Magic Item Creation: Caster Level.

[Jack Haggerty]

Alright. So, in the DMG in the description of every magic item, there a listing that goes something like this:

(Bracers of Armor)
Caster Level: 7th; Prerequisites: Craft Wonderous Item, Mage Armor, creator's class level must be twice that of the bonus placed in the bracers;

Now, is that "Caster Level" a prerequisite to making a magic item, or not? The DMG implies that it is on page 178, but enough magic items have Prereqs that are lower than the item's caster level, that it hardly makes sense.

Who's being stupid here? Me or the DMG?

 

[Staffan]

Read Monte Cook's item FAQs at http://www.montecook.com/arch_dmonly3.html and http://www.montecook.com/arch_dmonly4.html . In short, caster level is not a prerequisite, it's just the caster level you'd expect in a randomly found item.

 

[kreynolds]

In short, caster level is not a prerequisite, it's just the caster level you'd expect in a randomly found item.

It is also used to determine the saving throw bonus that magic items get against being damaged by spells and such.

 

[dcollins]

Now, is that "Caster Level" a prerequisite to making a magic item, or not?

It is not a "prerequisite". However, it is a "minimum on the creator's level" (for non-potions/scrolls/wands, DMG p. 178). Technically, they are slightly different things.

Monte's essay has some distressing contradictions when compared to the rule on DMG p. 178. That rule to date has not been altered by any errata or official FAQ entry. (Furthermore, you may note that there are no rules given for altering the cost of an item if caster levels theoretically varied from those listed.)

I invite you to consider the following discussion on the issue: www.superdan.net/dndfaq2.html