Shield Guardian

A Shield Guardian is a golem, created by an engineer as a servant. It is a mindless construct, animated by an elemental spirit, able to understand simple instructions and programming in a single language chosen at the time of creation. It can speak the same language, with a very simple vocabulary.

Shield Guardians are vaguely humanoid, though they tower over humans at around 12 feet. Their bodies are formed simply, with little effort into matching the exact human form. Their simplicity allows for stronger and more well-protected joints; the weak points of a typical human are not weak on a Shield Guardian. They bear armor plating on the arms and legs, meant more for parrying and blocking than for protecting the wood underneath, and on the chest, to protect the Heart. Their heads are usually simple wooden posts with one or two glowing gems for eyes; some choose to decorate them in more organic patterns.

Warforged are soldiers; that is, they excel at defending others, and punishing those who would attack their charges.

The base for a golem's statistics is equal to the level of the engineer who crafted it. Under the command of an Artificer, a golem improves with training, and it is instead based on the Artificer's level.

Basic Statistics

• Size: Large (occupies 4 squares, reach is 2 squares)
  • As a rather thin and surprisingly nimble creature, golem can squeeze through spaces intended for medium creatures.
• Hit Points: 200% of base
• Critical Chance: 10% + 1% per level
• Will: 10% + 1% per 2 levels
• Fort: 20% + 1% per level
• Movement: 8 squares

Offensive Abilities

• Slam: At-will, std, melee attack; heavy physical damage.
  • Forceful Slam: Recharge 33%, augment; slam, plus push 5 plus knockdown (Fort negates).

Defensive Abilities

• Redirection: Encounter, free, short range, 5 rds; if target is attacked, automatically compels attacker to focus hostilities on Shield Guardian instead (Will ends), max once/rd. The compulsion effect is long range, and requires line of sight from the guardian to the attacker.
• Shield: At-will, immediate; activates a shield with absorb 50% (all), limit equal to max hp. While shield is active, Shield Guardian suffers 75% movement penalty, and cannot attack. When shield is deactivated and later reactivated, the limit is not restored; lost shield points are regained at the end of the encounter.
• Shield Bond: At-will, free, short range; forms a bond with a designated target. From then on, the Shield ability works on designated target, rather than self. Can dismiss at will; otherwise, lasts as long as target remains in range.

Other Abilities

• Construct: Immune to disease and poison.
• Mindless: Immune to mental effects, except compulsions; a golem's ability to be programmed makes it impossible to be immune to compulsions.
• Fortification: 100%.