can you upgrade magic items?

[Treebore]

So you can add to rings and wondrous items too? Is that ruling in the DMG? I didn't come across a paragraph like that when I was reading through it last night. I could only find references to armor and weapons.

 

[UltimaGabe]

You know, I was looking through the books and I see nothing that specifically says you can or cannot re-charge a wand or staff. It seems to imply that you cannot, but nothing I found specifically stated you can't. Plus the fact there is no mention of rules for recharging would indicate to me that recharging isn't supposed to be done or possible.

Maybe there was something in the 3.0 books, but I doubt it. I don't see why you shouldn't be allowed to re-charge if you are paying the same price you would for a new item with the same number of charges you are recharging.

Either way, it is a DM call as to how they want to do it. As is they are perfectly justified to say you can't recharge a wand or staff. About the only advantage recharging would give you is that it would take proportionately fewer days to get a fully charged wand or staff.

Exactly. There's no rule saying you can't make a jump check to cause a rift between dimensions that would provide you with nourishment for the day, but there's no game mechanic to govern such an act, and therefore it's assumed it isn't possible. If your DM is okay with it, go ahead, but generally, if there isn't a rule saying you can do something, assume it isn't possible.

 

[Spatula]

So you can add to rings and wondrous items too?

Well, the example given was adding invisibility to a ring of protection.

 

[Treebore]

Well, the example given was adding invisibility to a ring of protection.

I was understanding that, what I was asking is where is that repeated in the DMG, I could only find references to armor and weapons.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

Actually, this is relevant to a current situation for my PC, in game. He's gradually creating what he calls a mindscape helm. Currently it's got the abilities of a helm of comprehending languages and reading magic combined with the properties of a headband of intellect +2. I paid the extra 50 percent for the addition of the headband of intellect function.

The next feature added is the function of a periapt of wisdom +2.

My question: is it still just a 50 percent increase (i.e., 6000 gp base), or is it maybe "50 percent more than 50 percent more" (i.e. 4000 + 2000 + 1000 gp base). I realize that the rules don't seem to say so, but it seems odd that the first extra ability and the seventh are penalized the same amount. If you're a DM, would you feel comfortable ruling this way? If you're a player, would you feel screwed if the DM rules that way? (The answers, for me, are "yes" and "probably not."

 

[italianranma]

My question: is it still just a 50 percent increase (i.e., 6000 gp base), or is it maybe "50 percent more than 50 percent more" (i.e. 4000 + 2000 + 1000 gp base). I realize that the rules don't seem to say so, but it seems odd that the first extra ability and the seventh are penalized the same amount. If you're a DM, would you feel comfortable ruling this way? If you're a player, would you feel screwed if the DM rules that way? (The answers, for me, are "yes" and "probably not."

OMG, first off I can't imagine having that much money. Everyone in our campaign is at least 4th level, and our DM is so stingy that I sweat using "shield" scrolls in boss fights. Anyway paying a ton of money for extra abilities is perfectly justifiable INHO. I DM too and I don't know that I'd be comfortable adding more than 1 or 2 extra abilities to an existing magic item. Well, other than to a sword or armor where the costs scale nicely.
But anyway let me see what you're saying...
so ability 1 is mutiplied by .5 and added to the base cost
ablility 2 is mutiplied by .75 and added to the base cost
ablity 3 is mutiplied by 1.125 and added to the base cost
etc.
I guess so. IMC I wouldn't allow more than one special ability unless the item was intelligent or an artifact.

 

[Ovinomancer]

I was understanding that, what I was asking is where is that repeated in the DMG, I could only find references to armor and weapons.

PHB 3.5 pg 288--last paragraph--"Adding New Abilities."

As for multiple powers in a magic item, see sidebar pg 282 "Behind the Curtain: Magic Item Gold Piece Values," and pg 288 sidebar "Behind The Curtain: Body Slot Affinities."