A gimmicky Build, need help!

[Tyrantherus]

So for the longest time, I've pondered making a character that emphasizes on building constructs. This would somewhat help out the entire party due to the prerequisites to constructing them (Craft Magic Arms and Armor and Craft Wondrous Item), however I don't exactly want to be dead weight on the party either, nor do I exactly want to be in the back the whole time. This said, I have been pondering what exactly would be the most efficient build for a constructor/combatant.

One thing I have been pondering is the usage of a Magus, and having a construct with the Construct Armor Modification, using a swift action to launch off the armor, take a 5-foot step, and then gain flanking bonuses for attacks. The downside about this is the lack of repair related spells in the magus's spell list.

Going with a wizard, I would definitely have the repair spells, and also have an easier time gaining access to additional spells for different situations or potential modifications. This, however, has the issue of not being proficient in the armor, and thus causing potential spell failure. In addition, less health points, and not very proficient (usually) in weaponry.

While I always loved sorcerers, since they have the ability to cast spells on the fly, most of the construction based checks that I would be doing are based on intelligence scores, so unless I wanted the alternate bloodline feature for arcane bloodline, definitely a no go. In addition, many of the same issues that the wizard have are apparent here as well: low hp, and chance for spell failure.

With all this considered, I am currently at a loss. Is this a lost cause to combine spellcaster and machine into a fighting monster?

[VRMH]

Intelligent items are cheap, simple and can be construct-like. These can act as a stepping stone.

[egg4christ]

Well, i have a few ideas, but they're a little out there. .

What you want is a caster, based around a secondary creature he creates, combined with some more direct-combat intervention.

Sounds like a summoner, or a Druid. Either of these classes are already focused on the secondary creature. The problem is, if you add a full-time construct to a wizard or Sorc, you run the risk of overpowering them, or blowing all your money on the construct.

Using the Summoner would allow you your minion, as well as giving you some combat related bonuses for working with them. If you adjust the flavor of summoning to constructing, it works great. You'll have to work with your DM on this one.

The other idea would be to go the route of leadership. This gains you the cohort, but you're free to pick whatever class you need. If you use a rogue (hello permanent flanking buddy), you can UMD enough wands to cover healing. Or, you could do a bard, or cleric for that matter. Really, with the right feat set, anything can work on the leadership angle, provided you're high enough level.

This way, you can still have your construct, and simply say you took him for leadership, instead of finding your cohort on the streets. Again, work with your DM.

With either of these abilities, you don't HAVE to take crafting feats, but you certainly can if you want.

Good luck, hope you find a build that works. Let me know what you end up trying.

[Tyrantherus]

I thought about doing a Summoner at one point, but with a summoner it is simply the minion doing most of the heavy labor, and me being a support.

I have thought about doing leadership, possibly having the cohort being the one with all the crafting and making the constructs. The issue with this idea is that the cohort(s) would be a few levels behind (given that I'm actually in good standards with my cohort(s), and secondly I would still be without a solid way of repairing the construct without eating a good amount of time from the rest of the party.

If the Cohort IS the construct, how exactly would I improve him? I don't recall a construct level up chart or anything along those lines...

Admittingly, rogue with construct flanking buddy... THAT'S something enticing. It's merely a matter of how to get to that point, or a similar one while still having a decent method of repair.