Iron Golems and Fire

[Gweldorf]

I see your line of reasoning.

But I think the wording of the ability:

'In addition, certain spells and effects function differently against the creature, as noted below.
A magical attack that deals fire damage breaks any slow effect on the golem and heals 1 point of damage for each 3 points of damage the attack would otherwise deal.'

should be read (literally) to indicate that the magical attack itself is changed into healing damage.

Otherwise wouldn't it read:

When the golem is subject to a magical attack, the golem heals 1 point of damage for each 3 points of damage the attack would otherwise deal?


Contrast:

For each such negative level bestowed, the wight gains 5 temporary hit points.

with

A magical attack that deals fire damage . . . heals 1 point of damage

 

[Hypersmurf]

But I think the wording of the ability:

If you read it that way, you have to deal with iron golems with several hundred THP accumulated over the last year...

-Hyp.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Only several hundred? Just position your iron golem in a permanent wall of fire. Several thousand at least, if not tens of thousands. Anyone care to do the math on that on a weekly basis?

On the other hand, even a billion THP will do him no good against the polymorphing sorcerer into a rust monster.

 

[Gweldorf]

Right, I can see that reading it this way would break the system.

But I do think that's what it says.

Alternatively, what would be a reasonable duration to impose on the THPs?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Only several hundred? Just position your iron golem in a permanent wall of fire. Several thousand at least, if not tens of thousands.

Well, no, because even under the "Fireball and Flame Strike are like Aid and False Life" reading of the FAQ answer that Gweldorf proposes, Wall of Fire and Wall of Fire is still like False Life and False Life. The damage from the permanent Wall of Fire will continually refresh the amount in the Wall of Fire 'pool' of THP, but it won't stack with itself.

To abuse the reading, the golem has to acquire as many 'pools' as possible - Flame Strike, Fireball, Wall of Fire, Burning Hands, Heat Metal, Scorching Ray, etc, etc. Throw in Elemental Substitution and the options open up a bit.

But I still maintain that Immunity to Magic (Ex) is the source, rather than Fireball and Flame Strike being separate sources, and it's how I'd rule if I were assuming the FAQ answer to be accurate.

-Hyp.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Alternatively, what would be a reasonable duration to impose on the THPs?

One hour, just like for energy drain.