Do you ever use item creation feats?

[Seeten]

If I were running a campaign that didnt allow for downtime, I'd allow instant creation of items via craft x & x feats via a craft points system.

As a DM, I like lots of downtime. There is no need for adventures to all follow on, run-on style. Who cares, honestly, what the non-crafters are doing? You dont even have to spend 5 minutes of *gameplay time* to say "Ok, you guys have a 6 month break. Jack makes 3 magical swords, a cloak, and 2 rings, Jim joins the thieves guild, and heads into the assassin PrC via getting to know the guildmaster, and everyone else does what they like." Then get back to adventuring. Or whatever.

I would be leery of the "Campaign plot hook railroad express" in any campaign with no downtime.

 

[Seeten]

Goodness, even in LoTR they had time to reforge Anduril for Aragorn.

 

[kenc]

We use craft points, and I am about to start using a homebrew system of "deconstructing" other magic items to help offset the xp cost.

My wizard crafts all the time. He just resently upgraded his brothers axe to an intellegent item with a slay evil outsiders purpose. Made it to powerfull as it promtly took the warrior over. Dumb warriors can't handle the truly powerfull magic

I like crafting because it allows you to upgrade existing items. You can keep the same sword throughout your life, wizard just upgrades it as you go. Same with cloaks, rings etc...

Here is an example of item creation research done by my wizard:

First he researched a spell called polymorphic armor 8th level spell. When cast on armor the wearer can morph his armor to standard clothing and back as a full round action. Last one hour per level.

I then applied it to the fighters armor as an enhancment bonus +4

Yes it took alot of gold and a bit of exp but it was worth it.

I am currently working on a ring of energy resistance that will detect the energy type used on you. I am a level 16 wizard 4 archmage and will use my energy substitution abblity to create the ring.

 

[Wombat]

Our group got into existential questions about "What is XP and why does it go into magical items?" Our general thought was that XP must be memories of experiences, thus learning, in which case giving up XP was like giving up a little bit of your memory, or even your soul.

While we had had maybe one or two items created by PCs before this series of discussions, we have had none since. Essentially we got creeped out by the implications. Yeah, it may just be a mechanic, but to leave matters as "just mechanics" never works in our games (of any type) -- our group wants a "flavour rationale" for everything, thus XP = memory.

 

[jmucchiello]

Why don't you just create a system/feat/Magic Item that can drain the experience from the character wanting the item created for them. Then, if the Fighter wants the +3 sword, he pays the exp, not the wizard.

In my current game we house ruled that all Item Creation Feats work this way. Any willing (uncharmed) person can expend the XP for IC as long as that character is also around during all the time of creation like the wizard is.

 

[Capellan]

If I'm playing an item-crafting character, I use them a lot. I have a wizard with scribe scroll (of course), craft wondrous item and craft magic arms and armor. He's made a lot of scrolls, several wondrous items, and a couple of magic shields and armors, so far.

 

[CM]

It depends on the campaign. In some, the DM allows item creation as written, plus custom items. In others, only charged/single-use items such as potions, scrolls, wands, etc. can be created.

 

[Ace]

The feat survivor thread brought this up to me. I haven't used an item creation feat that I can recall, and certainly it's been rare in my games. I don't like paying XP.

How about everyone else?

I don't use them except for an occasional potion or scroll

 

[Gruns]

Hmm.

In my current campaign, I removed all Item Creation feats except Scribe Scroll and Brew Potion. Through roleplaying, and meeting the proper people, they could earn the other Item Creation feats. Not likely to happen, though, due to lack of desire on the PCs part. I also run a fairly low power campaign where even the lowliest of magic items are actually prized posessions.
And why are people talking about down time like it's a major hassle? "Ok, two weeks go by. You're done making your magic sword."
Later!
Gruns

 

[Chimera]

Didn't answer the poll. I haven't used them yet in 3e, except for Scribe Scrolls.

However, I just started playing a Wizard in one game with the express intention of being an item creation wizard. I intend to take Craft Wands at 5th and Craft Wondrous at 6th, with Craft Arms & Armor possible at 9th or 10th level.