Golems v Spells

[RUMBLETiGER]

I would argue that the Chain Golem is not one piece of metal, and at any given point only one piece is going to be striking or being struck by the Rust Monster, thus only one chain would be affected per strike.

Alright, if you want to play that way, consider this:

A Rust monster is 5' long (Longer if they're one of my bred ones, but we'll go with standard), and they have antenna that are, what, atleast 3' long based on proportions in this picture?

The Rust Monster isn't going to tap the tip of one antenna to the metal and then retract, it's going to lay the length of both of them along the metal as the ravenous creature it is. You've got 2 strips of 3' long instant rusting antenna laying along the surface, *poofing* metal into rust dust, and then continuing to press downwards to the next layer under. In 6 seconds, these antenna are cutting swaths through metal, gouging massive chunks, even if you're ruling that it's only the specific inch of metal the Rust Monster touches, Which the entry clearly says it doesn't otherwise a 10' cube wouldn't instantly desintigrate.

A Fighter's entire armor gets distroyed in 1 round of attack. Armor is not a single, fuzed piece of metal, but multiple sections connected by chain links, leather straps, cloth, whatever. The fact that the breastplate is not the same as the neck protection, waist section or shinguards makes no different on how the Rust Monster makes it all go bye-bye.

Rust Monster is a powerful beast. It's just how it rolls.

 

[Sekhmet]

Rust does not transfer between metallic objects simply by touching them together, and a chain with one rusted link is nigh useless beyond that link.
Simply put, a Rust Monster can be defeated by stainless steel, an negatively charged cathode, or even paint.

 

[Sekhmet]

The Rust Monster is simply useless against any intelligent, metal wearing or using creature. A wizard can take five extra minutes while creating his golem and make it immune to rust, a warrior's armor can become immune to rust very, very cheaply (silver pieces).

In six seconds, the Rust Monster gets -one- antenna attack. It does not even deal damage. You cannot argue "The Rust Monster isn't going to tap the tip of one antenna to the metal and then retract, it's going to lay the length of both of them along the metal as the ravenous creature it is.", because the attack is a touch attack, which is very obvious in it's intent that it is a single touch, not a cleaving, powerful attack.
They do not "cut swaths", they do not "gouge massive chunks", the Rust Monster wants to keep as much of it as possible to devour - thats what they do.

A writhing mass of chains is not a cube, it is not solid, and it is not a single piece.
A single piece of armor (in your example a Breastplate), would eat through the main plate, effectively making it offer zero protection.
It would not effect any other piece of armor on his body, as they are not a single piece.
Even the PICTURE of the Rust Monster doesn't suggest it will eat through all metal within ten cubic feet of the struck item, as the sword he is eating is only half rusted.

 

[kitcik]

Sadly, we didn't have a rust monster handy at the time. Would be interesting (and kinda broken) if they were on the list of things that could be summoned via Summon Monster. They aren't though.

And I suspect that DMs who allowed them as pets in the game probably wouldn't bother with Chain Golems or Iron Golems.

Sadly, running away from encounters has become our modus operandi of late. A lot of the party have multi-classed themselves into near uselessness.

Our current melee contingent is a Ranger 5/Druid3, a Barbarian3/Wizard5, and a Bard8.

Beyond that we have a Cleric5/Rogue3, a Wizard4/Cleric4, and an NPC Rogue6/Sorc1.

The Barb/Wiz was originally planning on going Rage Mage, but discovered that Rage Mage sucked, so now he's kinda stuck, neither fish nor foul. The Wiz/Cleric is played by a nice lady, but she's not exactly effective at anything. Her head isn't in the game at all.

So lately our winning tactic has been to Haste the party, then run like hell.

Well, for better or for worse, the Bard is back with the party (hence the Haste), so maybe we'll find our backbones again.

Optimize the bard and you can save the party...

 

[Greenfield]

Well, the Bard is going Sublime Chord in a level or three, but that's in a level or three. The DM gave him a bonus feat of Fey Heritage for the side adventure where he got lost. Doesn't help much by itself, and I don't plan to pursue that feat chain in any case, so it's little more than brownie points.

The Barb/Wiz is currently living on borrowed time. That is, he died, but is still walking around until we complete our current mission. It's a story thing. When the time comes he has an appointment with Hades, literally. Or perhaps Ogma. Who is the Celtic deity in charge of the afterlife, anyway? Is that Moregan? I think it's Moregan.

In any case, his days may or may not be numbered, unless we can find a way to avert that fate. The player will probably bring in a better optimized character next time.

 

[Wyvernhand]

The Rust Monster's Rust ability is Extraordinary, not Supernatural. NO Magic, NO problem!!

Omnomnomnom...

Rusty approves!

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

The Rust Monster is simply useless against any intelligent, metal wearing or using creature. A wizard can take five extra minutes while creating his golem and make it immune to rust, a warrior's armor can become immune to rust very, very cheaply (silver pieces).

In six seconds, the Rust Monster gets -one- antenna attack. It does not even deal damage. You cannot argue "The Rust Monster isn't going to tap the tip of one antenna to the metal and then retract, it's going to lay the length of both of them along the metal as the ravenous creature it is.", because the attack is a touch attack, which is very obvious in it's intent that it is a single touch, not a cleaving, powerful attack.
They do not "cut swaths", they do not "gouge massive chunks", the Rust Monster wants to keep as much of it as possible to devour - thats what they do.

A writhing mass of chains is not a cube, it is not solid, and it is not a single piece.
A single piece of armor (in your example a Breastplate), would eat through the main plate, effectively making it offer zero protection.
It would not effect any other piece of armor on his body, as they are not a single piece.
Even the PICTURE of the Rust Monster doesn't suggest it will eat through all metal within ten cubic feet of the struck item, as the sword he is eating is only half rusted.

Hm... Yeah, maybe you're right.
I still like the cute little buggers though.

 

[Sekhmet]

Hm... Yeah, maybe you're right.
I still like the cute little buggers though.

They're still impressive against metal gates, doors, and obstructions - as well as the average metal using warrior class, despite their low hit point total.
I've personally used them to great effect as a DM.
[sblock]Because nothing is more fearsome as a dozen rust monsters being launched via catapult at your pretty iron-based defenses, Mr. Dispater.[/sblock]

 

[kitcik]

Best part of a rust monster mount

When you ride one triumphantly through the gates of the palace after a heroic mission...

...you literally ride THROUGH the gates.

 

[Sekhmet]

[sblock] Double post. [/sblock]