Alien Archive and the Android 'Constructed' Property

[Metaphysician]

Something I just noticed in Alien Archives, pretty much resolves the old dilemma about how to adjudicate the android race's Constructed property, vis a vis stuff like healing magic. Specifically, it provides a slightly updated version of the Constructed property under the Synthetic graft. Its basically the exact same as in the CRB, except it adds a clause to the first sentence.

"For effects targeting creatures by type, synthetic creatures count as both their actual creature type and constructs (whichever type allows an ability to affect them for abilities that affect only one type, and whichever type is worse for abilities that affect both creature types)."

So, it seems that "invalid target" is, indeed, *not* considered to be a 'worse' effect.

[Owen K. C. Stephens]

Correct.

[sunderedhero]

Any chance this can be added to the CRB entry on the next FAQ update and preferably to the errata for the book?

[baggageboy]

So a synthetic creature which presumably would include Android's could be healed both by typical healing spells and spells that repair objects correct?

[Brew Bird]

baggageboy wrote:

So a synthetic creature which presumably would include Android's could be healed both by typical healing spells and spells that repair objects correct?

As long as the effect works on constructs as well (not just objects).

[baggageboy]

All of a sudden the constructed trait seems like more of a benefit than a penalty, every Android will be best friends with the party's technomancer now :)

[Slurmalyst]

Or they could cut to the chase and BE the Technomancer. Though normally all this does is reduce the load on the Mystic for non-combat healing. Still, obviously great if you don't have a Mystic.

It seems like you could play an Android a long time before Constructed hurts you, unless the GM is actively looking for ways. The only way that I can think of is a hostile Technomancer with some anti-construct spell picks. Even then, there's an opportunity cost compared to casting another spell.

At least Constructed hurts you much less often than the way PF half-elves were both human and elf, since Paizo would print enemies with Bane weapons or Favored Enemy that target one of those two races. And using those abilities has no opportunity cost.