Episode 102: Golems and Constructs in Dungeons and Dragons | Favorite DnD Game Mechanics | One DnD

Biggus Geekus

Monster Mash #4: Golems & Constructs
Episode 102 Streamed Live Tuesday August 23, 2022
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Main Topic: Monster Mash #4 - Golems & Constructs

1) Their first appearance in DnD: Golems and other constructs had their start all the way back in the Greyhawk Supplement for OD&D in 1975. There were many variants over the editions: Obsidian, Wood, Bronze in NX, BECMI, RC Modrons appeared in 1e Necrophidius Golem, Stone Guardian, caryatid column in 2e Inevitables (modrons and maruts) in Planescape Big four and a total of 74 types other types in 3e Warforged of Eberron: https://eberron.fandom.com/wiki/Warforged and http://eberronunlimited.wikidot.com/warforged#toc0 (+) No Modrons until Dragon 414 in 4e. Big four, animated objects, clockwork creatures, Modrons, Marut in 5e
2) Their most common types, characteristics & powers throughout the editions. Golems: immune to magic, no sneak attack, SR, could go berserk, unique ways to kill PCs especially Clay and Iron
3) Ecology & influence of monster in the campaign world. Built by spellcasters, eternal guardians, odd defenders, generally difficult to defeat, even for the creator, great higher-level foes, usually limited influence on the world and campaign
4.) How best to use them? They should be guardians of ancient/hidden treasures. They should be challenging and terrifying. My Favorite Examples: 3.X: Demonflesh Golem that was programmed to act like it was Demogorgon as well as to frustrate spellcasters and terrify 2e characters.
5.) Mythological: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golem
6.) 3+ alternate takes:
a.) What if the technique to creating golems were lost to time?
b.) A powerful wizard summons an Ultron-like creature bound eons ago in the plane of law (Mechanus).
c.) Consider a world not unlike Eberron wherein constructs are a part of life, a highly magical world. Suddenly one day, they all stop working.
Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Mechanics:
OD+D: nothing comes to mind
BECMI/BX/: stat mods(lower), domain play emphasized, power of spells, CLW though slight difference
TSR Era DnD: monster immunities, PC fragility, save or suck spells/conditions, stat boosting items/situations hard to come by, power of spells
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