Control of Permanently Animated Objects [Archive] - Wizards Community

Control of Permanently Animated Objects [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kadeno
06-04-07, 11:45 AM I am a player in a campaign, a bard, and am dealing with animating objects and making them permanen contructs through the permanency spell. My question is, in regards to such animated objects: who controls them? how? Can this be changed? Can control of these constructs be transferred to other people?

Also, on a side note: can constructs use magical items on themselves?
Evil DM Mk3
06-04-07, 11:48 AM The objects remain under the control of the bard, untill they are hit with dispell magic at any rate. And no I do not think you can change that.

Constructs can use magic items like any creature. Mindless constructs can use magic items like any mindless creature if you get my meaning.
Kadeno
06-04-07, 12:03 PM Just to make sure, since the entries in the PHB and MM are slighty vague about this: Would the bard control these constructs as though directing an active spell, as a move action?

Does this require verbal commands, or is it thought-based?
Is concentration required? (aka if I am in a situation such as a storm-tossed ship, do I need to roll concentration to successfully direct the constructs)
mvincent
06-04-07, 02:47 PM Would the bard control these constructs as though directing an active spell, as a move action?The animate object spell says:
"You can change the designated target or targets as a move action, as if directing an active spell."

However, the description for animated objects says:
"Animated objects fight only as directed by the animator. They follow orders without question and to the best of their abilities."

So your bard could theoretically issue orders to his constructs to "follow the commands of my party members". Speaking is a free action, however I'd guess that such verbal commands would easily confuse an animated object. Redirecting them (as a spell) might be far more reliable (i.e. it might conceivable take several rounds of verbal commands to accurately get the construct to do what you wish).

Does this require verbal commands, or is it thought-based?Redirecting a spell is thought-based.

Is concentration required?Redirecting a spell does not require concentration
Kadeno
06-04-07, 05:25 PM thanks for the help. one more (last?) question i guess. if you have a group of such constructs, and they can follow very simple verbal directions, could you command all of them at once, with a single move action? i.e., "all of you attack the man in the red cape" or "all of you come to me"
mvincent
06-04-07, 05:36 PM could you command all of them at onceI don't see why not. Check with your DM to be sure, but it seems reasonable (i.e. necromancers do this all the time with skeletons).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kadeno 06-04-07, 11:45 AM	I am a player in a campaign, a bard, and am dealing with animating objects and making them permanen contructs through the permanency spell. My question is, in regards to such animated objects: who controls them? how? Can this be changed? Can control of these constructs be transferred to other people? Also, on a side note: can constructs use magical items on themselves?
Evil DM Mk3 06-04-07, 11:48 AM	The objects remain under the control of the bard, untill they are hit with dispell magic at any rate. And no I do not think you can change that. Constructs can use magic items like any creature. Mindless constructs can use magic items like any mindless creature if you get my meaning.
Kadeno 06-04-07, 12:03 PM	Just to make sure, since the entries in the PHB and MM are slighty vague about this: Would the bard control these constructs as though directing an active spell, as a move action? Does this require verbal commands, or is it thought-based? Is concentration required? (aka if I am in a situation such as a storm-tossed ship, do I need to roll concentration to successfully direct the constructs)
mvincent 06-04-07, 02:47 PM	Would the bard control these constructs as though directing an active spell, as a move action?The animate object spell says: "You can change the designated target or targets as a move action, as if directing an active spell." However, the description for animated objects says: "Animated objects fight only as directed by the animator. They follow orders without question and to the best of their abilities." So your bard could theoretically issue orders to his constructs to "follow the commands of my party members". Speaking is a free action, however I'd guess that such verbal commands would easily confuse an animated object. Redirecting them (as a spell) might be far more reliable (i.e. it might conceivable take several rounds of verbal commands to accurately get the construct to do what you wish). Does this require verbal commands, or is it thought-based?Redirecting a spell is thought-based. Is concentration required?Redirecting a spell does not require concentration
Kadeno 06-04-07, 05:25 PM	thanks for the help. one more (last?) question i guess. if you have a group of such constructs, and they can follow very simple verbal directions, could you command all of them at once, with a single move action? i.e., "all of you attack the man in the red cape" or "all of you come to me"
mvincent 06-04-07, 05:36 PM	could you command all of them at onceI don't see why not. Check with your DM to be sure, but it seems reasonable (i.e. necromancers do this all the time with skeletons).