Construct help

[Eonir]

So my friend is playing an Artificer who specializes in making golems. This has come to be a very effective strategy and we wish to take it a step further. In our games the one monster that has been the bane of my group's existence for the past 6 years is the Cadaver Collector. That pointy bastard has killed more characters than I particularly care to recount. This is why we want to make one. What do you guys think the gold and xp cost for making one would be?

[Gavinfoxx]

Well, here is the Mechonomicon:

http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=177.0

That is basically all the constructs that are player character buildable, as they exist.

Compare the stats of the Corpse Collector with the most similar creatures on that list.

Or just, you know, build things on that list and nothing else. You'll be plenty powerful.

[Eonir]

Appreciate it!

[Gavinfoxx]

Constructs are expensive. Use some of this:

http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=7274.0

Being a golemficer / hordeficer / buffificer can be a solidly rewarding profession. Extraordinary Artisan, Item Familiar, Craft Construct, Apprentice Craftsman...

Here's what Mechonomicon says on the Cadaver Golem:

"12 Cadaver Golem (HoH 149)
DC16 Leatherworking/heal
bull’s strength, create undead, geas/quest, limited wish
15750gp 1170xp
Comments: Meet Mr. Potato-Head. The Assimilate Flesh ability is very sexy (basically Illithid Savant lite); however, the fluff text in the construction section that indicates that the creator can't control the golem is not."

Personally, there are a LOT of nice things you can make at level 12... personally, I like templated stuff: Effigy Creatures, Elder Eidolons, Sacred Guardians, with as many templates stacked on them as possible! Like this:

http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19861634/Domo_Arigato_Mr._Roboto

Lets see here...

Magebred (Eberron Campaign Setting) adds: +4 to natural armor, +4 str, +2 dex, improved natural attack: claw

Woodling (Monster Manual III) adds +7 natural armor

Half-Scrag (Fiend Folio) adds +4 to natural armor, +6 str, +2 dex, -5 land speed, 20' swim speed, changes D4 claws to D8 claws

Half-Dragon Li Lung (dragon magazine #356) adds 4 natural armor, str+8, burrow speed 10', flying (average) at twice groundspeed

Effigy (Complete Arcane) adds +4 str, -2 to dex, adds 2 to natural armor, removes con and int, removes most special abilities, adds dr 5/adamantine, sets wisdom to 11 and charisma to 1

base girallon (Monster Manual/SRD) scores of note are large size, 7HD, 4 claws at 1d4, bite at 1d8, 40' speed, 40' climb speed, natural armor 4, str 22, dex 17, a rend.

New creature, according to my calculations, would have...

Cost 19,000 gp MARKET VALUE (!)

7D10+30 hp (68 hp)
Large, Mindless Construct
44 str
19 dex
con -
int -
wis 11
cha 1
45' land speed
10' burrow speed
40' climb speed
20' swim speed
90' fly speed (average)
dr 5/adamantine
25 points of natural armor (!)
4 1d10 claw attacks (primary)
1 1d8 bite attack (secondary)
1 1d6 slam attack (secondary)
+ 2d6 Girallon Rend
Improved Natural Attack Claw

Of course, that might be too hardcore for most DM's, especially since you can make this at like level eight. So comparing it to other golems makeable around the ~7-9 hd range, some modifications might be in order. After comparing it to a Flesh golem (srd/mm), serpentflesh golem (sk), a full improved homunculus iron defender (ebcs, moe), and a fang golem (mmiv), some more sane stats might be something like:

+10 natural armor
40 ft move, 40' climb, 40' fly (average), 20' swim, 10' burrow
dr 5/adamantine
7 HD + 30 hp (68 hp)
large
4 claws at 1d6, 1 bite at 1d8, girallon rend 2d6
str 22
dex 17
Improved Natural Attack Claw

And you'd be able to make this at level 7...

[Eonir]

^^^He will be doing this. Those are completely insanse stats. Thanks! You are awesome.