Item to give bonus for range attack spells

[dren]

Need help with a game decision. A player in my D&D 3.5 game wants to buy a ring that gives a plus to hit with ranged attack spells; is that ok by the core set of rules? I know that he could buy an item that increases his dexterity, but he wants a +4 bonus exclusively to his ranged attack spells (his cost proposal 32,000 gp). Would you allow it? And at what price?

This is for a new character coming in to an already established campaign. Magic items are available per the core rules.

Thanks!
dren

 

[gnfnrf]

I would be initially wary of such an item.

The closest thing in core rules are the bracers of archery. The lesser is 5k for a +1 competence bonus to attacks, plus a proficiency benefit. The greater is 25k for a +2 to attacks, a +1 to damage, and the proficiency benefits.

But how can we tell what proportion is what? No good way, but we can assume that attack and damage are equally valuable, that both follow the bonus squared progression, that the proficiency has the same value, and solve.

x*1^2+p=5000
x*2^2+x*1^2+p=25000

The system holds when x=5000, p=0

Clearly, this isn't true (though it was mostly for my amusement anyway) but it does point to the fact that on an item that is primarily used by fighty types, the proficiency benefits aren't worth very much.

So, if the competence bonus to attacks with specific ranged attacks is worth somewhere between 3k and 4k times bonus squared, a +4 item is worth between 48k and 64k. 3k matches up nicely with the amulet of mighty fists, which this is broader in application but narrower in effect than.

So my ballpark would be to make it slotted and price it at 3000 times bonus squared for 48000.

Alternately, you could offer the Rod of Precision (maybe called something slightly different) from Complete Mage, which grants Precise Shot and daily uses to avoid miss chances, and is considerably cheaper.

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gnfnrf

 

[starwed]

A +4 enhancement bonus to a weapon happens to cost 32k, so I'd assume that this is where he's getting the pricing from.

A bonus to hit with a spell is much less valuable than a bonus to hit with a weapon, even for a warlock, so I'd say give it to him for 32k without any qualms. Since it won't be adding to damage, and probably isn't as useful anyway, I'd let it go for 16k without worrying too much about it.

Oh, and a ring takes up a valuable slot, so that's a balancing factor as well.

This assumes he's not using some funky prestige class which somehow trades attack for some nasty benefits.

 

[Darklone]

I would be initially wary of such an item.

The closest thing in core rules are the bracers of archery. The lesser is 5k for a +1 competence bonus to attacks, plus a proficiency benefit. The greater is 25k for a +2 to attacks, a +1 to damage, and the proficiency benefits.
....
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gnfnrf

Bracers of archery are huge since they stack with enhancement bonuses.

Since the PC can't buy a weapon with a +4 enhancement for spells, I'd be nice and let him get away with 32K * 2 (for the ring).

 

[Dross]

Need help with a game decision. A player in my D&D 3.5 game wants to buy a ring that gives a plus to hit with ranged attack spells; is that ok by the core set of rules? I know that he could buy an item that increases his dexterity, but he wants a +4 bonus exclusively to his ranged attack spells (his cost proposal 32,000 gp). Would you allow it? And at what price?

I'd probably allow it, but with:
Player showing his reasoning for the GP32K cost.
Finding out what such an item would effect besides spells. Have the player write out what the item (ring) can and cannot do (helps to prevent arguments as well) so that you are happy with it.
What potentially can this item be stacked with? What is the bonus type? An unnamed bons type will cost more because it stackes with everything (maybe he could use two of these rings for a total +8 for instance?). A named bonus type like competence would be dearer than enhancement because it is not usually associated with increasing to hit bonuses.

As for a price: whatever suits you when these Q's have been answered.

 

[Darklone]

Good idea to ask the player what's the next item/spell he plans to stack on the thing, Dross

 

[dren]

I don't allow unamed bonus simply because they are too much of a pain for me to keep track of. As for his intent, he wanted to have a significantly higher chance of hitting with his ray spells...or that was what he talked about during our initial conversation.

I told him 50,000 gp; just because he had to find someone to make it and much of the cost was locating someone he could trust. If he decided to stay with the character and built up a degree of repoire with one of the guilds, he could get it down to a little bit above 32 G.
He declined it simply because there were other things he could get for the same amount of wealth; smart move on his part. But I probably will be throwing in some Lore about where he can possibly find the item since nobody on these boards believe it is an overpowering item.

Thanks for everyone's help!
dren

 

[IanB]

Such items already exist; I want to say there's a rod in Complete Arcane (intended for warlocks) that grants a bonus to ranged touch attacks. You can probably use that as a pricing guideline for items with different bonuses.