New Weapon Ability: Multiweapon

[comrade raoul]

I imagine this ability coming in two levels:

Multiweapon, Lesser
A lesser multiweapon has the capacity to transform into other, similar weapons. On command, the wielder of such a weapon can cause the weapon to shift into the form of a different weapon type. Changing the form of a multiweapon in this way is a move-equivalent action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. While the transformation is permanent and cannot be dispelled, wielders may always choose to change the weapon's form again. A lesser multiweapon can become any type of weapon that the wielder has seen before, so long as the new weapon is within one size category of the type that the weapon was originally found or created as. Further, weapons found or created as melee weapons may not become missile weapons, and vice versa. Lesser multiweapons can never become ammunition for a ranged weapon. Typically, lesser multiweapons retain all of their magical abilities regardless of their shape, but if a lesser multiweapon has other enchantments (such as keen) that only apply on certain kinds of weapons, those enchantments function only when the weapon is in an appropriate form. Thus, a +1 lesser multiweapon shortsword can become a dagger or a warhammer, but not a greatsword or a light crossbow.
Caster Level: 10th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Craft (weaponsmith) 5 ranks, fabricate; Market Price: +1 Bonus

Multiweapon, Greater
A greater multiweapon is much like its lesser equivalent, but significantly more versatile. Changing the form of a greater multiweapon is a free action, not a move-equivalent action, and a greater weapon can become any type of weapon (except for ammunition) that the wielder has seen before, without any other limitations. Thus, a +1 greater multiweapon shortsword can become a spiked chain, a Huge composite longbow, or any number of other weapons. It functions like a lesser multiweapon in all other respects.
Caster Level: 12th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Craft (weaponsmith) 10 ranks, fabricate; Market Price: +2 Bonus

Thoughts? Market price equivalents seem right?

 

[Crothian]

I haven't seen this idea in a few months.

In Arms and Armor it is called Alterible. THe lesser ability allows it to change into any 3 other weapons and is +1, the greater version allows it to change into any weapon and is +3.

Some people think this type of power is weak, I however am not one of them. The ability to have the perfect weapon in any circumstance is huge. I think your lesser would be a +2 power and the greater a +4 (+3 if it was a move action and not a free action)

 

[comrade raoul]

I'm not sure whether I agree about the higher cost. A +1 lesser multiweapon longsword can become a +1 shortsword when I need a light weapon (if someone grapples me, for instance) or a +1 glaive when I need reach (but only as a move-equivalent action, which might be dicey), and if I have Weapon Focus or other, weapon-specific feats with a melee wepaon, I can probably always use them. Would I rather have that versatility, or a +1 flaming longsword (assuming all of my weapon-specific feats were with the longsword) and carry a masterwork shortsword and glaive for those special situations? I think that's a tough call -- in any case, I'd be using the longsword much more frequently than the backup weapons, and the extra damage would be nice, but the ease of switching that the multiweapon would provide would be helpful. So I think +1 is about right.

As for the greater version? That's some impressive versatility. But still, ask yourself: would my fighter be better off with any +1 weapon he wanted, whenever he wanted, acquired instantly, or a nice +1 holy greatsword? Also a tough call, I think, and so also more or less appropriate.

Oh, and if I had Arms and Armor, I'd have noted it. But my time and money is pretty limited, and I only pay attention to the Wizards books (and not all of those).