3.5 PC-accessible Constructs and their GP/HD and GP/CR ratios

[Coidzor]

I've been working off and on to catalogue the available constructs in a 3.P context for a 3.P construct guide.

That thing is still stalled out as heck, but some of it came up in another thread. Since I shared it there, I figured it should go ahead and have its own thread for now.

Except for Boguns and vanilla Homunculi, this is all the base versions of the construct without advancement.

Various Constructs and their GP/HD and GP/CR ratios:

Spoiler: Monster Manuals 1 through 5

Show

Monster Manual 1:

Homunculus: 2 HD. 525 gp/HD ratio base, 1,050 gp/CR ratio base. 1,509 gp/HD ratio advanced to the (soft?) limit of 6 HD. Can't recall the CR of a Homunculus with 6 HD offhand, though.

Shield Guardian: 15 HD. ~5,667 gp/HD ratio, 7,500 gp/CR ratio.

Clay Golem: 11 HD. ~1,955 gp/HD ratio, 2,150 gp/CR ratio. Permanent Berserk chance risk.

Flesh Golem: 9 HD. ~1,167 gp/HD ratio, 1,500 gp/CR ratio. Non-permanent Berserk chance risk.

Iron Golem: 18 HD. ~4,445 gp/HD ratio, ~6,154 gp/CR ratio.

Stone Golem: 14 HD. ~3,572 gp/HD ratio, ~4,546 gp/CR ratio.

Stone Golem, Greater: 42 HD. 2,500 gp/HD ratio, ~6,563 gp/CR ratio.


Monster Manual 2:


Bogun: 2 HD. 525 gp/HD ratio base, 1,050 gp/CR ratio base. 509 gp/HD ratio when advanced to the (soft?) limit of 6 HD. Similar to Homunculi, I can't recall the new CR of a 6 HD version offhand.

Bronze Serpent: 16 HD. ~2,907 gp/HD ratio, 4,650 gp/CR ratio.

Dread Guard: 5 HD. ~612 gp/HD ratio, ~1,530 gp/CR ratio.

Juggernaut: 18 HD. ~4,167 gp/HD ratio, ~6,819 gp/CR ratio.

Nimblewright: 10 HD. 1,850 gp/HD ratio, ~2,643 gp/CR ratio.

Runic Guardian: 17 HD. ~5736 gp/HD ratio. I seem to have mistakenly omitted the CR for a Runic Guardian, so it's 97,500/CR for that ratio.

Brass Golem: 16 HD. ~2,114 gp/HD ratio, 3,382 gp/CR ratio. Kinda weird pricing given it says that that the creation cost already includes a +3 Wounding Greataxe, but the cost of such a greataxe is actually greater than the creation cost of the golem.

Dragonflesh Golem: 30 HD. ~3,084 gp/HD ratio, ~7,116 gp/CR ratio.

Stained Glass Golem: 12 HD. 1,250 gp/HD ratio, 3,000 gp/CR ratio.


Monster Manual 3:


Golems:

Alchemical Golem: 22 HD. ~1,637 gp/HD ratio, ~3,273 gp/CR ratio.

Gloom Golem: 8 HD. ~3,125 gp/HD ratio, ~3,572 gp/CR ratio.

Hangman Golem: 18 HD. ~4,035 gp/HD ratio, ~5,587 gp/CR ratio.

Mud Golem: 15 HD. 2,200 gp/HD ratio, 3,000 gp/CR ratio.

Prismatic Golem: 20 HD. 7,500 gp/HD ratio, ~8,334 gp/CR ratio.

Shadesteel Golem: 18 HD. ~3,889 gp/HD ratio, ~6,364 gp/CR ratio.

Web Golem: 11 HD. 3,000 gp/HD ratio, ~4,715 gp/CR ratio.


Non-Golems:

Grisgol: 19 HD. ~5,790 gp/HD ratio, ~7,334 gp/CR ratio.

Shredstorm: 14 HD. ~3,572 gp/HD ratio, 6,250 gp/CR ratio.

Slaughterstone Behemoth: 29 HD. ~3,104 gp/HD ratio, 6,000 gp/CR ratio.

Slaughterstone Eviscerator: 15 HD. ~4,500 gp/HD ratio, 5,625 gp/CR ratio.

Topiary Guardian(Medium): HD varies. 20,800/HD, 20,800/CR+1(or CR 3)

Topiary Guardian(Large): HD varies. 62,400/HD, 62,400/CR+1(or CR 7)

Topiary Guardian(Huge): HD varies. 119,600/HD, 119,600/CR+1(or CR 12)

Topiary Guardians vary based upon the base Animal chosen, like a Legendary Ape or a Dungeonbred Titanic Toad.


Monster Manual 4:


Clockroach: 1 HD. 1,075 gp/HD and gp/CR ratio.

Clockwork Mender: 1 HD. 1,250 gp/HD ratio. CR 1/2 so 2,500 gp/CR ratio(?).

Clockwork Steed: 6 HD. ~192 gp/HD ratio, ~384 gp/CR ratio. This goes for both Stallions and Ponies.

Fang Golem: 8 HD. 1,000 gp/HD ratio, ~1,334 gp/CR ratio.


Monster Manual 5:


Force Golem: 4 HD. ~7,813 gp/HD ratio and gp/CR ratio. Can be dropped somewhat by making the 2,000 gp molds one's self.

Magmacore Golem: 4 HD. ~4,913 gp/HD ratio and gp/CR ratio. Can be dropped somewhat to ~4,638 by crafting the MW full plate one's self.

Shardsoul Slayer: 6 HD. ~6,834 gp/HD ratio, 8,200 gp/CR ratio. (~2,278 and ~2,734 respectively, considering they're made in batches of 3)

Scouring Slinger: 42 HD. ~1,393 gp/HD ratio, 3,250 gp/CR ratio. Grow disposable Sligner Scorpion constructs that last for 24 hours.

Scouring Stanchion: 30 HD. ~1,750 gp/HD ratio, ~2,917 gp/CR ratio.

Spoiler: Non-Setting Specific Sources

Show

Arms and Equipment Guide:


Equine Golem: 6 HD. ~3,334 gp/HD ratio, 4,000 gp/CR ratio.


Cityscape


Siege Golem: 16 HD. ~3,500 gp/HD ratio, ~4,667 gp/CR ratio.


Draconomicon:


Drakestone Golem: 35 HD. ~2,715 gp/HD ratio, ~6,334 gp/CR ratio.

Dragonbone Golem: 20 HD. 3,000 gp/HD ratio, 5,000 gp/CR ratio.

Ironwyrm Golem: 40 HD. 3,125 gp/HD ratio, 7,353 gp/CR ratio.


Drow of the Underdark:


Adamantine Spider: 4 HD. ~1,363 gp/HD ratio, ~1,817 gp/CR ratio.


Epic Level Handbook:


Flesh Colossus: 100 HD. 7,600 gp/HD ratio, ~28,149 gp/CR ratio. Without a ghost or spirit in it.

Iron Colossus: 96 HD. ~10,417 gp/HD ratio, 30,304 gp/CR ratio.

Stone Colossus: 64 HD. ~11,875 gp/HD ratio, ~31,667 gp/CR ratio.

Adamantine Golem: 54 HD. ~9,260 gp/HD ratio, 20,000 gp/CR ratio.

Mithral Golem: 36 HD. ~6,945 gp/HD ratio, ~11,905 gp/CR ratio.


Expanded Psionics Handbook:


Psion-Killer: 15 HD. ~5,257 gp/HD ratio, ~6,584 gp/CR ratio.


Fiend Folio:


Blood Golem of Hextor: 10 HD. 5,000 gp/HD ratio, 6,250 gp/CR ratio. Ratios can be adjusted by making the magic armor and masterwork weapons for the golem one's self.

Brain Golem: 12 HD. ~4,584 gp/HD ratio, 5,500 gp/CR ratio.

Demonflesh Golem: 24 HD. ~5,417 gp/HD ratio, ~7,223 gp/CR ratio.

Hellfire Golem: 20 HD. 6,250 gp/HD ratio, ~7,353 gp/CR ratio.

Blackstone Gigant: 32 HD. 6,250 gp/HD ratio, ~11,112 gp/CR ratio.

Caryatid Column: 6 HD. ~3,334+X/6 gp/HD ratio and gp/CR ratio. X being the cost of the magic weapon used to make it. Cheapest magic weapon would increase the ratio by ~183.

Iron Cobra: 2 HD. 10,000 gp/HD ratio and gp/CR ratio.

Maug: 2 HD. 5,000 gp/HD ratio, ~3,334 gp/CR ratio. This is for the base version before class levels.

Necrophidius: 2 HD. 2,500 gp/HD ratio and gp/CR ratio.

Wickerman: 12 HD. ~5,834 gp/HD ratio, ~6,364 gp/CR ratio.


Fiendish Codex II:


Hellfire Engine: 44 HD. ~4,546 gp/HD ratio, ~10,527 gp/CR ratio.


Frostburn:


Ice Golem: 12 HD. ~2,667 gp/HD ratio, ~3,556 gp/CR ratio.


Heroes of Battle:


Brass Steed: 8 HD. 1,250 gp/HD ratio and gp/CR ratio.


Heroes of Horror:


Cadaver Golem: 10 HD. 1,575 gp/HD ratio, ~1,969 gp/CR ratio.


Libris Mortis:


Grave Dirt Golem: 11 HD. ~1,660 gp/HD ratio, ~2,028 gp/CR ratio. Permanent Berserk chance risk.

Tombstone Golem: 14 HD. 5,000 gp/HD ratio, ~5,385 gp/CR ratio. Stone Golem with a different SLA.


Lords of Madness:


Elder Eidolon: HD varies. Template, cost varies based on size and number of HD. Essentially a version of Effigy Creatures with a few special abilities.


Magic of Incarnum:


Incarnum Golem: 11 HD. 2,500 gp/HD ratio, 2,750 gp/CR ratio.


Sandstorm:


Sand Golem: 18 HD. 1,500 gp/HD ratio, 2,250 gp/CR ratio.


Stormwrack:


Coral Golem: 16 HD. ~4,875 gp/HD ratio, ~8,667 gp/CR ratio.


Complete Arcane:


Effigy Creature: HD varies. Template, cost varies based on size and number of HD. Essentially a version of Elder Eidolon without a couple of special abilities.


Complete Divine:


Bogun: 2 HD. 3.5 days to HD ratio, 7 days to CR ratio.


Complete Warrior:


Spark Guardian: 2 HD. 3,500 gp/HD ratio, ~2,334 gp/CR ratio.

Gauntlet Guardian: 4 HD. 2,875 gp/HD ratio and gp/CR ratio.

Blade Guardian: 8 HD. 2,250 gp/HD ratio, 3,000 gp/CR ratio.


Something's Cooking:

Calzone Golem: 6 HD. ~1,667 gp/HD ratio, ~3,334 gp/CR ratio.

Spoiler: Eberron Sources

Show

Eberron Campaign Setting:


Dedicated Wright: 1 HD. 2,100 gp/HD ratio, 4,200 gp/CR ratio(CR is 1/2).

Expeditious Messenger: 1/2 HD. 3,300 gp/HD ratio(HD is 1/2), 4,950 gp/CR ratio(CR is 1/3).

Furtive Filcher: 1 HD. 1,550 gp/HD ratio, 3,100 gp/CR ratio(CR is 1/2).

Iron Defender: 2 HD. 625 gp/HD, 1,250 gp/CR ratio.


Five Nations:


Silvereye Marauder: 9 HD. ~7,223 gp/HD ratio, 8125 gp/CR ratio.


Forge of War:


Arcane Ballista: 6 HD. ~6,167 gp/HD ratio, 7,400 gp/CR ratio.

Umbral Spy: 3 HD. ~3,667 gp/HD ratio and gp/CR ratio.


Magic of Eberron:


Arbalester: 1 HD. 1,250 gp/HD ratio, 2,500 gp/CR ratio(CR is 1/2).

Packmate: 2 HD. 630 gp/HD ratio, 1,260 gp/CR ratio.

Persistent Harrier: 2 HD. 625 gp/HD ratio, 1,250 gp/CR ratio.


Secrets of Xen'drik:


Alchemy Beetle: 2 HD. 2,000 gp/HD ratio and gp/CR ratio.

Spoiler: Forgotten Realms Sources

Show

City of the Spider Queen:


Spiderstone Golem: 18 HD. ~4,445 gp/HD ratio, I lack the CR for them, alas. Has some manner of berserk chance too, can't recall if permanent or not.

Jade Spider: 24 HD. ~3,334 gp/HD ratio, ~5,715 gp/CR ratio.


City of Splendors: Waterdeep:


Guardgoyle: 2 HD. 1,250 gp/HD ratio and gp/CR ratio.

Scaladar: 7 HD. ~2,143 gp/HD ratio, 1,875 gp/CR ratio. Not counting the 2,000 gp ring of Trobriand or the artifact ring version thereof that they all need to be attuned to in order to be controlled.

Walking Statue of Waterdeep: 32 HD. ~4,688 gp/HD ratio, ~8,334 gp/CR ratio.


Lost Empires of Faerun:


Crawling Claw (swarm): 5 HD. ~1,850 gp/HD ratio, 4,625 gp/CR ratio. Is a swarm.

Helmed Horror: 13 HD. ~3,012 gp/HD ratio, ~4,894 gp/CR ratio.

Battle Horror: 20 HD. ~3,833 gp/HD ratio, ~6,388 gp/CR ratio.

Tomb Tapper: 16 HD. Interestingly has no listed creation cost but does list a 10,000 gp material cost if anyone wants to extrapolate from their 16 HD and CR 13.


Monstrous Compendium: Monsters of Faerun:


Crawling Claw: 1 HD. Created individually via the 3rd level spell Create Crawling Claw, which seems to lack a control cap.

Emerald Golem: 12 HD. ~5,834 gp/HD ratio and gp/CR ratio. Naturally intelligent golem.

Diamond Golem: 14 HD. ~5,358 gp/HD ratio, 6,250 gp/CR ratio. Naturally intelligent golem.

Ruby Golem: 10 HD. 6,500 gp/HD ratio, ~5,910 gp/CR ratio. Naturally intelligent golem.

Thayan Goelm: 7 HD. ~1,429 gp/HD ratio, 1,250 gp/CR ratio. Ratios may actually be lower due to the market price possibly being price gouging. Not actually golems, proper.


Serpent Kingdoms:


Serpentflesh Golem: 11 HD. ~955 gp/HD ratio, ~1,313 gp/CR ratio. Lacks the regular flesh golem's berserk chance.


Shadowdale: The Scouring of the Land:

Snake Head and Shadow Simulacrum seem to be constructs that can be created, but I haven't been able to get access to confirm their details. Shadow Simulacrum seems to be a template, so it would vary anyway.

Spoiler: Web Content

Show

Far Corners of the World:

Monsters of the Deep Underdark:

Sickstone Golem: 24 HD. 5,000 gp/HD ratio, 8,000 gp/CR ratio.


Monster Mayhem:


Coal Golem: 11 HD. ~5,910 gp/HD ratio, 6,500 gp/CR ratio. Has a berserk chance, but non-permanent, IIRC.

Razor Golem: 16 HD. 5,000 gp/HD ratio, ~6,667 gp/CR ratio.


Random Encounters:


Gold Golem: 10 HD. 10,000 gp/HD ratio, ~14,286 gp/CR ratio.


Psionic Bestiary: http://archive.wizards.com/default.a.../psb/20040123c


Sardorian Golem: 30 HD. ~3,167 gp/HD ratio, ~6,334 gp/CR ratio.

Psi-Guardian: 15 HD. ~8,334 gp/HD ratio, ~13,889 gp/CR ratio. (I believe uses 3.0 pricing)

Tether Hound: 6 HD. Created using the Create Tether Hound power, and is basically a very specialized advanced Astral Construct. Limited radius they can move to and act within.

Kingdoms of Kalamar Sources courtesy of ShurikVch

[Efrate]

Pcs cannot create prismatic golems. Its called out in their text block. Im sure you could make an epic spell that does something similar however. Price would be very high.

[Coidzor]

Pcs cannot create prismatic golems. Its called out in their text block. Im sure you could make an epic spell that does something similar however. Price would be very high.

Where? I'm looking at the entry now, and all I see is that they're made from gems infused with celestial light from Elysium and that they were initially invented by Celestial spellcasters.

[Efrate]

I stand corrected. One of the high CR golems in one of the MMs I thought I remembered a blurb about you cannot create these in a sidebar. I thought it was prismatic cause its awesome, but I misremembered; must be thinking of something else.

[Coidzor]

I stand corrected. One of the high CR golems in one of the MMs I thought I remembered a blurb about you cannot create these in a sidebar. I thought it was prismatic cause its awesome, but I misremembered; must be thinking of something else.

There's a few that have their creation as secrets that must be unlocked and a few that say one can learn how to make them but have no listed price.

Maugs, for instance, have a creation cost listed but you have to actually find out how to make one.

Chain golems say you can find out but chain devils will endlessly hunt down anyone who finds out how and there's no way to extrapolate a cost to create.

One version of the Helmed Horror, IIRC, says that evil spellcasters can find out how to make one but gives no price or creation cost.

On the other side Thayan Golems have an uncertain creation cost due to their only listing a minimum price which is still probably inflated.

[unseenmage]

Way back when I first started fiddling with PF I made a spreadsheet comparing the actual construction costs of each PF construct with the custom 'by CR' cost for each one. Over time the document came to contain ever more info.

I havn't worked on it in a long time.

Here's hoping someone else can get some use out of it too.

[Zanos]

Thanks for the lists, Coidzor and unseenmage. I think I remember this getting brought up in the undead thread?

I find constructs interesting but have got to ask, did either of you find anything actually worth making? It seems the costs are so inflated that constructs aren't really a viable option for pcs.

[unseenmage]

...

I find constructs interesting but have got to ask, did either of you find anything actually worth making? It seems the costs are so inflated that constructs aren't really a viable option for pcs.

Trompe L'oeil are rediculously cheap.

Tattoo Guardians Amalgam Animated Objects of Downtime Buildings was fun.
Was 'worth it' to me.

Simulacrum of Animated Objects of Technological Artifacts are potentially game breaking.

Collector Robots made excellent fetch and carry servants.

Reclamation Robot was amazingly useful.

Latten Mechanism was also amazingly useful but potentially game breaking.

Animated Object Alchemical Items are amusing but the same effect can be gotten from Unseen Servant.



I enjoy Constructs. PF does not. So I resort to hitting the problem with templates and spells until it works.

Pathfinder doesnt seem to have its version of 3.X's Shadesteel Golem yet though.

[Coidzor]

Thanks for the lists, Coidzor and unseenmage. I think I remember this getting brought up in the undead thread?

I find constructs interesting but have got to ask, did either of you find anything actually worth making? It seems the costs are so inflated that constructs aren't really a viable option for pcs.

Fang Golems and Dread Guards seemed like they had some potential when I was going over them. They have really good gp/HD ratios, certainly.

I liked the cut of Helmed Horrors' jib in a 3.P game where Pathfinder feats are being borrowed but not PF constructs, since they seem to have a good mix of Intelligent, capability, cost, and number of HD they have or can be made to have via advancement. They struck me as the more appealing innately intelligent constructs.

The Effigy template is, of course, pretty spiffy. Rudimentary Intelligence plus a tool-use friendly shape get effectively build-a-cohort.



Sadly, I was a bit dumb and didn't think to do a comparison of cost and attack bonus/DPR or cost and resilience(or at least more directly than gp/HD) when I was trawling through all sources getting the primary data.



In PF, the Waxwork Creature and Trompe L'oeil templates are like a version of the Effigy creature template that protects your investment and like having a pet construct-Lich version of just about any other creature respectively.

Trompe L'oeils are, ultimately, probably hilariously under-priced for what they give. Still expensive, but ultimately affordable, especially since reasonable measures means that the construct can never be lost and with proper creature selection and HD Modification can stay relevant in some capacity from level 5-20, or at least a fair stretch of it.

[ShurikVch]

Spoiler: Kingdoms of Kalamar Sources

Show

Dangerous Denizens:

Golem, Bone: 1666,(6) gp/HD ratio base, 2000 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Bronze: 2666,(6) gp/HD ratio base, 3636,(36) gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Chalk: 3000 gp/HD ratio base, 4000 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Glass: 1250 gp/HD ratio base, 1666,(6) gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Hard Wood: ~1538,461 gp/HD ratio base, 2000 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Ice: 1363,(63) gp/HD ratio base, 1875 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Leather: 2000 gp/HD ratio base, ~2857,143 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Loam: 1250 gp/HD ratio base, 1666,(6) gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Quartz: 5555,(5) gp/HD ratio base, ~7142,857 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Salt: 2500 gp/HD ratio base, 2500 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Soap: 4000 gp/HD ratio base, 5000 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Soft Wood: ~2142,857 gp/HD ratio base, 3000 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Straw: 333,(3) gp/HD ratio base, 333,(3) gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Twine: 375 gp/HD ratio base, 500 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Wax: 360 gp/HD ratio base, 450 gp/CR ratio.
Guardian Effigy: 2000 gp/HD ratio base, 2500 gp/CR ratio.

Secrets of the Alubelok Coast:

Homunculus, Sobetetan Messenger: 1262,5 gp/HD ratio base, 5050 gp/CR ratio base.
Options during the creation:

• kraken tentacle - +4 natural AC; +4000 gp
• aboleth scales - double the range of the telepathic link; +2000 gp
• powdered sea cat teeth - 1d6 bite attack; +4000 gp
• triton scales - +10' swim speed; +1500 gp

[Coidzor]

Spoiler: Kingdoms of Kalamar Sources

Show

Dangerous Denizens:

Golem, Bone: 1666,(6) gp/HD ratio base, 2000 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Bronze: 2666,(6) gp/HD ratio base, 3636,(36) gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Chalk: 3000 gp/HD ratio base, 4000 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Glass: 1250 gp/HD ratio base, 1666,(6) gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Hard Wood: ~1538,461 gp/HD ratio base, 2000 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Ice: 1363,(63) gp/HD ratio base, 1875 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Leather: 2000 gp/HD ratio base, ~2857,143 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Loam: 1250 gp/HD ratio base, 1666,(6) gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Quartz: 5555,(5) gp/HD ratio base, ~7142,857 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Salt: 2500 gp/HD ratio base, 2500 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Soap: 4000 gp/HD ratio base, 5000 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Soft Wood: ~2142,857 gp/HD ratio base, 3000 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Straw: 333,(3) gp/HD ratio base, 333,(3) gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Twine: 375 gp/HD ratio base, 500 gp/CR ratio.
Golem, Wax: 360 gp/HD ratio base, 450 gp/CR ratio.
Guardian Effigy: 2000 gp/HD ratio base, 2500 gp/CR ratio.

Secrets of the Alubelok Coast:

Homunculus, Sobetetan Messenger: 1262,5 gp/HD ratio base, 5050 gp/CR ratio base.
Options during the creation:

• kraken tentacle - +4 natural AC; +4000 gp
• aboleth scales - double the range of the telepathic link; +2000 gp
• powdered sea cat teeth - 1d6 bite attack; +4000 gp
• triton scales - +10' swim speed; +1500 gp

Oh, nice! Thank you very much. That is a very interesting array of golem materials indeed. Especially the two forms of wood.