Do Golems register as magical when targeted by Detect Magic?

The name of the pictureThe name of the pictureThe name of the pictureClash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP





.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;







up vote
5
down vote

favorite












The page on Detect Magic states




Outsiders and elementals are not magical in themselves, but if they are summoned, the conjuration spell registers.




while the page on Golems states




Golems are magically created automatons of great power. They stand apart from other constructs in the nature of their animating force—golems are granted their magical life via an elemental spirit, typically that of an earth elemental.




So, with this information in mind, when one of my players targets a suspicious statue with Detect Magic to determine if it is a golem in disguise and it is in fact a Golem in disguise, what information does Detect Magic reveal?



In case it is relevant, the statue is not recently created. It has been in place for a few centuries.










share|improve this question























  • Related: Are Familiars considered Magical for effects like Detect Magic?
    – ShadowKras
    4 hours ago










  • Is this a stone or metal statue?
    – ravery
    3 hours ago
















up vote
5
down vote

favorite












The page on Detect Magic states




Outsiders and elementals are not magical in themselves, but if they are summoned, the conjuration spell registers.




while the page on Golems states




Golems are magically created automatons of great power. They stand apart from other constructs in the nature of their animating force—golems are granted their magical life via an elemental spirit, typically that of an earth elemental.




So, with this information in mind, when one of my players targets a suspicious statue with Detect Magic to determine if it is a golem in disguise and it is in fact a Golem in disguise, what information does Detect Magic reveal?



In case it is relevant, the statue is not recently created. It has been in place for a few centuries.










share|improve this question























  • Related: Are Familiars considered Magical for effects like Detect Magic?
    – ShadowKras
    4 hours ago










  • Is this a stone or metal statue?
    – ravery
    3 hours ago












up vote
5
down vote

favorite









up vote
5
down vote

favorite











The page on Detect Magic states




Outsiders and elementals are not magical in themselves, but if they are summoned, the conjuration spell registers.




while the page on Golems states




Golems are magically created automatons of great power. They stand apart from other constructs in the nature of their animating force—golems are granted their magical life via an elemental spirit, typically that of an earth elemental.




So, with this information in mind, when one of my players targets a suspicious statue with Detect Magic to determine if it is a golem in disguise and it is in fact a Golem in disguise, what information does Detect Magic reveal?



In case it is relevant, the statue is not recently created. It has been in place for a few centuries.










share|improve this question















The page on Detect Magic states




Outsiders and elementals are not magical in themselves, but if they are summoned, the conjuration spell registers.




while the page on Golems states




Golems are magically created automatons of great power. They stand apart from other constructs in the nature of their animating force—golems are granted their magical life via an elemental spirit, typically that of an earth elemental.




So, with this information in mind, when one of my players targets a suspicious statue with Detect Magic to determine if it is a golem in disguise and it is in fact a Golem in disguise, what information does Detect Magic reveal?



In case it is relevant, the statue is not recently created. It has been in place for a few centuries.







pathfinder spells magic constructs






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 1 hour ago









SevenSidedDie♦

199k25632913




199k25632913










asked 5 hours ago









GreedyRadish

2,368525




2,368525











  • Related: Are Familiars considered Magical for effects like Detect Magic?
    – ShadowKras
    4 hours ago










  • Is this a stone or metal statue?
    – ravery
    3 hours ago
















  • Related: Are Familiars considered Magical for effects like Detect Magic?
    – ShadowKras
    4 hours ago










  • Is this a stone or metal statue?
    – ravery
    3 hours ago















Related: Are Familiars considered Magical for effects like Detect Magic?
– ShadowKras
4 hours ago




Related: Are Familiars considered Magical for effects like Detect Magic?
– ShadowKras
4 hours ago












Is this a stone or metal statue?
– ravery
3 hours ago




Is this a stone or metal statue?
– ravery
3 hours ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
3
down vote













No, they do not



Contrary to the author's note on this answer about familiars, Golems are created using very similar methods of creating magic items, but are not magic items themselves once created. They are creatures, instead, of type construct.




The Craft Construct feat allows a spellcaster to create all manner of permanent constructs in a process much like magic item creation.




There is absolutely no reference in the rules stating that constructs, or golems more specifically, have a magic aura that could be detected. They are magical creatures, just like familiars and other magical beasts, but that doesn't mean they emanate a magical aura, which is what Detect Magic actually cares about. Not even the higher level version of the spell, Arcane Sight, will actually detect creatures as magical, but the magical auras affecting them and magical items they are carrying.



We also have clear exceptions to this, as Animated Objects if created using temporary magical effects (Animate Objects or Permanency) are stated to be susceptible to dispelling and anti-magic, while permanent constructs are not:




Not all constructs are built with the Craft Construct feat. Spells like animate objects allow a caster to temporarily animate an existing object. These constructs are in many ways weaker than manufactured constructs, as they are susceptible to dispelling and antimagic.



A caster can use the animate objects spell to instantly create a temporary construct. A permanency spell cast upon an Animated Object makes the construct permanent; however, it can still be dispelled or suppressed by antimagic. Craft Construct creates permanent animated objects not susceptible to dispelling and antimagic.




However, this doesn't mean that a specific golem cannot be detected if they have a supernatural ability like an aura (like a Cryptguard), or a constant magic effect (like the Graven Guardians). They are also identifiable by Knowledge (Arcana), and there are specific constructs that are made for the purpose of looking like a statue, like the Caryatid Column, Guardian Gargoyles and Cephalophore.



This has been confirmed by James Jacobs (Creative Director) on his Ask me anything thread:




What happens when a PC 'scans' a magical beast with detect magic?



Unless a monster specifically has a special quality that says otherwise (and I'm pretty sure there are none that do), you can't detect ANY monster (including magical beasts, undead, or constructs) with detect magic. Creatures don't have magic auras. Spell effects on them do, though.







share|improve this answer





























    up vote
    2
    down vote













    Detect magic would reveal nothing about the golem



    As written, Detect magic detect magic auras, which amount to two things: ongoing spells and magic items, as per the spell description:




    A magical aura lingers after its original source dissipates (in the
    case of a spell) or is destroyed (in the case of a magic item).




    The line you quoted from Detect Magic means that creatures summoned by a spell will radiate a magical aura as a result of an ongoing summoning spell keeping them in this plane, but not due themselves. Following the same reasoning, constructs, unless summoned or otherwise affected by a spell, do not have a magic aura that can be detected.



    Note that he magic used in its creation is gone after that process ends, and, once created, golems are self-powered and self-contained and do not depend on any ongoing magic effect to function. This is reinforced by the following text in the Antimagic Field spell:




    The spell has no effect on golems and other constructs that are imbued
    with magic during their creation process and are thereafter
    self-supporting (unless they have been summoned, in which case they
    are treated like any other summoned creatures).




    If there is no magic that can be nullified, there should be no magic that Detect Magic could detect.






    share|improve this answer




















      Your Answer




      StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function ()
      return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function ()
      StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix)
      StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["\$", "\$"]]);
      );
      );
      , "mathjax-editing");

      StackExchange.ready(function()
      var channelOptions =
      tags: "".split(" "),
      id: "122"
      ;
      initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

      StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
      // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
      if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
      StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
      createEditor();
      );

      else
      createEditor();

      );

      function createEditor()
      StackExchange.prepareEditor(
      heartbeatType: 'answer',
      convertImagesToLinks: false,
      noModals: false,
      showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
      reputationToPostImages: null,
      bindNavPrevention: true,
      postfix: "",
      noCode: true, onDemand: true,
      discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
      ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
      );



      );













       

      draft saved


      draft discarded


















      StackExchange.ready(
      function ()
      StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2frpg.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f131782%2fdo-golems-register-as-magical-when-targeted-by-detect-magic%23new-answer', 'question_page');

      );

      Post as a guest






























      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes








      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      3
      down vote













      No, they do not



      Contrary to the author's note on this answer about familiars, Golems are created using very similar methods of creating magic items, but are not magic items themselves once created. They are creatures, instead, of type construct.




      The Craft Construct feat allows a spellcaster to create all manner of permanent constructs in a process much like magic item creation.




      There is absolutely no reference in the rules stating that constructs, or golems more specifically, have a magic aura that could be detected. They are magical creatures, just like familiars and other magical beasts, but that doesn't mean they emanate a magical aura, which is what Detect Magic actually cares about. Not even the higher level version of the spell, Arcane Sight, will actually detect creatures as magical, but the magical auras affecting them and magical items they are carrying.



      We also have clear exceptions to this, as Animated Objects if created using temporary magical effects (Animate Objects or Permanency) are stated to be susceptible to dispelling and anti-magic, while permanent constructs are not:




      Not all constructs are built with the Craft Construct feat. Spells like animate objects allow a caster to temporarily animate an existing object. These constructs are in many ways weaker than manufactured constructs, as they are susceptible to dispelling and antimagic.



      A caster can use the animate objects spell to instantly create a temporary construct. A permanency spell cast upon an Animated Object makes the construct permanent; however, it can still be dispelled or suppressed by antimagic. Craft Construct creates permanent animated objects not susceptible to dispelling and antimagic.




      However, this doesn't mean that a specific golem cannot be detected if they have a supernatural ability like an aura (like a Cryptguard), or a constant magic effect (like the Graven Guardians). They are also identifiable by Knowledge (Arcana), and there are specific constructs that are made for the purpose of looking like a statue, like the Caryatid Column, Guardian Gargoyles and Cephalophore.



      This has been confirmed by James Jacobs (Creative Director) on his Ask me anything thread:




      What happens when a PC 'scans' a magical beast with detect magic?



      Unless a monster specifically has a special quality that says otherwise (and I'm pretty sure there are none that do), you can't detect ANY monster (including magical beasts, undead, or constructs) with detect magic. Creatures don't have magic auras. Spell effects on them do, though.







      share|improve this answer


























        up vote
        3
        down vote













        No, they do not



        Contrary to the author's note on this answer about familiars, Golems are created using very similar methods of creating magic items, but are not magic items themselves once created. They are creatures, instead, of type construct.




        The Craft Construct feat allows a spellcaster to create all manner of permanent constructs in a process much like magic item creation.




        There is absolutely no reference in the rules stating that constructs, or golems more specifically, have a magic aura that could be detected. They are magical creatures, just like familiars and other magical beasts, but that doesn't mean they emanate a magical aura, which is what Detect Magic actually cares about. Not even the higher level version of the spell, Arcane Sight, will actually detect creatures as magical, but the magical auras affecting them and magical items they are carrying.



        We also have clear exceptions to this, as Animated Objects if created using temporary magical effects (Animate Objects or Permanency) are stated to be susceptible to dispelling and anti-magic, while permanent constructs are not:




        Not all constructs are built with the Craft Construct feat. Spells like animate objects allow a caster to temporarily animate an existing object. These constructs are in many ways weaker than manufactured constructs, as they are susceptible to dispelling and antimagic.



        A caster can use the animate objects spell to instantly create a temporary construct. A permanency spell cast upon an Animated Object makes the construct permanent; however, it can still be dispelled or suppressed by antimagic. Craft Construct creates permanent animated objects not susceptible to dispelling and antimagic.




        However, this doesn't mean that a specific golem cannot be detected if they have a supernatural ability like an aura (like a Cryptguard), or a constant magic effect (like the Graven Guardians). They are also identifiable by Knowledge (Arcana), and there are specific constructs that are made for the purpose of looking like a statue, like the Caryatid Column, Guardian Gargoyles and Cephalophore.



        This has been confirmed by James Jacobs (Creative Director) on his Ask me anything thread:




        What happens when a PC 'scans' a magical beast with detect magic?



        Unless a monster specifically has a special quality that says otherwise (and I'm pretty sure there are none that do), you can't detect ANY monster (including magical beasts, undead, or constructs) with detect magic. Creatures don't have magic auras. Spell effects on them do, though.







        share|improve this answer
























          up vote
          3
          down vote










          up vote
          3
          down vote









          No, they do not



          Contrary to the author's note on this answer about familiars, Golems are created using very similar methods of creating magic items, but are not magic items themselves once created. They are creatures, instead, of type construct.




          The Craft Construct feat allows a spellcaster to create all manner of permanent constructs in a process much like magic item creation.




          There is absolutely no reference in the rules stating that constructs, or golems more specifically, have a magic aura that could be detected. They are magical creatures, just like familiars and other magical beasts, but that doesn't mean they emanate a magical aura, which is what Detect Magic actually cares about. Not even the higher level version of the spell, Arcane Sight, will actually detect creatures as magical, but the magical auras affecting them and magical items they are carrying.



          We also have clear exceptions to this, as Animated Objects if created using temporary magical effects (Animate Objects or Permanency) are stated to be susceptible to dispelling and anti-magic, while permanent constructs are not:




          Not all constructs are built with the Craft Construct feat. Spells like animate objects allow a caster to temporarily animate an existing object. These constructs are in many ways weaker than manufactured constructs, as they are susceptible to dispelling and antimagic.



          A caster can use the animate objects spell to instantly create a temporary construct. A permanency spell cast upon an Animated Object makes the construct permanent; however, it can still be dispelled or suppressed by antimagic. Craft Construct creates permanent animated objects not susceptible to dispelling and antimagic.




          However, this doesn't mean that a specific golem cannot be detected if they have a supernatural ability like an aura (like a Cryptguard), or a constant magic effect (like the Graven Guardians). They are also identifiable by Knowledge (Arcana), and there are specific constructs that are made for the purpose of looking like a statue, like the Caryatid Column, Guardian Gargoyles and Cephalophore.



          This has been confirmed by James Jacobs (Creative Director) on his Ask me anything thread:




          What happens when a PC 'scans' a magical beast with detect magic?



          Unless a monster specifically has a special quality that says otherwise (and I'm pretty sure there are none that do), you can't detect ANY monster (including magical beasts, undead, or constructs) with detect magic. Creatures don't have magic auras. Spell effects on them do, though.







          share|improve this answer














          No, they do not



          Contrary to the author's note on this answer about familiars, Golems are created using very similar methods of creating magic items, but are not magic items themselves once created. They are creatures, instead, of type construct.




          The Craft Construct feat allows a spellcaster to create all manner of permanent constructs in a process much like magic item creation.




          There is absolutely no reference in the rules stating that constructs, or golems more specifically, have a magic aura that could be detected. They are magical creatures, just like familiars and other magical beasts, but that doesn't mean they emanate a magical aura, which is what Detect Magic actually cares about. Not even the higher level version of the spell, Arcane Sight, will actually detect creatures as magical, but the magical auras affecting them and magical items they are carrying.



          We also have clear exceptions to this, as Animated Objects if created using temporary magical effects (Animate Objects or Permanency) are stated to be susceptible to dispelling and anti-magic, while permanent constructs are not:




          Not all constructs are built with the Craft Construct feat. Spells like animate objects allow a caster to temporarily animate an existing object. These constructs are in many ways weaker than manufactured constructs, as they are susceptible to dispelling and antimagic.



          A caster can use the animate objects spell to instantly create a temporary construct. A permanency spell cast upon an Animated Object makes the construct permanent; however, it can still be dispelled or suppressed by antimagic. Craft Construct creates permanent animated objects not susceptible to dispelling and antimagic.




          However, this doesn't mean that a specific golem cannot be detected if they have a supernatural ability like an aura (like a Cryptguard), or a constant magic effect (like the Graven Guardians). They are also identifiable by Knowledge (Arcana), and there are specific constructs that are made for the purpose of looking like a statue, like the Caryatid Column, Guardian Gargoyles and Cephalophore.



          This has been confirmed by James Jacobs (Creative Director) on his Ask me anything thread:




          What happens when a PC 'scans' a magical beast with detect magic?



          Unless a monster specifically has a special quality that says otherwise (and I'm pretty sure there are none that do), you can't detect ANY monster (including magical beasts, undead, or constructs) with detect magic. Creatures don't have magic auras. Spell effects on them do, though.








          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 3 mins ago

























          answered 46 mins ago









          ShadowKras

          45.4k365122




          45.4k365122






















              up vote
              2
              down vote













              Detect magic would reveal nothing about the golem



              As written, Detect magic detect magic auras, which amount to two things: ongoing spells and magic items, as per the spell description:




              A magical aura lingers after its original source dissipates (in the
              case of a spell) or is destroyed (in the case of a magic item).




              The line you quoted from Detect Magic means that creatures summoned by a spell will radiate a magical aura as a result of an ongoing summoning spell keeping them in this plane, but not due themselves. Following the same reasoning, constructs, unless summoned or otherwise affected by a spell, do not have a magic aura that can be detected.



              Note that he magic used in its creation is gone after that process ends, and, once created, golems are self-powered and self-contained and do not depend on any ongoing magic effect to function. This is reinforced by the following text in the Antimagic Field spell:




              The spell has no effect on golems and other constructs that are imbued
              with magic during their creation process and are thereafter
              self-supporting (unless they have been summoned, in which case they
              are treated like any other summoned creatures).




              If there is no magic that can be nullified, there should be no magic that Detect Magic could detect.






              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                2
                down vote













                Detect magic would reveal nothing about the golem



                As written, Detect magic detect magic auras, which amount to two things: ongoing spells and magic items, as per the spell description:




                A magical aura lingers after its original source dissipates (in the
                case of a spell) or is destroyed (in the case of a magic item).




                The line you quoted from Detect Magic means that creatures summoned by a spell will radiate a magical aura as a result of an ongoing summoning spell keeping them in this plane, but not due themselves. Following the same reasoning, constructs, unless summoned or otherwise affected by a spell, do not have a magic aura that can be detected.



                Note that he magic used in its creation is gone after that process ends, and, once created, golems are self-powered and self-contained and do not depend on any ongoing magic effect to function. This is reinforced by the following text in the Antimagic Field spell:




                The spell has no effect on golems and other constructs that are imbued
                with magic during their creation process and are thereafter
                self-supporting (unless they have been summoned, in which case they
                are treated like any other summoned creatures).




                If there is no magic that can be nullified, there should be no magic that Detect Magic could detect.






                share|improve this answer






















                  up vote
                  2
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  2
                  down vote









                  Detect magic would reveal nothing about the golem



                  As written, Detect magic detect magic auras, which amount to two things: ongoing spells and magic items, as per the spell description:




                  A magical aura lingers after its original source dissipates (in the
                  case of a spell) or is destroyed (in the case of a magic item).




                  The line you quoted from Detect Magic means that creatures summoned by a spell will radiate a magical aura as a result of an ongoing summoning spell keeping them in this plane, but not due themselves. Following the same reasoning, constructs, unless summoned or otherwise affected by a spell, do not have a magic aura that can be detected.



                  Note that he magic used in its creation is gone after that process ends, and, once created, golems are self-powered and self-contained and do not depend on any ongoing magic effect to function. This is reinforced by the following text in the Antimagic Field spell:




                  The spell has no effect on golems and other constructs that are imbued
                  with magic during their creation process and are thereafter
                  self-supporting (unless they have been summoned, in which case they
                  are treated like any other summoned creatures).




                  If there is no magic that can be nullified, there should be no magic that Detect Magic could detect.






                  share|improve this answer












                  Detect magic would reveal nothing about the golem



                  As written, Detect magic detect magic auras, which amount to two things: ongoing spells and magic items, as per the spell description:




                  A magical aura lingers after its original source dissipates (in the
                  case of a spell) or is destroyed (in the case of a magic item).




                  The line you quoted from Detect Magic means that creatures summoned by a spell will radiate a magical aura as a result of an ongoing summoning spell keeping them in this plane, but not due themselves. Following the same reasoning, constructs, unless summoned or otherwise affected by a spell, do not have a magic aura that can be detected.



                  Note that he magic used in its creation is gone after that process ends, and, once created, golems are self-powered and self-contained and do not depend on any ongoing magic effect to function. This is reinforced by the following text in the Antimagic Field spell:




                  The spell has no effect on golems and other constructs that are imbued
                  with magic during their creation process and are thereafter
                  self-supporting (unless they have been summoned, in which case they
                  are treated like any other summoned creatures).




                  If there is no magic that can be nullified, there should be no magic that Detect Magic could detect.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 48 mins ago









                  MACN

                  4,92211529




                  4,92211529



























                       

                      draft saved


                      draft discarded















































                       


                      draft saved


                      draft discarded














                      StackExchange.ready(
                      function ()
                      StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2frpg.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f131782%2fdo-golems-register-as-magical-when-targeted-by-detect-magic%23new-answer', 'question_page');

                      );

                      Post as a guest













































































                      Comments

                      Popular posts from this blog

                      Long meetings (6-7 hours a day): Being “babysat” by supervisor

                      Is the Concept of Multiple Fantasy Races Scientifically Flawed? [closed]

                      Confectionery