Can you price this Wonderous Item for me?

[Larcen]

What would you guys recommend something like this would cost:

Larcen's Magic Pistol

This device resembles an ornate and exquisite black powder pistol that is missing the barrel. It can magically accept any standard size magic wand into the barrel aperture. After the wand has been inserted, the user holds down the trigger and says the wand's command word. This locks the wand in place and activating the wand is no longer a verbal command. The user simply pulls back the hammer (which acts as a safety) and presses the trigger to activate the wand and expend a charge as normal. The wand's activation time does not change however. Loading a wand requires someone knowledgable in the wand's use, but firing the pistol can be done by anyone. Once a wand is placed in the device it cannot be removed without damaging both the wand and the device making them both useless. However, when the currently loaded wand's charges are expended, the wand crumbles to dust and a new one can then be inserted. Most of these Pistols can be found with a type of missile firing wand already installed, such as Magic Missile, or Melf's Acid Arrow, or even Lightning Bolt. But any type of wand is a possibilty

EDIT: It just occurred to me that the advantage of allowing anyone to use wands with these things, not just spellcasters, is enormous. So if you are willing, can you get me two prices, one as written and another if the pistol can only be activated by the wand's normal users. Thanks!

 

[Cloudgatherer]

Kind of strange...

First, do wands require command words in 3rd edition? They are spell trigger items, not command word items....

Next, I'd say the price would be pretty cheap by my understanding of the rules. This item really doesn't provide much benefit if wands do not require command words (and even if you play them that way, I can't see the item as being overly expensive).

On the other hand, allowing anyone to use any wand safely can be HUGE.

Just as a kind-of-random-guess for costs...

First version: 5,000 GP
Second version: 30,000 GP

 

[Piratecat]

Consider: one way to price it may be to have the object give a +20 to the Use Magical Object skill for that wand only. That means it might be:

(20*20*20) = 8000 gp; usable only on one wand and then self-destructing is a fairly significant penalty, but it uses the same slot as the wand, so I'd say these two penalties cancel each other out. I'd keep it at 8000 gp, 4000 gp cost, 320 xp.

 

[tburdett]

Hmm.

I like the idea.

Especially the mental image of pulling the trigger and (roll a 1) hearing a loud CLICK! No spell for YOU!

 

[Larcen]

Hi guys. Sorry I was too busy to check your responses yesterday.

Cloudgatherer, well wands are spell trigger. Can we then assume that there is a verbal component? I don't have my books with me.

Piratecat, I've decided that allowing anyone to use wands with this item is going against my original intention. What I wanted to accomplish was two things: 1) Create an item that allows you to use a wand with a simple somatic component, no verbal, 2) Mostly, I just wanted an item that made it cool to use missile firing wands. More style than substance really. Goes along with the character who created it.

In that light, I think I'll limit it to use only by the installed wand's proper users and also limit it to 3rd level spells or so. I may even limit it to spells with a range only, no touch or personal spells. (Too bad: "Shooting" yourself in the temple to receive a Cure Light Wounds would have been funny. )

tburdett, thanks. Ha! But where in my description did I mention a chance of a misfire? Not that it's a BAD idea....