How does building animated objects work?

[NikolaiJuno]

I have now Idea how the craft construct feat works for animated objects. Specifically CP. Is the listed CP for each size just a base cost for the object that you add abilities to and increase cost. Or is it the limit for CP. In which case really, I can't have a small metal animated object?

[DonDuckie]

The craft construct feat allows you to create permanent animated objects that can't be dispelled and work inside anti-magic fields, other than that you just get a regular animated object.

The listed CP is how many points you can spend on extra abilities and qualities, the "cost" of larger animated objects from the spell is level based (2, 4, 8...). When using craft construct your main limitation is in wealth and time. You don't even need the spell when using craft construct.

[NikolaiJuno]

So do I ignore the CP value listed (which is 1 for small and tiny) and just start adding abilities. Then add up the CP I spent to calculate the cost.
I do find the rules to be unclearly written.

[Drachasor]

What method are you using to calculate cost?

500gp*CR^2 is one method. Since every 2 CP adds +1 CR by RAW*, you can add more CP beyond the basic amount.

The other Method is 1000gp*(HD+CP). You pay for each CP. You can easily add more. Left unclear is whether you can decide to go with more or less HD.

Both the above values are for PRICES, the cost is half.

*This actually breaks down rather quickly so it isn't accurate, but that's what the rules say.

[NikolaiJuno]

I hadn't herd of the first method. But in the second one do I just ignore the listed CP?

[Drachasor]

That's my understanding, Nikolai. There's nothing that says the base CP is included, so we have to assume you have to pay for it.

The CR^2 method was introduced in Ultimate Magic. It gives much more reasonable prices for tiny and small animated objects, but of course Huge and bigger ones are much more expensive (though this might not be a bad thing). Medium and Large are about the same price.

Worse thing about the CR^2 method is that there's no ready way to calculate the cost of Hit Dice. So if you wanted to have an abnormal hit dice amount you'd have to wing it.

[Cevah]

Check out:

Williamoaks construct crafter guide
Or
How I learned to stop worrying and build an army of mechanical slaves

Discussion

/cevah