Bullet06320
2015-09-28, 02:47 AM
as originally posted on the WOTC boards by snizor on Jan 13, 2008
http://community.wizards.com/forum/previous-editions-character-optimization/threads/1156126
Mechonomicon
The purpose of this thread is similar to that of my previous thread, Collection of Necromatic Oddities http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=181.0. However, this one is dedicated to the various mechanical monstrosities and quirky gizmos that can be created with the Craft Construct feat (MM 303).
Format
•Required level _ Name (book page)
•Skill Checks: Unless stated otherwise, you must make either of these (crafting) checks, not both Any other requirements, like a big gem
•Spells needed in the creation process
•Cost in gp, cost in xp (these are creation costs, not buying cost)
Note that the 3.5 Update Document significantly altered the price of FF and MM2 constructs.
01 Arbalester (MoE 152)
DC14 Sculpting/Carpentry
arcane eye, mending
1250gp 93xp
Comments: Basically a self-firing light crossbow (can be enhanced as such). Won't be that good at mid/high levels due to: lack of Attack bonus, HPs, and the damage they deal their creator when destroyed.
01 Dedicated Wright (ECS 285)
DC14 Pottery
arcane Eye, fabricate
2100gp 160xp
Comments: Crafts magic items for you while you go dungeon-delving. Useful for when your DM doesn't give unlimited downtime for item crafting.
01 Expiditious Messenger (ECS 285)
DC16 Sculpting
arcane eye, sending
1650gp 126xp
Comments: See Homunculus, but with better mobility
01 Furtive Filcher (ECS 286)
DC12 Sculpting/Pottery
arcane eye, shadow conjuration
1550gp 118xp
Comments:
01 Necrophidius (FF 126)
DC13 Sculpting
Sor/wiz: geas/quest, hold person, hypnotism, Mordenkainen's faithful hound
Cle: animate objects, command, geas/quest, hold person
2000gp 100XP
Comments: These have rules for creating advanced versions of them; however, the Advancement Entry in the stat block caps out at 6 HD (making there usefulness peter out). Until then though, it's a decent combatant with Sneak Attack and a Paralyzing bite.
01 Packmate (MoE 152)
DC14 Sculpting
arcane lock, arcane eye, mending
1260gp 93xp
Comments: Cute, but is too easily destroyed for something that's basically a walking backpack.
01 Persistent Harrier (MoE 153)
DC14 Sculpting
arcane eye, mending
1250gp 93xp
Comments: I'm not a fan of Homunculii being in the middle of combat. It's +3 Melee att. bonus won't get you very far.
04 Clockroach (MM4 28)
DC14 Metalworking
Arcane eye, Melf’s acid arrow, message
1075gp 80xp
Comments: Too weak to be used in combat. The 1/5 round acid breath weapon is its only notable feature (can be useful for Out-of-combat purposes). Artificers can treat it as a Homunculus
04 Clockwork Steed (MM4 32)
DC18 Blacksmithing
animate objects, mount
1150gp 80xp
Comments: Interesting mount choice. Can be upgraded with bonus feats (limited choices) for a relatively low price after its created. Can't be advanced by HD though.
04 Homunculus (MM1 154)
DC12 Sculpting/Pottery
arcane eye, mirror image, mending
1050gp 78xp
Comments:
I like homunculi. Advance them to max HD and hand-pick their skills&feats to make UMD-using turrets.
(9 ranks, skill focus and that +2/+2 skill, -1 Cha for 13 ranks. Add a masterwork tool(~300gp) and a +5 magic skill booster and you're there. Total cost under 13 K or so, for an autonomous magic-using flying mind-linked bot. )
04 Iron Defender (ECS 287)
DC14 Metalworking
arcane eye, keen edge, mirror image, mending
1250gp 93xp
Comments:
05 Alchemy Beetle (SoX 74)
DC15 Blacksmithing and Glassblowing
fireball
4000gp 240xp
Comments: Not that good. The creation guidelines fail to mention the cost of advancing this construct (despite the advancement entry for this monster), so you're stuck with the weakling version.
05 Clockwork Mender (MM4 30)
DC15 Blacksmithing
mending, repair light damage
1250gp 68xp
Comments: Too bad you can't craft the swarm version of this creature, which could serve as an out-of-combat repair unit for your other constructs. This version only gives 1d8 points of healing per day.
07 Crawling Claws (LEoF 163)
NA
animate dead, cat’s grace, lesser geas
9250gp 710xp
Comments: Well, it's a swarm, but it's a size category too large to be immune to slashing/piercing weapons. Has Blindsight (which can be useful) but will probably die fast.
07 Fang Golem (MM4 72)
DC15 Sculpting or Weaving
greater magic fang, reincarnate, spike stones
8000gp 580xp
Comments: Decent stats, Att. bonus, etc. Pretty usable when you can make them.
07 Umbral Spy (The Forge of War 155)
DC15 Alchemy and Spellcraft
shadow conjuration, speak with dead
11000gp 840xp
Comments: An intelligent incorporeal construct with telepathy (yay Mindsight feat), hide in plain sight, and whose attack deals wisdom damage. Very good choice, made better by the fact that it does list a cost to advance.
08 Brass Steed (HoB 153)
DC12 Armorsmithing/weaponsmithing
animate objects, bull’s strength, flame arrow, geas/quest, haste
10000gp 720xp
Comments: A decent mount at the level you get it. However, it doesn't list the cost to advance (despite having an advancement entry in its stat block) so it is less useful after a few levels.
08 Flesh Golem (MM1 135)
DC13 Leatherworking/Heal
Creator must supply 6 different bodies
animate dead, bull’s strength, geas/quest, limited wish
10500go 780xp
Comments: Stats aren't horrible, but it will occasionally try to kill you, which is not cool at all.
08 Serpentflesh Golem (SK 82)
DC13 Leatherworking/Heal
animate dead, bull's strengh, geas/quest, limited wish
10,500gp 780XP
Comments: Nice, you can pay to attach more arms to it and it doesn't try to kill you.
09 Magmacore Golem (MM5 70)
DC10 Sculpting
animate objects, commune, lesser planar binding
19650gp 1400xp
Comments: It just doesn't have the combat stats to really do what it was designed to do(worse overall than the Flesh Golem though with Fire/Electicity immunity).
09 Shardsoul Slayer (MM5 149)
DC15 Armorsmithing
animate objects, lesser planar binding, shatter
41000gp 2800xp (creates 3)
Comments: Seeing as Wizards forgot to include the costs for creating higher HD versions of this, it really isn't that good. The cost per construct is actually pretty reasonable, but the lack of scaling means that they will be outmatched in combat.
10 Caryatid Column (FF 30)
DC15 Sculpting/Stonemasonry
Creator must be able to cast arcane or divine spells
Requires a magic weapon, usually a +2 bastard sword (8335gp)
lesser geas, meld into stone, statue, stone shape
19535gp 419xp
Comments: Lack of HD advancement=bad. Destroying treasure=bad. This creature=bad.
10 Ice Golem (Frostburn 137)
DC15 Sculpting
Ice shape, wall of ice, and animate snow and ice or cone of cold
32000gp 2320xp
Comments: Has Improved Grab, but is rather costly compared to other options. Probably not the best use of your money.
11 Clay Golem (MM1 134)
DC15 Sculpting/Heal
animate objects, commune, resurrection
21500gp 1540xp
Comments: Magic items that eventually turn renegade and try to kill you tend not to be very good.
11 Gloom Golem (MM3 68)
DC21 Sculpting AND DC21 Knowledge (the planes)
Creator must be evil
crushing despair, limited wish, planar binding, polymorph any object
25000gp 1200xp
Comments: Stats aren't anything special and the Crushing Despair ability will affect you and your allies as well. Not very good.
11 Grave Dirt Golem (LM 105)
DC15 Sculpting
animate objects, commune, resurrection
18250gp 1400xp
Comments: Once again, stuff that eventually betrays you is a waste of money.
11 Incarnum Golem (MoI 179)
DC15 Sculpting
Ability to shape a soulmeld, animate object, limited wish, planar binding
27500go 1600xp
Comments:
12 Adamantine Spider (DotU 106)
DC18 Metalworking
animate objects, descern location
5450gp 436xp
Comments: Cheap, but wont do much good at lvl 12.
12 Arcane Ballista (The Forge of War 149)
DC18 Waponsmithing
Craft Magic Arms and Armors
flame blade, flame strike or fireball
37000gp 2960xp
Comments:
12 Cadaver Golem (HoH 149)
DC16 Leatherworking/heal
bull’s strength, create undead, geas/quest, limited wish
15750gp 1170xp
Comments:
12 Force Golem (MM5 68)
DC20 Armorsmithing
animate objects, contact other plane, lesser planar binding
29,250gp 2000xp
Comments: It terms of stats, this is inferior to the Flesh Golem. The pulse ability is interesting and it is immune to a larger set of spells but I wouldn't spend my money on this.
12 Iron Cobra (FF 103)
DC20 Armorsmithing/Weaponsmithing
Creator must be able to cast both arcane and divine spells
animate object, freemdom of movement, geas/quest, locate creature
2500gp 80xp
Comments: Similar to the Adamantine Spider; cheap, but utterly ineffective in combat at the level you can make them. The Locate Creature effect might be useful though
13 Dragonbone Golem (Draco 164)
DC20 Heal
animate dead, cause fear, geas/quest
60000gp 4400xp
Comments: .
13 Shredstorm (MM3 153)
DC25 Weaponsmithing
fly, geas/quest, greater magic weapon, lightning bolt, limited wish
50000gp 2800xp
Comments: A construct swarm with immunity ti weapon damage due to its size. Can be very useful, though lack of HD advancement and swarm vulnerabilities means that certain enemies will absolutely demolish this useful creature
14 Alchemical Golem (MM3 66)
DC20 Alchemy
geas/quest, limited wish, poison, polymorph any object
36000gp 2720xp
Comments: Dear Wizards of the Coast, Please stop printing constructs that try to kill their owners.
14 Blood Golem of Hextor (FF 85)
DC15 Heal
able to cast divine spells, Sacrificial victims
animate objects, bull's strength, gentle repose, heal
17,280gp 809XP
Comments: To-hit bonus is low, but the other aspects of this golem are pretty good for the cost.
14 Greater Stone Golem (MM1 137)
DC17 Sculpting/Stonemasonry
antimagic field, geas/quest, symbol of stunning
105000gp 7640xp
Comments: An advanced version of the Stone Golem, nothing more.
14 Mud Golem (MM3 70)
DC15 Pottery/Sculpting
geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object, transmute rock to mud
33000gp 2560xp
Comments: Interesting breath weapon, but otherwise doesn't really stand out.
14 Stone Golem (MM1 137)
DC17 Sculpting/Stonemasonry
antimagic field, geas/quest, slow, symbol of stunning
50000gp 3400xp
Comments:
14 Tombstone Golem (LM 105)
Same as Stone Golem
same as Stone Golem (but replace Slow with Slay Living)
70000gp 5200XP
Comments: Same as the Stone Golem except it replaces the Slow effect with a Slay Living effect. If the save DC weren't so low, I'd really like this option.
14 Web Golem (MM3 74)
DC20 Weaving/Profession (silkmaker)
geas/quest, limited wish, poison, polymorph any object, spider climb, web
33000gp 2560xp
Comments: The Adhesive ability is interesting; however, the base version only has 11HD, making it rather fragile to be put on the front lines.
15 Dread Guard (MM2 87)
DC25 Armorsmithing
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells and supply a martial weapon
fabricate, geas/quest, polymorph any object
40000gp 800xp
Comments: Worthless in 15th lvl combat and way too expensive
15 Helmed Horror (LEoF 175)
NA
air walk or fly, limited wish, spell turning
39150gp xp cost not listed
Comments: A very good choice. Air Walks, is intelligent (and get skills/feats as appropriate), can see invisible, and has a few, creator-selected, spell immunities. Also wears +3 Full-Plate.
15 Silvereye Marauder (FN 156)
DC20 Armorsmithing/Blacksmithing
Creator must be a Silver Pyromancer lvl 2 (FN 150)
limited wish, major creation, permanency
65000gp 4600xp
Comments: Is intelligent and has pounce and improved grab. Customize its feats and this could be a decent charger. The to-hit mod is a bit low though.
15 Shield Guardian (MM1 223)
DC16 Blacksmithing/Carpentry
limited wish, discern location, shield, shield other
65000gp 4600xp
Comments: Fills the role of bodyguard adequately with Shield Other + Fast Healing.
16 Brass Golem (MM2 117)
DC25 Armorsmithing AND DC25 Weaponsmithing
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
geas/quest, limited wish, maze, Mordenkainen’s sword, polymorph any object
33820gp 2247xp
Comments: The 3.5 Update document makes the price very low, considering that the +3 wounding weapon it comes makes up about 25,000gp of the creation cost. The body is pretty good for the price tag, being superior to the higher costed Flesh Golem.
16 Bronze Serpent (MM2 40)
DC25 Armorsmithing/Weaponsmithing
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object, shocking grasp
46500gp 3540xp
Comments:
16 Diamond Golem (MC 53)
DC16 Gemworking/Heal
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
Requires a 10000gp ruby
limited wish, sunbeam, polymorph any object, stone shape, dispel magic
67000gp 1500xp
Comments:
16 Dragonflesh Golem (MM2 117)
DC25 Knowledge (nature) AND DC25 Heal
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object
92500gp 6800xp
Comments:
16 Drakestone Golem (Draco 164)
DC25 Sculpting/masonry
animate objects, antimagic field, flesh to stone, geas/quest
95000gp 6400xp
Comments:
16 Hangman Golem (MM3 69)
DC20 Weaving (5 or more ranks in Use Rope gives a +2 bonus)
animate rope, geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object
72625gp 5710xp
Comments: Meant to be a grapple-bot (Constrict, Improved Grab, Strangle), but has a rather low grapple mod (+25). Having Immunity to Magic (immunity to most buff spells) means that this problem is harder to fix.
16 Iron Golem (MM1 136)
DC20 Armorsmithing/Weaponsmithing
cloudkill, geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object
80000gp 5600xp
Comments:
16 Jade Spider (CotSQ 121)
DC 17 Sculpting/Masonry
able to cast arcane spells, geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object, flesh to stone, bestow curse, forcecage
80,000gp 1,600XP
Comments:
16 Ruby Golem (MC 53)
DC15 Gemworking/Heal
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
Requires a 10000gp ruby
limited wish, move earth, polymorph any object, stone shape
57000gp 1500xp
Comments:
16 Runic Guardian (MM2 182)
DC20 Profession(engineer)/Sculpting AND DC15 Metalworking
“limited wish, discern location, shield, shield other” + Spells that construct is imbued with
97500gp 6600xp
The lab where the Runic Guardian is awakened, costs 2000gp to establish, instead of the normal 500gp
Note: The description lists neither spells nor xp cost, so I’ve taken the spells from Shield Guardian (MM1 223) as it says the processes are nearly identical.
Comments: A Suped-up Shield Guardian with a better version of Shield other (soaks up 75% of the damage) and has a few, creator-chosen, SLAs. Stunning Strike isn't bad, thought the Guardians to-hit (+18) is a bit low.
16 Slaughterstone Eviscerator (MM3 160)
DC20 Sculpting/Stonemasonry
Creator must supply 4 large +2 adamantine greatswords
keen edge, geas/quest, haste, stoneskin
67500gp 4800xp
Comments: Notable for being able to move 15ft and still make a full-attack.
16 Spiderstone Golem (CotSQ 120)
DC 17 Sculpting/Masonry
able to cast divine spells and have access to the Drow domain, geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object, spider climb, freedom of movement
80,000gp 1,600XP
Comments: Things that eventually turn on their creators (Berserk quality) tend to be poor purchases.
16 Stained Glass Golem (MM2 116)
DC25 Glassmaking
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object
15000gp 1080xp
Comments:
16 Wicker Man (FF 188)
DC15 Alchemy AND DC17 Woodworking
Creator must be able to cast divine spells
entangle, liveoak, protection from energy
48000gp 1080xp
Comments: For a creature intended to function as a big stupid fighter, this creature has pretty aweful stats.
17 Emerald Golem (MC 53)
DC15 Gemworking/Heal
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
Requires a 10000gp ruby
dimensional anchor, polymorph any object, stone shape, teleportation circle
62000gp 1500xp
Comments:
17 Prismatic Golem (MM3 71)
DC22 Sculpting AND DC22 Knowledge (the planes)
Creator must be good
greater planar binding, polymorph any object, prismatic sphere, wish
150000gp 8000xp
Comments: An Incorporeal construct. Has some formidable defenses, but has a rather weak offense. Being incorporeal can auto-win some fights, but I'm not sure that it is worth the hefty price-tag.
17 Shadesteel Golem (MM3 72)
DC30 Armorsmithing
energy drain, geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object, shades
70000gp 4800xp
Comments: This is for any necromancers who don't rely on rebuking to control their undead.
18 Battle Horror (LEoF 176)
NA
air walk or fly, blink, dimension door, limited wish, magic missile, spell turning
76650gp xp cost not listed
Comments: As Helmed Horror, except with 20hd, +5 Full-Plate, and a few SLAs (Magic Missle, Blink, and Dimension Door)
18 Demonflesh Golem (FF 88)
DC 15 Heal and DC 20 Know: the planes
access to demon bodies/fiendish grafts. Graft Flesh feat, able to cast both arcane and divine spells
darkness, destruction, geas/quest, horrid wilting, planar binding, poison, unholy aura, unholy blight
101,000gp 7,96XP
Comments: Good DR, energy resistances, and natural armor. Is intelligent (and has feats), has a few decent SLAs. It's Claw graft would go well with a charger build.
18 Hellfire Golem (FF 88)
DC 20 Sculpting
Able to cast both arcane and divine spells
burning, hands, fireball, flamestrike, flare, geas/quest, planar ally, produce flame
101,000gp 7840XP
Comments: Intelligent, but is outdone by the Demonflesh Golem. The SLAs this has are pretty bad due to the low save DCs.
18 Ironwyrm Golem (Draco 165)
DC30 Armorsmithing/weaponsmithing
animate objects, antimagic field, geas/quest, incendiary cloud, limited wish
125000gp 8000xp
Comments:
18 Juggernaut (MM2 132)
DC18 Sculpting/Profession (mason)
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
bull’s strength, geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object, forcecage, grease, hold monster, magic missile, slow, wall of force, web
75000gp 5400xp
Comments: Wall of Force and Forcecage at will. Need I say more?
18 Nimblewright (MM2 162)
DC16 Sculpting/Profession (mason)
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
geas/quest, haste, limited wish, polymorph any object
18500gp 580xp
Comments:
18 Scouring Slinger (MM5 144)
NA
creeping doom, shambler
58500gp 3000xp
Comments:
18 Scouring Stanchion (MM5 145)
DC25 Woodworking
creeping doom, animate plants
52,200gp 3000xp
Comments: Wow... just wow. AC 38, 325 HP (30 HD), +32 to-hit, uses Cha for bonus HP/HD, SR 27 (not too shabby against NPCs). This creature also can be advanced for only 500gp/HD. Very impressive as a high-level combat machine.
18 Slaughterstone Behemoth (MM3 159)
DC25 Sculpting/Stonemasonry
geas/quest, sound burst, stoneskin
90000gp 6400xp
Comments:
19 Grisgol (MM3 76)
DC25 Bookbinding
Creator must capture and supply a lich’s phylactery. He must destroy the lich, and finalize the Grisgol before the lich returns.
See description for extra costs.
control undead, geas/quest, illusory script, insanity, limited wish, mending, polymorph any object, plus all spells to be included in the Grisgol, see desc.
110000gp 8000xp
Comments: NOT for melee combat, despite some of the lich-esque touch abilities. The selectable SLAs (one per spell level. Each usable 1/day) are really the only reason to make this, and the added cost to create for giving it spells with expensive material components/XP makes even that hard to really abuse.
20 Blackstone Gigant (FF 21)
DC25 Sculpting/Stonemasonry
Creator must be able to cast divine spells
animate objects, flesh to stone, geas/quest, miracle
105,000gp, 7800xp
Comments: Nice attack routine (4 Slams with +38 to-hit, each with a flesh to stone effect), is intelligent, good movement modes (fly, climb, and land), and has a decent AC (+27 Natural Armor). A bit late in the game, but decent in its own right.
http://community.wizards.com/forum/previous-editions-character-optimization/threads/1156126
Mechonomicon
The purpose of this thread is similar to that of my previous thread, Collection of Necromatic Oddities http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=181.0. However, this one is dedicated to the various mechanical monstrosities and quirky gizmos that can be created with the Craft Construct feat (MM 303).
Format
•Required level _ Name (book page)
•Skill Checks: Unless stated otherwise, you must make either of these (crafting) checks, not both Any other requirements, like a big gem
•Spells needed in the creation process
•Cost in gp, cost in xp (these are creation costs, not buying cost)
Note that the 3.5 Update Document significantly altered the price of FF and MM2 constructs.
01 Arbalester (MoE 152)
DC14 Sculpting/Carpentry
arcane eye, mending
1250gp 93xp
Comments: Basically a self-firing light crossbow (can be enhanced as such). Won't be that good at mid/high levels due to: lack of Attack bonus, HPs, and the damage they deal their creator when destroyed.
01 Dedicated Wright (ECS 285)
DC14 Pottery
arcane Eye, fabricate
2100gp 160xp
Comments: Crafts magic items for you while you go dungeon-delving. Useful for when your DM doesn't give unlimited downtime for item crafting.
01 Expiditious Messenger (ECS 285)
DC16 Sculpting
arcane eye, sending
1650gp 126xp
Comments: See Homunculus, but with better mobility
01 Furtive Filcher (ECS 286)
DC12 Sculpting/Pottery
arcane eye, shadow conjuration
1550gp 118xp
Comments:
01 Necrophidius (FF 126)
DC13 Sculpting
Sor/wiz: geas/quest, hold person, hypnotism, Mordenkainen's faithful hound
Cle: animate objects, command, geas/quest, hold person
2000gp 100XP
Comments: These have rules for creating advanced versions of them; however, the Advancement Entry in the stat block caps out at 6 HD (making there usefulness peter out). Until then though, it's a decent combatant with Sneak Attack and a Paralyzing bite.
01 Packmate (MoE 152)
DC14 Sculpting
arcane lock, arcane eye, mending
1260gp 93xp
Comments: Cute, but is too easily destroyed for something that's basically a walking backpack.
01 Persistent Harrier (MoE 153)
DC14 Sculpting
arcane eye, mending
1250gp 93xp
Comments: I'm not a fan of Homunculii being in the middle of combat. It's +3 Melee att. bonus won't get you very far.
04 Clockroach (MM4 28)
DC14 Metalworking
Arcane eye, Melf’s acid arrow, message
1075gp 80xp
Comments: Too weak to be used in combat. The 1/5 round acid breath weapon is its only notable feature (can be useful for Out-of-combat purposes). Artificers can treat it as a Homunculus
04 Clockwork Steed (MM4 32)
DC18 Blacksmithing
animate objects, mount
1150gp 80xp
Comments: Interesting mount choice. Can be upgraded with bonus feats (limited choices) for a relatively low price after its created. Can't be advanced by HD though.
04 Homunculus (MM1 154)
DC12 Sculpting/Pottery
arcane eye, mirror image, mending
1050gp 78xp
Comments:
I like homunculi. Advance them to max HD and hand-pick their skills&feats to make UMD-using turrets.
(9 ranks, skill focus and that +2/+2 skill, -1 Cha for 13 ranks. Add a masterwork tool(~300gp) and a +5 magic skill booster and you're there. Total cost under 13 K or so, for an autonomous magic-using flying mind-linked bot. )
04 Iron Defender (ECS 287)
DC14 Metalworking
arcane eye, keen edge, mirror image, mending
1250gp 93xp
Comments:
05 Alchemy Beetle (SoX 74)
DC15 Blacksmithing and Glassblowing
fireball
4000gp 240xp
Comments: Not that good. The creation guidelines fail to mention the cost of advancing this construct (despite the advancement entry for this monster), so you're stuck with the weakling version.
05 Clockwork Mender (MM4 30)
DC15 Blacksmithing
mending, repair light damage
1250gp 68xp
Comments: Too bad you can't craft the swarm version of this creature, which could serve as an out-of-combat repair unit for your other constructs. This version only gives 1d8 points of healing per day.
07 Crawling Claws (LEoF 163)
NA
animate dead, cat’s grace, lesser geas
9250gp 710xp
Comments: Well, it's a swarm, but it's a size category too large to be immune to slashing/piercing weapons. Has Blindsight (which can be useful) but will probably die fast.
07 Fang Golem (MM4 72)
DC15 Sculpting or Weaving
greater magic fang, reincarnate, spike stones
8000gp 580xp
Comments: Decent stats, Att. bonus, etc. Pretty usable when you can make them.
07 Umbral Spy (The Forge of War 155)
DC15 Alchemy and Spellcraft
shadow conjuration, speak with dead
11000gp 840xp
Comments: An intelligent incorporeal construct with telepathy (yay Mindsight feat), hide in plain sight, and whose attack deals wisdom damage. Very good choice, made better by the fact that it does list a cost to advance.
08 Brass Steed (HoB 153)
DC12 Armorsmithing/weaponsmithing
animate objects, bull’s strength, flame arrow, geas/quest, haste
10000gp 720xp
Comments: A decent mount at the level you get it. However, it doesn't list the cost to advance (despite having an advancement entry in its stat block) so it is less useful after a few levels.
08 Flesh Golem (MM1 135)
DC13 Leatherworking/Heal
Creator must supply 6 different bodies
animate dead, bull’s strength, geas/quest, limited wish
10500go 780xp
Comments: Stats aren't horrible, but it will occasionally try to kill you, which is not cool at all.
08 Serpentflesh Golem (SK 82)
DC13 Leatherworking/Heal
animate dead, bull's strengh, geas/quest, limited wish
10,500gp 780XP
Comments: Nice, you can pay to attach more arms to it and it doesn't try to kill you.
09 Magmacore Golem (MM5 70)
DC10 Sculpting
animate objects, commune, lesser planar binding
19650gp 1400xp
Comments: It just doesn't have the combat stats to really do what it was designed to do(worse overall than the Flesh Golem though with Fire/Electicity immunity).
09 Shardsoul Slayer (MM5 149)
DC15 Armorsmithing
animate objects, lesser planar binding, shatter
41000gp 2800xp (creates 3)
Comments: Seeing as Wizards forgot to include the costs for creating higher HD versions of this, it really isn't that good. The cost per construct is actually pretty reasonable, but the lack of scaling means that they will be outmatched in combat.
10 Caryatid Column (FF 30)
DC15 Sculpting/Stonemasonry
Creator must be able to cast arcane or divine spells
Requires a magic weapon, usually a +2 bastard sword (8335gp)
lesser geas, meld into stone, statue, stone shape
19535gp 419xp
Comments: Lack of HD advancement=bad. Destroying treasure=bad. This creature=bad.
10 Ice Golem (Frostburn 137)
DC15 Sculpting
Ice shape, wall of ice, and animate snow and ice or cone of cold
32000gp 2320xp
Comments: Has Improved Grab, but is rather costly compared to other options. Probably not the best use of your money.
11 Clay Golem (MM1 134)
DC15 Sculpting/Heal
animate objects, commune, resurrection
21500gp 1540xp
Comments: Magic items that eventually turn renegade and try to kill you tend not to be very good.
11 Gloom Golem (MM3 68)
DC21 Sculpting AND DC21 Knowledge (the planes)
Creator must be evil
crushing despair, limited wish, planar binding, polymorph any object
25000gp 1200xp
Comments: Stats aren't anything special and the Crushing Despair ability will affect you and your allies as well. Not very good.
11 Grave Dirt Golem (LM 105)
DC15 Sculpting
animate objects, commune, resurrection
18250gp 1400xp
Comments: Once again, stuff that eventually betrays you is a waste of money.
11 Incarnum Golem (MoI 179)
DC15 Sculpting
Ability to shape a soulmeld, animate object, limited wish, planar binding
27500go 1600xp
Comments:
12 Adamantine Spider (DotU 106)
DC18 Metalworking
animate objects, descern location
5450gp 436xp
Comments: Cheap, but wont do much good at lvl 12.
12 Arcane Ballista (The Forge of War 149)
DC18 Waponsmithing
Craft Magic Arms and Armors
flame blade, flame strike or fireball
37000gp 2960xp
Comments:
12 Cadaver Golem (HoH 149)
DC16 Leatherworking/heal
bull’s strength, create undead, geas/quest, limited wish
15750gp 1170xp
Comments:
12 Force Golem (MM5 68)
DC20 Armorsmithing
animate objects, contact other plane, lesser planar binding
29,250gp 2000xp
Comments: It terms of stats, this is inferior to the Flesh Golem. The pulse ability is interesting and it is immune to a larger set of spells but I wouldn't spend my money on this.
12 Iron Cobra (FF 103)
DC20 Armorsmithing/Weaponsmithing
Creator must be able to cast both arcane and divine spells
animate object, freemdom of movement, geas/quest, locate creature
2500gp 80xp
Comments: Similar to the Adamantine Spider; cheap, but utterly ineffective in combat at the level you can make them. The Locate Creature effect might be useful though
13 Dragonbone Golem (Draco 164)
DC20 Heal
animate dead, cause fear, geas/quest
60000gp 4400xp
Comments: .
13 Shredstorm (MM3 153)
DC25 Weaponsmithing
fly, geas/quest, greater magic weapon, lightning bolt, limited wish
50000gp 2800xp
Comments: A construct swarm with immunity ti weapon damage due to its size. Can be very useful, though lack of HD advancement and swarm vulnerabilities means that certain enemies will absolutely demolish this useful creature
14 Alchemical Golem (MM3 66)
DC20 Alchemy
geas/quest, limited wish, poison, polymorph any object
36000gp 2720xp
Comments: Dear Wizards of the Coast, Please stop printing constructs that try to kill their owners.
14 Blood Golem of Hextor (FF 85)
DC15 Heal
able to cast divine spells, Sacrificial victims
animate objects, bull's strength, gentle repose, heal
17,280gp 809XP
Comments: To-hit bonus is low, but the other aspects of this golem are pretty good for the cost.
14 Greater Stone Golem (MM1 137)
DC17 Sculpting/Stonemasonry
antimagic field, geas/quest, symbol of stunning
105000gp 7640xp
Comments: An advanced version of the Stone Golem, nothing more.
14 Mud Golem (MM3 70)
DC15 Pottery/Sculpting
geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object, transmute rock to mud
33000gp 2560xp
Comments: Interesting breath weapon, but otherwise doesn't really stand out.
14 Stone Golem (MM1 137)
DC17 Sculpting/Stonemasonry
antimagic field, geas/quest, slow, symbol of stunning
50000gp 3400xp
Comments:
14 Tombstone Golem (LM 105)
Same as Stone Golem
same as Stone Golem (but replace Slow with Slay Living)
70000gp 5200XP
Comments: Same as the Stone Golem except it replaces the Slow effect with a Slay Living effect. If the save DC weren't so low, I'd really like this option.
14 Web Golem (MM3 74)
DC20 Weaving/Profession (silkmaker)
geas/quest, limited wish, poison, polymorph any object, spider climb, web
33000gp 2560xp
Comments: The Adhesive ability is interesting; however, the base version only has 11HD, making it rather fragile to be put on the front lines.
15 Dread Guard (MM2 87)
DC25 Armorsmithing
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells and supply a martial weapon
fabricate, geas/quest, polymorph any object
40000gp 800xp
Comments: Worthless in 15th lvl combat and way too expensive
15 Helmed Horror (LEoF 175)
NA
air walk or fly, limited wish, spell turning
39150gp xp cost not listed
Comments: A very good choice. Air Walks, is intelligent (and get skills/feats as appropriate), can see invisible, and has a few, creator-selected, spell immunities. Also wears +3 Full-Plate.
15 Silvereye Marauder (FN 156)
DC20 Armorsmithing/Blacksmithing
Creator must be a Silver Pyromancer lvl 2 (FN 150)
limited wish, major creation, permanency
65000gp 4600xp
Comments: Is intelligent and has pounce and improved grab. Customize its feats and this could be a decent charger. The to-hit mod is a bit low though.
15 Shield Guardian (MM1 223)
DC16 Blacksmithing/Carpentry
limited wish, discern location, shield, shield other
65000gp 4600xp
Comments: Fills the role of bodyguard adequately with Shield Other + Fast Healing.
16 Brass Golem (MM2 117)
DC25 Armorsmithing AND DC25 Weaponsmithing
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
geas/quest, limited wish, maze, Mordenkainen’s sword, polymorph any object
33820gp 2247xp
Comments: The 3.5 Update document makes the price very low, considering that the +3 wounding weapon it comes makes up about 25,000gp of the creation cost. The body is pretty good for the price tag, being superior to the higher costed Flesh Golem.
16 Bronze Serpent (MM2 40)
DC25 Armorsmithing/Weaponsmithing
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object, shocking grasp
46500gp 3540xp
Comments:
16 Diamond Golem (MC 53)
DC16 Gemworking/Heal
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
Requires a 10000gp ruby
limited wish, sunbeam, polymorph any object, stone shape, dispel magic
67000gp 1500xp
Comments:
16 Dragonflesh Golem (MM2 117)
DC25 Knowledge (nature) AND DC25 Heal
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object
92500gp 6800xp
Comments:
16 Drakestone Golem (Draco 164)
DC25 Sculpting/masonry
animate objects, antimagic field, flesh to stone, geas/quest
95000gp 6400xp
Comments:
16 Hangman Golem (MM3 69)
DC20 Weaving (5 or more ranks in Use Rope gives a +2 bonus)
animate rope, geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object
72625gp 5710xp
Comments: Meant to be a grapple-bot (Constrict, Improved Grab, Strangle), but has a rather low grapple mod (+25). Having Immunity to Magic (immunity to most buff spells) means that this problem is harder to fix.
16 Iron Golem (MM1 136)
DC20 Armorsmithing/Weaponsmithing
cloudkill, geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object
80000gp 5600xp
Comments:
16 Jade Spider (CotSQ 121)
DC 17 Sculpting/Masonry
able to cast arcane spells, geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object, flesh to stone, bestow curse, forcecage
80,000gp 1,600XP
Comments:
16 Ruby Golem (MC 53)
DC15 Gemworking/Heal
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
Requires a 10000gp ruby
limited wish, move earth, polymorph any object, stone shape
57000gp 1500xp
Comments:
16 Runic Guardian (MM2 182)
DC20 Profession(engineer)/Sculpting AND DC15 Metalworking
“limited wish, discern location, shield, shield other” + Spells that construct is imbued with
97500gp 6600xp
The lab where the Runic Guardian is awakened, costs 2000gp to establish, instead of the normal 500gp
Note: The description lists neither spells nor xp cost, so I’ve taken the spells from Shield Guardian (MM1 223) as it says the processes are nearly identical.
Comments: A Suped-up Shield Guardian with a better version of Shield other (soaks up 75% of the damage) and has a few, creator-chosen, SLAs. Stunning Strike isn't bad, thought the Guardians to-hit (+18) is a bit low.
16 Slaughterstone Eviscerator (MM3 160)
DC20 Sculpting/Stonemasonry
Creator must supply 4 large +2 adamantine greatswords
keen edge, geas/quest, haste, stoneskin
67500gp 4800xp
Comments: Notable for being able to move 15ft and still make a full-attack.
16 Spiderstone Golem (CotSQ 120)
DC 17 Sculpting/Masonry
able to cast divine spells and have access to the Drow domain, geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object, spider climb, freedom of movement
80,000gp 1,600XP
Comments: Things that eventually turn on their creators (Berserk quality) tend to be poor purchases.
16 Stained Glass Golem (MM2 116)
DC25 Glassmaking
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object
15000gp 1080xp
Comments:
16 Wicker Man (FF 188)
DC15 Alchemy AND DC17 Woodworking
Creator must be able to cast divine spells
entangle, liveoak, protection from energy
48000gp 1080xp
Comments: For a creature intended to function as a big stupid fighter, this creature has pretty aweful stats.
17 Emerald Golem (MC 53)
DC15 Gemworking/Heal
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
Requires a 10000gp ruby
dimensional anchor, polymorph any object, stone shape, teleportation circle
62000gp 1500xp
Comments:
17 Prismatic Golem (MM3 71)
DC22 Sculpting AND DC22 Knowledge (the planes)
Creator must be good
greater planar binding, polymorph any object, prismatic sphere, wish
150000gp 8000xp
Comments: An Incorporeal construct. Has some formidable defenses, but has a rather weak offense. Being incorporeal can auto-win some fights, but I'm not sure that it is worth the hefty price-tag.
17 Shadesteel Golem (MM3 72)
DC30 Armorsmithing
energy drain, geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object, shades
70000gp 4800xp
Comments: This is for any necromancers who don't rely on rebuking to control their undead.
18 Battle Horror (LEoF 176)
NA
air walk or fly, blink, dimension door, limited wish, magic missile, spell turning
76650gp xp cost not listed
Comments: As Helmed Horror, except with 20hd, +5 Full-Plate, and a few SLAs (Magic Missle, Blink, and Dimension Door)
18 Demonflesh Golem (FF 88)
DC 15 Heal and DC 20 Know: the planes
access to demon bodies/fiendish grafts. Graft Flesh feat, able to cast both arcane and divine spells
darkness, destruction, geas/quest, horrid wilting, planar binding, poison, unholy aura, unholy blight
101,000gp 7,96XP
Comments: Good DR, energy resistances, and natural armor. Is intelligent (and has feats), has a few decent SLAs. It's Claw graft would go well with a charger build.
18 Hellfire Golem (FF 88)
DC 20 Sculpting
Able to cast both arcane and divine spells
burning, hands, fireball, flamestrike, flare, geas/quest, planar ally, produce flame
101,000gp 7840XP
Comments: Intelligent, but is outdone by the Demonflesh Golem. The SLAs this has are pretty bad due to the low save DCs.
18 Ironwyrm Golem (Draco 165)
DC30 Armorsmithing/weaponsmithing
animate objects, antimagic field, geas/quest, incendiary cloud, limited wish
125000gp 8000xp
Comments:
18 Juggernaut (MM2 132)
DC18 Sculpting/Profession (mason)
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
bull’s strength, geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object, forcecage, grease, hold monster, magic missile, slow, wall of force, web
75000gp 5400xp
Comments: Wall of Force and Forcecage at will. Need I say more?
18 Nimblewright (MM2 162)
DC16 Sculpting/Profession (mason)
Creator must be able to cast arcane spells
geas/quest, haste, limited wish, polymorph any object
18500gp 580xp
Comments:
18 Scouring Slinger (MM5 144)
NA
creeping doom, shambler
58500gp 3000xp
Comments:
18 Scouring Stanchion (MM5 145)
DC25 Woodworking
creeping doom, animate plants
52,200gp 3000xp
Comments: Wow... just wow. AC 38, 325 HP (30 HD), +32 to-hit, uses Cha for bonus HP/HD, SR 27 (not too shabby against NPCs). This creature also can be advanced for only 500gp/HD. Very impressive as a high-level combat machine.
18 Slaughterstone Behemoth (MM3 159)
DC25 Sculpting/Stonemasonry
geas/quest, sound burst, stoneskin
90000gp 6400xp
Comments:
19 Grisgol (MM3 76)
DC25 Bookbinding
Creator must capture and supply a lich’s phylactery. He must destroy the lich, and finalize the Grisgol before the lich returns.
See description for extra costs.
control undead, geas/quest, illusory script, insanity, limited wish, mending, polymorph any object, plus all spells to be included in the Grisgol, see desc.
110000gp 8000xp
Comments: NOT for melee combat, despite some of the lich-esque touch abilities. The selectable SLAs (one per spell level. Each usable 1/day) are really the only reason to make this, and the added cost to create for giving it spells with expensive material components/XP makes even that hard to really abuse.
20 Blackstone Gigant (FF 21)
DC25 Sculpting/Stonemasonry
Creator must be able to cast divine spells
animate objects, flesh to stone, geas/quest, miracle
105,000gp, 7800xp
Comments: Nice attack routine (4 Slams with +38 to-hit, each with a flesh to stone effect), is intelligent, good movement modes (fly, climb, and land), and has a decent AC (+27 Natural Armor). A bit late in the game, but decent in its own right.