Something like a clay golem, but not?

[aboyd]

I need a clay golem stand-in. Something constructed, manufactured, or wizard-ized into being. I just need it to be a tad weaker than a clay golem (I do not wish to throw an unexpectedly weak golem at my players -- they'll think I took pity on them, which will earn me derision). Maybe a CR 7, 8 , or 9. Or a CR 6 that has been advanced?

So, what kind of guard-like creatures would a wizard use to protect his treasure? Oh, and just to make life more difficult, the wizard is neutral and "good enough" that he likely wouldn't animate undead.

I have Tome of Horrors revised for 3.5, MM1, Creatures of Freeport, Blackdirge's monster book, all the EnWorld critters PDFs, and the Sword & Sorcery monster book (the first in the series, the name escapes me, but it's the 3.5 edition revision).

Any ideas?

 

[Shin Okada]

Shield Guardian in MM1 is a popular "guard-like" construct with CR 8.
Blade Guardian in Complete Warrior is CR 6. But it is also a kind of familiar and the owner must be L11+.

Edit: You can use the following index page in WotC site and type "Construct" as a keyword. Then sort the table by CR and find a lot of CR 7-9 constructs in the various supplements.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/lists/monsters

 

[zendruid]

There's the Thayan Golem from Monsters of Faerun (I know it's not on your list) that's a CR 8 "clay" golem. There are also the half-golem templates but I don't remember what book they are from.

 

[Shin Okada]

There are also the half-golem templates but I don't remember what book they are from.

That template is in MM 2.

 

[Runestar]

Animated objects are a tad low cr, though I suppose you could cast awaken construct on them and tack on a few class lvs...

 

[Shin Okada]

Regarding template, don't forget Effigy Creature template in Complete Arcane.

That template is quite versatile as you can make construct-version of almost any living-corporeal creatures.

 

[Starbuck_II]

I need a clay golem stand-in. Something constructed, manufactured, or wizard-ized into being. I just need it to be a tad weaker than a clay golem (I do not wish to throw an unexpectedly weak golem at my players -- they'll think I took pity on them, which will earn me derision). Maybe a CR 7, 8 , or 9. Or a CR 6 that has been advanced?

So, what kind of guard-like creatures would a wizard use to protect his treasure? Oh, and just to make life more difficult, the wizard is neutral and "good enough" that he likely wouldn't animate undead.

I have Tome of Horrors revised for 3.5, MM1, Creatures of Freeport, Blackdirge's monster book, all the EnWorld critters PDFs, and the Sword & Sorcery monster book (the first in the series, the name escapes me, but it's the 3.5 edition revision).

Any ideas?

Calzone Golem?

 

[freyar]

From the CC:
Chia Golem at CR 6 (and literally clay! )
Copper Golem, CR 8
Crystal Golem, CR 7
Oak Golem, CR 8
Slime Golem, CR 8
Wood Golem, CR 7

That's just the literal golems. Any specific kind of ability or anything that you're looking for?

 

[aboyd]

Oh my God, you guys are awesome. I never would have thought of half this stuff, especially not Runestar's idea. Thanks. I'll try to give you all XP as soon as I post this. I'm pretty sure the system will tell me I can't give it to some of you since I've given you some for other posts recently.

Calzone Golem?

Excellent obscure reference, but I already ran them through that module.

Any specific kind of ability or anything that you're looking for?

Only that a group of clever 5th level characters will fight it, and I want fair odds. A clay golem will wipe the floor with these guys, so I need something that maybe doesn't do such huge damage with such a high attack bonus. The clay golem could one-shot the two spellcasters (whose spells will do nothing to the golem), and will take down each tank with only a little more effort.

I suspect that one of the many suggestions here will be brilliant. I'll have a look. Thanks guys.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Another golem in that CR range is the Flesh golem.

You could also apply some kind of Undead type to a Warforged- especially one with Mithril or Adamantine body- and watch the fun unfold. I'm of the school that Undead doesn't necessarily equal evil...and as the SRD points out:

The process of creating the golem binds the unwilling spirit to the artificial body and subjects it to the will of the golem’s creator.

so the process of creating a golem is already kind of morally shady.

In addition, there is a template in Savage Species called (as I recall) Living Construct. You could use that and make your Clay Golem into a living clay golem- it drops the CR (again, as I recall)- and gives you a Pinocchio vibe.