Old school question re: Buff items

[Cheiromancer]

Once upon a time items like gauntlets of ogre power and belts of giant strength raised Strength scores to a predetermined value. I made a cursory search but was not able to determine the prices of such items. Probably just as well; the Strength system is quite different now, and so the prices would probably need adjusting even if I did know them.

So here's the (multipart) question: What would gauntlets of ogre power cost if they provided a flat 18 Strength? How much would a belt of giant strength cost if it gave a Strength of 20, 22, 24 or 26? What's the general formula?

 

[Crothian]

So here's the (multipart) question: What would gauntlets of ogre power cost if they provided a flat 18 Strength? How much would a belt of giant strength cost if it gave a Strength of 20, 22, 24 or 26? What's the general formula?

I would determine what is the average strength of a person in the setting. Basically is it a 20 point buy setting or a 40 point buy setting. Then I would see how much of an increase from average it grants and base price off of that. IT is an odd item since it actually helps out Wizards more then fighters.

 

[werk]

So here's the (multipart) question: What would gauntlets of ogre power cost if they provided a flat 18 Strength? How much would a belt of giant strength cost if it gave a Strength of 20, 22, 24 or 26? What's the general formula?

We've gotten away from the set value system for stats, now using just bonuses. So the gauntlets would add +2 to Str, and the belt adds +4, +6, +8 whatever. It prevents a Str 6 rogue from picking up a 2000gp pair of gauntlets and getting a +12 item.

These should all be in your DMG.

 

[Nail]

I think he's got that part.

The question is a bit like: "What would the spell level be for a spell which raises the subject's Str to 18 (or left it as is if its Str is higher)?"

I'd consider that a 2nd level spell, probably. Maybe a bit like a polymorph spell, perhaps like Alter Self. For a magic item with a 2nd level spell, CL 3, normal duration 10 min/lvl (1.5 multiplier) that is continuous, the price would be:

2*3*2000*1.5= 18,000gp.

FWIW.

 

[diaglo]

remember the gauntlets of ogre power and girdle of giant str. were increases to a set str for humans and/or demihumans. but the human or demihuman was still a human or demihuman.

in the newest edition terms. forget about keeping the base creature whatever size it is too. give them the real basis of the boost. make them Giants (subtype) and make them Large. for Ogre str.

or Huge for Giant str

 

[Ilium]

I would determine what is the average strength of a person in the setting. Basically is it a 20 point buy setting or a 40 point buy setting. Then I would see how much of an increase from average it grants and base price off of that. IT is an odd item since it actually helps out Wizards more then fighters.

I agree with Crothian on this, with the change that you should figure the average Strength of a warrior-type (who would be by far the most likely users) rather than average for all PCs. My current group of 10th-level, 28 pt. buy characters has an average strength of about 12, but the two fighters have an average of 16 (before any items, of course).

 

[Hypersmurf]

One possible data point to keep in mind - the 3E Divine Power spell (unlike the 3.5 version) essentially raised Str to 18. Clr4.

-Hyp.

 

[Nail]

@ Hyp: Sure...and I think there's a spell in the SC that raises Dex to 18 (plus other bonuses). I don't have the SC handy.....

In any case, magic which raises a creature's ability score to a set value *is* present in the system. The main judgement I see is "what level spell would that be?" After you figure that out, pricing a magic item is a peice of cake!

(kinda)

 

[Cheiromancer]

One possible data point to keep in mind - the 3E Divine Power spell (unlike the 3.5 version) essentially raised Str to 18. Clr4.

-Hyp.

Perhaps. If the 3.5 version is the same power as the old version, then a +6 enhancement bonus = Strength 18. And so a +6 enhancement bonus to strength is worth 36,000 gp. Close enough to Nail's estimate, I think.

I wonder if a Strength 20 item would be priced like a +8 enhancement bonus? Should it get the epic multiplier?

 

[diaglo]

Perhaps. If the 3.5 version is the same power as the old version, then a +6 enhancement bonus = Strength 18. And so a +6 enhancement bonus to strength is worth 36,000 gp. Close enough to Nail's estimate, I think.

I wonder if a Strength 20 item would be priced like a +8 enhancement bonus? Should it get the epic multiplier?

i suck at the rules but i'm telling you changing size categories would i think be cheaper.
you still get the str bonus. you lose a little AC. but then you get reach too.

edit: ala Divine... Might???