The classic light blue Dungeons and Dragons Expert Set, edited by David Cook and Steve Marsh, built upon Tom Moldvay's red Basic Set, taking characters from level 4–14. The Expert set introduced several neat new monsters, many of which were brought into AD&D with the Mystara Monstrous Copmpendium, but few have ever been given the full 3e treatment. The bronze golem is one of our favorite monsters from that Expert set, and is probably one of the best variant golems, period. The following 3e conversion was done with the kind help of Cthulhudrew over in an EnWorld thread.
The towering figure appears like a 16-foot tall fire giant made all of bronze. The air around its metal form shimmers and blurs as if heated by an incredible fire.
Always N Huge construct (fire)
Init -1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Listen +0, Spot +0
AC 21, touch 7, flat-footed 21
(-2 size, -1 Dex, +14 natural)
hp 150 (20 HD); DR 10/adamantine
Immune fire, magic
Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +6
Weakness vulnerability to cold
Spd 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee 2 slams +23 (3d10+10 and 1d10 heat)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Base Atk +15; Grp +33
Atk Options heat
Abilities Str 30, Dex 8, Con —, Int —, Wis 11, Cha 1
SQ construct traits, fiery blood
Environment Any
Organization Solitary
Treasure None
Advancement 21―60 HD (Huge)
Fiery Blood (Su) Anyone scoring damage on a bronze golem with a piercing or slashing melee weapon must make a DC 20 Reflex save or take 2d6 points of damage from the fiery "blood" spurting out of the wound. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Heat (Su) The merest touch of a bronze golem is searingly hot. Those hit by a bronze golem's slam attack take 1d10 points of heat damage. Creatures hitting a bronze golem with natural weapons or unarmed attacks take heat damage as though hit by the golem's slam attack.
Immunity to Magic (Ex) A bronze golem is immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell resistance. In addition, certain spells and effects function differently against the creature, as noted below. A cold effect that deals more than 30 points of damage slows it (as the slow spell) for 1d6 rounds, with no saving throw. A magical attack that deals fire damage breaks any slow effect on the golem and heals 1 point of damage for each 3 points of damage the attack would otherwise deal. If the amount of healing would cause the golem to exceed its full normal hit points, it gains any excess as temporary hit points. A bronze golem gets no saving throw against fire effects.
This golem, occasionally confused with an iron golem, has a humanoid body made from bronze; its blood is liquid fire. A bronze golem can be fashioned in any manner, but is often formed like a broad-chested, bearded giant with half-plate armor and a horned helmet. A bronze golem is 16 feet tall and weighs about 13,000 pounds. A bronze golem cannot speak or make any vocal noise. Its body shimmers with the great heat inside it and it moves with a surprisingly swift gait. Each step causes the floor to tremble unless it is on a thick, solid foundation.
Bronze golems are formidable opponents, using their crushing strength in conjunction with their burning form to deal searing pain to the enemy.
A bronze golem's body is cast from 13,000 pounds of pure bronze, smelted with rare tinctures and admixtures costing at least 30,000 gp. Assembling the body requires a DC 20 Craft (sculpting) check or a DC 20 Craft (bronzeworking) check. Additionally, a DC 20 Craft (alchemy) check is needed in order to create the liquid fire that fills the golem's interior.
CL 16th; Craft Construct, fire shield, geas/quest, limited wish, wall of fire, caster must be at least 16th level; Price 120,000 gp; Cost 90,000 gp + 3,600 XP.