Magic Items - creation prerequisites

[Legildur]

I don't have the DMG, so maybe the answer is in there, but I'm uncertain about the prerequisites for making certain magic items.

I realise that you need the Enchant Magic Item ritual and to pay the cost of the item (as the ritual component cost) and that you "touch a normal item and turn it into a magic item of your level or lower".

But what does "normal item" mean when enchanting, for example, Dwarven Armor which has the fluff of "crafted by the finest dwarf armorsmiths"?

Do you need to start with a suit of chain, scale or plate "crafted by the finest dwarf armorsmiths" before casting the ritual? Or does the ritual turn ordinary everyday armor into Dwarven Armor, regardless of its origin?

There are numerous other similar examples I can see in the PHB.

 

[Regicide]

I realise that you need the Enchant Magic Item ritual and to pay the cost of the item (as the ritual component cost) and that you "touch a normal item and turn it into a magic item of your level or lower".

You toss a bag of gold on the ground, do the ritual and you get whatever item you want out worth that much gold or less. It is a universal vending machine. If a DM wants to require a more difficult prereq than that, it's up to them, but nothing so involved is outlined.

 

[Legildur]

You toss a bag of gold on the ground, do the ritual and you get whatever item you want out worth that much gold or less. It is a universal vending machine. If a DM wants to require a more difficult prereq than that, it's up to them, but nothing so involved is outlined.

Humph! That offends my sensibilities as a long term D&D player. But as a current 4E player, I LIKE IT!

Thanks

 

[UngeheuerLich]

You toss a bag of gold on the ground, do the ritual and you get whatever item you want out worth that much gold or less. It is a universal vending machine. If a DM wants to require a more difficult prereq than that, it's up to them, but nothing so involved is outlined.

IIRC you need components as outlined in the ritual chapter:
Rituals need a normal item + components associated with the rituals primary skill!

In 3.x you need masterwork item + gold f you go by RAW...

So nothing to complain as long term D&D player...

 

[Legildur]

So nothing to complain as long term D&D player...

I meant as a looooong-time D&D player.... the Blackmoor books and stuff (ie pre 1st edition) that Diaglo still holds up as canon.

In some earlier editions you needed some specific components, which is why I asked the question based on the fluff in the 4E PHB. Sometimes creating a magical item required a small quest to obtain the necessary rare ingredient. That no longer seems to be the case, which has its pros and cons.

 

[Byronic]

You don't need gold, you need magical dust (residuum I believe) and/or expensive arcane paraphernalia. The value of the two is expressed in gold since this makes it easier, however no actual gold is required.

 

[Saeviomagy]

I meant as a looooong-time D&D player.... the Blackmoor books and stuff (ie pre 1st edition) that Diaglo still holds up as canon.

In some earlier editions you needed some specific components, which is why I asked the question based on the fluff in the 4E PHB. Sometimes creating a magical item required a small quest to obtain the necessary rare ingredient. That no longer seems to be the case, which has its pros and cons.

Of course the problem here has always been that the quest involved is either small and simple (and barely worth putting in the game) OR large enough that by the end of it you don't want the item anyway.

 

[Legildur]

You don't need gold, you need magical dust (residuum I believe) and/or expensive arcane paraphernalia. The value of the two is expressed in gold since this makes it easier, however no actual gold is required.

Good point. But it still doesn't adequately explain how the ritual makes an item specifically crafted by a particular race - just an observation, not a significant complaint. But you can see why I raised the question.

 

[Mort_Q]

It's a little light on the details, which I think is a bonus in the long run. It allows the DM to decide.

 

[Regicide]

Good point. But it still doesn't adequately explain how the ritual makes an item specifically crafted by a particular race - just an observation, not a significant complaint. But you can see why I raised the question.

The default setting is points of light which means player's access to any form of goods is completely implausible. But plausibility isn't even remotely on the list of things 4E cares about delivering. It's just like a video game where you go to the village and the local blacksmith has an infinite amount of level appropriate magic items available for sale because convenience and not plausible is the goal.

Like you, as a long time DnD player this offends my sensibilities. Magic items have gone from a luxury to a right to now a necessity and DMs are even encouraged to get magic item lists from players to give them what they want without even going to town to shop for it. Getting magic items used to be like Christmas for PCs, now it's like opening the refrigerator. But whatever. As you say, from a player point of view it cleans up all that red tape and lets you get to the fighting faster, which is what most people want.