I am making a level ten character for an advanced game, and I am working on a Construct-specialist cleric. Because of the group size, the GM is encouraging the Leadership feat, and I would like to make my cohort a medium construct. My problem is, I am not sure what level to propose for said construct, or if it could even be a legal cohort. I am looking at the Machine Soldier as a baseline, but I would be willing to use just the medium Animated Object if that is more viable. My character would qualify for up to a level 8 cohort. I would like to have a good idea if this would be viable before I propose it to the GM. Thanks.
Animated object (Medium) CR 3
XP 800
N Medium construct
Init +0; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception –5
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 10, flat-footed 14 (+4 natural)
hp 36 (3d10+20)
Fort +1, Ref +1, Will -4
Defensive Abilities hardness 5; Immune construct traits
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee slam +5 (1d6+3)
STATISTICS
Str 14, Dex 10, Con —, Int —, Wis 1, Cha 1
Base Atk +3; CMB +5; CMD 15
SQ 2 construction points
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Construction Points
Medium animated objects have 2 construction points.
Machine Soldier CR 4
XP 1,200
Animated object fighter 1
N Medium construct (robot)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +3
DEFENSE
AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+2 Dex, +6 natural)
hp 42 (4d10+21)
Fort +3, Ref +3, Will –3
Defensive Abilities hardness 10; Immune construct traits
Weaknesses vulnerable to critical hits and electricity
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee mwk longsword +8 (1d8+4/19–20), mwk short sword +7 (1d6+2/19–20)
Ranged mwk light crossbow +8 (1d8/19–20)
STATISTICS
Str 18, Dex 15, Con —, Int 13, Wis 3, Cha 1
Base Atk +4; CMB +8; CMD 20
Feats Power Attack, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus (longsword)
Skills Climb +11, Perception +3, Sense Motive +3
Languages Common, Goblin
SQ Construction Points (metal)
Gear masterwork light crossbow with 10 bolts, masterwork longsword, masterwork short sword
As a GM I would not allow a mindless automaton for the leadership feat as such, if you can spare 3 feats to craft them they can be quite viable and not too expensive.
The machine soldier would be ok in my book, a normal lvl 8 cohort would be CR 7, the machine soldier is CR 4 adding 3 fighter levels should be alright.
I'd encourage an archetype without armor training and bravery and see if you can exchange the armor proficiency for something useful maybe 1 or 2 feats. Though the machine soldier doesn't specifically forbid armor it seems to imply that.
Machine Soldier archetype
replace bravery
replace armor training
replace light, medium and heavy armor proficiency
- Toughness and combat expertise as bonus feats
- A machine soldier can not gain proficiency in any armor and gains an additional armor check penalty of 2 when it attempts to wear any armor. The GM might allow custom armors that ignore this added armor check penalty at an additional cost in crafting of 500 gold, it can not be made masterwork armor in addition to this modification, but could be made of specific materials or enchanted as if it was masterwork.
- At 2nd level, a machine soldier gains a +1 bonus to CMD against bull rush, drag, overrun, and trip attempts. This bonus also applies on saves against trample attacks. The bonus increases by +1 for every four levels beyond 2nd.
- At 3rd level, A machine soldier gains a +2 bonus to existing natural armor. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels beyond 3rd.
- At 7th level it gains light fortification, at 11th level it gains moderate fortification, at 15th level it gains heavy fortification.
This would start the Machine Soldier at lvl 4, with 74 hp and an AC of 20, not counting a potential shield, feats taken (improved natural armor or dodge come to mind) or spells cast (mage armor).
Thanks, Remco. Actually, I am planning to take the Craft Construct feat and prereq's as well. I probably should just focus on the Machine Soldier. As you say, a mindless character really wouldn't make a good Cohort.
I can see your point on the Armor training and armor proficiency. I think armor would just take away from my concept of the Machine Soldier. I think I will pitch your ideas to my GM as well. I may let the Bravery just be a waste, so I am not requesting too much at once.
Appreciate your input, my GM will get the final say of course, but I like to have an idea of what seems fair before I propose this to him.
Thanks, Remco. Actually, I am planning to take the Craft Construct feat and prereq's as well. I probably should just focus on the Machine Soldier. As you say, a mindless character really wouldn't make a good Cohort.
I can see your point on the Armor training and armor proficiency. I think armor would just take away from my concept of the Machine Soldier. I think I will pitch your ideas to my GM as well. I may let the Bravery just be a waste, so I am not requesting too much at once.
Appreciate your input, my GM will get the final say of course, but I like to have an idea of what seems fair before I propose this to him.
you are welcome, I actually like it enough to put the machine soldier in my game as a wizard's bodyguard. It doesn't seem overpowered at BAB +7 base, +4 (str 18), +1 (WF), +1 (magic weapon), +1 (str belt) = +14/+9 seems very managable and not outshine any warriors in a 10th lvl party.
It is damn durable though as long as you don't forget to have some scrolls with 'make whole' handy, an intensified make whole will cure 10d6 points at 10th lvl.
Rapid repair (lvl 5) is also very useful and keep it the hell away from people with adamantine weapons.
Obviously, as long as this isn't PFS, you can do just about anything you want pending DM approval.
That said... cohorts gain experience equal to {[their level]/[your level] * [XP PC's gain]}. Unless there is a nuance to golems that I'm not aware of, golems cannot gain experience, grow in HD, or evolve beyond their base form (all modifications are done via Craft Construct).
That said... cohorts gain experience equal to {[their level]/[your level] * [XP PC's gain]}. Unless there is a nuance to golems that I'm not aware of, golems cannot gain experience, grow in HD, or evolve beyond their base form (all modifications are done via Craft Construct).
Normally, you are correct. And that is another reason not to use an Animated Object as I originally considered, but I am looking at using the Robot sub-type. The Mechanical Soldier already has one level of fighter.
By the way, Remco, my DM approved this at the level you suggested so long as a I pay the base cost for a medium animated object with the 50% robot increase. He even approved your Armor Training option. Thank you!
|
You can create other constructs, that with the construct armor modification, be worn by your current construct. Later, you can create a construct that can be worn as a shield by your construct, whilst wearing the construct armor.
Each of these can be equipped with weapon modifications that they can attack with whilst being worn.
|
you could also just give it the robot subtype:
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/constructs/robot
"Robot" is a special subtype that can be applied to any construct without changing its CR"
then give it the Aggregate Template:
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/technologyGuide/ai.html
"Aggregate" is an acquired template that can be added to any robot (referred to hereafter as the base robot), that gains some of the characteristics of an AI installed in it (referred to hereafter as the base AI).
Or:
take an intelligent item, give it class levels. if you gave it cleric as well, it could take the domain that allows it to rebuke constructs.
throw in a simple animate object for it to control, and it has a body.