construct base ability scores

[the00zeus]

I have been looking across every book, website, and forum for some simple information. How do I determine the base stats of a construct I want to build as a player? I see that, for example, the Clockwork Hound (Small) has the following array Str 22, Dex, 18, Con -, Int -, Wis 16, Cha 1. I understand the Con and Int scores are removed by the Construct template, I am also assuming that the charisma is 1 to reflect the necessity for commanding it around. I also see that the small size modifiers would adjust Dex +2 and Str -4. Where are the scores coming from? I assume I can only work with the Str, Dex, and Wis scores for clockwork constructs. I'm far to lost at this point.

[Magicdealer]

Under the guide for building and modifying constructs: "The monster creation rules serve as your best guide for designing a new construct. New constructs should stick fairly close to the those presented on Table: Monster Statistics by CR."

This is for new constructs. I would avoid that entirely if I were you. But it tells you where the ability scores come from - they were generated out of the monster creation rules for a creature appropriate for their cr. You can find those here: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/rules-for-monsters/monster-creation/

Here's how building a construct generally works.

Step 1: Select a preexisting construct from one of the bestiaries, like the Clockwork Hound.

Step 2: Build it, casting the necessary spells and paying the necessary costs. You get the same statblock as the bestiary entry. It's not fluid. You can't change numbers around just because. But see Step 3.

Step 3: Modifications. Modifications can be used to alter some things about a construct. For example, you can permanently increase one of the constructs ability scores by +2 (doesn't apply to abilities with a score of 0) by spending 5,000g and 5 days. You could also make a number of other modifications to it by paying additional costs.

Again, I suggest you avoid custom constructs as they can be very difficult to balance. Remember, in the end the dm will have to approve or set the price for a custom construct and is encouraged to err on the side of a higher price.

https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/building-and-modifying-constructs/

[the00zeus]

Thanks, I was trying to sort out how those stats were getting balanced because a small size creature with 22 Str seems out of proportion for 6HD and I did not know if there are some other modifiers being applied for the loss of the Con, Int, and Cha scores. Even trying to compare the Clockwork Hound to a Dire Wolf CR3 Str 19, Winter Wolf CR5 Str 20, or Abyssal Wolf CR7 Str 20, they seem to have similar Str and Dex but they are all Large size creatures so some of that seems accounted for by the size.

I have been trying to work with the rules in the bestiary for designing monsters and I am aware of the modification section for constructs, its what Stats to use as base to work out from I can't fathom. Do I refund points from a stat buy perspective, is there a hidden modifier for construct stats?

On your other note my DM and I have a good relationship and if he says hes uncomfortable or hesitates I don't push. Thanks again, I'm also aware of the new player companion coming out this month for constructs so I was largely trying to be read up on the rules in preparation for that.

[Jared Walter 356]

the00zeus wrote:

I have been looking across every book, website, and forum for some simple information. How do I determine the base stats of a construct I want to build as a player? I see that, for example, the Clockwork Hound (Small) has the following array Str 22, Dex, 18, Con -, Int -, Wis 16, Cha 1. I

For most non-contructs they typically use a 10/11 spread (3 each) ie basic npc. In this case, I suspect that if you were trying to find "racial" modifiers they would approximately be: Str+10, Dex+8, Con -, Int -, Wis +6, Char -10. These would already include the size modifier.

I would however agree with Magicdealer, that custom constructs are tricky at best, and I would avoid them as well.

[the00zeus]

Thanks as well, I'm hoping that the upcoming companion book helps with some flexibility in the player system.