Construct Fabrication [Archive] - Wizards Community

Construct Fabrication [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Dinel
09-14-05, 04:03 PM I am designing my own construct for use in my game world, but I have no idea how to calculate the market price (from which all other prices are calculated, as per the Rules of the Game article). Are there any rules that I missed in the Manual or are there any that have been developed?
R.M.G.C.L.F.
09-14-05, 05:47 PM I believe their are some in a 3rd party or specialty book, but the core rules offer no guides for construct pricing.
Dinel
09-15-05, 04:41 PM In that case, I'll just post the Construct's stats. If anyone would like to suggest a price, or suggest any changes and improvements, it would be greatly appreciated. And yes, I know that I goofed some of the Special Attack/Ability descriptions. You know what they mean anyway.

Wrought
Large Construct

Hit Dice: 5d10 (25)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 50ft
AC: 18 (+4 Dex, +4 Natural)
Attacks: 4xSlam: +6 Attack Bonus
Damage: Slam: 1d6+2, 19-20x2
Face/Reach: 10ft by 10ft/10ft
Special Attacks: Pinion, Improved Grapple
Special Qualities: Construct, Rust Vulnerability, DR 10/Adamantium, Spell Resistance 10, Spiderclimb
Saving Throws: Fort -, Ref +6, Will -
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 18, Con -, Int -, Wis 12, Cha 1
Skills: -
Feats: Weapon Finesse, Multiweapon Fighting
Climate/Terrain: Any
Organization: Solitary, Patrol (2) or Lance (3-6)
CR: 6
Treasure: Special
Alignment: Always Neutral
Advancement: 5-9 HD (Large), 10-12 HD (Huge)

The Wrought appears as a gigantic framework of black iron bars. They have between four and eight spikes on the bottom and four spikes around the sides, with a rounded, cage-like structure in the middle, suspended about four feet off the ground. On top of this cage is usually a tall, spire-like collection of spikes mainly used as decoration. Around the top of the cage are four rubies, which the Wrought uses to “see”. The cage has a small hole in the bottom of it, and is large enough to contain one medium creature and its belongings or approximately twelve cubic feet of material. Any creature inside the cage is considered to have partial cover. The impression of the entire construct is that of an enormous, skeletal spider.

Combat Tactics:
In battle, the Wrought attacks with the typical mindlessness of a construct, moving towards the closest enemy first and attempting to use its Pinion attack. If attacked while attacking, however, it will divide its attacks as evenly as possible between all opponents within reach.

Improved Grapple:
If the Wrought has successfully grappled a creature at least one size category smaller than itself, it may attack the grappled creature every turn without making a grapple check. This attack provokes an attack of opportunity (but not from the grappled creature). The grappled creature is denied their Dex bonus to AC.

Pinion:
As Improved Grapple, but the Wrought may attack other enemies on the same turn that it attacks the grappled creature. To accomplish this, the grappled opponent is actually held and attacked by the Wrought’s “legs”, of which only one may attack (with the same stats as the Wrought’s slam attack). The Wrought cannot otherwise attack with its legs. Attacking the grappled creature no longer provokes an attack of opportunity.

Spiderclimb:
The Wrought may move up any vertical surface as per the Spider Climb spell.
Koujow
09-15-05, 05:00 PM I thought golems didn't have a CHA.
Anyway: WHOA! I dont want to fight that. My first guess (which is probably off) is about 10,000. I think that is the price of the average golem anyway.
Dinel
09-15-05, 05:44 PM Well, I wanted it to be a little less powerful than a Flesh Golem, but to have some interesting specials to make up for it.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, all the constructs have a Cha of 1. I actually think it should be higher, myself. If a construct wants me to do something, I'm probably going to do it. Not unlike the classic 900 pound gorilla, only with spikes and magic and never getting tired or bored of ripping one into ever smaller pieces.
Wyrd Bearer
09-15-05, 06:04 PM ....Also, if I'm not mistaken, all the constructs have a Cha of 1.....

To expand upon that, all constructs, indeed all self-aware beings, have a Cha of at least 1. Even with such a pathetic score, it allows such a creature to differentiate its left hand from that elf over there and so forth.

Charisma: Any creature capable of telling the difference between itself and things that are not itself has at least 1 point of Charisma. Anything with no Charisma score is an object, not a creature. Anything without a Charisma score also has no Wisdom score.
Dinel
09-23-05, 02:20 PM An update on my progress and a suggestion to anyone who wants to use/create this critter. Since creating the creature, I have probed around the corners of my world and found that the best (and most thoroughly unpleasant) use for the Wrought was to give it to the Drow. Not only does the spindly, ornate, spider-like appearance of the thing appear to suit them (in my mind, anyway), but it makes sense mechanically.

A drow archer sits inside the cage with his +1 Light Crossbow and poisoned bolts, (note that everyone outside the cage has partial cover from the drow's point of view) and wears the golem's control amulet around his neck. This makes the Wrought a truly formidable opponent, even if there is only one of them. Not only does the Wrought effectively gain an extra (ranged) attack per round, but may now attack intelligently, going after spell-casters first, heading up a wall so the drow can fire bolts with relative impunity and pinioning weak creatures unlikely to make their grapple checks. Furthermore, I would rule that the drow may make a melee attack against a pinioned opponent, although not with a light weapon (which would probably be too short) and the drow would take a penalty for attempting melee in cramped conditions.

I would think that the EXP for defeating such a combination would be equal to the combined EXP for the drow and Wrought combined and half again. (Drow EXP+Wrought EXP)x1.5, for those of you who don't speak crazy Dinel language. I have yet to test the idea on my players, who are almost certainly too low in level to handle such a thing (4th and 5th level) and would probably be torn apart before I could get an accurate assessment, so I'm not absolutely certain how well this combination functions in battle. Mind you, they did once take down a green hag in two rounds at third level. If anyone would be good enough to test this on their own guinea-players, I would be most appreciative.

PS: If you were sufficiently motivated, sadistic and ruthless enough, it occurs to me that creating an adamantium version of the Wrought would be perfect for either a lance-leader or an elite lance. Just imagine the mayhem and distruction a half-dozen of these things, each outfitted with an elite drow archer with a powerful crossbow and extra-nasty poison bolts, would create in just about any setting.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dinel 09-14-05, 04:03 PM	I am designing my own construct for use in my game world, but I have no idea how to calculate the market price (from which all other prices are calculated, as per the Rules of the Game article). Are there any rules that I missed in the Manual or are there any that have been developed?
R.M.G.C.L.F. 09-14-05, 05:47 PM	I believe their are some in a 3rd party or specialty book, but the core rules offer no guides for construct pricing.
Dinel 09-15-05, 04:41 PM	In that case, I'll just post the Construct's stats. If anyone would like to suggest a price, or suggest any changes and improvements, it would be greatly appreciated. And yes, I know that I goofed some of the Special Attack/Ability descriptions. You know what they mean anyway. Wrought Large Construct Hit Dice: 5d10 (25) Initiative: +4 Speed: 50ft AC: 18 (+4 Dex, +4 Natural) Attacks: 4xSlam: +6 Attack Bonus Damage: Slam: 1d6+2, 19-20x2 Face/Reach: 10ft by 10ft/10ft Special Attacks: Pinion, Improved Grapple Special Qualities: Construct, Rust Vulnerability, DR 10/Adamantium, Spell Resistance 10, Spiderclimb Saving Throws: Fort -, Ref +6, Will - Abilities: Str 14, Dex 18, Con -, Int -, Wis 12, Cha 1 Skills: - Feats: Weapon Finesse, Multiweapon Fighting Climate/Terrain: Any Organization: Solitary, Patrol (2) or Lance (3-6) CR: 6 Treasure: Special Alignment: Always Neutral Advancement: 5-9 HD (Large), 10-12 HD (Huge) The Wrought appears as a gigantic framework of black iron bars. They have between four and eight spikes on the bottom and four spikes around the sides, with a rounded, cage-like structure in the middle, suspended about four feet off the ground. On top of this cage is usually a tall, spire-like collection of spikes mainly used as decoration. Around the top of the cage are four rubies, which the Wrought uses to “see”. The cage has a small hole in the bottom of it, and is large enough to contain one medium creature and its belongings or approximately twelve cubic feet of material. Any creature inside the cage is considered to have partial cover. The impression of the entire construct is that of an enormous, skeletal spider. Combat Tactics: In battle, the Wrought attacks with the typical mindlessness of a construct, moving towards the closest enemy first and attempting to use its Pinion attack. If attacked while attacking, however, it will divide its attacks as evenly as possible between all opponents within reach. Improved Grapple: If the Wrought has successfully grappled a creature at least one size category smaller than itself, it may attack the grappled creature every turn without making a grapple check. This attack provokes an attack of opportunity (but not from the grappled creature). The grappled creature is denied their Dex bonus to AC. Pinion: As Improved Grapple, but the Wrought may attack other enemies on the same turn that it attacks the grappled creature. To accomplish this, the grappled opponent is actually held and attacked by the Wrought’s “legs”, of which only one may attack (with the same stats as the Wrought’s slam attack). The Wrought cannot otherwise attack with its legs. Attacking the grappled creature no longer provokes an attack of opportunity. Spiderclimb: The Wrought may move up any vertical surface as per the Spider Climb spell.
Koujow 09-15-05, 05:00 PM	I thought golems didn't have a CHA. Anyway: WHOA! I dont want to fight that. My first guess (which is probably off) is about 10,000. I think that is the price of the average golem anyway.
Dinel 09-15-05, 05:44 PM	Well, I wanted it to be a little less powerful than a Flesh Golem, but to have some interesting specials to make up for it. Also, if I'm not mistaken, all the constructs have a Cha of 1. I actually think it should be higher, myself. If a construct wants me to do something, I'm probably going to do it. Not unlike the classic 900 pound gorilla, only with spikes and magic and never getting tired or bored of ripping one into ever smaller pieces.
Wyrd Bearer 09-15-05, 06:04 PM	....Also, if I'm not mistaken, all the constructs have a Cha of 1..... To expand upon that, all constructs, indeed all self-aware beings, have a Cha of at least 1. Even with such a pathetic score, it allows such a creature to differentiate its left hand from that elf over there and so forth. Charisma: Any creature capable of telling the difference between itself and things that are not itself has at least 1 point of Charisma. Anything with no Charisma score is an object, not a creature. Anything without a Charisma score also has no Wisdom score.
Dinel 09-23-05, 02:20 PM	An update on my progress and a suggestion to anyone who wants to use/create this critter. Since creating the creature, I have probed around the corners of my world and found that the best (and most thoroughly unpleasant) use for the Wrought was to give it to the Drow. Not only does the spindly, ornate, spider-like appearance of the thing appear to suit them (in my mind, anyway), but it makes sense mechanically. A drow archer sits inside the cage with his +1 Light Crossbow and poisoned bolts, (note that everyone outside the cage has partial cover from the drow's point of view) and wears the golem's control amulet around his neck. This makes the Wrought a truly formidable opponent, even if there is only one of them. Not only does the Wrought effectively gain an extra (ranged) attack per round, but may now attack intelligently, going after spell-casters first, heading up a wall so the drow can fire bolts with relative impunity and pinioning weak creatures unlikely to make their grapple checks. Furthermore, I would rule that the drow may make a melee attack against a pinioned opponent, although not with a light weapon (which would probably be too short) and the drow would take a penalty for attempting melee in cramped conditions. I would think that the EXP for defeating such a combination would be equal to the combined EXP for the drow and Wrought combined and half again. (Drow EXP+Wrought EXP)x1.5, for those of you who don't speak crazy Dinel language. I have yet to test the idea on my players, who are almost certainly too low in level to handle such a thing (4th and 5th level) and would probably be torn apart before I could get an accurate assessment, so I'm not absolutely certain how well this combination functions in battle. Mind you, they did once take down a green hag in two rounds at third level. If anyone would be good enough to test this on their own guinea-players, I would be most appreciative. PS: If you were sufficiently motivated, sadistic and ruthless enough, it occurs to me that creating an adamantium version of the Wrought would be perfect for either a lance-leader or an elite lance. Just imagine the mayhem and distruction a half-dozen of these things, each outfitted with an elite drow archer with a powerful crossbow and extra-nasty poison bolts, would create in just about any setting.