D&D 5E Attunement & New or Converted Items

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

When creating homebrewed magic items or converting items from other editions, what are the factors that should determine whether or not the item should or should not require attunement?

 

[cmad1977]

[5E] Attunement & New or Converted Items

My threshold would probably be something like...
Any weapon/armor +2 or better. Or +1 with an extra or two.

That's just spitballing though.

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[Kobold Stew]

I can see no consistent rule across the items in the DMG, but two things suggest themselves (and they are entwined):

1. Is it *interesting* for the players to have to choose whether their characters use this item among others?

2. Is the primary application of the item in combat? If so (and it is non-consumable), then it is attunable. (This is fuzzier, and there are exceptions, such as dwarven plate, but it seems to be a good rule of thumb -- items for exploration or out-of-combat activity are not attuned; those with a clear combat use (even boots of levitation) are attunable.)

Good question.

 

[Satyrn]

Not that you're probably dealing with them - and it seems rather obvious too - but cursed items all seem to require attunement.

 

[BoldItalic]

As well as having the "rule of three" to limit the "Christmas tree" phenomenon, attunement takes time (a least a short rest) to arrange. This stops a PC grabbing a powerful item from an enemy and immediately using it against them, or against their other enemies, in the same combat. So one reason for requiring attunement is if you want the item to provide a significant threat to the PCs but you don't want them to be able to turn the tables suddenly and trivialise the encounter by snatching it for themselves. This fits with [MENTION=23484]Kobold Stew[/MENTION]'s observation that it tends to be applied to items useful in combat.

 

[MarkB]

As well as having the "rule of three" to limit the "Christmas tree" phenomenon, attunement takes time (a least a short rest) to arrange. This stops a PC grabbing a powerful item from an enemy and immediately using it against them, or against their other enemies, in the same combat. So one reason for requiring attunement is if you want the item to provide a significant threat to the PCs but you don't want them to be able to turn the tables suddenly and trivialise the encounter by snatching it for themselves. This fits with [MENTION=23484]Kobold Stew[/MENTION]'s observation that it tends to be applied to items useful in combat.

It's a more niche case, but attunement also prevents characters from 'daisy-chaining' an item so that each can benefit from it in turn. For instance, using a Ring of Jumping to leap across a chasm, then throwing it back for the next person to use.

 

[TheCosmicKid]

It's a more niche case, but attunement also prevents characters from 'daisy-chaining' an item so that each can benefit from it in turn. For instance, using a Ring of Jumping to leap across a chasm, then throwing it back for the next person to use.

Well, that particular scenario is just asking for attack rolls to throw the ring accurately, with a failure meaning it falls into the abyss.

 

[Mephista]

I just make everything non-consumable attune-required. I don't do generic +1 items, everything does more than that. I also have several sets that I made that chain off each other, like the dwarf thrower/belt/gloves combo.

 

[TheCosmicKid]

I don't do generic +1 items, everything does more than that.

I usually don't either, but by long tradition in my campaigns the legendary ultimate sword, the Excalibur-analogue, is just a no-frills +6 weapon (+4 in 5E).

One thing I'm liking about 5E is the license for weapons to be less than +1. There's no presumption that an enhancement bonus is a prerequisite for other magical effects.

 

[ccs]

Well, that particular scenario is just asking for attack rolls to throw the ring accurately, with a failure meaning it falls into the abyss.

Or better yet, the ring catches the attention of something lurking just out of sight in the darkness. Like a fishing lure....
All working fine with the throw-the-ring-back&forth plan. Until BOOM! A mobat, mistaking your ring as a tasty meal, swoops out of the darkness, swallows it, & flies away.