creating alternate ability boosing items?

[krupintupple]

one of my PCs, who is greatly annoyed at a few of his odd-numbered ability scores, has proposed to me the creation of 'lesser' items of ability boosting - basically, just like their larger cousins of +2, +4 and +6, except they're +1 in effect, and scaled down thusly.

ie: headband of least intellect (ha!) +1; caster level 8th, 2000gp.

while i'm hesitant because there's probably a reason they chose +2, +4, and +6, is there any reason i would deny this to an enterprising PC, who really just wants a non-vital score boosted?

 

[hornedturtle]

I think they chose even numbers because that's what gives a bonus to the ability for everyone.

 

[blargney the second]

The reason stat items go up in +2 is so that everybody gets equal value from it. A +1 stat item is worth +0 to some people and +2 to others. I'd say don't screw with a good thing, and stick with the even numbers.
-blarg

Edit: ninjaed by the turtle

 

[Kmart Kommando]

The reason stat items go up in +2 is so that everybody gets equal value from it. A +1 stat item is worth +0 to some people and +2 to others. I'd say don't screw with a good thing, and stick with the even numbers.
-blarg

Edit: ninjaed by the turtle

the DMG just had bonus squared times 1000gp, so that's double the base price.
I like odd stat boosters, especially if the DM makes you roll instead of point buy. lots of odd numbers = hosed compared to the rest. but I'd be sort of against them with a point buy game, at least, anything under +3 stat.

However, with the MIC adding stat boosters without markup, i'd have to lean toward no odd boosters.

 

[Infiniti2000]

the DMG just had bonus squared times 1000gp, so that's double the base price.
I like odd stat boosters, especially if the DM makes you roll instead of point buy. lots of odd numbers = hosed compared to the rest. but I'd be sort of against them with a point buy game, at least, anything under +3 stat.

Lots of odd numbers makes no difference compared to the rest. It simply means they are odd. If you roll a 13 you should be glad you didn't roll a 12. In this case, for example, it may allow entry into certain feats or PrCs (which is why such things have odd numbered requirements).

For point buy it's even more importantly not to allow +1/+3/+5 stat boosters.

I wouldn't allow +1, however, for the same reason that I wouldn't allow a half-price discount for a +2 item for people named "fred" (for example). It's a discount only for specific people for no actual game reason. One character gets a half-price discount while another one essentially gets a 1,000gp bill for a useless piece of jewelry.

I advise you not to allow it.

 

[Infiniti2000]

It might be better to work out some plot-driven inherent bonus (a la wish). If as DM you feel it's not a powerful addition, such an inherent bonus would work out better for many reasons, such as giving the player a really interesting twist. The value in this case certainly isn't anywhere near 25K gold, so as DM you don't have to treat it as such.

 

[Jhaelen]

one of my PCs, who is greatly annoyed at a few of his odd-numbered ability scores, has proposed to me the creation of 'lesser' items of ability boosting

This sounds like you don't allow using point-buy. Is that correct? If so, I think that's at the root of the complaint.

If you do allow it and the player chose to roll for stats regardless, I'd tell him to suck it up.

 

[krupintupple]

This sounds like you don't allow using point-buy. Is that correct? If so, I think that's at the root of the complaint.

If you do allow it and the player chose to roll for stats regardless, I'd tell him to suck it up.

oh, i allow it, but they thought it was 'dumb' and didn't want to opt for it. looks like i'll be telling a certain few to deal, cause i'm not budging.

 

[Kmart Kommando]

Lots of odd numbers makes no difference compared to the rest. It simply means they are odd. If you roll a 13 you should be glad you didn't roll a 12. In this case, for example, it may allow entry into certain feats or PrCs (which is why such things have odd numbered requirements).

For point buy it's even more importantly not to allow +1/+3/+5 stat boosters.

I wouldn't allow +1, however, for the same reason that I wouldn't allow a half-price discount for a +2 item for people named "fred" (for example). It's a discount only for specific people for no actual game reason. One character gets a half-price discount while another one essentially gets a 1,000gp bill for a useless piece of jewelry.

I advise you not to allow it.

there is a big difference in power between a 32 point buy equivalent with all even scores and a 32 point buy equivalent with all odd scores. Not saying it isn't unplayable, just saying that being behind everyone else even though you might technically have more 'points' isn't always fun. As for feat and PrC prereqs, putting one of maybe 4 possible stat points into a mediocre stat just to get a feat just puts you further behind where the EL/ECL says you should be.

 

[Shin Okada]

I do not think odd number stat boosting items are something should be banned. It still occupies a magic item slot anyway. And remember that inherent bonuses granted by with or tomes can be odd-numbered, and the maximum inherent bonus to an ability score is 5, an odd number.

Even numbered items should be still much popular, as it certainly give expected amount of ability score bonus. So, I will not add odd-numbered items in random treasure table. And I will not let PCs just buy in a magic item shop. But if a PC really want to make an odd-numbered stat boosting item, I will likely to allow them to create one or order one to a NPC item creator.