Item creation Question

[Natamanchuk]

I am currently DMing a pathfinders game. My PCs have gotten to the point where they are now starting crafting various magical items.

I’ve looked over the rules for this an noticed a number of changes from 3.5 D&D. My main concern is that from what I have read the final DC to make an item can be increased by 5 for each prerequisite not know. The only exception being the item creation feat in questions.

That said , with the wondrous item creation feat, at 3rd level a PC can make an item with a 9th level spell and a caster level of 18 and only have to add 10 to the spellcraft DC.

Granted that the Gp and time cost would most likely make this impossible. And that the spellcraft DC would be very high. It is possible according to the rules.

Is this correct?

 

[milo]

Yes it is correct. I have never tried to make anything that I couldn't take 10 on to complete myself, anything more is pretty risky.

5+caster level(your item is 18 so lets call it 23). Then you add the 5 for the spell to make it 28, you don't actually add to the DC for not meeting caster level. There are a few items that are exceptions to that rule though(weapons, armor, etc). As the DM you can add another 5 though for not meeting caster level(rule 0). To be safe you would need to be decent level to meet DC 28(-10 so you would want at least an 18 modifier in spellcraft).

 

[Natamanchuk]

That is pretty close to how i read it.

spellcraft check of 5+caster level (18 in this case). And an additional 5 for not having the spell and again another additional 5 for not meting the caster level for a total of spellcrat check dc 33.

Why would i not add the 5 for not meting the caster level? I did not see that as not being required. I figured it is the most basic prerequisite to have. Other than the feat itself.

 

[N'raac]

Caster Level is not listed under "Requirements", so it is not a typical prerequisite.

For Arms and Armor, caster level "must be" at least 3x the enhancement bonus. I take this to override the usual rule that a missing prerequisite may be overcome with a -5 penalty on the roll - ie that this is a mandatory requirement, same as the item creation feat.

So, assuming I need a 28 Spellcraft roll for that example item, I need a +18 to Take 10. With an INT of 22 and a Favored Class bonus, I need 9 ranks, so I can reliably succeed at 9th level. At 3rd level, I probably don't have a 22 INT, but even if I did, I need to roll a 16 to succeed (25% chance). On average, I'll have to spend 4x the gold and 4x the time to get that item. That's a lot of "spell per level"

And it assumes only one spell is needed, so the item isn't too versatile.

Are there items you are specifically concerned with? Perhaps an example would be useful.

Ring Gates require the Gate spell, CL17 and 20,000 gp, so that would need a 15+ at 3rd level. How many 3rd level characters have the 20k gold to take a run at a 30% chance of success?

A Scarab of Protection is a touch cheaper, needs CL 18, but requires two spells our 3rd level character won't have, so now the roll is 33 - he gets a 5% chance of success.

I think wealth is the more limiting factor.

 

[Natamanchuk]

At the moment there is no specific spell or item I am worried about. But I see the potential for it to get out of hand.

You’re completely right in saying the GP value will become a limiting factor. Right now my PC are level 9, and they have a range a wealth typically from 2 k to 10 k depending on their gear.

I’ll just need to keep an eye on their cash

 

[BriarMonkey]

The "caster level" given for magic items is used to determine the item's saving throws. It is not a requirement of construction.

Cheers.