magic weapons and light

[Rixshaw]

I think it says in the DMG that all magic weapons have a 20% chance to have light 20 foot. Is that only when first created or every time that more magic is added to the weapon?

 

[Lord Pendragon]

The actual text states something like "fully 30% of magic weapons shed light equivalent to a torch." Since the percentage is relating to the quantity of magic weapons as a whole, I'd say it's just at creation. Otherwise the percentage of light-shedding weapons would gradually increase over time, as newer weapons would start out 30% light-shedding, and older ones would often become light-shedding after the fact as well. Consider the light-shedding property as an occasional side-effect of that first +1 enhancement.

 

[jollyninja]

doesn't it also mention that the caster determines weither or not the item glows? the 30% is just for randomly found magical items because most people do not want their weapons to glow every time they are pulled. i think that it's in the same paragraph or slightly before the text you quoted. I would say that any enchantment you stick on there would allow the new caster to make it glow or remove the glow with relative ease.

 

[Rashak Mani]

Well in the DMG 30% might glow... but I have never seen a glowing sword in any game of ours... even thou fantasy story swords like the Prince Valiant Sword glowed.

Anyone have glowing swords in their campaigns ? Any problems or benefits from it ?

 

[Crothian]

I had the rogue find a really kick ass sword that would glow and hum. Didn't have to be welded to do either. It wasn't intellignet it was a Wizard's pratical joke. Make a sword that is great for rogues but the giving off of light and the humming severle hamper the rogues stealth abilities.

 

[Darkness8Me]

I have a character with a weapon that radiates light. The nice part is that I don't have to juggle a torch in dark areas (no darkvision). The downside is I can't have it drawn while sneaking up on the enemy as the light definately gives me away (and I don't have quickdraw either).

 

[bret]

I'm playing a Paladin in one campaign who has a Holy weapon. Of coarse it glows.

In the same campaign is a Flaming Weapon. It only lights up on command.