[RPG] Are animated objects treated as creatures or objects when it comes to damaging and destroying them

animated-objectsdamagepathfinder-1e

One of my party members is a specialized construct creator (machinesmith/engineer), and we had a few crazy ideas of animated objects that would see some good use in combat. For the most part, creating a permanent animated object is similar to creating a golem, but there is one thing that bugs me : animated objects have hardness, like mundane objects, instead of standard damage reduction.

Does this mean that animated objects are still treated as objects and follow the same rules as objects when it comes to what deals damage or generally affects them ?

Best Answer

Yes, animated objects have hardness.

As you linked, this situation calls for the animated object rules to be used because...

... any object can become animated, most commonly via the spell animate objects. Permanent animated objects can be built using the Craft Construct feat.

Which seems to cover your situation.

Instead, Animated Objects have construct traits, although they retain hardness instead of having damage reduction as per their stat block.

Constructs are immune to death effects, disease, mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects), necromancy effects, paralysis, poison, sleep, stun, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects, or is harmless). Constructs are not subject to nonlethal damage, ability damage, ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or energy drain. Constructs are not at risk of death from massive damage.

No, the other rules for objects don't apply to them. Animated objects are distinct from 'inanimate objects' and I can't see that the standard object damage rules would be used. For example you wouldn't be able to Sunder or Break them.

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