Incresing a magic weapon's bonus

[Kerrick]

This might be a stupid question, but I can't find it in the books anywhere (though I'm sure I've seen it): Can you increase the magical plus of a weapon/armor? If so, how much would it cost? For example, if you have a +3 weapon and want to increase it to +4, would it cost 32,000 (the cost of a +4 weapon) or 14,000 (the difference between +3 and +4)? I'm inclined to think the latter, since you're not enchanting the item from scratch, but D&D rules being what they are, it's probably the former.

What about if I have a +5 longsword of speed (+8 market value) and want to make it +6? I can't just apply the market value for +8, since +6 triggers the epic pricing, so would it be 360,000 instead? What if it were a +5 icy burst longsword of speed (+10 market value) and I wanted to make it +6? Would it be considered +11 market value?

 

[Pyrex]

Yes, you pay the difference. Upgrading from +3 (18,000) to +4(32,000) costs 14,000gp. (well, 7000gp + 560xp if you're doing the upgrade yourself)

Any time the weapon is upgraded to +6 Enhancement bonus you must apply the Epic x10 modifier.

+6 Sword = 6*6*2000*10

+5 Sword of Speed = 8*8*2000

+6 Sword of Speed = 9*9*2000*10

 

[Veril]

You just pay the difference in cost between the two items.

 

[mvincent]

I can't find it in the books anywhere

It's in the Adding New Abilities section of the Magic Item creation rules:
"A creator can add new magical abilities to a magic item with no restrictions. The cost to do this is the same as if the item was not magical. Thus, a +1 longsword can be made into a +2 vorpal longsword, with the cost to create it being equal to that of a +2 vorpal sword minus the cost of a +1 sword."

 

[Kerrick]

It's in the Adding New Abilities section of the Magic Item creation rules:
"A creator can add new magical abilities to a magic item with no restrictions. The cost to do this is the same as if the item was not magical. Thus, a +1 longsword can be made into a +2 vorpal longsword, with the cost to create it being equal to that of a +2 vorpal sword minus the cost of a +1 sword."

Ah, cool. Thanks, guys.