I am really excited to have a gob-bot in action, so I did a quick breakdown of Construct Companion v.s. Animal Companion
Spoiler:
Lv1
Bear：
STR3 DEX2 CON2 WIS1
HP 16 AC 16（Armored）
AB+6 DMG 1d8+3
5Fort 5Reflex 4Will
Wolf：
STR2 DEX3 CON2 WIS1
HP 14 AC 17（Armored）
AB+6 DMG 1d8+2
5Fort 6Reflex 4Will
Construct：
STR3 DEX3 CON2 WIS1
HP 18 AC 16
AB+6 DMG 1d8+3
5Fort 6Reflex 4Will
Lv4
Bear：
STR4 DEX3 CON3 WIS2
HP 44 AC 22 (heavy barding)
AB+10 DMG 2d8+4
11Fort 11Reflex 10Will
Wolf：
STR3 DEX4 CON3 WIS2
HP 42 AC 22 (heavy barding)
AB+10 DMG 2d8+3
11Fort 12Reflex 10Will
Construct：
STR4 DEX4 CON3 WIS2
HP 46 AC 20
AB+10 DMG 2d8+4
11Fort 12Reflex 10Will
Lv8
Savage Bear：
STR6 DEX4 CON4 WIS3
HP 88 AC 26
AB+16 DMG 2d8+9
16Fort 16Reflex 15Will
Nimble Wolf：
STR4 DEX6 CON4 WIS3
HP 86 AC 28
AB+16 DMG 2d8+6
16Fort 18Reflex 15Will
Construct：
STR5 DEX5 CON5 WIS4
HP 98 AC 27
AB+15 DMG 2d8+7
17Fort 17Reflex 16Will
Lv14
Savage Wrecker Bear：
STR7 DEX5 CON4 WIS3
HP 148 AC 32
AB+25 DMG 3d8+13
24Fort 25Reflex 23Will
Nimble Daredevil Wolf：
STR4 DEX8 CON4 WIS3
HP 146 AC 38
AB+26 DMG 3d8+8
24Fort 28Reflex 23Will
Construct：
STR6 DEX6 CON6 WIS5
HP 178 AC 36
AB+24 DMG 3d8+10
26Fort 26Reflex 25Will
It seems that the Contruct Companion is only good for higher HP, saves, and immunities. If I use it as a meatshield(cogshield in this case) it's fine, but it's really subpar offensively and prohibits a pet-focused inventor.
I am thinking maybe a Breakthrough Invention could allow it to use your attack proficiency when you Command it. Also I think its baseline stat should be more open to customization because, after all, it's a construct.
If we can have an Inventor Synthesist option to let you pilot your mecha companion, it will be pretty cool as well!
Being able to get a d6 ranged unarmed attack with versatile damage for a Construct Companion is a clear niche for an offence focused build that stands out from animal companions.
Being able to get a d6 ranged unarmed attack with versatile damage for a Construct Companion is a clear niche for an offence focused build that stands out from animal companions.
It's a d4, you can't upgrade it to a d6 since it's not a simple weapon. A wizard with an enchanted sling does more damage and will be about as accurate for most of his life.
Not really versed in animal companions but your numbers seem off to me:
using heavy barding at level 4 means that your animal companion has -10speed which is quite detrimental.
at level 8 Construct has 27 AC not 25:
10 + 12 proficiency (expert) +5 Dex =27
at level 14 Construct has AC 36 not 34:
10 + 20 (master proficiency) + 6 dex = 36
your numbers for the animal companions are also off:
the wolf as an example at level 14 has:
3 base DEX, +1 mature, +2 nimble, +1 Daredevil so +7
he's also only trained on his attacks, so +16+7 = +23 on his attacks and 37 AC
You also forgot that Construct also has +2 - +6 to damage from Overdrive
After level 7 your Construct also does an additional 1d6 elemental damage from Offensive Boost
So all in all Construct seems like a straight up upgrade compared to normal Animal companions even before factoring in the Breakthroughs. Higher attack bonus, higher damage, higher HP, higher Saves, -1AC compared to nimble daredevil (which i think is the highest AC for animal companions, correct me if i'm wrong).
Not really versed in animal companions but your numbers seem off to me:
using heavy barding at level 4 means that your animal companion has -10speed which is quite detrimental.
at level 8 Construct has 27 AC not 25:
10 + 12 proficiency (expert) +5 Dex =27
at level 14 Construct has AC 36 not 34:
10 + 20 (master proficiency) + 6 dex = 36
your numbers for the animal companions are also off:
the wolf as an example at level 14 has:
3 base DEX, +1 mature, +2 nimble, +1 Daredevil so +7
he's also only trained on his attacks, so +16+7 = +23 on his attacks and 37 AC
You also forgot that Construct also has +2 - +6 to damage from Overdrive
After level 7 your Construct also does an additional 1d6 elemental damage from Offensive Boost
So all in all Construct seems like a straight up upgrade compared to normal Animal companions even before factoring in the Breakthroughs
I stand corrected that I miscalculate Construct Companion's AC proficiency.
A Daredevil Nimble Wolf gets 3 base DEX, +1 mature, +2 nimble,+1 Specialization, +1 Daredevil so +8 DEX, also Expert attack proficiency from Specialization.
Also when we take other Animal Companion users into account, Druid is a full caster while Rangers could grant their Edge to the companion so it's +1d8/2d8/3d8 damage for precision Ranger's companion.
still, i still see it as at least equal to Animal Companions.
(as for the other classes benefits, i still didn't count the Breakthroughs in which would be what i would equate to the Edge, the bonus damage is just extra imo)
Also another aspect of the Construct that i want to explore is using it for the skills, and basically getting 3 more skills to Master by level 9, which could make the Inventor a kind of skillmonkey, with him focusing on craft+2 Knowledges and his Robot on Survival, Intimidation, Stealth (especially since you can keep it as Small sized while keeping all the stat buffs.
Being able to get a d6 ranged unarmed attack with versatile damage for a Construct Companion is a clear niche for an offence focused build that stands out from animal companions.
It's a d4, you can't upgrade it to a d6 since it's not a simple weapon. A wizard with an enchanted sling does more damage and will be about as accurate for most of his life.
Ah, yeah you're right on simple. I'm not sure your average wizard is going to much strength to add though or would be adding property runes [like flaming] which adds to both ranged and melee attacks like the companion has. The wizard doesn't have the option to make the damage bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing plus turn on and off nonlethal [again for both ranged and melee]. Even if ranged is a secondary attack, it's a type of attack other companions do not have access to.
If we can have an Inventor Synthesist option to let you pilot your mecha companion, it will be pretty cool as well!
I specifically want this. You can already ride your companion, but the companion as written seems a little underwhelming to me.
Very true! I think maybe the Inventor can get a special Innovation that allows the Construct minion to use Inventor's attack proficiency, but they will share their MAP just like riding it, so your construct becomes more awesome when you are dedicatedly piloting it.
I would like it if at least you could spend multiple feats to boost the construct after 14, like how druid/beastmaster/cavalier can take the specialized animal companion feat multiple times.
I am really excited to have a gob-bot in action, so I did a quick breakdown of Construct Companion v.s. Animal Companion
** spoiler omitted **
It seems that the Contruct Companion is only good for higher HP, saves, and immunities. If I use it as a meatshield(cogshield in this case) it's fine, but it's really subpar offensively and prohibits a pet-focused inventor.
I am thinking maybe a Breakthrough Invention could allow it to use your attack proficiency when you Command it. Also I think its baseline stat should be more open to customization because, after all, it's a construct.
If we can have an Inventor Synthesist option to let you pilot your mecha companion, it will be pretty cool as well!
They should allow you to use half your int modifier to the attack roll if you go construct route.
And the 3+3+2 (18 int) = +8 at level 1. Fighter at level 1 is +9. Barbarian is +7 at level 1. So it would hit more efficiently than a barbarian, but deal less damage than barbarian per hit.. but not hit as well as a fighter.
At this point the construct seems near worthless to me. Its attack bonus is straight up 3 less than a 2x specialized animal companion at max level which is already 3 less than a non-fighter martial class. The construct at level 20 has a 2 lower attack bonus than a Wizard with just 20 dexterity...it's laughable.
About the only use for the construct at higher levels is to make it into a wall.
I am really excited to have a gob-bot in action, so I did a quick breakdown of Construct Companion v.s. Animal Companion
** spoiler omitted **
It seems that the Contruct Companion is only good for higher HP, saves, and immunities. If I use it as a meatshield(cogshield in this case) it's fine, but it's really subpar offensively and prohibits a pet-focused inventor.
I am thinking maybe a Breakthrough Invention could allow it to use your attack proficiency when you Command it. Also I think its baseline stat should be more open to customization because, after all, it's a construct.
If we can have an Inventor Synthesist option to let you pilot your mecha companion, it will be pretty cool as well!
They should allow you to use half your int modifier to the attack roll if you go construct route.
And the 3+3+2 (18 int) = +8 at level 1. Fighter at level 1 is +9. Barbarian is +7 at level 1. So it would hit more efficiently than a barbarian, but deal less damage than barbarian per hit.. but not hit as well as a fighter.
That doesn't fix the poor attack bonus and AC scaling, which is the biggest problem. At level 1 it has attack bonus and AC comparable to animal companions, but by level 18 it is 3 behind.
Ugh, animal companions are already broken (most options are traps since anything that doesn't give max dex bonus is inferior) so this is just depressing.
I'd like to see it be a bit bulkier with AC, but offensively I'm fine with it lagging behind a bit. If you want an offensive companion/partner then go with either an Animal Companion or Eidolon (coming soon). I'd love for the Inventor's pet to be uniquely defensive and strategic for it's niche.
The construct modifications didn't seem that interesting to me, but I still wanted a construct, so for the theorycraft build I made (see the other thread about posting your build), I went with the weapon innovation and the level 1 construct companion feat and upgrades. I doubt I'll get a chance to actually test it though, I don't know anybody who does playtests.
The upgrades to damage aren't that useful if your bigger-damage attacks can't actually hit the target. Based on how I've seen the numbers go in my home group, I'd rather have more to-hit and lower damage for my construct. Or maybe what I need is a good mentor for tactical debuffing, which my home group doesn't really do. :-/
In general though, I think I'd prefer the construct have more utility options than combat options. Spellcasters have so much of the utility ground already covered, but but that would open the option for groups with fewer/no spellcasters. I understand extra gadgets are on the table for after the initial playstest period so we'll ahve to wait on that.
Two points difference in AC and accuracy is problematic. Even with higher HP, more base damage, and potential damage resistances and mobility options, it's hard to say that this is adequate anymore.
Especially given that the Animal Companion can pull ahead again at 16th level.
So I feel the big problem is that too many Feats class features are counting on the construct hitting to be effective and construct accuracy really dies a death at higher level.
I feel probably the best ways to sort this is to give them the same proficiencies or attack bonus as the inventor and just have them share map.
So I feel the big problem is that too many Feats class features are counting on the construct hitting to be effective and construct accuracy really dies a death at higher level.
I feel probably the best ways to sort this is to give them the same proficiencies or attack bonus as the inventor and just have them share map.
Maybe limited to Construct Innovation. So the default construct is roughly in line with an animal companion, but with Construct Innovation it's closer to the Eidolon.
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Our construct companions innovator had a long day. We played through 2 PFS scenarios: one at level 3 and one at level 6. The companion missed every strike in both scenarios, only doing damage with Unstable abilities...which could be used at most once per encounter safely. The dice were not kind to the companion, but it was disheartening for the player to consistently see her companion miss on the same rolls that the monk and barbarian were hitting with.
The companion did provide flanking bonuses, which made the difference on a few attacks made by other players. And luckily the inventor herself got a few lucky musket crits in to make up for the "shoddy robot" she had created. (Shoddy has been changed from the term used at the virtual table to preserve the innocence of the boards.)
We debated whether it would have been better to swap the proficiencies between the companion and the inventor. Giving the companion better attacks than the inventor. Or buffing the companions attack somehow with the inventors intelligence. I saw a suggestion earlier of half Int to companion attacks that seems a nice compromise.
