well.

Any pattern based on only 4 data points is a little shaky though.

Sorry I can't be of more direct assistance. :-(

 

[the Jester]

Ah, Sixten, that was you!!!

I copied and pasted your chart, but without giving you credit- if this was you??

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.



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

 

[Sixten]

Yep, that's the post I was referring to.

There was at least one reply from Scott in that post regarding the fit of the (gem?) golems from the Forgotten Realms books to that formula. ISTR that it wasn't a perfect fit, and that the construction DCs still didn't fit a discernable pattern, but I don't remember the specifics.

Someone care to post (only!) the CR, HD, XP cost, and construction DC for any additional (non-Epic ) golems from WotC sources?

Maybe this time we can preserve the results on the CC site or something.

 

[Krishnath]

Sure, here are the three golems from the MM2 (Not including the chain golem, as it cannot be made by PC's):

Stained Glass - CR 5 - 12 HD - 10.000 GP - 200 XP - DC 25
Brass - CR 10 - 16 HD - 200.000 GP - 4000 XP - DC 25
Drolem - CR 13 - 30 HD - 200.000 GP - 4000 XP - DC 25

Hope this was usefull info.

Later,