Cursed Items

[Oni]

Do you use cursed items in your game?

What are some you've used to particularly good effect.

[edit: While my original question wasn't edition specific it just occurred to me, does 4e even have cursed items?]

 

[Shroomy]

So far, 4e has one cursed item; its the bonegrim armor from the AV.

I never really liked cursed items, not because of the curse per se (though screwing players isn't something I like too much either), but because they are usually really, really boring. I like cursed items that provide both benefits and drawbacks; makes much it much more interesting IMO.

 

[grodog]

I use both cursed items as well as items with drawbacks/annoyances that aren't as strong as a curse, per se, in my games. It helps to keep the players on their toes, and drives a little flavor into the magic---it's not always predictable, not always the same everytime you cast a fireball or whatever.

 

[El Mahdi]

I posted about this in a recent thread about Grazzt. I'm currently using a cursed item with my current players. One of the PC's found a Ring of Ressurection (it was an AD&D adventure I converted for 3E). It's an extremely powerful item for their level (2nd going on 3rd). However, the first time a PC died while wearing it they woke up in Grazzts throne room. This first time he simply winked and then waved her back. The character was immediately ressurected but now the ring won't come off. The character is beginning to realize that Grazzt has an unbreakable hold on them and has plans for the character. So, a really cool item with a very heavy price.

 

[malraux]

[edit: While my original question wasn't edition specific it just occurred to me, does 4e even have cursed items?]

Two are listed in the DMG. If I were to use cursed items, that's probably the model I'd follow.

 

[justanobody]

Too many that have been used to name.

Most times they were just put there with treasure. Give some extra treasure as a bonus, and something might be cursed.

Deck of many things comes to mind. One card was pulled from it and then it was discarded with no ill effects.

Most times they act as a way to get the players to realize that it is not all fun in games towing with the powers of magic, and that sometimes they can backfire on you.

 

[Ed_Laprade]

I've used them, although I prefer the sort that has both drawbacks and kewl powerz. But its been quite a while since I've cared for straight cursed items. "There's no way you can tell that the item is cursed until you put it on/use it, then you can't get rid of it. Neener neener." It doesn't matter how good, clever or paranoid the characters are, every time they pick up/claim a magic item its a crap shoot. I don't like that as a player and won't do it when I'm a GM.

 

[greatamericanfolkher]

The only cursed items I’ve ever given out as a game master were more annoying to use than actually being considered cursed, as there effects were really just kind of silly and easily removed. I’ve only given them out once, in a temple that the PCs knew was a trap from the beginning.

Otherwise no, I don’t like to receive them as a player, so I don’t generally give them out as a GM.

 

[Jasperak]

I did use cursed items until one player told me that curse's effect did not work with his character build. I still play with him when I want to play Heroscape though.

 

[Oni]

I did use cursed items until one player told me that curse's effect did not work with his character build.

I find this incredibly funny.