Maximum Homunculus HD? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Maximum Homunculus HD? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Enchanter_Tom
05-19-07, 03:17 PM While thinking on such a thing, I was asked, "What stops a character from spending all his wealth on creating a homunculus [as their HD are cheap] with a vast quantity of HD?"

Theoretically, a level 20 character could have a homunculus with around 360 HD. Of course, this is only if the character is not kept in check...thus, there surely must be a rule to keep this from happening, aside from the suggestion that players ought not to have a single item worth more than 25% of their wealth (and, even with that restriction, he could make a homunculus with around 100 HD).

I am thinking, perhaps, that this would fall under the rules of epic item creation, which would make sense. However, let us take a level 9 character with a wealth of 36,000gp. Crafting a homunculus, he could create one with 18 HD (with a few coins left over). With 3/4 BAB and something such as the Improved Homunculus feat, this would clearly be broken, especially in the case of the arbalester.

Not only would the arbalester have a base +19 to hit, it would have feats, statistical increases, and a base AC of 28. And a potential 6d6 sneak attack.

So...uh...please tell me there's a rule that keeps it from being broken?
weasel0
05-19-07, 03:42 PM Rules 0?
Marcus Majarra
05-19-07, 07:29 PM The answer to your question is found in the Advancement entry for each homunculus. It indicates the maximum HD any homonculus can have. For example, the standard homonculus advances up to 6 HD (and remains tiny).
Enchanter_Tom
05-19-07, 07:50 PM The Improved Homunculus feat gives bonuses up until "18+" HD, so I would wager that they can advance past that stage.
runestar
05-19-07, 10:34 PM Actually, the MM does state that the limits in the advancement table is not a definitive one, and it is quite possible (albeit rare) for a monster to advance well beyond those guidelines. For example, fiendish codex makes mention of a goristo advanced to 95HD, even though its advancement line lists a max of 40+HD.

1 restriction would be dm fiat. Definitely, considering the scale of this ... abomination...:P

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Enchanter_Tom 05-19-07, 03:17 PM	While thinking on such a thing, I was asked, "What stops a character from spending all his wealth on creating a homunculus [as their HD are cheap] with a vast quantity of HD?" Theoretically, a level 20 character could have a homunculus with around 360 HD. Of course, this is only if the character is not kept in check...thus, there surely must be a rule to keep this from happening, aside from the suggestion that players ought not to have a single item worth more than 25% of their wealth (and, even with that restriction, he could make a homunculus with around 100 HD). I am thinking, perhaps, that this would fall under the rules of epic item creation, which would make sense. However, let us take a level 9 character with a wealth of 36,000gp. Crafting a homunculus, he could create one with 18 HD (with a few coins left over). With 3/4 BAB and something such as the Improved Homunculus feat, this would clearly be broken, especially in the case of the arbalester. Not only would the arbalester have a base +19 to hit, it would have feats, statistical increases, and a base AC of 28. And a potential 6d6 sneak attack. So...uh...please tell me there's a rule that keeps it from being broken?
weasel0 05-19-07, 03:42 PM	Rules 0?
Marcus Majarra 05-19-07, 07:29 PM	The answer to your question is found in the Advancement entry for each homunculus. It indicates the maximum HD any homonculus can have. For example, the standard homonculus advances up to 6 HD (and remains tiny).
Enchanter_Tom 05-19-07, 07:50 PM	The Improved Homunculus feat gives bonuses up until "18+" HD, so I would wager that they can advance past that stage.
runestar 05-19-07, 10:34 PM	Actually, the MM does state that the limits in the advancement table is not a definitive one, and it is quite possible (albeit rare) for a monster to advance well beyond those guidelines. For example, fiendish codex makes mention of a goristo advanced to 95HD, even though its advancement line lists a max of 40+HD. 1 restriction would be dm fiat. Definitely, considering the scale of this ... abomination...:P