MIC - Tell me about runestaffs

[Vocenoctum]

They're a lot cheaper than "normal" staves containing the exact same array of spells, though. And honestly, I like the idea of an item the PCs can get at low levels, but that stays useful as they advance.

I like them a lot, except for 2 little problems;
1) Craft Staff is a bit too high of level for my tastes if they're to be used a lot.

2) I'm pretty sure it's a typo, but it says the LOWEST level spell should be 3rd, when I'm pretty sure it meant the HIGHEST level spell should be at least 3rd.

 

[Vocenoctum]

I'd also like some official word on how Artificers use Runestaves, since Artificers are almost always forgotten in non-Eberron books.

 

[Hammerhead]

I like them a lot, except for 2 little problems;
1) Craft Staff is a bit too high of level for my tastes if they're to be used a lot.

2) I'm pretty sure it's a typo, but it says the LOWEST level spell should be 3rd, when I'm pretty sure it meant the HIGHEST level spell should be at least 3rd.

Which is why all those example runestaffs have high level spells in them.

My DM let me commission a custom runestaff for my sorcerer/fiend-blood. It seemed a little cheesy, but everyone else has all these custom items, and he was okay with it, so what the hell. Mine has sending, dimensional anchor, magic circle against evil, heroism, and false life.

They're a very nice and necessary power boost for sorcerers, and very worthwhile even if you can't get a custom one. The DA is a godsend for preventing high level bad guys from TPing out.

 

[Vocenoctum]

Which is why all those example runestaffs have high level spells in them.

Not sure which point you're speaking to, but for point 2, there are several that include spells lower than 3rd level.

For point 1, lower level spell-staves would be easier & cheaper to make, so I can still see uses for them.

 

[Hammerhead]

I was referring to point number two. And there are a lot more high level spells in runestaffs than low-level 2nd level spells.

I can see a problem with low-level runestaffs; for example, a 3rd level sorcerer could get a custom runestaff that might give him 5 more 1st level spells, for the low low price of 1200 gp. I think that as long as you have some high level spells in there, the runestaff will be okay.

 

[Vocenoctum]

I was referring to point number two. And there are a lot more high level spells in runestaffs than low-level 2nd level spells.

I can see a problem with low-level runestaffs; for example, a 3rd level sorcerer could get a custom runestaff that might give him 5 more 1st level spells, for the low low price of 1200 gp. I think that as long as you have some high level spells in there, the runestaff will be okay.

The rule text says a Runestaff's LOWEST level spell must be at least 3rd. Then they present runestaves that contain spells lower than 3rd level.

I have no problem with requiring Runestaves to contain at least one spell of 3rd level or higher, but the spells shouldn't ALL be 3rd level or higher. Also, being able to make Runstaves at 5th or 7th level would not modify much.