Alchemical Cold Mithradamantine: Ever Use Special Material Alloys?

[AFGNCAAP]

One of the things I've always wondered about was if using alloys of special materials (like adamantine, mithral, & the like) were possible. Now, I'm not necessarily referring to a "default" use (like adding bits of adamant to steel to make adamantine), but actually combining the various special materials to make a new alloy.

How about strengthening cold iron, (alchemical) silver, bronze, copper, platinum, or gold items with a bit of mithral or adamantine? Or even mixing adamantine and mithral for a lighter yet tough weapon? Or making a mighty composite longbow using a laminate of darkwood & bronzewood? (I know, the bow example not really an alloy, but basic idea sorta-kinda applies.)

Just curious to see your responses on this.

 

[Razz]

Though I haven't seen anywhere officially stating this can be done, I am assume you can. Simply add the costs altogether. I don't see why it wouldn't be allowed, a lot of metals both real and fantasy are alloys of other metals.

I allow it in my games though none of my players have any weapon or armor of that sort, they know they can. Too expensive though lol

 

[Psion]

I allow metals with properties of multiple materials, but I don't make it as simple as smelting some metal together.

 

[lukelightning]

I wouldn't let you "stack" special materials, but then again, I keep DR from special materials rare.

 

[kenobi65]

Sure, and then you can get some crazy scientist to embed it in your bones, and give you retractable claws made out of the stuff.

Smells a little cheesy to me; not sure I'd allow it.

 

[frankthedm]

I have given out a Longsword made from bonded Cold wrought iron and Silver {Mithril IMG]. Made by dwarves and elves the last time they worked together, the material takes a century to properly bond without ruining both properties and thus the price varies on what the market will bear.

I make metal vulnerable DR fairly common {Silver & Cold wrought iron] and dropped alchemic silver{a band-aid if i ever saw one], added in 3.0 silver weapons {dagger, spears, arrows and bolts] and made mithral count as silver.

 

[AFGNCAAP]

The only thing I've been debating about it is whether a little bit of a material (like adamantine or mithral) is enough to constitute the full benefits of the special material.

One the one hand, I think it does, if the typical items are steel alloyed with the special material. It would also account for why these items may be vulnerable to effects such as a rust monster's attack & the like (being still made mostly of steel).

OTOH, I don't think it does, if the typical items are purely made from the material. However, I'd expect the items to have some additional benefits other than what's provided (such as immunity to rusting/corrosion, perhaps).

Just one of the things I've been still trying to determine.

 

[Nightfall]

AF,

If I need something that can overcome a metal DR (like say Lycanthropes) I'm alright with that. When it comes to mixing, I think then the crafting DCs should be much, much tougher. Plus they might require say a magic hammer, a special forge, or even an unhuman blacksmith. (All three works fine for me!)

Mostly though if I want something that's like a mixture but not quite the same, I'll try Green Ronin's Advanced Game Master's Guide with its sovereign materials.

 

[DMH]

No, but I have considered trying out the idea of alloys that provide benefits that none of the pure metals have.

 

[Tonguez]

What about a sheild made from an alloy of adamantium that becomes tougher when hit and which can be thrown like a boomarang?

We could call it Vibratium

NB I allow alot of things but they all involve really difficult alchemy and access to universal solvent