D&D 5E Balancing custom magic items or weapons

[JAWN]

Hello all! I am still new to dming but I've been playing for a good bit. I have always wanted to create custom magical items giving effects and possible curses. Right now I have some items a couple of my important npcs carrying, I would like to balance the items before my party thinks about asking how to get them or taking them by force. Also, in general the balance some of you guys found for custom items

Here's an example: Zeus's Gift Great Axe - A great axe made of lightning calls down from the heavens, some would say it's a weapon from Zeus himself. This weapon can only be called after the owner falls unconscious and is brought back to 1hp via Endless endurance or Relentless rage. 2d12 + strength modifier Lightning damage. The axe can bethrow once as a Lightning Bolt 8d6, using the strength modifier to hit. Afterthe axe is thrown or once the combat is over the axe fades away, waiting for when the user needs its aid again.

Thank you!

 

[ccs]

Here's an example: Zeus's Gift Great Axe - A great axe made of lightning calls downfrom the heavens, some would say it's a weapon from Zeushimself. This weapon can only be called after the owner fallsunconscious. 2d12 + strength modifier Lightning damage. The axe can bethrow once as a Lightning Bolt 8d6, using the strength modifier to hit. Afterthe axe is thrown or once the combat is over the axe fades away,waiting for when the user needs its aid again.

? How does the owner wield this if they are unconscious?
Or am I misreading it?

 

[JAWN]

Sorry I forgot to add that it is mean't for a Barbarian or a race with the Endless endurance trait.

 

[Ancalagon]

I too am a bit confused by what you mean - you may consider re-writing this for clarity.. .

 

[JAWN]

I too am a bit confused by what you mean - you may consider re-writing this for clarity.. .

I have made the changes to the main post

 

[Ancalagon]

Ok, so let me get this straight:

This weapon *only* springs into existence once a character is revived in combat (as detailed above). Once the combat is over (or the lightning bolt form of the weapon is used) the weapon fades out of existence, until the conditions are met again.

Did I get this right?

Who determines who gets the weapon? If there are two barbarians in a party who do this, do each get a lightning axe?

 

[JAWN]

Ok, so let me get this straight:

This weapon *only* springs into existence once a character is revived in combat (as detailed above). Once the combat is over (or the lightning bolt form of the weapon is used) the weapon fades out of existence, until the conditions are met again.

Did I get this right?

Who determines who gets the weapon? If there are two barbarians in a party who do this, do each get a lightning axe?

Yes you got is right. I haven't thought about that possibility, maybe have it where it is passed on to the next user kind of like a chosen thing?

 

[discosoc]

Rough description, but I think I like the theme of it. If I understand it correctly, the intention is for a barbarian (or similar class) to be able to "call down" a lightning axe when they drop and get back up again after raging, like some last stand attempt.

I think it's pretty well-balanced for a Legendary level item.

On a side note... I now recommend against doing a google search for "endless endurance."

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

I think the best way to balance a magic item is to look at the existing ones in the DMG and see where it falls in comparison. For example, look at the lightning damage from a Javelin of Throwing and see how that matches against the Zeus's Gift Great Axe. As for the frequency of use, most existing items will specify that they cannot be used until a short rest, long rest, or 24 hours have passed.

 

[DanotheSlender]

Hmm...i like it but would make it tied to an actual item, say a gauntlet with Zeus' lightning bolt engraved on it. the wearer, or person attuned to it has access to the Axe within the prescribed parameters.