I'm not sure that rarity is the best indication of the true value of a given magic item. I'm wondering what value we would assign magic items on a 1 to 10 scale based on their impact on the game as they pertain to adventurers.
For example, it seems to me that items that give AC bonuses would be pretty high up on the scale, while +x weapons might not be as high, given the 5E philosophy of more hits against higher hit point pools, which makes anything that ups a character's AC have more of an impact on the game.
So, if you're willing, I'd be curious to hear what 1-10 value you'd place on some or all of the following items based on several criteria, including, but not limited to...
How ubiquitous is the item? Can anybody use it, or is it valuable to only a certain class?
How often does the item impact the game? Specifically in combat, but certainly take out of combat value into consideration as well.
How much impact does the item have on one's survival? Does it make you more difficult to hit or grant saving throw bonuses, or help you make death saving throws, etc?
How much impact does the item have on your ability to overcome enemies? Does it help you hit them? Do more damage? And so on.
Does the item require attunement, and thus take up one of your valuable attunement slots? If it does, the item is probably of considerable value, but it does take up a slot.
Does it have limited uses per day?
Does it have multiple uses?
Can more than one character benefit from the item?
How rare is the item?
If you can think of more criteria, please feel free to mention them.
Obviously your ratings will be pure ballpark figures, and one persons 7 might be another persons 3. There are no wrong answers.
And again, these are ratings based on how the items pertain to adventurers. An Alchemy Jug might be a 10 for a merchant, but it might only rate a 3 for the average adventurer (unless he REALLY love mayonnaise), whereas a +3 sword doesn't do the local tanner much good vs it being a PC's most treasured item.
Here's a quick list...
+1, +2, +3 weapons
Bag of Holding
Driftglobe
Dust of Disappearance
Cap of Water Breathing
Goggles of Night
Helm of Comprehending Languages
Immovable Rod
Lantern of Revealing
Rope of Climbing
Wand of Secrets
Chime of Opening
Heward's Handy Haversack
Periapt of Health
Sending Stones
Portable Hole
Amulet Proof vs Detection
Boots of Elvenkind
Boots of Stringing & Springing
Bracers of Archery
Brooch of Shielding
Broom of Flying
Cloak of Protection
Gauntlets of Ogre Power
Pearl of Power
Slippers of Spider Climbing
Wand of Magic Missiles
Wand of the War Mage
Eyes of Charming
Eyes of the Eagle
Headband of Intellect
Gloves of Theivery
Necklace of Adaptation
Periapt of Wound Closure
Ring of Mind Shielding
Ring of Water Walking
Quiver of Ehlonna
Stone of Good Luck
Winged Boots
Amulet of Health
Belt of Dwarvenkind
Belt of Hill Giant Strength
Boots of Levitation
Boots of Speed
Bracers of Defense
+1, +2, +3 armor
+1, +2, +3 shield
Cloak of Displacement
Flame Tongue
Helm of Teleportation
Mantle of Spell Resistance
Ring of Evasion
Ring of Featherfall
Ring of Free Action
Ring of Protection +1
Staff of Healing
Sun Blade
Sword of Life Stealing
Wand of Fireballs
Wand of Wonder
Wings of Flying
Amulet of the Planes
Crystal Ball (very rare version)
Ring of Regeneration
Staff of Fire
Staff of Power
Sword of Sharpness
Belt of Fire Giant Strength
Belt of Frost Giant Strength
Dancing Sword
Dwarven Plate
Manual of Gainful Exercise
Manual of Quickness of Action
Oathbow
Tome of Clear Thought
Tome of Leadership
Tome of Understanding
Luck Blade
Holy Avenger
Ring of Invisibility
Staff of the Magi
Vorpal Sword
Belt of Cloud Giant Strength
Robe of the Archmage
Rod of Ressurection
Armor of Invulnerability
Belt of Storm Giant Strength
Deck of Many Things
Ring of Elemental Command (any)
Please feel free to skip any (I know it's a long list), or add any that you feel deserve to be on the list.
Obviously this is kind of a hard exercise given that one item might be a 10 for a fighter and a 1 for a mage. But maybe think of yourself as a magic item merchant assigning a blanket value to an item, trying to get the most gold for it. For example, even though a Holy Avenger is only useful to a narrow selection of buyers, those buyers would still be willing to pay a LOT for it.
Thanks for any time you take to do this, and thought you put into it.
For example, it seems to me that items that give AC bonuses would be pretty high up on the scale, while +x weapons might not be as high, given the 5E philosophy of more hits against higher hit point pools, which makes anything that ups a character's AC have more of an impact on the game.
So, if you're willing, I'd be curious to hear what 1-10 value you'd place on some or all of the following items based on several criteria, including, but not limited to...
How ubiquitous is the item? Can anybody use it, or is it valuable to only a certain class?
How often does the item impact the game? Specifically in combat, but certainly take out of combat value into consideration as well.
How much impact does the item have on one's survival? Does it make you more difficult to hit or grant saving throw bonuses, or help you make death saving throws, etc?
How much impact does the item have on your ability to overcome enemies? Does it help you hit them? Do more damage? And so on.
Does the item require attunement, and thus take up one of your valuable attunement slots? If it does, the item is probably of considerable value, but it does take up a slot.
Does it have limited uses per day?
Does it have multiple uses?
Can more than one character benefit from the item?
How rare is the item?
If you can think of more criteria, please feel free to mention them.
Obviously your ratings will be pure ballpark figures, and one persons 7 might be another persons 3. There are no wrong answers.
And again, these are ratings based on how the items pertain to adventurers. An Alchemy Jug might be a 10 for a merchant, but it might only rate a 3 for the average adventurer (unless he REALLY love mayonnaise), whereas a +3 sword doesn't do the local tanner much good vs it being a PC's most treasured item.
Here's a quick list...
+1, +2, +3 weapons
Bag of Holding
Driftglobe
Dust of Disappearance
Cap of Water Breathing
Goggles of Night
Helm of Comprehending Languages
Immovable Rod
Lantern of Revealing
Rope of Climbing
Wand of Secrets
Chime of Opening
Heward's Handy Haversack
Periapt of Health
Sending Stones
Portable Hole
Amulet Proof vs Detection
Boots of Elvenkind
Boots of Stringing & Springing
Bracers of Archery
Brooch of Shielding
Broom of Flying
Cloak of Protection
Gauntlets of Ogre Power
Pearl of Power
Slippers of Spider Climbing
Wand of Magic Missiles
Wand of the War Mage
Eyes of Charming
Eyes of the Eagle
Headband of Intellect
Gloves of Theivery
Necklace of Adaptation
Periapt of Wound Closure
Ring of Mind Shielding
Ring of Water Walking
Quiver of Ehlonna
Stone of Good Luck
Winged Boots
Amulet of Health
Belt of Dwarvenkind
Belt of Hill Giant Strength
Boots of Levitation
Boots of Speed
Bracers of Defense
+1, +2, +3 armor
+1, +2, +3 shield
Cloak of Displacement
Flame Tongue
Helm of Teleportation
Mantle of Spell Resistance
Ring of Evasion
Ring of Featherfall
Ring of Free Action
Ring of Protection +1
Staff of Healing
Sun Blade
Sword of Life Stealing
Wand of Fireballs
Wand of Wonder
Wings of Flying
Amulet of the Planes
Crystal Ball (very rare version)
Ring of Regeneration
Staff of Fire
Staff of Power
Sword of Sharpness
Belt of Fire Giant Strength
Belt of Frost Giant Strength
Dancing Sword
Dwarven Plate
Manual of Gainful Exercise
Manual of Quickness of Action
Oathbow
Tome of Clear Thought
Tome of Leadership
Tome of Understanding
Luck Blade
Holy Avenger
Ring of Invisibility
Staff of the Magi
Vorpal Sword
Belt of Cloud Giant Strength
Robe of the Archmage
Rod of Ressurection
Armor of Invulnerability
Belt of Storm Giant Strength
Deck of Many Things
Ring of Elemental Command (any)
Please feel free to skip any (I know it's a long list), or add any that you feel deserve to be on the list.
Obviously this is kind of a hard exercise given that one item might be a 10 for a fighter and a 1 for a mage. But maybe think of yourself as a magic item merchant assigning a blanket value to an item, trying to get the most gold for it. For example, even though a Holy Avenger is only useful to a narrow selection of buyers, those buyers would still be willing to pay a LOT for it.
Thanks for any time you take to do this, and thought you put into it.