Magic Item Crafting Rules
Go back to Reese's Campaign page.
Having an Item Crafted
The player must provide the materials to create the item. The cost of these materials is subtracted from the base cost of the item, and then a diplomacy check is made against the appropriate merchant DC.
Weapons
The base pathfinder weapon rules: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/magic-weapons
A magic weapon is enhanced to strike more accurately and deliver more damage. Magic weapons have three types of improvements that may be applied to them:
- Enhancements
Magical enhancements range from +1 to +9. As a firm rule, the maximum enhancement a weapon may have is equal to one quarter of the campaign level, round up. This maximum Enhancement Bonus cap must not be exceeded at normal play levels to maintain balance. Any attempt to wield a weapon more magically enchanted than this results in the character taking a non-proficiency penalty with the weapon, with the possibility of even more dire consequences (such as insanity, or being controlled by the weapon). At level 36 and higher all restrictions are lifted, and a weapon may be enchanted in any way the characters can afford.
While a weapon's enhancement bonus is nearly always used to increase the weapon's to-hit and damage, some weapons contain innate properties from special materials, which may also be increased via the enhancement bonus. An example of this is an adamantine weapon's ability to ignore hardness. Players may dedicate enhancement bonuses to increasing these innate properties instead of the weapon's to-hit and damage. However, the weapon's total enhancement bonus is always the sum of any of these, and no weapon may ever have an enhancement bonus greater than +9. For details on special material innate properties, and the effects of using enhancement bonuses to increase them, see the Dweomermetals And Other Special Materials page. Enhancement bonuses may never be used to apply a property that the weapon does not already have innately from its special materials.
- Properties
Magic Item Properties are additional traits, bonuses or effects the magic weapon grants or performs on top of the normal functionality of that weapon. A weapon must have at least a +1 enhancement bonus before any magic weapon properties may be added to it. The limit to the total value of all weapon properties that may be added to a weapon is one quarter of the campaign level, rounded up. This maximum Magical Properties cap must not be exceeded at normal play levels to maintain balance. At level 36 and higher all restrictions are lifted, and a weapon may be enchanted in any way the characters can afford.
- Absolute Bonus
By adding together the plus values of the Enhancement Bonus and Magical Properties of a weapon, you determine the weapon's Absolute Bonus. For example, a +2 Keen Longsword has a +3 Absolute Bonus, since the Keen property has a +1 cost associated with it. The Absolute Bonus plus the special material costs (if any) determine the total magic item cost of the item. The maximum possible Absolute Bonus of any magic weapon, armor or shield is +18, though the maximum allowed in a given campaign varies by the campaign's current player level (See the tables below for details). At level 36, all restrictions are lifted, and weapons, armors and shields may be enchanted in any way the characters can afford.
- Materials
Mundane weapons are assumed to be made of forged iron. Fragile weapons are usually made of crude iron, bronze, or bone. Masterwork weapons are assumed to be made of good quality steel, similar to historical Damascus or Wootz (forging good steel was often a happy accident before the chemistry was fully understood). Weapons made from fantastic materials are possible as well, such as the classic mithril and adamantine. A list of special materials and their properties can be found on the Dweomermetals And Other Special Materials page. In all cases, only ONE material may be used in the construction of a single weapon, even after the Apotheosis. Unless the referee allows it, of course.
Table: Magic Weapon Enhancement Limitations
| Campaign Level | Max Enhancement Bonus | Max Magic Properties | Absolute Bonus | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - 4 | +1 | no properties | +1 | 2,000 |
| +1 worth of properties | +2 | 8,000 | ||
| 5 - 8 | +2 | no properties | +2 | 8,000 |
| +1 worth of properties | +3 | 18,000 | ||
| +2 worth of properties | +4 | 32,000 | ||
| 9 - 12 | +3 | no properties | +3 | 18,000 |
| +1 worth of properties | +4 | 32,000 | ||
| +2 worth of properties | +5 | 50,000 | ||
| +3 worth of properties | +6 | 72,000 | ||
| 13 - 16 | +4 | no properties | +4 | 32,000 |
| +1 worth of properties | +5 | 50,000 | ||
| +2 worth of properties | +6 | 72,000 | ||
| +3 worth of properties | +7 | 98,000 | ||
| +4 worth of properties | +8 | 128,000 | ||
| 17 - 20 | +5 | no properties | +5 | 50,000 |
| +1 worth of properties | +6 | 72,000 | ||
| +2 worth of properties | +7 | 98,000 | ||
| +3 worth of properties | +8 | 128,000 | ||
| +4 worth of properties | +9 | 162,000 | ||
| +5 worth of properties | +10 | 200,000 |
Table: Epic Magic Weapon Enhancement Limitations
| Campaign Level | Max Enhancement Bonus | Max Magic Properties (Note: +5 is the minimum allowed for Epic) | Absolute Bonus | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 - 24 | +6 | +5 worth of properties | +11 | 400,000 |
| +6 worth of properties | +12 | 800,000 | ||
| 25 - 28 | +7 | +5 worth of properties | +12 | 800,000 |
| +6 worth of properties | +13 | 1,600,000 | ||
| +7 worth of properties | +14 | 3,000,000 | ||
| 29 - 32 | +8 | +5 worth of properties | +13 | 1,600,000 |
| +6 worth of properties | +14 | 3,000,000 | ||
| +7 worth of properties | +15 | 5,000,000 | ||
| +8 worth of properties | +16 | 9,000,000 | ||
| 33 - 35 | +9 | +5 worth of properties | +14 | 3,000,000 |
| +6 worth of properties | +15 | 5,000,000 | ||
| +7 worth of properties | +16 | 9,000,000 | ||
| +8 worth of properties | +17 | 15,000,000 | ||
| +9 worth of properties | +18 | 23,000,000 | ||
| Apotheosis! | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | impossibly expensive |
- Caster Level Required To Make Weapons
The caster level required to make a weapon with a weapon property is given in the description of the property. If a weapon has more than one weapon property, the caster level required to place the weapon properties is the highest of all the properties. For a weapon with only an enhancement bonus and no other abilities, the caster level required to make the weapon is three times the enhancement bonus. Thus, it requires a third level caster to make a +1 weapon, sixth level to make a +2, etc. If a weapon has both an enhancement bonus and a special ability, the higher of the caster level requirements must be met.
- Additional Damage Dice
Some magic weapons deal additional dice of damage. Unlike other modifiers to damage, additional dice of damage are considered bonuses and are not multiplied when the attacker scores a critical hit.
- Additional Base Damage Dice
Some magic weapons gain improved or additional base damage dice. These dice improve with level as normal base damage dice do, and are multiplied when the attacker scores a critical hit.
- Ranged Weapons and Ammunition
The enhancement bonus from a ranged weapon does not stack with the enhancement bonus from ammunition. Only the higher of the two enhancement bonuses applies. Ammunition fired from a projectile weapon with an enhancement bonus of +1 or higher is treated as a magic weapon for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. Similarly, ammunition fired from a projectile weapon with an alignment gains the alignment of that projectile weapon. Weapon properties of a ranged weapon do stack with weapon properties of ammunition, assuming there is a minimum +1 enhancement on the ammunition. As always, no weapon may ever have the same property twice. If ammunition and a ranged weapon have the same weapon properties, only count the property once.
- Magic Thrown Weapons
Weapons designed for throwing, such as the throwing axe or the careen (but not weapons with the ammunition property, such as skiprocks), gain the Lesser Returning property for free if they have an enhancement bonus or magic property worth an enhancement bonus of at least +1. If they have an enhancement bonus of +2 or greater (or magic properties equivalent to +2 enhancement or greater), thrown weapons gain the Greater Returning magic property for free. These properties cost nothing extra, and never increase the overall cost of additional upgrades, but they do count against the maximum possible enchantments the weapon can have.
- Magic Ammunition and Breakage
Magical ammunition follows the standard rules for recovering expended ammunition. If the attack hits, the arrow, bolt or bullet is expended and not recoverable. If the attack misses, there is a 50% chance that the piece of ammunition is recoverable.
- Light Generation
30% of randomly generated magic weapons shed light equivalent to a light spell. These glowing weapons are quite obviously magical. Such a weapon can't be concealed when drawn, nor can its light be shut off. Some weapons always or never glow, as defined in their descriptions. If a weapon is specially crafted for hire, whether or not it gives off light is chosen by the player.
- Hardness and Hit Points
Each +1 of a magic weapon’s enhancement bonus adds +2 to its hardness and +10 to its hit points. See also Table: Common Armor, Weapon, and Shield Hardness and Hit Points. Weapon properties usually have no effect on hardness or hit points. Special materials almost always have an effect on a weapon's hardness and hit points.
- Activation
Usually a character benefits from a magic weapon in the same way a character benefits from a mundane weapon—by wielding (attacking with) it. If a weapon has a weapon property that the user needs to activate, then the user usually needs to utter a command word (a standard action). A character can activate the special abilities of 50 pieces of ammunition at the same time, assuming each piece has identical abilities.
- Magic Weapons and Critical Hits
Some weapon properties and some specific weapons have an extra effect on a critical hit. This special effect overcomes immunity to critical bits. Criticals rolled with these weapons function against creatures not normally subject to critical hits. In such instances, on a successful critical roll, apply the magic weapon's special effect, but otherwise resolve damage as though it were a normal hit.
- Weapons for Unusually Sized Creatures
The cost of weapons for creatures who are neither Small nor Medium varies (see Equipment). The cost of the masterwork quality and any magical enhancement remains the same.
Armor and Shields
Link to the d20pfsrd Magic Armor rules
Magic armor and shields are enhanced to better protect the wearer from harm. Magic armor and shields can have three types of improvements applied to them:
- Enhancements
Magical enhancements range from +1 to +9. As a firm rule, the maximum enhancement an armor or shield may have is equal to one quarter of the campaign level, round up. This maximum Enhancement Bonus cap must not be exceeded at normal play levels to maintain balance. Any attempt to wear armor or wield a shield more magically enchanted than this results in the character taking a non-proficiency penalty, with the possibility of even more dire consequences (such as insanity, or becoming dominated by the armor's will). At level 36 and higher all restrictions are lifted, and armor and shields may be enchanted in any way the characters can afford.
While armor and sheild enhancement bonuses are nearly always used to increase the AC bonus, some armors contain innate properties from special materials, which may also be increased via the enhancement bonus. An example of this is the adamantine armor's DR 3/- property. Players may dedicate enhancement bonuses to increasing these innate properties instead of the armor's AC bonus. However, the armor's total enhancement bonus is always the sum of any of these, and no armor or shield may ever have an enhancement bonus greater than +9. For details on special material innate properties, and the effects of using enhancement bonuses to increase them, see the Dweomermetals And Other Special Materials page. Enhancement bonuses may never be used to apply a property that the armor does not already have innately from its special materials.
- Properties
Magic Item Properties are additional traits, bonuses or effects the magic armor or shields grant or perform on top of the normal functionality of that armor or shield. Armor and sheilds must have at least a +1 enhancement bonus before any magic armor properties may be added to them. The limit to the total value of all armor properties that may be added to a suit of armor or shield is one quarter of the campaign level, rounded up. This maximum Magical Properties cap must not be exceeded at normal play levels to maintain balance. At level 36 and higher all restrictions are lifted, and armor and shields may be enchanted in any way the characters can afford.
- Absolute Bonus
By adding together the plus values of the Enhancement Bonus and Magical Properties of a suit of armor or a shield, you determine the armor's Absolute Bonus. For example, a +2 Expeditious Plate Mail has a +4 Absolute Bonus, since the Expeditious property has a +2 cost associated with it. The Absolute Bonus plus the special material costs (if any) determine the total magic item cost of the item. The maximum possible Absolute Bonus of any magic weapon, armor or shield is +18, though the maximum allowed in a given campaign varies by the campaign's current player level (See the tables below for details). At level 36, all restrictions are lifted, and weapons, armors and shields may be enchanted in any way the characters can afford.
- Materials
Mundane armors are assumed to be made of forged iron or crude leathers and furs. Fragile armors are usually made of crude iron, untreated hides, or bone. Masterwork armors are assumed to be made of high quality steel, similar to historical Damascus or Wootz (forging good steel was often a happy accident before the chemistry was fully understood). Armor and shields made from fantastic materials are possible as well, such as the classic mithril and adamantine. A list of special materials and their properties can be found on the Dweomermetals And Other Special Materials page. In all cases, only ONE material may be used in the construction of a single suit of armor or a single shield, even after the Apotheosis. Unless the referee allows it, of course.
Table: Magic Armor Enhancement Limitations
| Campaign Level | Max Enhancement Bonus | Max Magic Properties | Absolute Bonus | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - 4 | +1 | no properties | +1 | 1,000 |
| +1 worth of properties | +2 | 4,000 | ||
| 5 - 8 | +2 | no properties | +2 | 4,000 |
| +1 worth of properties | +3 | 9,000 | ||
| +2 worth of properties | +4 | 16,000 | ||
| 9 - 12 | +3 | no properties | +3 | 9,000 |
| +1 worth of properties | +4 | 16,000 | ||
| +2 worth of properties | +5 | 25,000 | ||
| +3 worth of properties | +6 | 36,000 | ||
| 13 - 16 | +4 | no properties | +4 | 16,000 |
| +1 worth of properties | +5 | 25,000 | ||
| +2 worth of properties | +6 | 36,000 | ||
| +3 worth of properties | +7 | 49,000 | ||
| +4 worth of properties | +8 | 64,000 | ||
| 17 - 20 | +5 | no properties | +5 | 25,000 |
| +1 worth of properties | +6 | 36,000 | ||
| +2 worth of properties | +7 | 49,000 | ||
| +3 worth of properties | +8 | 64,000 | ||
| +4 worth of properties | +9 | 81,000 | ||
| +5 worth of properties | +10 | 100,000 |
Table: Epic Magic Armor Enhancement Limitations
| Campaign Level | Max Enhancement Bonus | Max Magic Properties (Note: +5 is the minimum allowed for Epic) | Absolute Bonus | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 - 24 | +6 | +5 worth of properties | +11 | 200,000 |
| +6 worth of properties | +12 | 400,000 | ||
| 25 - 28 | +7 | +5 worth of properties | +12 | 400,000 |
| +6 worth of properties | +13 | 800,000 | ||
| +7 worth of properties | +14 | 1,500,000 | ||
| 29 - 32 | +8 | +5 worth of properties | +13 | 800,000 |
| +6 worth of properties | +14 | 1,500,000 | ||
| +7 worth of properties | +15 | 2,500,000 | ||
| +8 worth of properties | +16 | 4,500,000 | ||
| 33 - 35 | +9 | +5 worth of properties | +14 | 1,500,000 |
| +6 worth of properties | +15 | 2,500,000 | ||
| +7 worth of properties | +16 | 4,500,000 | ||
| +8 worth of properties | +17 | 7,500,000 | ||
| +9 worth of properties | +18 | 11,500,000 | ||
| Apotheosis! | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | impossibly expensive |
Armor is always created so that if the type of armor comes with a pair of boots, a helm, or a set of gauntlets, these pieces can be exchanged for other magic boots, helms, or gauntlets.
- Caster Level for armor and shields
The caster level of a magic shield or magic armor with a special ability is given in the item description. For an item with only an enhancement bonus, the caster level is three times the enhancement bonus. If an item has both an enhancement bonus and a special ability, the higher of the two caster level requirements must be met.
- Shields
Shield enhancement bonuses stack with armor enhancement bonuses. Shield enhancement bonuses do not act as attack or damage bonuses when the shield is used in a shield bash. The bashing special ability, however, does grant a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls (see the special ability description).
A shield could be built that also acted as a magic weapon, but the cost of the enhancement bonus on attack rolls would need to be added into the cost of the shield and its enhancement bonus to AC.
As with armor, special abilities built into the shield add to the market value in the form of additions to the bonus of the shield, although they do not improve AC. A shield cannot have an absolute bonus (enhancement plus special ability bonus equivalents) higher than +18. A shield with a special ability must also have at least a +1 enhancement bonus.
- Activation
Usually a character benefits from magic armor and shields in exactly the way a character benefits from non-magical armor and shields: by wearing them. If armor or a shield has a special ability that the user needs to activate, then the user usually needs to utter the command word (a standard action).
- Armor for Unusual Creatures
The cost of armor for non-humanoid creatures, as well as for creatures who are neither Small nor Medium, varies. The cost of the masterwork quality and any magical enhancement remains the same.