Need help with Magic Item Cost

[Album Cover X]

Actually I need much more than help... I'm completely lost...

I've decided after 4 years of DMing 3.x I would create my first magic item using the rules in the DMG instead of just using items from various sources... I'm trying to create a staff among other things but math was never my strong suit. I keep getting different numbers and when I try to reverse engineer the cost of a staff listed in the DMG I only get further confused... For example, I tried to figure out one like Staff of Earth and Stone... only two spells and I have no idea how the price of 85k is reached...

I'm sure this topic has come up... Can someone be so kind as to point be to a thread where its spelled out clearly for math idiots like me??? or can someone show me how its done???

Remember to show all your math

 

[Antoine]

For example, I tried to figure out one like Staff of Earth and Stone... only two spells and I have no idea how the price of 85k is reached...

Here we go :
CL 11. Both spells use 1 charge.
Highest spell value : 750 x spell level x CL
Move Earth : 750 x 6 x 11 = 49 500 gp
2nd highest spell value : (750 x SL x CL) x .75
Passwall : 750 x 5 x 11 x .75 = 30 937.5 gp

Total = 49 500 + 30 937.5 = 80 437,5 gp

Rounded up to 80 500 gp in the DMG staffs description and list

 

[Antoine]

Staffs 101.

Minimum CL = CL necessary to cast highest level spell or 8, whichever is greater. Used for all calculations

Cost to craft staff (all spells 1 charge)
A Highest level spell = 375 x SL x CL
B 2nd highest spell = .75 x 375 x SL x CL
C… 3rd highest and further spells = .50 x 375 x SL x CL
$ For each spell with expensive material component (M) = 50 x M
Total cost to craft = A + B + C… + $
Market value =( 2 x (A + B + C)) + $

 

[Antoine]

Reducing cost :

If spell expends 2 charges, halve cost of spell.
If spell expends 2 charges and has a costly material, $ cost for that spell is only 25 x M.