Ok, I got an idea for an encounter: a construct (type to be determined later) ends up being possessed by an incorporeal creature. Here's the problem: constructs are immune to mind-affecting effects AND necromancy effects, meaning by stuff like magic jar and possession don't work >:(
You can have a robot being overtaken by an AI, but you cannot have a golem being overtaken by a ghost or shadow demon...
Here's my inquiry: is there any way to "possess" a construct? To me, that sounds like a no-brainer, considering that most of them are mindless and wouldn't put much of a fight against outside control... except that they are immune instead of being vulnerable...
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Greater Object Possession does it.
Well to be fair they are powered and have a "controller" which whom they listen and perform tasks for. They would resist something on that basis alone (as the should be doing something else). They aren't "simply" dumb items with no "direction" aimlessly standing there (unless that was what they were told to do).
Mindless doesn't mean no will or direction.
What you should be using is Animate Object on not finished golems that were never powered up. They wouldn't have the abilities of golems, as those are specific and driven creatures who are already under the control of someone, but the spell allows for the creation of things outside the written up creatures.
Also there are premade creatures that fit your requirements as well. Things like the Soul marionette can be refluffed with little to no extra work on your end.
TL;DR Mindless is not the same as not having a purpose. Golems are created by someone who they follow explicitly (if not perfectly) and have a "drive" powered by something (case in point flesh golem who goes berserk and breaks that control).
Use Animate object if you need something to make your concept work, just don't do it on golems as they aren't "simple" objects but complex creatures in their own right, they still function in an antimagic space.
Look up the Xin-haunted construct template. It was originally in Shattered Star, doing exactly what you describe (the ghost of Xin could possess the constructs in the area). The d20psfrd just calls it the Haunted Construct template.
Well, I am running into another problem: possessing a creature doesn't let you use its extraordinary, spell-like and supernatural abilities... meaning that this feature basically serves solely at gaining a new body for a physical task.
And no, Greater Possession doesn't remove that restriction...
(Seriously, what's the point of possessing a creature if you cannot USE the creature's abilities for YOUR own needs?)
- Must it be an actual "possession"? 'cause Simply stealing a Shield Golem's controlling amulet might do the trick in some cases.
- Or possessing whoever controls the Golem.
- The "Golem" could also be a Construct Armor, so it'd be controlled by whoever is inside.
Well, I am running into another problem: possessing a creature doesn't let you use its extraordinary, spell-like and supernatural abilities... meaning that this feature basically serves solely at gaining a new body for a physical task.
And no, Greater Possession doesn't remove that restriction...
(Seriously, what's the point of possessing a creature if you cannot USE the creature's abilities for YOUR own needs?)
Getting access their BODY. Polymorph doesn't grant physical stats anymore. Want to be a big bad strong guy? Grab ahold of the biggest baddest guy in the room and take their body. Commence with the pummeling. Want the flight or movement modes? Do the same. Sometimes the Polymorph spells don't grant the specific suite of abilities you want from a creature. Possession gets them.
This besides other things that might be more plot driven. Maybe something will only react to a specific person, seeing through magical disguises or the like. Maybe you need to get information but are unable to gain access to the location but they can, etc.
Well, I am running into another problem: possessing a creature doesn't let you use its extraordinary, spell-like and supernatural abilities... meaning that this feature basically serves solely at gaining a new body for a physical task.
And no, Greater Possession doesn't remove that restriction...
(Seriously, what's the point of possessing a creature if you cannot USE the creature's abilities for YOUR own needs?)
Getting access their BODY. Polymorph doesn't grant physical stats anymore. Want to be a big bad strong guy? Grab ahold of the biggest baddest guy in the room and take their body. Commence with the pummeling. Want the flight or movement modes? Do the same. Sometimes the Polymorph spells don't grant the specific suite of abilities you want from a creature. Possession gets them.
This besides other things that might be more plot driven. Maybe something will only react to a specific person, seeing through magical disguises or the like. Maybe you need to get information but are unable to gain access to the location but they can, etc.
And yet you can't breathe fire as a red dragon that you possess... somehow...
When someone gets possessed, in a lot of fictions at least, the possessed character uses all his abilities, except that someone else is given the orders.
Well, I am running into another problem: possessing a creature doesn't let you use its extraordinary, spell-like and supernatural abilities... meaning that this feature basically serves solely at gaining a new body for a physical task.
And no, Greater Possession doesn't remove that restriction...
(Seriously, what's the point of possessing a creature if you cannot USE the creature's abilities for YOUR own needs?)
Getting access their BODY. Polymorph doesn't grant physical stats anymore. Want to be a big bad strong guy? Grab ahold of the biggest baddest guy in the room and take their body. Commence with the pummeling. Want the flight or movement modes? Do the same. Sometimes the Polymorph spells don't grant the specific suite of abilities you want from a creature. Possession gets them.
This besides other things that might be more plot driven. Maybe something will only react to a specific person, seeing through magical disguises or the like. Maybe you need to get information but are unable to gain access to the location but they can, etc.
And yet you can't breathe fire as a red dragon that you possess... somehow...
When someone gets possessed, in a lot of fictions at least, the possessed character uses all his abilities, except that someone else is given the orders.
The vast majority of fictions would never make for a balanced rule set for game play.
So you are right, fictional stories often have that. As a persistent game involving more than one hero who gets the spotlight, not particularly surprising it doesn't happen.
Well, I am running into another problem: possessing a creature doesn't let you use its extraordinary, spell-like and supernatural abilities... meaning that this feature basically serves solely at gaining a new body for a physical task.
And no, Greater Possession doesn't remove that restriction...
(Seriously, what's the point of possessing a creature if you cannot USE the creature's abilities for YOUR own needs?)
My read of Greater Object Possession is that you replace the Possession restrictions on abilities with those of Control Construct. Otherwise, the spell is pretty much incoherent.
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I think there is a specific monster that do that, but maybe it was 3.5.
In Pathfinder there is the dybbuk
èquote=PRD]
Possess Object (Su) A dybbuk can use its malevolence ability to possess a Large or smaller unattended object, animating it as if using animate objects, except the dybbuk merges with and controls the object as if it were a living creature. The dybbuk cannot speak or use its other special abilities while possessing the object.
Sorcerer bloodline: Impossible
Bloodline Arcana
Constructs are susceptible to your enchantment (compulsion) spells as if they were not mind-affecting.
Constructs are treated as living creatures for the purposes of determining which spells affect them.
Sorcerer bloodline: Impossible
Bloodline Arcana
Constructs are susceptible to your enchantment (compulsion) spells as if they were not mind-affecting.
Constructs are treated as living creatures for the purposes of determining which spells affect them.
That could work... although both Magic Jar and Possession are Necromancy spells, not Enchantment.
Still, Dominate Monster would work.