How dumb are golems?

[ThirdWizard]

I thought golems don't have access to skills ?

I would assume that golems can make skill checks even if they can't have ranks in particular skills. I would think they could make balance checks, hide checks, spot checks, as well as sense motive checks. But, it wouldn't be a very good sense motive check... You could have it theoretically follow you and attack anyone who lies to you. Oh that would go very well, I'm sure...

At that point, while its back is turned

Facing doesn't exist.

 

[Trainz]

At that point, while its back is turned, the PC steps into the room. The golem turns back, and now, someone's in the room. But it didn't see that person come through the doorway. As such, it doesn't know that they did, because it completely lacks the intelligence to make that common sense leap.

Of course, this is depending on the PCs knowing the orders of the golem, but still.

Clever.

Then I guess it's up to the golem's master to give it the following order: "Kill anyone you notice that is not me.". No mention of rooms of any sort, or entering them, or whatever.

 

[hong]

I thought golems don't have access to skills ?

Golems don't have skill _ranks_ (something which I reckon is a bit silly but that's another topic altogether) but there's nothing stopping them making (untrained) skill _checks_.

 

[Nail]

Then I guess it's up to the golem's master to give it the following order: "Kill anyone you notice that is not me.". No mention of rooms of any sort, or entering them, or whatever.

Very nice. Concise, to the point......

....And then when my fellow PCs and I attack the golem, we make sure to summon a few monsters in the way first. Oh wait, that's what I said way back on page 1 of this thread!

 

[iwatt]

Clever.

Then I guess it's up to the golem's master to give it the following order: "Kill anyone you notice that is not me.". No mention of rooms of any sort, or entering them, or whatever.

So then just cast illusion spells so the whole party looks like the golem's creator. Illusion rock.

 

[Nail]

...and what's better, the illusions of which you speak don't allow SR, so the golems are not immune.

Disguise Self (Sor/Wiz 1) gives a +10 on the Disguise check. Disguise is opposed by Spot. Th' trick is......what bonus does the golem get to the Spot check (based on Familiarity).

Practically all golem's Spot checks are +0. Depending on how you deal with the familiarity issue, the Disguise Self is a slam dunk.

 

[Trainz]

Very nice. Concise, to the point......

....And then when my fellow PCs and I attack the golem, we make sure to summon a few monsters in the way first. Oh wait, that's what I said way back on page 1 of this thread!

So then just cast illusion spells so the whole party looks like the golem's creator. Illusion rock.

You guys seem to think I was disagreeing with your stance. I never did. I was just responding to the following:

At that point, while its back is turned, the PC steps into the room. The golem turns back, and now, someone's in the room. But it didn't see that person come through the doorway. As such, it doesn't know that they did, because it completely lacks the intelligence to make that common sense leap.

Of course, this is depending on the PCs knowing the orders of the golem, but still.

 

[Gez]

By the way, Golem is a Hebrew word meaning "idiot". So you're actually creating Clay Cretins, Flesh Fools, Stone Stupids, Iron Morons, etc. when you're creating golems.

The mythical "Clay Golem" of Prague was probably inspired by a real-life character akin to Lenny in Of Mice and Men: someone very strong, prone to fits of anger, and mentally retarded; in the care of Rabbi Loeb.

 

[Agamemnon]

Hm, all this thread is showing me is that having a nonintelligent enemy is a bad idea and will only result in inane non-encounters. I must make a note that all golems must possess Int of at least 3 (it's good enough for Bob the half-orc, so it must be good enough here too).

Or, alternatively, have the creator actually present at the confrontation. Heck, a golem is a significant investment, I for one would not want to leave it lying around guarding my bedroom or what have you. I'd keep mine 5-20 feet from me at all times. Or alternatively, I could build a piggyback harness or a throne on the shoulders.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Or, alternatively, have the creator actually present at the confrontation. Heck, a golem is a significant investment, I for one would not want to leave it lying around guarding my bedroom or what have you. I'd keep mine 5-20 feet from me at all times. Or alternatively, I could build a piggyback harness or a throne on the shoulders.

I'm telling you man, use the magic stone! For 8000gp, your golem need never be directionless again!