The title pretty much sums up what this is. Perhaps a DM will see a theme they like and will have the motivation to add it to the game world. So express your best and most creative summoning themes. If you'd like you can follow the format I've layed out for mine. Additionally I'd suggest putting the most detail into the level 1-5 summons, because lets face it the other ones are barely reached.
Construct Theme:
I dislike the current construct style theme, it's quiet weak and comically themed, furniture and the like. I envision a more serious construct theme for the would be animator.
Level 1: Animated Dagger Low HP High Att, low damage Damage Resistance Physical 5/ Reduction, Model: invisible person with a dagger
Level 2: Animated Sword Low HP, Average Att, Average Damage, Damage Resistance Physical 5/ Reduction, Model: invisible person with a Sword
Level 3: Animated Wooden Construct, Average hp, Average Att, Average damage, Damage Reduction 5 +1 Model: Barkskined human/halfing with no weapon/club/staff
Level 4: Animated Armor (Similar to the current one, perhaps a little weaker.) Model: Human in full plate with two handed sword.
Level 5: Weapon Whirlwind, Model: Invisible human with lots of one handed weapons that equip randomly. Lots of attacks, fast movement speed, hard to hit. (Concealment or high AC) Damage Resistance Physical 5/ Reduction.
Level 6: Animated Stone Guardian, high hp, average att, good damage damage, Damage Resistance Physical 10/ Reduction, Model: Shield Guardian (Smaller scale 070?)
Level 7: Animated Iron Soldier, Model: Helmed Horror
Level 8: Animated Horror: Model Battle Horror
Level 9: Magnum Opus of Destruction: Model: Iron Golem
There's a reason people don't suggest summoning themes and that they're left to DM discretion. Ruins the element of surprise when someone finally unlocks a higher tier.
All basic summoning themes are rather lousy.
That would be more powerful than the current animating theme.
The current one always was weak, aside from level 2 and 5 summons, so the suggestion is aimed at fixing that as well as removing some of the comedy of the theme. Personally I feel the DR may be a bit much, though the DM's are going to pick their own even if they do take the suggestion.
Constructs are made for a purpose. Obviously a conjuror will usually have them for battle, but having some utility abilities among them would be great.
For instance, low level summons are your usual fodder, perhaps level 2 having the DR and stats they currently have (though change it to leather armor instead of yellow boots, in my opinion, something less comical), while boosting level 1 a little bit (damage immunity?). After that, your constructs each have a specialty, level 3 could be a rogue, with small sneak attack and some skills, while 4 is a skilled fighter, and 5 has a few spells such as lesser dispel and some disabling/minor damage spells. Grease (oil spray), burning hands (flame thrower), web (net), color spray (enhanced prism), etc... Essentially, keep them true to the theme: Things made for a specific purpose. As it stands they all have one purpose: fight, and there isn't much variation beyond appearance. Giving them a greater variety than other themes would greatly improve the appeal of this theme.
create a new one if you will... but keep the boots and the comic! EFU is already depressive enough
Sounds like you've put a lot of thought into it to me. I'd be willing to support such a notion.
As an aside, I initially picked "Animation" theme because I thought it was akin to the Summon Undead spells presented in the Heroes of Horror handbook. Perhaps renaming the Animation theme to a Construct theme would be a good idea to prevent future confusions.
Vrudraa is comical? He is one of the most brilliant Nebezzdos assassin. After all, who would suspect furniture?