D&D 5E Identify Spell vs Resting With Item

[Agamon]

Depending on the magic in the world, it may very well be called +2 Armor. I wrote this up several years ago and will cut paste:

Well, yes, the level of power would be distinguishable, otherwise why would a PC trade in a +1 sword for a +2 sword? I'm just saying, as you admitted in your post, that literally calling it a "+2 magic item" in game would be an unusual game.

 

[Agamon]

Also, casting Identify on an item will always trigger any curses; and if cursed items have been taken out of 5e RAW you can bet they're going right back in by houserule!

There will be cursed items, or so we've been told. But I'm not sure I'd make the curse go off upon casting Identify. Otherwise, as the party wizard, I'd be giving the other members of the party the finger when they asked me to identify something for them.

 

[SkidAce]

I thought it worked like this;

A. learn about item by studying it carefully....figure it out and BAM...curse (if there is one). Cause you got sucked in while investigating it.

B. learn about item by casting Identify..."hey it's a powerful sword that bursts into flame...wait...be careful...its also cursed." With great power comes great "repercussions"?

 

[Agamon]

I thought it worked like this;

A. learn about item by studying it carefully....figure it out and BAM...curse (if there is one). Cause you got sucked in while investigating it.

B. learn about item by casting Identify..."hey it's a powerful sword that bursts into flame...wait...be careful...its also cursed." With great power comes great "repercussions"?

We'll see. Nothing in the spell says anything about pointing out the item is cursed. It would be a pretty easy way to get around the curse. I'm thinking the curse doesn't take place or is discovered until the item is used/worn.

 

[SkidAce]

We'll see. Nothing in the spell says anything about pointing out the item is cursed. It would be a pretty easy way to get around the curse. I'm thinking the curse doesn't take place or is discovered until the item is used/worn.

I agree with the used /worn, but am kinda leaning towards Identify telling you its cursed.

Its even better when you know its cursed but your character decides they need to use it anyway...and not every wizard will have the spell.

Like you say, we'll see.

 

[SilverBulletKY]

Aren't some items only cursed though with no benefits to wearing?

 

[Agamon]

I agree with the used /worn, but am kinda leaning towards Identify telling you its cursed.

Its even better when you know its cursed but your character decides they need to use it anyway...and not every wizard will have the spell.

I like the way 13th Age does cursed items. They're useful, but have some horrible drawback. I like that better than just being horrible. The PC might have an interesting choice to make instead of just one: "Where's the cleric with Remove Curse?"

 

[KarinsDad]

We'll see. Nothing in the spell says anything about pointing out the item is cursed. It would be a pretty easy way to get around the curse. I'm thinking the curse doesn't take place or is discovered until the item is used/worn.

Is cursed a property?


And even if Identify did get around the curse, what could the PCs do with such an item? They couldn't sell it. Maybe they could use or find powerful magic to de-curse the item and then use it, but even then.


A cursed item seems to be a way for a DM to just kind of screw over his players. Yeah, it's funny ha ha in the slapstick kind of vein, but giving a player the "chore" of getting rid of it seems pedestrian and not exciting like other quests can be.

In real life, is it exciting to get carpal tunnel and then go to doctors for surgery and therapy to correct it, or is it just annoying? Ditto for a cursed item.

 

[SilverBulletKY]

Is cursed a property?


And even if Identify did get around the curse, what could the PCs do with such an item? They couldn't sell it. Maybe they could use or find powerful magic to de-curse the item and then use it, but even then.


A cursed item seems to be a way for a DM to just kind of screw over his players. Yeah, it's funny ha ha in the slapstick kind of vein, but giving a player the "chore" of getting rid of it seems pedestrian and not exciting like other quests can be.

In real life, is it exciting to get carpal tunnel and then go to doctors for surgery and therapy to correct it, or is it just annoying? Ditto for a cursed item.

But are you able to type 400 wpm now due to your magical wrists?

 

[Agamon]

Is cursed a property?

If it is, then you can find out about it just with the hour examination. So I doubt it.

A cursed item seems to be a way for a DM to just kind of screw over his players. Yeah, it's funny ha ha in the slapstick kind of vein, but giving a player the "chore" of getting rid of it seems pedestrian and not exciting like other quests can be.

In real life, is it exciting to get carpal tunnel and then go to doctors for surgery and therapy to correct it, or is it just annoying? Ditto for a cursed item.

Yeah, they should be used sparingly. I can see them being useful if the item makes sense for the environment or to the story. Random cursed items are indeed just for lols, I think.