Help me price a Circlet of Enlargement

[DM2]

My earth genasi monk is looking to have the group artificer create a wonderous item that duplicates the Enlarge Person spell on a continuous basis. Say, a Circlet of Enlargement.

Normally, the formula in the DMG suggests (spell level) * (caster level) * 2000.

That would be 1 * 1 * 2000 = 2000. This is obviously too low, as verified by the fact that a Potion of Enlargement costs 250 gold, not the usual 50 gold.

That is a X5 cost increase for a potion of enlarge person. My first inclination is to suggest 5 * 2000 = 10,000 GP for a circlet of enlargement.

BTW, I'm one of the 2 DMs for this group, and the other is very willing to see new items created IF they are balanced.

So, first, how would you price the item, and second, is it balanced at that cost?

If not, we can look at cost increases (such as X5....)

DM2

 

[CRGreathouse]

I imagine the x5 increase is a holdover from the 3.0, in which they were caster level 5 to get maximum effect.

 

[AuraSeer]

First off, any custom item needs DM approval. Nothing in the rules allows PCs to design their own items.

Second, when you're pricing a continuous item, you can't just go by spell level; you need to take all its bonuses into account. For example, a set of Bracers Of Armor +4 grant the same bonus as the mage armor spell, but they're far more expensive than the spell level would suggest.

An item of continuous enlarge person has a number of distinct effects. One of the main benefits is the damage increase; between the +2 Strength bonus and the increase in weapon die size, it's about equivalent to a +4 Strength bonus. If this were an enhancement bonus it would cost 16k, but a size bonus is more useful because it stacks with everything. I'd price this bit at 32k.

The other major benefit is the increased natural reach. That's not as easily quantified as a numeric bonus, so pricing it is really a DM call. Personally, because it's such a huge tactical advantage in combat, I'd price it at 20k all by itself.

There are a couple of minor downsides to the item, such as the reduced armor class and the slightly lowered Dex. The increased Space would be a rather large drawback, but because the character could always remove the item if he needed to fit through a narrow area, I wouldn't reduce the price because of it.

So if you wanted this item IMC you would pay a bit more than 50k gp for it. That's just my opinion, though. Your DM probably has his own.

 

[Sanackranib]

somewhere between 32k-50k sounds about right. I would probably put it in the 32-36k range myself

 

[Sanackranib]

its not just the spell level that determins the cost. consider a helm of Prot Vs. evil. level 1 spell for mage and priest but what does it do most of the time? +2 ac right . what about touch attacks, possession and outsiders. that same +2 bonus to ac just got a lot more expensive.
but its still just a level 1 spell from a level 3 craft wounderous item feat or a level 5 craft arms and armor feat.

 

[jabberwocky]

Well, you can also try to find a wizard who is willing to make Enlarge Person permanent on you - costs 500 xp, so 2500 gp plus whatever the wizard wants to add to it. This has the weakness of being dispellable, but if you find a high enough level wizard to do it (or have one in the party) that wont show up too often.

 

[Sanackranib]

Well, you can also try to find a wizard who is willing to make Enlarge Person permanent on you - costs 500 xp, so 2500 gp plus whatever the wizard wants to add to it. This has the weakness of being dispellable, but if you find a high enough level wizard to do it (or have one in the party) that wont show up too often.

that is the least "permenant " option but definately the most cost effective. even if you have to do it several times. once the monk gets his SR it will be much harder to dispell as well.

 

[Daag]

Well, according to the DMG, the pricing should go something like this:

2,000 (continuous) * 1 (caster level) * 1 (spell level) * 2 (1 min/level duration) * 1.5 (body slot affinity) = 6,000

Now this seems low, and it probably is. However, this thing has a low caster level, so it's guaranteed to be dispelled, since SR doesn't apply to Dispel Magic. No one ever targets items to be dispelled, but it's a possibility. I've never seen where being large has helped at all in 3.5. You just take up too much space, and unless you're designed to take advantage of reach, I haven't seen it be that useful, except for not taking AoOs at the expense of AC.

I think it's a fine item to give the Earth Genasi for that price, since he can't actually make use of it. Enlarge person only affects humanoids, not outsiders. A better spell to base it off of is probably Polymorph, in which case:

2,000 (continuous) * 7 (caster level) * 4 (spell level) * 2 (1 min/level duration) * 1.5 (body slot affinity) = 168,000 gp

Which is grossly overpriced.

Personnally, I'd prolly double the price of my original calculation. 12,000gp seems fair to me. But that's me, some people seem to think being large and having reach is the be all and end all.

Daag

 

[AuraSeer]

that is the least "permenant " option but definately the most cost effective. even if you have to do it several times. once the monk gets his SR it will be much harder to dispell as well.

SR does not apply to dispel checks. Check the description of dispel magic, where it says "Spell Resistance: No."

 

[Darklone]

Daag, being large and having reach is the end of it all if you have enough space around you and are close enough for melee.