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So, I've poured over the Craft Construct feat, the modifying constructs rules, the construct subtype and various spells.
I can't find anything that specifies that a created construct is under the control of it's creator. Golems make mention, but thats specific.
Am I correct in assuming if I craft a construct, that it is under my control?
Battling some unfun pedantry players.
Am I correct in assuming if I craft a construct, that it is under my control?
You are, but I don't think it's spelled out anywhere in the rules.
A homunculus is under the control of the person whose blood was used when constructing it, which need not be the person who used Craft Construct.
Other than that, AFAIK they're all under the creator's control---that's why geas is in their requirements, except for the homunculus---but damned if I can find that explicitly stated anywhere.
Would your pedantry players listen to the opinion of a Paizo developer or such? If so, you could try asking in the Ask Mark Seifter (developer) or Ask James Jacobs (creative director) threads (pick one). Normally I don't point people there but not being able to resolve this one really annoys me. Note that Paizo has made it clear that what those guys say is their personal opinions; they are not official rulings and should not be represented as such. That said, a lot of people give them a lot of weight.
Good luck with your pedants!
I'd not ask James, as he's clearly stated rules questions are for here, not for him. Mark also hasn't been answering in I think like 6+ months. So, you are better just asking your GM and going with what he feels is best.
The game has assumed that the caster controls the Golem for well over a decade now, but it's never been specifically stated. There was even a magic item based around taking control of the construct from the original creator back in 3.X.
Maybe the rules don't address this issue exactly, but ask yourself this... What kind of crafter is going to manufacture an autonomous, elemental powered, killing machine without some sort of remote kill switch or command word to control its behavior? Most constructs don't have an intelligence score and can't make autonomous decisions or actions of its own accord anyway, and have to function of basic 'programming' or orders of its constructor.
So, tell those other players that their lack of imagination is not your problem.
I appreciate the feedback all!
I'm definitely in the 'You have control unless it says otherwise, or gives specifics of control' camp. It's the only logical narrative. It all lines up with how D&D has developed. I honestly blame Constructs being the new type rather than Golems. I think that is where the schism came from.
I appreciate the feedback all!
I'm definitely in the 'You have control unless it says otherwise, or gives specifics of control' camp. It's the only logical narrative. It all lines up with how D&D has developed. I honestly blame Constructs being the new type rather than Golems. I think that is where the schism came from.
What do you mean?
In my opinion the SIMPLE answer is YES the creator controls them... in many of the descriptions it says the creator gives them commands.
But the COMPLEX answer is ONLY AS MUCH AS THEY LET YOU...
Constructs with no intelligence follow who they think is there creator.
Constructs with intelligence can choose, or state in there descriptions who they follow.
-Homunculus follow the Blood in there creation.
-Clockworks follow who winds them.
The real complex ones are probably the Wax Golems, which will always become sentient after a while.
Under Repairing Constructs you have the line: At any time, a construct’s creator can deactivate a construct under his control with a touch and a standard action.
The spell Control Construct has this line: If the construct’s creator or master is present and trying to control the construct, you both must make opposed Spellcraft checks each round to control the construct.
So the construct's master may not be the creator.
The spell Apparent Master has this line: This charm makes a construct regard you as its master. It does has limits on which constructs it can apply to.
So....
The creator is the master unless mastery is given/taken away.
/cevah