Is there anything that permanently animates an object?

[Hackulator]

As opposed to the spell which is only temporary.

[Malroth]

In 3.5 Permanency can be applied to animate object on a 14th lv character for 3000 xp

In Pathfinder Permanent animated objects can be crafted similarly to golems by a character with the craft construct feat

[the_david]

Permanancy at level 14. An alternative would be a magical trap that animates the object under certain circumstances.

Edit: Annoying ninjas everywhere...

[Celestia]

A perpetual motion machine and some gears. *nods*

[Gruftzwerg]

Polymorph any Object could work too, but comes later than the permanency + animate object combo.

[noob]

Minor servitor animate objects permanently(and makes the animated object intelligent).

[DrMotives]

Being chosen as an urban druid's urban companion.

[Inevitability]

Animate Objects, followed by submerging the object in quintessence. :smalltongue:

[noob]

quintessence is way too awesome for the universe.

[Hackulator]

Polymorph any Object could work too, but comes later than the permanency + animate object combo.

So are you basically saying, Polymorph an object into an animated version of the object which would therefore have a duration factor of 9?

[noob]

No it does not works: it can not create magical objects and the restriction about types from polymorph is not removed in polymorph any object.

[Hackulator]

No it does not works: it can not create magical objects and the restriction about types from polymorph is not removed in polymorph any object.

An animated object is not a magical item, it is a creature.

[noob]

And it is why the types restriction of polymorph who have not been removed in polymorph any object apply.
also any object who have a spell on top of it are magical object.
so you can neither transform something in an object who have the animate object spell on top of it nor you can transform something in a creature of the construct type.

[Hackulator]

And it is why the types restriction of polymorph who have not been removed in polymorph any object apply.
also any object who have a spell on top of it are magical object.
so you can neither transform something in an object who have the animate object spell on top of it nor you can transform something in a creature of the construct type.

Actually, those limitations clearly no longer exist, as you can polymorph any object something into an object, whereas with normal polymorph you can ONLY polymorph something into one of the listed creature types and nothing else.

[noob]

Actually, those limitations clearly no longer exist, as you can polymorph any object something into an object, whereas with normal polymorph you can ONLY polymorph something into one of the listed creature types and nothing else.
Except is just says like polymorph but can also turn creatures in objects and objects in creatures.
Which do not remove the type limitation when you turn something in a creature.
polymorph allows to turn stuff into creatures of a limited list of types and polymorph any object allows also to turn in objects but never removed the limits in the types of the form when turning something in a creature.
Anyway there is a lot of guides where people say that polymorph any object can not turn stuff in constructs or undeads.(so if you believe guides interpretation of rules it do not works)

[Hackulator]

Except is just says like polymorph but can also turn creatures in objects and objects in creatures.
Which do not remove the type limitation when you turn something in a creature.
polymorph allows to turn stuff into creatures of a limited list of types and polymorph any object allows also to turn in objects but never removed the limits in the types of the form when turning something in a creature.
Anyway there is a lot of guides where people say that polymorph any object can not turn stuff in constructs or undeads.(so if you believe guides interpretation of rules it do not works)

From the spell: "This spell functions like polymorph, except that it changes one object or creature into another."

No limitations given, and clearly the limitations from polymorph are no longer accurate. You're basically saying "these limitations still apply when you are staying withing these limitations" but since you don't have to stay within them, clearly, they can't be said to apply. RAW, it should work. Whether that is RAI is questionable. The lack of limitations is what makes it different.

[noob]

But then if we go the interpret in any way you want the rules thinking school we should include the following ways to permanently animate an object:
Iron heart surge.
Truename dispel.
Freedom of movement.
Mind blank.
Manipulate form.
And so on.

[BenoftheVale]

I came up with a couple ideas to make Animated Objects Permanent:

Magic Trap: Automatic resetting trap of animate objects on 1 huge object.
Gp: 33000
Xp: 2640
Time: 66 days
CL: 11
Other: Craft Wondrous Item

Magic Item: Continuous Magic Item
Gp: 528000
Xp: 21120
Time: 528 days
CL: 11
Other: Craft Wondrous Item

Spells: Animate Objects + Permanency
Gp: 0
Xp: 3000
Time: ~18 seconds
CL: 14
Other: none


Obviously, the continuous magic item is the most expensive. The only reasons to use the trap version that I can see is if you really want it 3 levels earlier or you really want to hold on to that 360 xp.

[Gruftzwerg]

And it is why the types restriction of polymorph who have not been removed in polymorph any object apply.
also any object who have a spell on top of it are magical object.
so you can neither transform something in an object who have the animate object spell on top of it nor you can transform something in a creature of the construct type.

Animated Objects are "Constructs" which is a legal target form for "Polymorph any Object".

Construct Type:

A construct is an animated object or artificially constructed creature.

and be aware of the difference between:

magical object != magic item
PAO only restriction is that you may not turn things into magic items. Constructs/Animated objects are not Magic Items. They are magical objects/creatures.
And as said, Constructs are a legal target for PAO.

You just need to get a "+9" duration to make it permanent.

edit:
e.g. turn a "door" into an "animated door" and you easily hit the permanent duration.

[unseenmage]

Be aware that because Craft Construct is an item creation feat some tables play with the interpretation that Constructs made with it ARE magic items (which inevitably causes more problems than it solves).

Pathfinder Animated Objects can simply be created as actual golem-like constructs already.

There is also the old 3.0 Flying weapon enhancement that lets the enchanted melee weapon turn into an animated object that flies.

[RoboEmperor]

Ravid
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/ravid.htm

At-will Animate Object aura at CL20.

If you can permanently mind control the Ravid, or be able to reliably lesser planar bind it regularly then he's your guy.

[The Viscount]

If you use haunt shift on an undead you control, you can direct it to possess an object which then acts as an animated object of up to Huge size.

[Vizzerdrix]

Minor servitor animate objects permanently(and makes the animated object intelligent).

I will second this. From savage species, i think.

[lolcat]

There is "minor servitor" in Savage Species.

Lvl 5 Sorc/Wiz, Lvl 7 Cleric.

"You imbue an inanimate object with mobility and a semblance of life.
The animated object is friendly toward you.
You have no special empathy or connection with the object, although it serves you in specific tasks or endeavors if you communicate your desires to it."

Might fight the bill?

[Wraith]

Do you specifically need to animate a particular object, or would an approximation do? Because if you don't mind the latter, you can quite simply go out and Dominate (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/dominateMonster.htm) a Mimic and have it be whatever object you want.

Alternatively, drop some points into Handle Animal and pick up the Monstrous Companion (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/monstrous-companion/) feat and negotiate with your GM to have a pet Mimic as a Druid. Basically the same thing, but without a) having to cast level 9 magic and b) no chance of it being dispelled and/or forgetting to renew the spell every day. :smalltongue:

[Hackulator]

Do you specifically need to animate a particular object, or would an approximation do? Because if you don't mind the latter, you can quite simply go out and Dominate (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/dominateMonster.htm) a Mimic and have it be whatever object you want.

Alternatively, drop some points into Handle Animal and pick up the Monstrous Companion (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/monstrous-companion/) feat and negotiate with your GM to have a pet Mimic as a Druid. Basically the same thing, but without a) having to cast level 9 magic and b) no chance of it being dispelled and/or forgetting to renew the spell every day. :smalltongue:

Cute idea, but what I really want is to animate an arguably "humanoid shaped" item and then cast Awaken Construct on it.

[unseenmage]

Cute idea, but what I really want is to animate an arguably "humanoid shaped" item and then cast Awaken Construct on it.

Oh, well in that case a humanoid statue or even a humanoid corpse will do.
Permanency should allow for Awaken Construct to be used on an Animated Object, just be sure to ask your GM.

One odd niggle though, the magical property of a Permanencied Animated Object will not go away once it has been Awakened. So you're left with a sentient, free willed creature whom you could slay at a monent's notice via Dispelling magic and which will cease to be in an Antimagic Field.

This could potentially put a strain on that automatically Friendly disposition.

[Hackulator]

Oh, well in that case a humanoid statue or even a humanoid corpse will do.
Permanency should allow for Awaken Construct to be used on an Animated Object, just be sure to ask your GM.

One odd niggle though, the magical property of a Permanencied Animated Object will not go away once it has been Awakened. So you're left with a sentient, free willed creature whom you could slay at a monent's notice via Dispelling magic and which will cease to be in an Antimagic Field.

This could potentially put a strain on that automatically Friendly disposition.

Yes I have considered this. I don't really care about the Friendly disposition, I just want to create the thing.

Can epic spells be dispelled?

[Inevitability]

Yes I have considered this. I don't really care about the Friendly disposition, I just want to create the thing.

Can epic spells be dispelled?

Other Epic magic can, at the very least, unless the Epic spell in question is instantaneous.

[Hackulator]

Other Epic magic can, at the very least, unless the Epic spell in question is instantaneous.

Actually, I just checked it, and with the Life Seed you can just make an instantaneous spell that brings an inanimate object to life, so, problem solved.