Magic Item Making

[apesamongus]

On the surface the math works, but I would be tempted to rule for the times four multiplier in the footnote. I realize the footnote is for continously acting items made from spells of short duration, but a Magic Missile usable at will (that never runs out) is effectively creating a continously acting item from an instantaneous duration spell.

No it's not. A continuously acting magic missile item would fire off a volley every round on it's own. This item uses the characters action. It's not continuous, it's going to be either command word or use-activated.

Does the item seem cheap? Yes, but that's because MM is one of the best spells in the game.

 

[Li Shenron]

I realize they're guidelines, but I'm wondering people's thoughts on an item like this, and whether it actually does check out based on DM's guide.

Well, perhaps at very high levels this item won't be too powerful, but IMHO it would definitely be too boring.

OTOH, there are already Wands of Magic Missile available, each of which has 50 charges. This item (except that he wants the max caster level, I suppose) will not be different than having lots of those wands. I don't remember if you can make a wand at higher CL (and cost) like scrolls or not. If you can, just let him make wands instead of this item, and you're not even in HR area anymore.

 

[S'mon]

That'd be reasonable only if you have some strange definition of the word, so that reasonable is equivalent to worthless.

If it turns out to be worthless to a typical PC group, that's fine by me. IMO cost needs to be determined by the power of the item, not its utility to standard PC group. An item that continuously fires MMs forever is very powerful in my book - eg it makes sieges impossible.

 

[Terath Ninir]

Sieges are already impossible in D&D actually. Nothing says "What castle walls?" like a friendly dragon.

As for the item, just kick your player and tell him to buy some wands. They're more efficient in actual game play, anyway.

 

[Hand of Evil]

I say, let him do it and then steal it from him...later he comes accross a goblin that fries him with his own weapon.

 

[S'mon]

Sieges are already impossible in D&D actually. Nothing says "What castle walls?" like a friendly dragon.

Or a Fly spell.

But those are offensive magics that can make _defense_ impossible, whereas cheap infinite-MM guns would make sustaining a siege impossible because they'll kill all the besiegers.

 

[Victim]

Well, fairly cheap infinite supply items like decanters of endless water also make seiges impossible on the other end.

 

[ARandomGod]

New magic items belong in House Rules. Moved.

Looks like your player might be forgetting there are no strict rules for this; just guidelines.

Dang it, when did you guys flip flop back to that? I thought it was discussion of magic item creation rules!

 

[ARandomGod]

If it turns out to be worthless to a typical PC group, that's fine by me. IMO cost needs to be determined by the power of the item, not its utility to standard PC group. An item that continuously fires MMs forever is very powerful in my book - eg it makes sieges impossible.

Sure, it's fine with you. But it's more malicious than just saying "no".

 

[Terath Ninir]

Sure, it's fine with you. But it's more malicious than just saying "no".

I'll second that. My idea of kicking them is also nicer.