Maximum Enhancement for a Bane weapon?

[Quartz]

Consider a +3 Orcbane Defending sword. I have shifted 2 points of enhancement bonus to defence (leaving it effectively a +1 Orcbane sword), and use it to attack an orc. Does the Bane increase get applied to the current effective enhancement bonus (+1), or to the original bonus (+3)?

The latter. You now have 5 points of plus to manage, not 3.

But there's a subtle point I think people are missing: the various properties of the weapon are part of the weapon; GMW is a spell cast by an external source and its effect is capped by the level of the external source.

There's an even more subtle point: we play the game to have fun. If you're having fun with the way you play it, then good for you.

 

[Nail]

Says the spell description: GMW gives a maximum bonus of +5. Doesn't matter if you start as +1 or +4, GMW can't boost it beyond +5.

The spell doesn't say that, Quartz. Read it again.

Here's the text:

This spell functions like magic weapon, except that it gives a weapon an enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls of +1 per four caster levels (maximum +5).

The spell bestows an enhancement bonus on the weapon. That enhancement bonus is dependent on CL. A CL of 20 means an enhancement bonus of +5. A CL of 24 also means an enhancement bonus of +5, as this spell cannot bestow a higher bonus.

The spell doesn't "add" its enhancment bonus to any existing enhancment bonus. The spell does not "adjust" its enhancement bonus depending on the properties of the weapon. The spell's effects simply overlap, rather than stack, on any existing enhancment bonus.

The Bane property is different. It says that the enhancement bonus is increased by +2 against certain opponents. So if the enhancement bonus is +3, with a Bane weapon its +5. If the enhancment bonus is +5, it's now +7.

 

[Quartz]

The Bane property is different. It says that the enhancement bonus is increased by +2 against certain opponents. So if the enhancement bonus is +3, with a Bane weapon its +5. If the enhancment bonus is +5, it's now +7.

But it only applies to the original enhancement bonus, not the improved one from GMW.

 

[Elethiomel]

But it only applies to the original enhancement bonus, not the improved one from GMW.

Why's that? Because it says "normal"? The GMW enhancement bonus is a normal enhancement bonus.

 

[Kmart Kommando]

Why's that? Because it says "normal"? The GMW enhancement bonus is a normal enhancement bonus.

No, for the same reason a +1 Evil Outsider, Orc Bane Weapon isn't +5 vs Orcus. It's normal enhancement bonus is +1. Period. That is what the gold and XP have paid for, so that is that weapon's normal enhancement. Unless you somehow paid the proper amount of XP for that GMW spell. Other than that, you're getting something for nothing, and abusing the system.

 

[Slaved]

If I had a weapon with two bane properties that both applied to the same enemy I would be very upset with my dungeon master if he declared that they did not stack.

If he did not want them to stack then he should not have let them be on the same weapon in the first place.

 

[Elethiomel]

No, for the same reason a +1 Evil Outsider, Orc Bane Weapon isn't +5 vs Orcus. It's normal enhancement bonus is +1. Period. That is what the gold and XP have paid for, so that is that weapon's normal enhancement. Unless you somehow paid the proper amount of XP for that GMW spell. Other than that, you're getting something for nothing, and abusing the system.

I respectfully disagree.

 

[Diirk]

So casting a GMW spell is getting something for nothing and abusing the system? lol ?

If Person A has a +1 longsword, Person B has a +1 dragonbane longsword and person C is high enough to cast a +3 GMW, they all plan to attack a dragon that do so C buffs A and Bs weapons.

Person A now has a +3 weapon. Person B also has a +3 weapon. Person B spent more money/resources on theirs, why would you penalise them for this by letting bane have no effect or less of an effect for them ?

Treating the +3 with bane as a +5 isn't giving them something for nothing, anymore than casting GMW on a magic weapon to get a higher bonus in the first place is.

 

[Zurai]

No, for the same reason a +1 Evil Outsider, Orc Bane Weapon isn't +5 vs Orcus.

... because Orcus isn't an orc?

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

No, for the same reason a +1 Evil Outsider, Orc Bane Weapon isn't +5 vs Orcus.

This is the best post of the day.