How much would this cost?

[Lord Vangarel]

In our group the most memorable magic weapons have been one's that can fire lightning bolts or other magic effects. Anyway I've looked at the prices in the DMG for magic item creation and am a little confused. How much would it cost to take say a +1 sword and give it the ability to cast a 6d6 lightning bolt 3 times per day? Does the cost alter if the lightning bolt is limited to once per day or more than 3 times?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Deadguy]

Well, let's see.

The power is a lightning (level 3 spell), and for 6d6 damage we need a caster level 6. Assuming that we want the effect to be cast on command the cost would be:

6 (caster level) x 3 (spell level) x 1800gp = 32,400gp

However, you only want the power 3 times per day. Though the way it phrases it looks confusing, basically the cost is 20% per use per day, so 3 uses per day costs 60% of the normal cost, i.e. 19,440gp. (If you want 5 or moure uses per day, the cost is effectively the same as unlimited uses per day.)

Finally, you are adding this power to a magic weapon, so this a secondary function. This costs +100% (the DMG has a misprint - it says +10% cost, but this has been errata'd). So a cost of 38,880gp. Call it 39,000gp as a round figure.

Does that make sense?

(P.S. just noticed where you live, Lord Vangarel. It's a beautiful town - and you are a lucky person! )

 

[Lord Vangarel]

Thanks Deadguy that helps alot.

The whole area is really nice to live and we have number of castles close by and stunning scenery for inspiration. Have you visited the area alot?

 

[Deadguy]

Thanks Deadguy that helps alot.

The whole area is really nice to live and we have number of castles close by and stunning scenery for inspiration. Have you visited the area alot?

As a child my family used to holiday every year in or near Conwy, so I grew up knowing the place. I haven't been there for many years now, but I am told that it hasn't really changed.

For those who don't know the place, Conwy is a mediaeval town at the mouth of the Conwy valley, roughly in the middle of the coast of North Wales. The town still has large parts of the mediaeval town wall, and it is dominated by a magnificent castle, built by Edward I during his conquest of Wales. Plus it's within easy distance of all the other castles that Edward built, so you can quickly get to see wide variety of designs that the same architect could produce to fit the location. (Sorry, LV, just thought it was worthexplaining to other people! )

 

[Lord Vangarel]

Not a problem. Sometimes you can forget what's right on your doorstep.

The area hasn't changed really, I first visited in the 70's and moved here in the early 80's. Access is better now as a dual-carriageway runs the entire length of the North Wales coast.

 

[wolff96]

6 (caster level) x 3 (spell level) x 1800gp = 32,400gp

However, you only want the power 3 times per day. Though the way it phrases it looks confusing, basically the cost is 20% per use per day, so 3 uses per day costs 60% of the normal cost, i.e. 19,440gp. (If you want 5 or moure uses per day, the cost is effectively the same as unlimited uses per day.)

Finally, you are adding this power to a magic weapon, so this a secondary function. This costs +100% (the DMG has a misprint - it says +10% cost, but this has been errata'd). So a cost of 38,880gp. Call it 39,000gp as a round figure.

Deadguy is perfectly correct. The cost for shooting lightning bolts is about 39,000gp.

Of course, since I just have to be sure it's perfectly clear, the actual weapon cost will be 41,000gp + the cost of the masterwork weapon. It wouldn't do to forget to pay for the +1 weapon itself!

PS -- I think this is a very cool idea for a weapon. I'd add the Shocking Burst quality to it for a totally lightning-based weapon. But that's just me. (Which would make the cost 57,000gp + the cost of the masterwork weapon itself.)

 

[kreynolds]

Does that make sense?

Well done!

 

[Deadguy]

Well done!

I aim to please! Actually that was a lot more clearly explained than it normally comes out. It probably helped that I'd been designing magic items earlier, so I had the numbers in my head.

Wolff96: Oops! Yes, I guess I was just glossing over that point. I read the question as "what does it cost to add lightning to a +1 weapon?" Thanks for pointing that out!