Hello everybody.
I just stumbled upon constructs and now i'm fiddiling with the idea of making a bloodrager, with a mauler construct familiar.
Yeah.
Leaving out the actual PC build I have some questions about some rulings on the modification of constructs.
Specifically:
Weapon Modification: This modification enhances a construct’s physical weaponry. This process includes adding actual weapons (such as blades or spiked chains) to the physical structure of the construct or enhancing existing weapons with additional magical properties. Structural changes alter the construct’s damage only. A construct is automatically considered proficient with any weapon added to its structure as a weapon modification. The cost for adding a weapon is determined by the cost of the weapon or weapon enhancement added. The cost for magical enhancements to these weapons is the same as the cost for creating magic weapons as described on page 468 of the Core Rulebook. Performing a weapon modification also requires the Craft Magical Arms and Armor feat.
Let's say i wanted to use a Ioun Wyrd (is it really banned in PFS?) as my familiar and then wanted to modify it with a Falchion.
1) Can the familiar actually use it? A construct is proficient with any weapon added to its structure, per RAW, so i'd consider it not having the -4 to hit. Correct?
2) It would be a tiny falchion. Once the construct becomes Medium as per Mauler familiar archetype "Battle Form", does the falchion go to medium size accordingly?
3) ...Does it really cost spare gold to add such a weapon? Like attaching it with two nails and some duct tape?
Am I missing anything?
Consider i'm building an Eldritch Guardian + Bloodrager in a flavor of "gem knight" that does all these magical things with gems. The idea is to "teach" the familiar to take the shape of a falchion before striking, in RPG terms. This would reflect the talents transferred via fighter archetype.
Thanks in advance
Ioun Wyrd is out for PFS according to the Additional Resources page: "the animal familiars on pages 24–27 and inside front cover, except the ioun wyrd and the petromin, are legal for play."
I think it's probably tough to get constructs to work well in PFS, with all the restrictions on crafting (I've never tried).
That said, my home game construct crafting wizard is still my favorite PC of all time, and I heartily recommend constructs for the fun of showing up in battle with the cast of "The Brave Little Toaster" backing you up.
So, I'm not a big city rules lawyer *snaps suspenders* but I'll give this a whirl:
1. "A construct is automatically considered proficient with any weapon added to its structure as a weapon modification," so I think you're set.
2. Usually weapons resize with size increases, so I think you're set here too.
3. I don't think it costs extra. "The cost for adding a weapon is determined by the cost of the weapon or weapon enhancement added." I think that means you just buy the weapon and duct tape it on for free (if you have the feats [which you won't, if it's PFS]).
Check out willamoak's awesome guide to constructs, if you haven't found it yet. I'd post the link but can't seem to get it to work, google should find it for you.
A couple parting thoughts:
You can't get an Ioun Wyrd for PFS, but a homunculus might work. Couldn't be a mauler because it can't swap out the right prereqs, but could probably be modified, even in PFS, because of this FAQ: "A character must have the Improved Familiar feat to select a homunculus as a familiar. Since crafting is not allowed in Pathfinder Society, the character must hire an NPC to craft the homunculus on her behalf. Usually, an NPC can not craft a custom item for a PC but this is an exception to the rule."
and, I've had similar ideas with Eldritch Guardian, which I'm sure have been covered by others in more depth, but... in particular I've been hankering for an EG with a mauler monkey and Exotic Weapon Proficiency to give it a fauchard or something else reeeediculous/fun. That could be a way around worrying about proficiency issues, too--get an Exotic Weapon Proficiency which should (probably) carry over with Share Training, though the "GM's Discretion" line in Share Training means it might not always work.
So, in the regards of "what attack is it":
Weapon modifications substitute a slam? Does it count as primary natural attack even if the weapon is manufactured? (Gaining 1.5x Str but only 1:2 PA?)
Let's say i wanted to gain the full damage from PA, the construct should have actual limbs to wield the weapon and, at that point, be proficient with it to use two hands and work properly?
AS i see it from the RAW, it looks like the weapon modification just changes the damage component of slam and doesn't even get the critical range of the weapon "duct taped".
Am i wrong?