Unique Golem (My players stay out)

[moritheil]

First off, thanks to all who posted previously regarding the kobolds who took on a party of demons. Your contributions helped me narrow in on what was essential for the encounters.

I am now trying to make a unique Iron Golem that defends the lair of a mage dedicated to Dispater. I don't think I want it to have the vulnerability to rust, or the normal gas breath. Also the wizard will not have actual ranks in the Disciple of Dispater class, because it is frankly horrible for dedicated casters. Suggestions? I'm particularly interested in a thematic replacement for gas breath.

The party will be EL 15 or so.

Further info:

The mage (who will be there defending his lair) is a kobold Worm that Walks who has already faced them once that day. Since most of the player demons are Large, it cannot engulf them.

The mage may or may not appear with the golem; the encounters will be separate if the players are smart enough about it.

 

[Nifft]

Wizards dedicated to the worship of demons can just be wizards dedicated to the worship of demons. No PrC necessary, unless it fits his desired ability set.

What in specific do you dislike about stock Iron Golems? They're iconic, and for a worshiper of the Iron Lord Dispater, they seem 100% appropriate. Why replace the poison breath? (Is it because the PCs are demons, and thus immune to poison?)

Cheers, -- N

 

[sukael]

I'm not sure how much it would affect the CR, but as a rider to the effect you could have the poison breath also act as one of the psychic poisons out of the BoVD (and not be subject to normal poison immunity).

 

[darthkilmor]

I don't think I want it to have the vulnerability to rust, or the normal gas breath. Also the wizard will not have actual ranks in the Disciple of Dispater class, because it is frankly horrible for dedicated casters. Suggestions? I'm particularly interested in a thematic replacement for gas breath.

Acid Fog?
Maybe it breathes out a flammable gas and the wizard tosses some fire spells and you get a fireball-like non-magical effect ?

 

[blargney the second]

How about some sort of continuous sonic attack? The grating screech of metal on metal can be pretty horrendous, especially if deafeningly loud.

 

[Quartz]

How about Hellfire breath? The golem could even breath on itself to heal itself.

 

[Lopke_Quasath]

How about a red-hot body, which simultaneously burns anyone attacking it in melee (an extra +2D6 damage or something) and also providing Fast Healing 3 [or Self-Repair 3, for name flavour].

 

[Animal]

why don't you consider a shadesteel golem from MM3?

 

[moritheil]

Thanks for the suggestions!

What in specific do you dislike about stock Iron Golems? They're iconic, and for a worshiper of the Iron Lord Dispater, they seem 100% appropriate. Why replace the poison breath? (Is it because the PCs are demons, and thus immune to poison?)

Cheers, -- N

Actually, I just went into it thinking "it has to be a special iron golem!" Upon reflection, I guess they're not so common that it would be boring facing one.

Would you guys think it broken to remove the breath weapon and remove the rust vulnerability, and put a big, obvious symbol of Dispater on the golem as a hint that it won't rust?

 

[blargney the second]

You mean a big obvious squiggly thing that means nothing unless you hit a DC X knowledge (religion/planes/arcana) check, right?