Enchanting Cold Iron: Extra 2000gp each time or once?

[IcyCool]

I don't think it is fair to blame the FAQ in this case, as this is certainly a legitimate reading of the DMG wording.

The FAQ writers can't win, apparently - either they go by the text (like in this case) and get blamed for the rule being dumb, or they make a ruling that differs from the text and get blamed for deviating from the RAW.

I agree, it is certainly a legitimate way to read the confusing rules in the DMG. But since it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me that two +2 frost cold iron longswords could have any number of different values, I'm going to do what I usually do with the FAQ and ignore it. As rare as DR/Cold Iron is, I'm in the "You pay the extra 2,000gp only on the first time the weapon is enchanted" camp.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

As such, regardless of whether you start with a +1 weapon (~4,000) or a +2 weapon (~10,000 gp) or upgrade a +1 weapon to a +2 weapon (~6,000 gp) the cold iron costs are calculated in ONCE, not at each additional enhancement.

Your example is only valid if you know how the item was created. If that item was created in its current form - i.e. it was created as a +2 cold iron longsword - then the cost is that way. If it was added to, then we have to pay special attention to the wording in the SRD/DMG: (emphasis mine)

Also, any magical enhancements cost an additional 2,000 gp.

So, the question is if the price is tacked on each time the weapon is enhanced or if it is tacked on just once and then the weapon can be upgraded as the character has money. Those are two different points.

Ideally, I am in the "pay 2,000 once and never again" camp. If I was playing under a DM who actually listened to the FAQ's ruling I'd rather be in the "pay 2,000 per +1 effective bonus on the weapon" camp.

Otherwise, some poor guy who builds his weapon as he goes - adding +1 and then another +1 has paid an extra 4000 while the guy who starts out making a +2 cold iron only has paid 2000. That's numerical and bookkeeping hell right there!

But in either case the example in the DMG is really pointless unless you know for certain that the example sword at one time was a +1 before becoming a +2. If you know that, then the example turns from pointless to definitive!

 

[evilbob]

As rare as DR/Cold Iron is, I'm in the "You pay the extra 2,000gp only on the first time the weapon is enchanted" camp.

Ideally, I am in the "pay 2,000 once and never again" camp.

Hooray, I'm in a camp!

 

[moritheil]

Great. Pure genius.

That's why they earn the big bucks!