Masterwork DC's-- Even More Questions and My Solution!

[Aluvial]

I have a question about Masterwork DC's.

Is there a reason why the DC for the creation of a Masterwork Items are not higher than the making of a normal item?

If a potter makes an ordinary pot, the DC is (x). If he makes a masterwork pot (special glazing, intricate cutouts), why isn't the DC higher (say, x+5)?

Thanks for any help on this.

Aluvial

 

[CRGreathouse]

The DC for making a masterwork item is 20.

 

[Aluvial]

What about a Masterwork Mighty Composite Longbow +4?

What is the DC and what is the cost to create?

Do you pay for the Masterwork component fully (300 for weapon), or for one third when crafting?

 

[CRGreathouse]

Do you pay for the Masterwork component fully (300 for weapon), or for one third when crafting?

One-third (100 gp)

What about a Masterwork Mighty Composite Longbow +4?

What is the DC and what is the cost to create?

DC 20 for the masterwork component (300 gp); 23 for the rest (500 gp).

 

[Aluvial]

OK, thanks for the help. But I'm not sure the answer you provided jives...

Is it 100 to craft the masterwork, or 300?

Is the price to craft the bow portion 500 or one third that amount?

And again, why is the DC to make the bow HIGHER that that of the Materwork portion?

Do you make two craft checks (one for masterwork, one for bow), or one?

Furthermore, if I buy a Mighty Composite Longbow +4, can I then add the Masterwork component later?

Can I later enchant the masterwork item, even if I have used it in battle?

Thanks for the help....


Aluvial

 

[aurellius]

Example.....Mighty composite longbow +4
Craft Bowyer total +20

Craftsman gathers together 1/3 of 500 gp in raw materials.
1667 sp

Proceeds to craft at DC 23 taking 10's.

23x30 = 690 sp work per week.

2.4 weeks later he finishes with this component and moves on to the masterwork portion

Masterwork always dc 20. Weapon is +300 gp

Purchaces raw materials 1/3 of 300 gp.
1000sp

20x30 = 600 sp of work per week

1.67 weeks later the bow is finished.

Total raw materials = 266.7 gp
Total time = 4.07 weeks

ANY masterwork item can later be enchanted with magic be it days or years later.

Masterwork though must be done when the item is first made.

As for the DC's being odd, well WOTC decided that masterwork was a flat dc 20 rather than a modifier added on top as it probably should be

Marcus

edit : layout

 

[Magius del Cotto]

Quite right, quite right. But just to clarify: You pay 1/3 of teh cost for each component for materials. The price for the item determines the "making threshold" of the item. The threshold you use depends on if you're going by days (say for a dagger or club) or weeks (say for a suit of full plate and mail), multiplying the cost by 100 and 10, respectively.
You then go through the process described above, and once finished, you've made the weapon. However, I'm not sure about the validity of taking ten when making items, no matter how much time you may have on your hands, since there is a definite consequence for failure (no progress made for the week).

 

[Pylar]

I play a Dwarven Cleric of Dumathion and am the parties weapon and armor smith. What we have been doing is considering the Masterwork component seperate from the rest of the weapon. You make seperate rolls for the weapon and the masterwork component. So the difficulty in crafting masterwork equipment is in the fact that you have to make a second successful roll, and spend the additional time and money to make a standard item masterwork.

 

[aurellius]

Taking 10,

Correct, you should roll miss by 1-4 you make no progress for the week and if you miss by 5+ you lose half the value of the raw materials. After a certain point it is impossible to fail even with a one on the roll.

Our group generally allows 10's as a house rule in craft checks to generally speed play.


Marcus

 

[Aluvial]

I definitely know you can't take 10 on these craft check rolls.

I still don't understand why you don't add a masterwork score to the regular DC for making any particular item.

A masterwork spoon should be easier to create than a masterwork catapult.

However, perhaps the main thing should be a minimum base for the masterwork item because a certain level of craftmanship goes into making the item.

SO, perhaps use the suggested twenty for the masterwork score OR add a +5 to the check, and then use whichever is greater.

If an masterwork item has to be made with a masterwork component at the time of creation, then the total price should be calculated, instead of two seperate values. Then only use the higher DC check for the whole item creation.

The crafter would then be making his check rolls based on a single DC, not two seperate ones.

The same argument holds true for the ride skill IMO. Why do you need to roll a DC of 20 to ride a regular horse, and then only a 5 to steer it with your knees to attack with both hands? I think you should probably add the two... but that is for another thread.

Aluvial