Homunculus

An Iron Defender or Iron Defender Homunculus is the iron defender pet that can be summoned by any character with at least 1 Level of Artificer. They can act independently, altho', similar to hirelings, they can be somewhat controlled by the player character.

An Iron Defender has its own "Pet Character Sheet". To access this, first the pet must be summoned. This is a Feat, "Unleash Iron Defender", that must be activated. This feat is found under the Feats tab on the Character Sheet, in "Artificer Feats". That link can be dragged/dropped to a hotbar from that location. Once summoned, the "Pet" link in the upper-right of the Character Sheet (default c) will highlight. Clicking that link will then open the "Pet Character Sheet", where you can view the pet's various stats, gear and currently selected enhancements.

Improving your Iron Defender
A Homonculus Iron Defender's level is the same as number of Artificer levels that the character has, not the character's total level. So, the ML for gear for the HID is based on those Artificer levels, not character level. For example, the Iron Defender of a Level 12 character (Warlock 10/Artificer 2) is Level 2.

Iron Defenders can equip:
 * Companion Collars
 * Docents

To equip gear, the Iron Defender must be summoned so as to access the Pet Character Sheet. On the bottom-left of that page are 2 gear slots - one for collars, one for docents. Drag/drop the desired item from your Inventory to the slot.

As an Iron Defender gains levels (via the character increasing Artificer Levels), they will gain Action Points that can be used to "train" your pet at any Artificer class trainer. Currently selected enhancements can be viewed on the Pet Character Sheet, "Enhancement" tab. If the enhancement requires activation (i.e. Trip, Bluff, Intimidate, and/or Sunder) that enhancement must be dragged/dropped to one of the slots on that page. It will then appear in the pet's command bar for use once the pet is summoned.

Tips
If you select a usable item (right-click, or cycle w/ q), such as a door, lever, gear or rest/resurrection shrine, then hit the "gear" icon on the Iron Defender's command hotbar, your pet will attempt to "use" that item. This can be handy for opening doors or pulling levers, etc.

Iron Defenders start with a Strength 15, and each Artificer level adds +1 (up to Str 34 @ Lvl 20). This gives them Str 18 @ pet Lvl 3, and Str 20 @ pet level 5, so they may be used in the above manner to open doors and turn valves that have a Strength Check higher than your character's Strength. Additionally, this Strength can be increased by +2/4 at pet level 6 and 10 via enhancements.

If you select a Soul Stone and do the same, the pet will "pick up" that soul stone (which then disappears from view). This includes your own stone, if you have died, and/or others'. There is no limit, any number of soulstones can be carried in this manner. The pet can then be directed to follow you (or your ghost), opening doors along the way to a shrine, other party member, or any available destination. If you run into a dangerous area - a trap or enemy creatures - you can order your pet to "Hold Ground", run through the hazard, then summon your pet to your current location. A pet cannot be ordered to "drop" a soulstone. (Drop it! Drooop it... drop it... bad dog!)

See Also:
 * Drakos's excellent

Bugs
See Also:
 * Wolf Companion - the similar companion for Druids