Identifying Magic Items

[Arkham]

The spellcraft skill already includes items. But it requires a 70+Caster Level of the item to get all functions, and 50+CL for its main function.

Which is quite ridiculous, but as one of the PCs in my game has somewhere around a 75 spellcraft, it happens quite often anyway.

 

[Herpes Cineplex]

I seem to remember seeing rules in the DMG (it was in 3.0, and probably is in 3.5, too) covering the chance that a magic item would have some marking/inscription/whatever that would give PCs a clue about what its function was. I also remember something in the crafting rules that gave the creator the option of having an item identify itself to its wearer/user. And yet, I cannot for the life of me ever remember seeing anything like those rules actually be used in a game. Strange, huh?


Skimming quickly through my 3.0 DMG, I see a bit here on identifying magic items that says "You might also permit a character to attempt a Spellcraft or Knowledge (arcana) check (DC30) to determine if she can attune herself with the item's power or if she remembers reading of it once in her studies," so the door is clearly open for GMs to not force PCs to crave 100gp pearls constantly.

--
which ought to make all those poor stressed-out oysters happy
ryan

 

[tylermalan]

I seem to remember seeing rules in the DMG (it was in 3.0, and probably is in 3.5, too) covering the chance that a magic item would have some marking/inscription/whatever that would give PCs a clue about what its function was. I also remember something in the crafting rules that gave the creator the option of having an item identify itself to its wearer/user. And yet, I cannot for the life of me ever remember seeing anything like those rules actually be used in a game. Strange, huh?


Skimming quickly through my 3.0 DMG, I see a bit here on identifying magic items that says "You might also permit a character to attempt a Spellcraft or Knowledge (arcana) check (DC30) to determine if she can attune herself with the item's power or if she remembers reading of it once in her studies," so the door is clearly open for GMs to not force PCs to crave 100gp pearls constantly.

--
which ought to make all those poor stressed-out oysters happy
ryan

Yeah, there's a little chart, IIRC, in the DMG 3.5 that gives the chance for an item to have any sort of identifying characteristic.

 

[evilbob]

Skimming quickly through my 3.0 DMG, I see a bit here on identifying magic items that says "You might also permit a character to attempt a Spellcraft or Knowledge (arcana) check (DC30) to determine if she can attune herself with the item's power or if she remembers reading of it once in her studies," so the door is clearly open for GMs to not force PCs to crave 100gp pearls constantly.

What a strange and interesting rule - both that it is a static DC and also that it apparently didn't make it over into 3.5. Still, I think it's worth it not to constantly punish parties without a wizard.

 

[Gerion of Mercadia]

The spellcraft skill already includes items. But it requires a 70+Caster Level of the item to get all functions, and 50+CL for its main function.

- from epic level handbook

I run the rule - reverse extrapolating the math.

Spellcraft Check to Identify Magic Is is based on "Caster Level" of magic item; DC is 20-30+Caster Level; depending on nature of enchantment
20 for common
25 for uncommon
30 for rare.


Bonuses if you have the Item creation Feats yourself +5 on check.

EXCEPTION - Potions are DC 25; regardless of caster level.