Artificers and their Homunculus' [Archive] - Wizards Community

Artificers and their Homunculus' [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
dhorne
03-22-07, 12:17 PM I can not find any mention of this in this topic so here goes:

If I create an Arbalester Homunculus and increase its hit dice to 48. It will increase from a tiny to small homunculus (being created by an artificer's craft Homunculus ability) does the crossbow increase its damage as if it has increased in size as well? In this case increases 1 size.

While I am on the subject of Arbalester Homunculus, Can I use any crossbow in it's construction? The creature's entry does not say either way. I would like to use a masterworked repeating heavy crossbow in it's construction. This will also tie into the above question when I increase its HD to 48 and increase its size. In the case of the above question being an affirmative the damage for the crossbow would increase from 1d10 to 2d8.

Does the increase in size effect the carry capacity of the packmate homunculus?
Elderich
03-22-07, 06:55 PM If I create an Arbalester Homunculus and increase its hit dice to 48. It will increase from a tiny to small homunculus (being created by an artificer's craft Homunculus ability) does the crossbow increase its damage as if it has increased in size as well? In this case increases 1 size.Yes. While I am on the subject of Arbalester Homunculus, Can I use any crossbow in it's construction? The creature's entry does not say either way.The creatures entry does not say you can, so you cannot. You must use the crossbow stats given.
Cifer
03-23-07, 09:05 AM I can not find any mention of this in this topic so here goes:
How about this? (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=764543)

Does the increase in size effect the carry capacity of the packmate homunculus?
Yep.

While I am on the subject of Arbalester Homunculus, Can I use any crossbow in it's construction? The creature's entry does not say either way. I would like to use a masterworked repeating heavy crossbow in it's construction. This will also tie into the above question when I increase its HD to 48 and increase its size. In the case of the above question being an affirmative the damage for the crossbow would increase from 1d10 to 2d8.
As Elderich says, the answer can only be "Doesn't say so, so no" or "Ask your DM". However, you can enchant the crossbow as a regular magic weapon.
goblin_pride
03-23-07, 09:18 AM If I create an Arbalester Homunculus and increase its hit dice to 48.

I hope this was a typo. If not you're making a level 50 artificer. Reread the "craft homunculus" section in the ECS in the description of the artificer class to find the limitation on HD for homunculi.
dhorne
03-23-07, 10:09 AM No typo I am making a lvl 50 character.
goblin_pride
03-23-07, 12:41 PM No typo I am making a lvl 50 character.

Well, that's a bit past what I would call epic.
Cambian00
03-23-07, 12:51 PM **twitch**

level 50 character??

why in the world would you do that??

Is there anything in the entire game, other than gods, that would pose even a slight challenge for a character like that??
dhorne
03-23-07, 04:52 PM Yes, other lvl 50 characters. I am making this character for an online role playing game.

I should clarife the following statement:

While I am on the subject of Arbalester Homunculus, Can I use any crossbow in it's construction? The creature's entry does not say either way. I would like to use a masterworked repeating heavy crossbow in it's construction.

I meant that the entry leaves an open statement about what crossbow is used in the construction of this homunculus.

the direct quote is as follow:

An arbalester is a homunculus created to assist with ranged attacks. Built around the stock of a light crossbow, the arbalester can fire and reload the crossbow using the normal rules for crossbow attacks. The arbalester includes a quiver capable of carrying 20 bolts. Bolts stored in the quiver do not count against the creature’s carrying capacity. Once built, the crossbow and arbalester cannot be separated without destroying the homunculus.

Combat
An arbalester is somewhat effective at providing ranged support, shooting targets designated by its master. An arbalester is automatically proficient with the crossbow that has been built into its body.

I take this to mean that I can use any kind of crossbow in the construction of this homunculus. I can see how the rule "If it does not say, it cannot be done" can help make it simpler for DMs in their games, but this kind of statement leaves alot open for me. I appreciated the advise of asking my DM if it can be done in his game, and he said it can, I just get confused by this varge statement.

I realised after posting this reply that the entry does say the it is built around the stock of a light crossbow, but I think that other crossbows can be used because it mentions "an arbalester is automatically proficient with the crossbow that has been built into its body". I guess that if it does not as "only" something something ... then I can alter the form of the homunculus to reflect my character's personal flair on things.
Dragom
03-23-07, 08:53 PM Weird, ask your DM.

And the Packamte is already small.
RogueElement
03-23-07, 10:42 PM I doubt that if your DM wants you to be 50th level that he's going to really care if your arbalester can do 1d6 or 2d6 damage...you're still going to be able to swat gods out of the sky with the back of your hand.
LordRoberts
03-23-07, 11:08 PM I would love to see the states of a santiant pear wood travel trunk hurmonculy. (Disk world inspired)
Edymnion
03-23-07, 11:21 PM I doubt that if your DM wants you to be 50th level that he's going to really care if your arbalester can do 1d6 or 2d6 damage...you're still going to be able to swat gods out of the sky with the back of your hand.Yeah, really, if you're playing lvl 50 characters in Eberron, I doubt your DM is really going to care about little things like the rules, so just go for it. You're already so far outside of what the rules were designed to cover, whats one more?
ArcTan
03-24-07, 02:46 AM Yeah, really, if you're playing lvl 50 characters in Eberron, I doubt your DM is really going to care about little things like the rules, so just go for it. You're already so far outside of what the rules were designed to cover, whats one more?

Well, he may not be playing in Eberron at all, but just asking here because Eberron is the origin for the variant homunculi (just like questions about warforged in generic campaign settings end up here).
dhorne
03-30-07, 10:41 AM You are correct, it is not in Eberron. But, I can use all of the Eberron books in this campaign. The DM said I could use the repeating crossbow in the creation of my pet.

I did post the question here because the homunculus is listed in an Eberron book.

I now have to come up with the 16 feats for this homunculus plus the 6 abilities I want it to have from Improved Homunculus. I was thinking of giving it Dextrous, Evasion, Flyer, Telepathy range, and that leaves 2 more to choose. I think another flyer plus stored infusion, but unsure.

As for feats I was think of giving it the deflect arrow tree: improved unarmed strike, deflect arrows, reflect arrows, exceptional deflection, infinite deflection. I can just imagine the opponent's surprise when they try to shot it down and it reflects their atacks back at them. lol...
Selgard
03-30-07, 11:07 AM Don't you have to have a "hand free" to deflect arrows?

(am at work and bookless atm, so please forgive if that isn't correct.. thanks)
dhorne
03-30-07, 12:06 PM Yes, but is not the crossbow built into the body of the homunculus? I know that you can shot the repeating crossbow one-handed. I just thought that since I am not giving it any weapons to use in its hands it is considered to have one hand free, if not both.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dhorne 03-22-07, 12:17 PM	I can not find any mention of this in this topic so here goes: If I create an Arbalester Homunculus and increase its hit dice to 48. It will increase from a tiny to small homunculus (being created by an artificer's craft Homunculus ability) does the crossbow increase its damage as if it has increased in size as well? In this case increases 1 size. While I am on the subject of Arbalester Homunculus, Can I use any crossbow in it's construction? The creature's entry does not say either way. I would like to use a masterworked repeating heavy crossbow in it's construction. This will also tie into the above question when I increase its HD to 48 and increase its size. In the case of the above question being an affirmative the damage for the crossbow would increase from 1d10 to 2d8. Does the increase in size effect the carry capacity of the packmate homunculus?
Elderich 03-22-07, 06:55 PM	If I create an Arbalester Homunculus and increase its hit dice to 48. It will increase from a tiny to small homunculus (being created by an artificer's craft Homunculus ability) does the crossbow increase its damage as if it has increased in size as well? In this case increases 1 size.Yes. While I am on the subject of Arbalester Homunculus, Can I use any crossbow in it's construction? The creature's entry does not say either way.The creatures entry does not say you can, so you cannot. You must use the crossbow stats given.
Cifer 03-23-07, 09:05 AM	I can not find any mention of this in this topic so here goes: How about this? (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=764543) Does the increase in size effect the carry capacity of the packmate homunculus? Yep. While I am on the subject of Arbalester Homunculus, Can I use any crossbow in it's construction? The creature's entry does not say either way. I would like to use a masterworked repeating heavy crossbow in it's construction. This will also tie into the above question when I increase its HD to 48 and increase its size. In the case of the above question being an affirmative the damage for the crossbow would increase from 1d10 to 2d8. As Elderich says, the answer can only be "Doesn't say so, so no" or "Ask your DM". However, you can enchant the crossbow as a regular magic weapon.
goblin_pride 03-23-07, 09:18 AM	If I create an Arbalester Homunculus and increase its hit dice to 48. I hope this was a typo. If not you're making a level 50 artificer. Reread the "craft homunculus" section in the ECS in the description of the artificer class to find the limitation on HD for homunculi.
dhorne 03-23-07, 10:09 AM	No typo I am making a lvl 50 character.
goblin_pride 03-23-07, 12:41 PM	No typo I am making a lvl 50 character. Well, that's a bit past what I would call epic.
Cambian00 03-23-07, 12:51 PM	twitch level 50 character?? why in the world would you do that?? Is there anything in the entire game, other than gods, that would pose even a slight challenge for a character like that??
dhorne 03-23-07, 04:52 PM	Yes, other lvl 50 characters. I am making this character for an online role playing game. I should clarife the following statement: While I am on the subject of Arbalester Homunculus, Can I use any crossbow in it's construction? The creature's entry does not say either way. I would like to use a masterworked repeating heavy crossbow in it's construction. I meant that the entry leaves an open statement about what crossbow is used in the construction of this homunculus. the direct quote is as follow: An arbalester is a homunculus created to assist with ranged attacks. Built around the stock of a light crossbow, the arbalester can fire and reload the crossbow using the normal rules for crossbow attacks. The arbalester includes a quiver capable of carrying 20 bolts. Bolts stored in the quiver do not count against the creature’s carrying capacity. Once built, the crossbow and arbalester cannot be separated without destroying the homunculus. Combat An arbalester is somewhat effective at providing ranged support, shooting targets designated by its master. An arbalester is automatically proficient with the crossbow that has been built into its body. I take this to mean that I can use any kind of crossbow in the construction of this homunculus. I can see how the rule "If it does not say, it cannot be done" can help make it simpler for DMs in their games, but this kind of statement leaves alot open for me. I appreciated the advise of asking my DM if it can be done in his game, and he said it can, I just get confused by this varge statement. I realised after posting this reply that the entry does say the it is built around the stock of a light crossbow, but I think that other crossbows can be used because it mentions "an arbalester is automatically proficient with the crossbow that has been built into its body". I guess that if it does not as "only" something something ... then I can alter the form of the homunculus to reflect my character's personal flair on things.
Dragom 03-23-07, 08:53 PM	Weird, ask your DM. And the Packamte is already small.
RogueElement 03-23-07, 10:42 PM	I doubt that if your DM wants you to be 50th level that he's going to really care if your arbalester can do 1d6 or 2d6 damage...you're still going to be able to swat gods out of the sky with the back of your hand.
LordRoberts 03-23-07, 11:08 PM	I would love to see the states of a santiant pear wood travel trunk hurmonculy. (Disk world inspired)
Edymnion 03-23-07, 11:21 PM	I doubt that if your DM wants you to be 50th level that he's going to really care if your arbalester can do 1d6 or 2d6 damage...you're still going to be able to swat gods out of the sky with the back of your hand.Yeah, really, if you're playing lvl 50 characters in Eberron, I doubt your DM is really going to care about little things like the rules, so just go for it. You're already so far outside of what the rules were designed to cover, whats one more?
ArcTan 03-24-07, 02:46 AM	Yeah, really, if you're playing lvl 50 characters in Eberron, I doubt your DM is really going to care about little things like the rules, so just go for it. You're already so far outside of what the rules were designed to cover, whats one more? Well, he may not be playing in Eberron at all, but just asking here because Eberron is the origin for the variant homunculi (just like questions about warforged in generic campaign settings end up here).
dhorne 03-30-07, 10:41 AM	You are correct, it is not in Eberron. But, I can use all of the Eberron books in this campaign. The DM said I could use the repeating crossbow in the creation of my pet. I did post the question here because the homunculus is listed in an Eberron book. I now have to come up with the 16 feats for this homunculus plus the 6 abilities I want it to have from Improved Homunculus. I was thinking of giving it Dextrous, Evasion, Flyer, Telepathy range, and that leaves 2 more to choose. I think another flyer plus stored infusion, but unsure. As for feats I was think of giving it the deflect arrow tree: improved unarmed strike, deflect arrows, reflect arrows, exceptional deflection, infinite deflection. I can just imagine the opponent's surprise when they try to shot it down and it reflects their atacks back at them. lol...
Selgard 03-30-07, 11:07 AM	Don't you have to have a "hand free" to deflect arrows? (am at work and bookless atm, so please forgive if that isn't correct.. thanks)
dhorne 03-30-07, 12:06 PM	Yes, but is not the crossbow built into the body of the homunculus? I know that you can shot the repeating crossbow one-handed. I just thought that since I am not giving it any weapons to use in its hands it is considered to have one hand free, if not both.