Magic Item Rarity

[Satyrn]

I think in fact that in 5e "artifact" is merely a title meant to inspire awe, but the rules are not that important. The only rule-explicit feature of artifacts that comes to my mind is that they are indestructible.

There's no Mount Doom loophole?

 

[The Crimson Binome]

There's no Mount Doom loophole?

There usually is, from what I recall. Most artifacts have exactly one method by which they may be destroyed. I think it may have been a formal rule, at one point. If you want to destroy the Hand and Eye of Vecna, then you need to get them together and stab them both with the Sword of Kas (or whatever).

 

[Satyrn]

There usually is, from what I recall. Most artifacts have exactly one method by which they may be destroyed. I think it may have been a formal rule, at one point. If you want to destroy the Hand and Eye of Vecna, then you need to get them together and stab them both with the Sword of Kas (or whatever).

That's why I'm wondering if Li Shenron is saying the 5e artifacts are described as indestructible, or if he forget about the loophole.


I really should read all of the DMG.

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[77IM]

For example, this one I cannot decide between rare or very rare.

Swift Shot (any bow or crossbow)

Can be any type of bow or crossbow. Up to one time per round, when you use this weapon to make the attack action, you may make additional attack (ie. if you can normally make 2 attacks, this allows you to make 3). All other rules and limitations still apply, such as a hand crossbow needing a free hand to reload.

For this particular case, I'd look at the scimitar of speed. In fact, I'd change your wording to match that item.

In general, I would look at the rarity of spell scrolls by spell level, and then try to equate your item to a spell level. For example, the weapon above is closest to haste, a 3rd-level spell. So it would be at LEAST as rare as a 3rd-level spell scroll. But it may be more for at-will items (break the spell-slot economy), or continuous/free effects (break the action economy), or just other power vectors.

 

[Li Shenron]

That's why I'm wondering if Li Shenron is saying the 5e artifacts are described as indestructible, or if he forget about the loophole.


I really should read all of the DMG.

[MENTION=6799753]lowkey13[/MENTION] already answered for me

The general rule for artifact is they cannot be destroyed (not even with a sphere of annihilation IIRC!).

As usual, specific trumps general, and each artifact usually comes with the description of the very specific way you can destroy it, and that's because most of the (evil) artifacts are used in quests that exactly have the purpose of destroying that artifact.

 

[Coroc]

First, the official classification is ... not usable very well.

IMHO a Magic item's power depends on the campaign and ist Utility value.

E.G. Low Magic campaign with Boss mob resistant to nonmagic damage -> the +1 weapon is an artefact

High Magic campaign with Magic zepppelins, railways and what the heck -> your wings of flying are a nice to have but nothin special

Normal campaign aka RAW like suggested by the books -> the +1 weapon is a nice item, the +3 weapon is an artefact and your wings of flying are more than the ordinary.