Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Construct Handbook

Announced for November! Description and image are not final and subject to change.

Unexpected, but far from unwelcome. This may have role in my plans somewhere.

I cannot tell you how long I've been waiting for a book like this to come out.

Here's hoping it plays nice with alchemists that took that one discovery to let them make constructs.

Hmm...

Sounds interesting.

This could be awesome as constructs are often under used by PCs

I want to create robots out of living creatures... =/

I want to create robots out of living creatures... =/

Like Dr. Frankenstein?

The Gold Sovereign wrote:

I want to create robots out of living creatures... =/

Like Dr. Frankenstein?

No! No... Not like him... Well... Yes... But you know, in a lawful good way. =)

What I really meant was that we already have rules to create robots out of other constructs, but not out of other corporeal creatures.

This seems more like something for the Players Companion line imo...

Suspicious ...

It's easy to see why it fits the Campaign Setting line better. It isn't centered or limited to PC options and we are probably getting lots of GM content to create constructs unique to our settings. Maybe there's also a lot of flavor texts, just like a revisited book.

Interesting.

Weird but interesting!

I love it!

The Gold Sovereign wrote:

I want to create robots out of living creatures... =/

Like Dr. Frankenstein?

Frankenstein's Monster had no tech in it, if it did it'd be a cyborg unless totally tech - it'd be maybe an intelligent zombie-type (ghoul?)

It's easy to see why it fits the Campaign Setting line better. It isn't centered or limited to PC options and we are probably getting lots of GM content to create constructs unique to our settings. Maybe there's also a lot of flavor texts, just like a revisited book.

You're probably right.

The Gold Sovereign wrote:

It's easy to see why it fits the Campaign Setting line better. It isn't centered or limited to PC options and we are probably getting lots of GM content to create constructs unique to our settings. Maybe there's also a lot of flavor texts, just like a revisited book.

You're probably right.

This is just a little unexpected, i was expecting another regional book like maybe Varisia or Taldor... ;-)

Indeed!

For November, I was expecting something that would lead us into the next Adventure Path. A regional book, the next unleashed/revisited book or even another book for one of the realms.

As I really like constructs and do think that player have a small number of options on how to use them - at least less than I would like - I'm really happy with this book.

Maybe its too early for the next Pathfinder campaign setting book, and by that I mean a book about something strongly related to the setting.

John Kretzer wrote:

The Gold Sovereign wrote:

I want to create robots out of living creatures... =/

Like Dr. Frankenstein?

No! No... Not like him... Well... Yes... But you know, in a lawful good way. =)

What I really meant was that we already have rules to create robots out of other constructs, but not out of other corporeal creatures.

Corpses are objects, so can be made into animated objects, and the robot subtype can be applied to any construct...

I'd love to play a character that was similar to a summoner with eidolon but was more of a Alchemist or wizard with construct. Sort of a character that was constantly fiddling with creation. His construct would evolve with upgrades.

Ah, nice. My favorite golem is the Alchemical! Love the weird look and random bombs.

Now this is something unexpected. I highly approve.

I have to second all the 'this is unexpected' reactions. Still, construct fans will surely be delighted. It will be interesting to learn just what nations/regions on Golarion are more construct-heavy than others.

It is interesting that this is a campaign setting book.

It is interesting that this is a campaign setting book.

It'll need lots of construct stats, so it's probably still the best line for it. Constructs are a weird player/GM intersection.

How many pages will this book have?

How many pages will this book have?

Except in rare circumstances (a few hardcover books the 96-page Inner Sea Faiths), our Pathfinder Campaign Setting line has involved 64-page books.

I'd like to see rules about creating intelligent constructs, perhaps something on par with intelligent items.

Adding to my wishlist

Will this book have stats for new and/or variant constructs?

Will we see anything about the clockwork cathedral in this book?

Yes, I've been waiting for this. We've been sorely lacking in additional / variant rules for construct building as well as additional options to use in their construction.

I wonder if this manual will settle the question on whether it's morally okay for good-aligned spellcasters to make use of elemental spirits to empower golems though?

Going to have to take a think about whether it's worth the hassle to cancel my subscription for one month in November. Not the kind of book I'm interested in when I buy things in the Campaign Setting line.

ah a player of mine is going to flip seeing this, his construct focused character just retired

I'm not at all surprised to see a Construct-focused CS book. The Ruins of Azlant AP will be on the publishing schedule then, and Azlant appears to have used a lot of clockwork Constructs. (Thassilon certainly did in the beginning - see the Shattered Star AP.)

i hope they include salvage rules for destroyed constructs, recycle /waste not want not.

Also rules to incorporate special materials into constructs and of course the most important thing , wizard battlegolem armor for paper tigers...

different construct building legacys types such as clockwork, dwarven, druidic/fey , demonic/hellish/cheliaxian ,gnomish ,aztalani and undead constructs.

Hopefully maybe a conversion to pathfinder of the 3.5 ebberon artificer class.

Would like to see a wizard archetype that trades in Arcane Bond for a construct minion that scales as if an Animal Companion.

Perhaps Knowledge Arcana should be used to push in the same way that Animal Handling is?

Well if they gave a wizard a construct minion that scales as an animal companion, they would have give up more then just arcane bond...a lot more.

I love crafting. Not like H.P. but more like H.P. In a world where magic can solve literally every problem, it seems like a magic creator would do exceptional business. It seems like Golarion treats these folks as finger-waggling nerds or pious conduits or bestial drunkards who dabble in making baubles or trinkets.

I would love to play a character that makes widgets. Let's take a toaster for example. I don't want to spend my time studying whats-its or praying to whose-its or guzzling brews-its to build a toaster. I want a character that applies trial and error to toaster building, adds in a bit of world-magic or god-magic or booze-magic and boom! Toaster complete!

Let's get more practical: In the real world potable water is a big problem. There is a divine spell that purifies food and drink. Cool. What if I made my own reverse-osmosis water purification unit? What if I took high pressure water, a double-baffle filtration system, and the impurities made their way out of my drinking water. That gadget would be amazing!

The technomancer takes over the machines of somewhere else. Cool! How can that become an innate part of Golarion, with characters making the machines (or tools, or magical effects, or transportation, or you name it) as a fundamental aspect of the class.

Can we get a class or prestige class dedicated to crafting? Is that possible?

I know the Artificer from Eberron is not close to OGL, but the concept is pretty straightforward. A widget-maker.

Why do I have to study all these other things, or pray to some deity, or be possessed by infernal blood to make a widget?

The investigator takes a very direct approach to science, study, and practical application. Is there room in the game for a Creator class?

This is probably a terrible place to channel my enthusiasm, but I really would like it to work. I know it's incompatible with PFS on a variety of levels, but the modern world celebrates inventors. Thomas Edison has had global impact, and the Wizard of Menlo Park (purportedly) didn't have any magic! What could be done in Golarion?

I hope this book has prices & construction requirements for "upgrades" for existing constructs like:
-armor plating (there is for instance an "armored clay golem" in book 5 of Rise of the Runelords),
-shielding - lesser & greater (so that you won't recognize a construct as one with detect magic or arcane sight),
-insulation (protection from/immunity to one energy type)
and so on, to make more variants possible.

At the very least this book should include an updated and holistic list of all of the qualities an Animated Object can purchase with their Construction Points. A few more Construct Modifications wouldn't hurt either.

Really though I just want rules for constructing and piloting a 50-foot tall Eveng-I mean "Animated Object"... I.E. we need a Cockpit Modification that subjects the construct to an effect similar to Possession.

When the description mentions "variations and modifications", does that mean we get some stat blocks?

I would like to see less feats. Or at the very least less +1 feats. We have too many of those imo. For all that's holy please don't include something like this

http://www.realmshelps.net/charbuild/classes/prestige/realms/techsmith.shtm l

What I mean is don't make constructs available to players so nerfed. I played the above prestige class and I think I had to be 10th or was it 12 th level or higher to get that class. The gondsman class feature was so badly nerfed. The upgrades for it so pitiful it was not worth taking imo. My Dm allowed me to change classes when the Gondsman was destroyed by a pit trip. I'm not saying offer broken options. Just make sure the crunch matches the fluff.

I wonder why this a campaign setting book.

I wonder why this a campaign setting book.

Because it is probably more for creating interesting opponents for players than necessarily allowing players lots of construct options. The construct builder feat was in the bestiary after all.

I wonder why this a campaign setting book.

Because constructs are generally intended to be creatures you fight or tools used by GMs for adventures; that's why "Craft Construct" appears in the Bestiary, not the Core Rules. Player characters CAN build them, but this is generally a "Get permission from the GM first" rather than a core assumption that's always available.

Plus, with the Campaign Setting line, we get twice as much room to conver the subject, and can put in a LOT more flavor and world lore.

Well since it is a campaign setting book doesn't that mean it will cover specific places in Golarion that dealing with constructs?

will there be any android specific stuff in here? they're kinda constucts

i don't know. being an android that is constructed and a construct are not exactly the same thing. but if their are, i am sure that there will be at least one that has you trade out your limb or hand for some form of weapon. Kind of like in blood will tell, a game based on a manga where one of the main characters is a ronin that has had all of his body parts replaced with substitutes after they were stolen by demons to fulfill the dark cost of a bargain made by his father.

Maybe I just like the idea of asking the gm after my character loses an arm, "so how much money do i need to get a robot arm that has a culverin or smaller firearm built in to it. if not, when might i have the chance to have my arms replaced with a blade built into them."

i don't know. being an android that is constructed and a construct are not exactly the same thing. but if their are, i am sure that there will be at least one that has you trade out your limb or hand for some form of weapon. Kind of like in blood will tell, a game based on a manga where one of the main characters is a ronin that has had all of his body parts replaced with substitutes after they were stolen by demons to fulfill the dark cost of a bargain made by his father.

Maybe I just like the idea of asking the gm after my character loses an arm, "so how much money do i need to get a robot arm that has a culverin or smaller firearm built in to it. if not, when might i have the chance to have my arms replaced with a blade built into them."

Technology Guide has you covered. Though I would appreciate a version for clockwork prostheses as well...