Gondsman; Help me make him survive things.

[Slunko]

So here's the thing. I RCR'd into a level 23 techsmith (10 levels of the prc), and at this point my gondsman is a level 17 construct with 13 customization points, 32 or so AC, 15 strength.

What can I, as a divine caster without spider or animal domains do to make this summon survive the snake grind?

I need to get his strength up at least somewhat, and each 1 point of strength costs me 1/13 upgrade points. Same goes for AC. I can shield of Faith my gondsman for a +5deflection AC, but he has no armor on him and so I cannot cast Magic Vestment on him (which I find ridiculous). I do not have any divine spells that would grant him natural armor either. I have no use magic device to cheat with the wands of stoneskin and mage armor (I do not want UMD either. I'm strained for skillpoints and it doesn't really fit the character.)

The AC to not be hit by the snakes would have to be around 50 I think, which I or the gondsman can't reach. Ever. I think. ANd even with all the AC upgrades, his strength would be left at 15, or 19 with bulls. Clerics also can't cast cat's, so at this point I'm considering going another route. Divine casting doesn't seem that great for keeping your gondsman alive.

Now please, don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to rant here, I want to figure out how to make this work best as I can, because I rather like the flavor of my char so far, and don't want to change the whole build if I can at all avoid it.

Thank you for your advice.

[Tsidkenu]

Is that 32 base AC? You could break 50 with it easy, given a few things...

32 base
+5 Shield of Faith (Clr 1, best extended at level 2)
+6 Improved Mage Armor (UMD a wand or get a wizard buddy). +4 if you have to resort to scrolls of Mage Armor/ Shadow Conjuration: Mage Armor. You could also try Magic Vestment (Clr 3) cast right on the Gondsman; if that works its a +5 AC and you can ignore needing Impr Mage Armor.
+5 Spiderskin or Barkskin (Ranger/Wizard buddy). +4 AC if you get someone to cast Spiderskin from a scroll. Scrolls last 1.5hrs real time or until dispelled.
+3 Shield AC from Rapier of Fencing (large GP investment here, but unless the Gondsman can equip shields I can't think of another way to attain Shield AC apart from giving it one of these rapiers; can be purchased in Roaringshores)

Those alone set the Gondsman AC at 48-51, assuming before any upgrades have taken place. You can then pump all your upgrade points into STR, throw on Bless/Aid/Bulls/GMW to boost the Gondsman AB by another 9, use a Whetstone to put Keen Edge on the rapier for 15-20 threat range then get a bard on your party and just let them both wreck the place.

[Slunko]

Yes. It seems i really should have gotten UMD and a whole lot of wands. Sadly I neither have wands, umd or a wizard buddy.

Thank you for the math of it, but I Was hoping someone could point out anything that I was missing.

[Moltrazahn]

Can I ask what does the Gondsman count as? A "Animal" companion or a Summon? or can you put items etc on him/her/it as a npc-companion with inventory?

[Theodore01]

you can give him a weapon.

[Slunko]

And he is typed as a construct, but can be healed with healing spells and effects.

[Darradarljod]

[ragnarok1983]

It does not appear that weapons with shield bonus (like the rapier) worked with the Gondsman.

As for the OP... Yeah... UMD is the only option for us divine sorts which is silly.

He is made of armor, yet treated as though he is not wearing any. I wouldn't care, but it's supposed to be primarily a divine PRC, but you don't get an extra domain (unlike in PnP) and spells that should work on him, don't. So... yeah...

That is your reward for attempting to be more in line with PnP/rp. Haha!

[Slunko]

I mean, I poured most of my skills, ability scores and feats to be in line with a concept of a siege specialist, so he never will be the best combatant, but I at least want my golem to be formidable. Perhaps it will be fixed in the future. I hope. As of now, the gondsman is as sturdy as a pile of hay when put against any decent opponent without the arcane buffs.

[Theodore01]

Considering that you can get him very early in your adventure career, it is a strong companion in early to mid-range levels, but it becomes useless in the epics.

What it needs is a way to upgrade him further as your char. progress in levels.
That could be done like adding a feat like epic gondsman (requires techsmith 10 and epic char.)
and/or adding some more feats to specialize him more
and to distinguish a gondsman companion from a common (buffed) summon or animal.

[Planehopper]

I was able to pick up a great axe with +3 AC on it from Mudds for cheap. Be on the lookout there.

Otherwise I would agree with Theodore in that it is nearly a novelty only against epic foes, and would greatly benefit from being able to be updated at the cost of epic feats. And that is with arcane buffs included.

I love the RP that Ive had with it, but the class is weak. The smokepowder bombs in particular are disappointing. Again here, the rp of smokepowder is promising and fun, but mechanically they are clunky and unimpressive visually. They would be much better off as perfected alchemical fire grenades, or perhaps a custom grenade combo of fire+the earthquake effect to simulate the concussion. I dunno. They could certainly stand an upgrade as a major part of the pic (a two step benefit).

[Planehopper]

It does not appear that weapons with shield bonus (like the rapier) worked with the Gondsman.

The great axe i have works. I would wager that the rapier you tried it with may have had the appearance changed, which breaks the script.

[Steve]

AC (deflection) and Shield AC are different things. The rapier has custom scripted shield AC, which should be available to other weapons, not just rapiers (imho).

[Planehopper]

Doh. You're right. I meant to offer it as a source of AC and didnt catch that the rapiers were shield AC. Never used one myself. Odd that they dont work. I guess that means i can probably change the appearance of my Axe. Yay.

[Steve]

Weapons with high Deflection AC are the shizznizzle when it comes to Arcane casters with GMW, because of Mages lack of a Deflection AC spell.