Magic Item Creation Cost: Arrows

[philreed]

A question I'm hoping can be answered. It would make sense to me that magic arrows would have a cost based on "Single use, use-activated" according to Table 8-40 in the DMG or: Spell level x caster level x 50 gp. Creating a Sleep Arrow (DMG p. 189) in this way yields a cost of 250 gp plus 7 gp for the cost of masterwork arrows for a total of 257 gp.

But the item has a cost of 132 gp in the DMG. This makes perfect sense if you use the "Single use, spell completion" formula of "Spell level x caster level x 25 gp." That gives a cost of 125 gp plus 7 gp for masterwork arrows or 132 gp total.

Okay, working the math on all of the arrows in the DMG shows they were constructed using option 2.

I thought I was fine until I ran the math on the Arrow of Biting from Magic of Faerun (p. 141). That one uses the "Single use, use-activated" formula but has an additional cost of 50 gp that I cannot find in the math. Or, to run the math here, 4 (spell level) x 7 (caster level) x 50 gp = 1400 gp plus 7 gp for masterwork arrows = 1407 gp. The book lists it as 1457 gp.

Can anyone tell me:

#1. Which method is "correct" for determining the cost of these arrows.
#2. Where did the extra 50 gp come from for the Arrow of Biting?

Thanks.

 

[James McMurray]

The proper way to generate costs on magic arrows is to view the final benefit of the item, and compare it to other available items. Then, if that fails to generate a ballpark figure, DM fiat must be examined and used to createa comparable "plus" value for the effect.

The arrow of sleep for example is created using a +1 arrow as base, and adding slepp (figured at a +1 ability). This gives 2 x 2 x 2 x 1000 for the base price, plus 140 for 50 masterwork arrows. Dividing this by 50 for a single arrow yields 162gp. given that sleep is apparently not considered a +1 ability (or it would simply have been listed as such) the creator gave a 30gp cost reduction.

Of course, this is all IMO.

 

[philreed]

Where do you get the 1000?

Your calculations don't come near the listed cost of the arrows in the DMG while using the spell level x caster level x 25 gp nails the prices exactly.

I understand a lot of "winging it" may be necessary but if it's that much guestimating why are there such specific rules for costing of magic items?

 

[Caliber]

You make magical arrows just like magical weapons (thats where the 1000 comes from.) Note that magical arrows are made in bushels of 50.

 

[philreed]

One last question.

Can you tell me what page I could find this formula on:

2 x 2 x 2 x 1000

Thanks.

 

[James McMurray]

Sorry, I should have phrased it as 2 x 2 x 2000. The formula is bonus squared x 2000 for weapons and bonus squared x 1000 for armor. Can't give a page reference, but it is in the description of the Craft Arms and Armor feat.

 

[philreed]

Thanks for the help . . .

I think I'm getting an idea of what to do. I shouldn't follow the rules exactly but instead use them as a base and then modify based on published examples and instinct.

And if I'm wrong it's an easy enough matter to tweak the information later since it's only intended for PDF and my website. I'm really starting to love electronic publishing after so many years of working in print.

 

[James McMurray]

That's really the only way to price magic items. Using those formulas can give you a general ballpark, but it is way too easy to come up with a figure that is grossly undercosted (such as use-activated true strike) or grossly overcosted (like a once per da Foresight).

 

[kreynolds]

but it is way too easy to come up with a figure that is grossly undercosted (such as use-activated true strike)

Ah ah ah! Remember, the cost is completely appropriate for true strike if the activation method is appropriate, such as standard action activation (no command word), unlimited charges, Bow of True Strike, which would use the formula of spell level x caster level x 2,000gp, for a grand total of 2,000gp, 4,000gp for being a secondary power on a weapon. Not that bad. If anything, the activation method used in Use-Activated magic items (standard or free) is the thing that can really jack up the balance of a True Strike item, not necessarily the cost.

(Just pointing this out to help rid DMs of their innate fear of True Strike. )

 

[James McMurray]

True, but those tables don't give any sort of indication that there is any difference between use-activated as a standard action and use-activated as a free action.

Perhaps a better example is an unlimited use-activated (standard action) item of cure minor wounds. Command word is cheaper, but use activated means you don't have to stand there and say a word over and over, you just rub your cuts with the _____.