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<blockquote data-quote="the Jester" data-source="post: 5830436" data-attributes="member: 1210">There is a lot of chatter from time to time about how magic items don't feel very 'magical'. Though it's not the whole issue, I think part of the problem is how easy it is to identify them these days.Consider: In the pre-1e versions of D&amp;D, you had no choice but to experiment with an item to figure out what it was, and if you were lucky, you might manage it.In 1e there was a dangerous spell (identify) available for the task. It was costly and time-consuming and didn't let you avoid cursed items.It became easier to manage in 2e (IIRC), easier still in 3e, and by 4e we've dispensed with the spell completely, as well as experimentation, in favor of a handwave and a short rest; now, you automatically learn an item's characteristics when you handle it over the course of five minutes.I say, let's go back to making magic item identification not so easy. When your party finds a broom that radiates magic, let them play with it in character to figure out what it does! I have nothing against a spell or ritual to make it easier- as long as there is some kind of cost involved, to encourage people to try the experimentation method first. I remember in 1e, we found a magic ring.The party ranger put it on, then tried bossing us around (nothin'), stuck his hand in a flame (ow!), then in some ice (brr), tried to look through a wall (no luck), tried to fly (nope) and then jumped off a chair (aha, a ring of feather falling!). That was fun- fun enough that I remember it, even 28 years later, even though I was the wizard watching, not the ranger experimenting. I'd like to see that kind of thing return.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="the Jester, post: 5830436, member: 1210"] There is a lot of chatter from time to time about how magic items don't feel very 'magical'. Though it's not the whole issue, I think part of the problem is how easy it is to identify them these days. Consider: In the pre-1e versions of D&D, you had no choice but to experiment with an item to figure out what it was, and if you were lucky, you might manage it. In 1e there was a dangerous spell ([i]identify[/i]) available for the task. It was costly and time-consuming and didn't let you avoid cursed items. It became easier to manage in 2e (IIRC), easier still in 3e, and by 4e we've dispensed with the spell completely, as well as experimentation, in favor of a handwave and a short rest; now, you automatically learn an item's characteristics when you handle it over the course of five minutes. I say, let's go back to making magic item identification [i]not so easy.[/i] When your party finds a broom that radiates magic, let them play with it in character to figure out what it does! I have nothing against a spell or ritual to make it easier- as long as there is some kind of cost involved, to encourage people to try the experimentation method first. I remember in 1e, we found a magic ring. The party ranger put it on, then tried bossing us around (nothin'), stuck his hand in a flame (ow!), then in some ice (brr), tried to look through a wall (no luck), tried to fly (nope) and then jumped off a chair (aha, a [i]ring of feather falling![/i]). That was fun- fun enough that I remember it, even 28 years later, even though I was the wizard watching, not the ranger experimenting. I'd like to see that kind of thing return. [/QUOTE]

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