I remember disintegrate being one of the major spells to use against undead and contructs back in 3.5, but it seems I was misinformed. Disintegrate allows for a spell resistance check, which means that it is entirely ineffective to use against a golem unless they are specifically affected by it, such as the clay golem. Is this correct, or am I overlooking a rule somewhere?
You are correct.
I will note however, that while Golems (aside from clay) are immune to it, Constructs themselves (and there are many more than just Golems) are not.
Golems are immune to any effect that requires a fortitude save UNLESS THAT EFFECT ALSO WORKS ON OBJECTS. Disintegrate DOES work on golems. Bestiary page 307
Golems are immune to any effect that requires a fortitude save UNLESS THAT EFFECT ALSO WORKS ON OBJECTS. Disintegrate DOES work on golems. Bestiary page 307
That is the "Construct" type, not Golems specifically.
All Golems have an ability called "Immunity to Magic", which usually says something like "a clay golem is immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell resistance."
Disintegrate works on all other constructs, but not on Golems.
hmmm, interesting. We've always allowed disintegrate against golems in the past, never noticed til now that its a spell specifically mentioned in the clay golem entry. That does suggest you may be right. Makes golems a bit more useful. Up til now we've lost 2 in our Rappan Athuk campaign to disintegrate spells