+30 to Exclusive Skills?

[Wyrm]

With all the talk of +30 bonuses to spellcraft coming from items for the ELH, I was wondering if it would be possible to create items that add +30 to Use Magic Device for 18,000 gp as well.

This creates some enormous problems for the game as a 7th-8th level character should possess enough wealth for such an item to be bought for them. With spells like wieldskill (+10 to skill check), and skill focus/greater skill focus (UMD) the rogues could easily be casting 9th level scrolls with ease if they possessed a +30 to UMD from this item. Their caster level would be around 24 + their roll assuming they have no charisma bonus. Not to mention that this requires only one rogue/bard level.

Can these items be created or is there a rule against making skill boosters for exclusive skills?

 

[Crothian]

AS allows it's up to the DM and it would be easy to come up with in game reasons not to have them created.

But there is nothing in the rules that says they cannot be created.

 

[kreynolds]

I was wondering if it would be possible to create items that add +30 to Use Magic Device for 18,000 gp as well.

Sure. But I'd be a jackass and require you to use your Use Magic Device skill to turn it on.

 

[Crothian]

Re: Re: +30 to Exclusive Skills?

Sure. But I'd be a jackass and require you to use your Use Magic Device skill to turn it on.

Now that's funny

 

[Antikinesis]

Re: Re: +30 to Exclusive Skills?

Sure. But I'd be a jackass . . .

I'm gonna have to save this quote.

Now, where'd I leave those flame-retardent longjohns...

-AK



[Edit] Fixed typo. Got too excited to type. Heh. [/Edit]

 

[DonAdam]

Something I do to help out with these problems is make any item NOT in the DMG (or whatever other source) cost twice as much.

It's a "nonstandard" magic item, so it takes more resources to pioneer it.

 

[kreynolds]

Something I do to help out with these problems is make any item NOT in the DMG (or whatever other source) cost twice as much.

I actually make every item NOT in the DMG worth almost nothing.

Player: "Interested in buying a Bliper Spear?"
Weaponsmith: "Bliper Spear!? Never heard of it! 2 gold! Take it or leave it!"
Player:

 

[Hammerhead]

For skill items, I'd require that the creator have 1/2 the bonus in skill ranks. Otherwise, lower level characters can make skill items too easily.

Of course, I'd also say that the bonus from an item can't exceed the character's own bonus in skill. Otherwise, people can get +10 or even greater items for skills that they don't have. Go from novice to master by picking up a trinket? I don't think so. Giving a 1st level warrior an awesome weapon doesn't turn him into a master combatant - he still drops in a hit or two. Why should skill items work so much more effectively, and be incredibly cheap?

 

[kreynolds]

For skill items, I'd require that the creator have 1/2 the bonus in skill ranks. Otherwise, lower level characters can make skill items too easily.

Actually, Andy Collins had a good idea for always on items that have a relatively short duration normally, such as less than 1 hour/level (like the Jump spell, 1 minute/level). He simply doubled the cost. I think that works rather well in many situations.