D&D 3E/3.5 3.5E item pricing

[reapersaurus]

What I'd really like to know is, do players now look at the DMG item creation table that specifically mentions the x2 cost for spells that are 1 minute/level, etc.... and go about trying to create items that take advantage of this?

How many Brooches of Mage Armor are we starting to see made for 2,000 GP retail?

It seems officially supported now in the core rules, so isn't it hard to argue against convincingly? Plus, many groups use the core books fairly religiously...

 

[green slime]

Yes, the rules are all shot to pieces:

Boots of striding: +10 to move, +5 to jump 5,500 gp...

or slipper of expeditous retreat: +30 to move (granting a +12 to jump) at 4,000 gp...

 

[Ravellion]

Isn't the problem with using the Cloak of the Archmagi that it already is a multifuction item?

I prefer the cheaper abilities being doubled in price. Otherwise everyone suddenly will be wearing a lot of brooches, if they have any say in the matter that is.

Rav

 

[kreynolds]

What I'd really like to know is, do players now look at the DMG item creation table that specifically mentions the x2 cost for spells that are 1 minute/level, etc.... and go about trying to create items that take advantage of this?

Probably the very same players that would try to convince DMs that a use-activated true strike sword would only cost an additional 4,000gp, which we all know to be absolute nonsense.

How many Brooches of Mage Armor are we starting to see made for 2,000 GP retail?

None. Armor bonuses are specifically covered by the pricing table. This is no different than similar situations in 3.0. It just takes a little common sense.

 

[Anubis the Doomseer]

Hear that? It's the call of the sacred cow.

Mooo....

 

[Daeinar]

Indeed.

Which is why, James, the Exodus will be sticking with the 50% rule. Makes much more sense, encourages characters to have a few mutlifunction items instead of ten-foot-long lists of tiny one-purpos baubles.

IOW, a few powerful toys, instead of being decked out like a tree at christmas.

I couldn't agree more. The "behind the curtain text" is no leftover from 3.0E. It underwent a significant change.

Of course, we cannot tell which one's wrong from the Revision Team's perspective - the sidebar or the table. But the table entry just doesn't make any sense at all.

"Multiply higher item cost by 2". Okay... uhmm. Now what... the cost of EACH higher item or only the base item? And isn't that stupid anyway? So you just double the price of the base item, and add as many multiple abilities as you want for the normal price? (well... perhaps it means multiply EACH higher item cost by 2. But that's subject to interpretation, whereas the sidebar is not - it says "each").

That'd give you -with a base item of 3k and 10 abilities for 2.5k - a result of 28000 gp.

Or you keep the base price (3k) and add 10 items each's price multiplied by 1,5. Result: 40500 gp. That seems to make a whole lot more sense.

And we don't have to talk about how stupid the "double higher item cost" formula gets when you just want to add a +2 spot/+2 listen to your +5 vorpal greatsword...

Of course YMMV.

Daeinar

-Have fun, and know the rules before you try to fix them.

 

[kreynolds]

Boots of striding: +10 to move, +5 to jump 5,500 gp...

or slipper of expeditous retreat: +30 to move (granting a +12 to jump) at 4,000 gp...

Seriously, you have to put a little (just a little, it doesn't take much) thought into this. EDIT: Crap, that sounded really bad. I didn't mean anything by that, so I apologize in advance if it came across this way. My bad.

First, remember the DMGs guide to magic item creation...compare your new item to what's already in there.

Second, look at the boots of striding & springing and break down the cost...

+5 competence to jump -> 2,500gp
2,500 - 5,500 = 3,000

This item looks like it follows the additional powers guidelines in the Behind The Curtain, rather than going by the table, so that means that adding +10 feet to your base land speed would probably cost you 1,500gp on its own. But, because its a secondary power, its increased by 100% in price.

or slipper of expeditous retreat: +30 to move (granting a +12 to jump) at 4,000 gp...

And by following the guidelines of the DMG, which say to compare your new items to the ones already there, you'll know whether or not your price is accurate. After all, we already figured out that adding +10 feet to your base land speed is about 1,500 gp.

So, breaking down your slipper...

+12 to jump -> 14,400

Well, we already know something's wrong with the price of your slipper. Its too low. The item creation guidelines aren't flawless, but I can't agree that they're "shot to pieces". Don't get me wrong though, I wouldn't mind something more comprehensive.

(Any minute now someone should be swinging by to shamelessly plug MEG )

 

[kreynolds]

And we don't have to talk about how stupid the "double higher item cost" formula gets when you just want to add a +2 spot/+2 listen to your +5 vorpal greatsword...

Weapons are slotless items, which is why everything added onto them is always at double the cost. Thus, it would cost you 1,600 gp to add those bonuses on.

"Multiply higher item cost by 2". Okay... uhmm. Now what... the cost of EACH higher item or only the base item?

As I understand it, it's just the base cost.

And isn't that stupid anyway?

Not really. It's just really simple. A little too simple for my tastes, but it works ok as far as I can tell.

Here's a comparison. Let's take a magic item with four abilities at the following costs...

26000
4500
3600
1100

Now, let's compare slotless and slotted between 3.0 and 3.5

3.0 slotted: 26000 + (4500*2) + (3600*2) + (1100*2) = 44,400
3.0 slotless: 26000 + 4500 + 3600 + 1100 * 2 = 70,400

3.5 slotted (if you follow the table): (26000*2) + 4500 + 3600 + 1100 = 61,200
3.5 slotless: same as 3.0 slotless

Maybe they thought prices were coming out too cheap? Looks that way.

So you just double the price of the base item, and add as many multiple abilities as you want for the normal price?

Pretty much.

That'd give you -with a base item of 3k and 10 abilities for 2.5k - a result of 28000 gp.

31,000 gp. 3000*2+(2,500*10).

Or you keep the base price (3k) and add 10 items each's price multiplied by 1,5. Result: 40500 gp. That seems to make a whole lot more sense.

I don't think it is, but its certainly possible. Anybody fire off an email about this yet?

 

[Daeinar]

Oh, I found an item that nicely suports the "multiply secondary powers by 1.5" interpretation from the sidebar.

Juts look up "Gloves of Swimming and Climbing".

2.500+2.500*1,5=6.250

And those underwent a revision, to be sure.

Daeinar

-Have fun, and know the rules before you try to fix them.

 

[kreynolds]

Yeah, startin' to look like the designers didn't know which way to go. Makes me wonder what the intent is now.