What really counts for Hemalurgic control?

[Trusk'our he/him]

So, I was wondering about what counts in terms of controlling hemalurgic constructs when I stumbled over this quote. 

"Oversleep

What does count for Hemalurgic control? The total Hemalurgic charge or number of the spikes? If we let four spikes decay for a few years and then pierce a human with it, would that person be controllable? Does that work the same for all Hemalurgic constructs?

Brandon Sanderson

Good question to be asking, as there are spikes that come in sets that only count as a single one... I'd say you're getting close, but not quite there."

To me, I think it's the actual number of spikes themselves piercing your soul's binding points. Koloss could still be controlled after much of their charge had been lost, and Harmony could still easily talk to Waxillium with a fraction of an old, worn out Inquisitor's spike.

 

Does my theory seem to make sense, or is it incorrect?

 

P.S. sorry, I don't know how to put the quote in a proper quote box.

Edited October 26, 2021 by Trusk'our

[Honorless he/him]

I would say that the total Hemalurgic charge probably counts for more than the raw number of spikes

 

You can click that to create a quote box

[+Oltux72 he/him]

That is daring, for the number of kinds of metal or the groupings of bindpoints may also count. It is not quite so simple. The members of the Set got away with multiple spikes, yet a Kandra is controllable with two spikes. And the Set knew about decay, as did the Lord Ruler, so it is not a question of charge decay by mishandling.

Paalm became controlable with the addition of an Inquisitor's spike that had decayed for centuries. So the sheer number is more important, but there are additional factors.

[Honorless he/him]

5 hours ago, Oltux72 said:

That is daring, for the number of kinds of metal or the groupings of bindpoints may also count. It is not quite so simple. The members of the Set got away with multiple spikes, yet a Kandra is controllable with two spikes. And the Set knew about decay, as did the Lord Ruler, so it is not a question of charge decay by mishandling.

Paalm became controlable with the addition of an Inquisitor's spike that had decayed for centuries. So the sheer number is more important, but there are additional factors.

Yes! Though with Paalm, additional factors could've been at play, like her being a Kandra in general might've made her more susceptible. Plus, she was using Trell's godmetal. It's possible that the Set was using Trellium as well.