Complex underpowered magic items in Magic Item Compendium

[Andor]

The important question is: Does it contain magic pants?

 

[Friendless]

Ahh... usually citizens get rather upset at flashy use of state funds (c.f. helicopter rides by the current MA governor; too much partying at Nottingham, etc.). The possibility of rebellion or unhappy peons is the reason why wise rulers don't deck themselves out like XMas trees.

We're not talking about a democracy here... rulers who rule by personal might do deck themselves out like Xmas trees for their own protection and to cow the unworthy masses. Having said that though, he's actually a first level bard who's travelling with the party, so I have to place limits on what he can do. His backstory is that he's (a) genuinely interested in gathering lore and (b) trying to prove himself. The only signs of his wealth are better than average armour (because he's afraid of getting hurt) and a very nice (non-magical) mandolin.

 

[coyote6]

Heh. Yeah, that's not a very interesting item. I will muse that it might not become useful until later... when you meet creatures with scent, but I think that's lousy musing as well. Not a good item.

I don't know; combine it with some other stuff, and it can get scary. Scentblinder (IIRC) neutralizes the easiest, most common way of detecting an invisible character (guard dogs, or other creatures with Scent -- the PCs in my group have had their "and we sneak in invisibly!" plans foiled more than once by worgs, trolls, and bugbears); so combine it with invisibility, and you can sneak into a lot more places.

(Add flight to avoid tremorsense, and silence, sculpt sound, or the like to counter (IIRC) blindsight/sense, and there's not a lot left. See invisibility or true seeing, but they have to know when to have those spells active.)

 

[D.Shaffer]

My only problem with the MIC way of decking out characters is that I tend to play Incarnum users. Considering how their powers work, you cant really get away with tons of magic items. I try to concentrate my magic item effects in a couple 'slots' (One's I probably wont use for binds, for the most part) or use 'tool' items. Thus, the old 'half total wealth max for an item' works better.

 

[Henry]

The important question is: Does it contain magic pants?

While it's funny, I don't believe that there are one pair of magic pants in all of D&D! Shocking, really!

 

[Particle_Man]

I think it will lead to Portable Holes and Bags of Holding becoming popular:

"My Belt of Battle #1 is out of charges!"

"Put it in the bag and take out my Belt of Battle #2, for the next combat I face today!"

It could lead to "golf-bag syndrome" too, but I don't know for sure.

Certainly, I would not mind having about 4 Belts of Battle. An extra full round action every encounter (assuming 4 encounters a day)? SOLD!

 

[pawsplay]

The MIC is the sure road to White Knight syndrome.

 

[Henry]

Certainly, I would not mind having about 4 Belts of Battle. An extra full round action every encounter (assuming 4 encounters a day)? SOLD!

That's -- what? 40 grand? If someone wants to spend 40,000 gold on 4 extra actions in a day, more power to 'em. Me, I'll be buying the +3 armor and the +3 weapon, with room left over for one belt.

 

[MarkB]

While it's funny, I don't believe that there are one pair of magic pants in all of D&D! Shocking, really!

This is where I think MIC really dropped the ball - they could've grabbed the opportunity of creating a "legs" slot, and producing a whole range of magical trousers, pants and panties, but they just let the opportunity slip away...

 

[Obergnom]

I think it will lead to Portable Holes and Bags of Holding becoming popular:

"My Belt of Battle #1 is out of charges!"

"Put it in the bag and take out my Belt of Battle #2, for the next combat I face today!"

It could lead to "golf-bag syndrome" too, but I don't know for sure.

Certainly, I would not mind having about 4 Belts of Battle. An extra full round action every encounter (assuming 4 encounters a day)? SOLD!

I think thats among the greatest oversights in that book. In the "Using magic items" Chapter it is stated that especially the x/day items would require the User to wear them for a certain time to function, till know I only know of the chronocharms to use that rule.

Well, I do not think my players would do that, if they would, I would establish an "must be worn for 8h or more to function" rule or something like that.