DM's Share your opinion.

[the Jester]

Well, I suppose I would go for something like that if I let players bring existing characters into my campaign; but I don't. All pcs in my game are made for my game.

That said, assuming revisions as suggested, your shield looks more or less fine (depending on what level item it is).

 

[Fox Lee]

There are a few things I would refine if I were to allow it in my game.

*snip* Can't XP you again yet - so, great advice on how to build/refine items for 4e! I couldn't have said it better myself. I wouldn't touch the original with a barge pole - a daze I can't save against, that gets worse the bigger my charisma is? And I have work out that number on the fly? Nope, not worth the effort. There are plenty of ways to get a reactionary boost without all that hassle. OTOH, Rune's advice makes it more simple, more effective, and much more in line with 4e design standards.

As for the original question? Pesronally, I am totally open to custom magic items (made one for the pally in my game, mostly because I can't resist unique weapon names). However, they have to have tight, sensible, simple mechanics, just like an official item should. If they're not pitched at the same levels of abstraction and power that the existing game is, I don't think they belong in it.

 

[aco175]

I recall years ago at a convention one player spent 30 minutes of the 4 hours of game time telling the dm, and going shopping, to make a basic infrared flashlight. A light spell at the bottom of a scrollcase with a crystal at the end turned to allow only infrared light through, blah, blah, blah. It was a cool idea but not worth all the rest of us sitting around waining for the game to start, and we did not even need the thing.

 

[mentle]

Lol. I'm all for background and wanting full player control; but I would have just asked what end result he was wanting and judged if it was game appropriate.

"Did he just try to pickpocket that dragon?"

 

[S'mon]

No way Jose.