Magic Item Compendium: The Diablo II gems have made their way to D&D!

[Psion]

The Diablo II gems have made their way to D&D!

[imager]http://www.yourgamesnow.com/bmz_cache/8/803a51ad45e021a9d8f65274509f2aea.image.144x189.gif[/imager]Yep, when Artificer's Handbook was published!

In addition to removing experience point costs, you will find rules dealing with material components, piecemeal armor, socketed items, gestalt item sets, artifact creation, and magic item instabilitiy, among others.

(Emph. mine)

Sets.

[imager]http://enworld.rpgnow.com/products/product_2437.jpg[/imager]Also covered.

Everything old is new again!

 

[Psion]

I'm sure Final Fantasy had them before Diablo. IIRC, they were called materia. Any FF fans like to comment?

Materia were less about augmenting your weapon (though they did affect stats) and more about being a medium to learn and cast spells.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

[imager]http://www.yourgamesnow.com/bmz_cache/8/803a51ad45e021a9d8f65274509f2aea.image.144x189.gif[/imager]Yep, when Artificer's Handbook was published!

The "3E" Diablo II book was one of the first 3E supplements published. It beat everyone to the punch on this for D&D.

 

[Psion]

The "3E" Diablo II book was one of the first 3E supplements published. It beat everyone to the punch on this for D&D.

Not so. Diabo II: Diablerie did not feature socketed items and gems. My memory's a bit rusty, but I don't think they came into Diablo II until the expansion pack (which was well after the D&D Diablo books were published.)

 

[Willthechased]

What about sundering one? Does it become part of the weapon and thus you would have to destroy the weapon OR is the gem something you can target separately? Any enemy savvy enough to recognize the gem for what it is might try to simply 'disarm' it. For that matter what about engaging someone in a grapple and, oh I dunno, stealing it?
Just some thoughts about these...
-W-

 

[HellHound]

Not so. Diabo II: Diablerie did not feature socketed items and gems. My memory's a bit rusty, but I don't think they came into Diablo II until the expansion pack (which was well after the D&D Diablo books were published.)

Rusty indeed.

The expansion set added runes, gems were part of the core set.

Gems are in the d2 books, but no rules for sockets.

 

[Kishin]

Its a nice idea, but the ability of the Greater Truedeath Crystal to circumvent Undead sneak attack/critical immunity for a measly 12K makes working around undead precision damage immunities (which generally took some effort) far too easy for my tastes. Expect basically every mid-high level Rogue to own one of these if they're available in your campaign.

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

Oh, hey.

March's Magic Item Compendium features several new magic item categories. This miniseries profiles three of the more unique item types, providing examples that illustrate the mechanics behind the item; the first type profiled is the augment crystal, followed by the runestaff and the magic item set.

Emphasis mine. Looks like they thought of it too.

 

[Psion]

Rusty indeed.

The expansion set added runes, gems were part of the core set.

Gems are in the d2 books, but no rules for sockets.

Ah, there they are... page 51. Not much to 'em, though, and they don't really operate so much like a Diablo II gem as a wondrous item, it appears.

 

[WhatGravitas]

What about sundering one? Does it become part of the weapon and thus you would have to destroy the weapon OR is the gem something you can target separately? Any enemy savvy enough to recognize the gem for what it is might try to simply 'disarm' it. For that matter what about engaging someone in a grapple and, oh I dunno, stealing it?
Just some thoughts about these...
-W-

Hmm... true. And dispelling. What happens if the weapon is dispelled, but the augment not? It no longer meets the prerequisite of +1... does it fall down? Makes dispel magic even better as an opening move.