Clockwork constructs were mechanical creations powered not by bound spirits or stolen life force, but by intricate systems of springs, gears, and winding mechanisms. Many were built in the likeness of living creatures, imitating their appearance and behavior with remarkable precision. Once wound with a specialized key or similar device, a clockwork construct could carry out its purpose for days, months, or even years before exhausting its stored energy and falling dormant. Because they relied on craftsmanship rather than soul-binding, clockworks were favored by Artificers and inventors who viewed more traditional methods of construct creation as unethical.
Some artificers used Infusions to overcome the limitations of clockwork behaviour, making them act more like traditional Constructs. Their complex inner workings, however, made them less durable than many other constructs, and they were often particularly vulnerable to certain types of fire, electricity, acid, or cold that could disrupt or destroy their delicate mechanisms.