Animist

Animist’s Focus (Su)

An animist receives the Craft Construct feat for free at 1st level, regardless of prerequisites. The base HD of any construct the animist crafts with this feat are limited to a number equal to the animist’s level, although the HD may be raised using Construction Points (CP). Any construct created by the animist has one more CP than normal.

Through force of will, an animist may command a number of constructs equal to his Intelligence bonus. Commanding a construct is a move action that provokes attacks of opportunity. Commanding a hostile construct requires a caster level check (DC 10 + HD of the construct, minimum 1) and requires a separate such check for each command.

A command is defined as a single, uncomplicated action (e.g. “stop,” “attack him,” or “go north).

The construct obeys the command for a number of rounds equal to the animist’s wizard level or until the construct’s creator otherwise commands it.

Attacking a construct after commanding it renders it immune to that animist’s control for 24 hrs.

An animist can make a formerly hostile construct friendly again with a successful Diplomacy check 24 hrs. after combat ceases. If the check fails, the construct attacks again. An animist can command constructs in this way a number of times per day equal to 1 + his Charisma modifier (minimum 1). An animist can make Diplomacy checks to improve the attitude of constructs with Intelligence scores of 3 or less.

The animate objects spell is available as a 5th-level wizard spell for animists. However, animist’s focus does not apply to this spell.

At 20th level, the animist receives a 50% discount on costs to craft constructs. This ability replaces scribe scroll.

Willful Weapon (Sp)

As a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity, the animist can make the weapon of an armed opponent within 30 ft. strike its wielder. The victim may make a Will save to resist this effect and adds the weapon’s enhancement bonus (if any) to the roll (DC 10+ half the animist’s character level + the animist’s Intelligence modifier + any bonus provided from the Spell Focus or Greater Spell Focus [transmutation] feats). This power does not affect natural weapons or weapons with the seeking ability.

If the target fails its Will save, the weapon causes its normal damage plus any enhancements, plus 1 for every two wizard levels possessed by the animist. Do not include damage provided by the wielder’s feats or class benefits. The animist may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + his Intelligence modifier. This ability replaces the bonus feat gained at 5th level.

Charm Weapons (Sp)

At 10th level, when the animist is attacked with a melee weapon, he may charm that weapon as an immediate action. This ability must be used before the attack is rolled.

A charmed weapon resists attacking the animist.

In effect, the animist has concealment (the opponent has a 50% miss chance) for up to 1 round per level per day when attacked with a weapon he has charmed.

These rounds do not need to be taken consecutively.

This concealment applies to ranged and melee weapons alike, but not to natural weapons or spell effects. Feats mitigating concealment do not help against this effect. This power does not affect weapons with the seeking ability. This ability replaces the bonus feat gained at 10th level.

Additional Construction Point Options Animists who seek to augment their constructs might select from the following options. Three classes of modifications are available: options that grant Construction Points but include a CR adjustment; options that cost only CP; and construction flaws, which provide additional CP in exchange for liabilities or weaknesses.

Any construct may spend more CP than granted for its size, and every two additional CP increase the construct’s CR by 1. If CP gained by flaws are not spent on beneficial options, reduce a construct’s CR by 1 for every 2 CP saved. Flaws may not reduce a construct’s final CR to less than half of its starting CR.

As a rough guideline, a construct’s price is equal to its CR squared and then multiplied by 500 gp.

CR-Adjusting Options

Adamantine-laced Chassis (Ex, +1 CR, +2 CP)

The construct has an adamantine-reinforced superstructure and gains two additional CP.

Requires mithral-reinforced chassis.

Mithral-reinforced Chassis (Ex, +1 CR, +2 CP)

The construct has a mithral superstructure and gains two more CP. Requires metal (see animated objects).

Heart of Steel (Ex, +1 CR, +2 CP)

The construct’s primary gearspring is replaced by a stronger, more powerful component. Add a number of HD that would increase the construct to the next CR using the Monster Advancement table.

CP-Only Options

Additional Arms (Ex, 1 CP)

With an additional set of small utility arms, the construct gains +2 to CMB/CMD checks made to disarm or grapple.

Gliderwings (Ex, 1 CP)

The construct gains a set of less-powerful wings that give it a +4 bonus to Fly skill checks and a +8 to Acrobatics (jump) checks made for horizontal distances.

Grant the Clockwork Subtype (Ex, 1 CP)

This option must be selected during construct creation.

It may only be applied afterward with GM approval.

Object gains the clockwork subtype with the following abilities:

Winding (Ex)

Clockwork constructs must be wound with special keys to function. As a general rule, a fully wound clockwork can remain active for 1 day per Hit Die, but shorter or longer durations are possible.

Vulnerable to Electricity

Clockwork constructs take 150% as much damage as normal from electricity attacks.

Swift Reactions (Ex)

Clockwork constructs generally react much more swiftly than other constructs.

They gain Improved Initiative and Lightning Reflexes as bonus feats, and they gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC.

Difficult to Create (Ex)

The time and gp cost required to create a clockwork construct is 150% of normal. Construction requirements in individual clockwork monster entries are already increased.

Jumpsprings (Ex, 1 CP)

The construct has legs designed for jumping. It gains a +8 bonus to Acrobatics checks made for jumping.

Netgun (Ex, 1 CP)

The construct gains a ranged net attack with a range increment of 20 ft. If the net may be fired no farther than 20 ft, it may remain attached to the construct by a cable (hardness 5, 5 hp; move action to reel in a missed net and reload).

Passenger’s Palanquin (Ex, 1 CP)

The construct must be at least Large for this option, which adds a detachable compartment that holds either one Medium or two Small creatures. This compartment provides the passenger full cover and protection from line-of-effect effects. It has the same hardness as the construct and 20 hp.

Potent Animating Force (Su, 1 CP)

Add 5 to the DC of the CL check of any animist attempting to control the construct.

Sentinel (Ex, 1 CP)

The object is designed to be especially observant. It gains a +8 bonus to Perception.

Steamjet (Ex, 1 CP)

The construct gains a 15-ft. cone boiling steam attack. This attack is a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity, and it deals damage as burning hands. This effect has a CL equal to the HD of the construct, minimum 1st level.

Smokescreen (Ex, 1 CP)

The construct may create a swirling cloud of smoke equivalent to obscuring mist, with a CL equal to the HD of the construct, minimum 1st level.

Construction Flaws Awkward (Ex, +1 CP)

The construct is not optimally balanced or nimble. It has –2 Dexterity.

Composite Construction (Ex, +1 CP)

The construct is made of multiple materials. Reduce its hardness by 5.

Delicate Construction (Ex, –1 CR, +2 CP)

The construct is considered one size smaller for determining hp.

Limited Ammunition/Fuel (Ex, +1 CP)

If the construct has a ranged attack, it can only be used 3 times per day. If taken twice, the ranged attack may be used only 1 time per day. This flaw may be taken up to twice for each ranged attack.

Revealed Structure (Ex, +1 CP)

The construct reduces its natural armor bonus by 2.