Polymorphing Magic Items

[Thanee]

Polymorph Any Object states, that you can change the type of a magic item, but not give it any superior powers.

Does this mean, I can polymorph my +3 Dagger into a +3 Greatsword, but not into a +2 Keen Dagger?

What is possible and what is not?

Bye
Thanee

 

[Macbrea]

I believe the intent was that you could change the look (and what it was) to another object but it keeps all current magic properties.


Example: Your party comes across a Giant sized Two handed sword +3, flameburst and decided its just not that useful to the party. The rogue uses rapiers and hasn't gotten a good weapon yet. Polymorph any object allows you to change the Giant Two handed sword +3, Flameburst into a Medium sized rapier +3, Flameburst. Same magic different base item.

People need to be careful what they change things into as they can get very dangerous. Polymorphing a Ring of Freedom of movement into a necklace of Freedom of Movement might seem like a great idea until you hit the antimagic field.

 

[Gromm]

Hard to say, though I lean towards no just because most things (ie creatures) that get polymorphed turn into a regular version of that thing (ie base stats for the race, no powers, etc).

Though the rules don't say much either way, so theres no real solid rule that I'm aware of.

 

[kreynolds]

Polymorphing a Ring of Freedom of movement into a necklace of Freedom of Movement might seem like a great idea until you hit the antimagic field.

I could create a whole new family of magical traps using that idea.

Seriously, I'd rule that the necklace just falls from the neck as it turns into a ring. Seems really lame that a 56th level fighter with a strength that rivals the Tarrasque would have his head pinched off by a ring of freedom of movement.

 

[Voadam]

I could create a whole new family of magical traps using that idea.

Seriously, I'd rule that the necklace just falls from the neck as it turns into a ring. Seems really lame that a 56th level fighter with a strength that rivals the Tarrasque would have his head pinched off by a ring of freedom of movement.

The SRD beat you to it Kreynolds.

Necklace of Strangulation

A necklace of strangulation appears to be a rare and wondrous piece of valuable jewelry and, short of the use of something as powerful as a miracle or a wish, can only be identified as a cursed item when placed around a character’s neck. The necklace immediately constricts, inflicting 6 points of strangulation damage per round. It cannot be removed by any means short of a limited wish, wish, or miracle and remains clasped around the victim’s throat even after his death. Only when he has decayed to a dry skeleton (after approximately one month) does it loosen, ready for another victim.

Caster Level: 18th; Prerequisites: Create Wondrous Item, slay living; Market Price: 60,000 gp.


The only difference is the PAO necklace requires a dispel magic or antimagic field to work and might cost less to create.

alternatively from the reduce spell

A shrinking object may damage weaker materials affixed to it, but a reduced object shrinks only as long as the object itself is not damaged.

So maybe it will pass through the flesh but be stopped at the hard bone of the vertebrae?

And for reference for the original question from the srd:

A magic item or weapon or other object can be polymorphed into another type of magic object, but it never gains abilities superior to those of the original object.

So I think +3 dagger into +3 great sword is fine, but turning it keen is not something the spell can do.

 

[Phoenix8008]

Is there any reference in the rules for this Polymorphing of a weapon to be added as a permanent weapon power? Like what Market Price Modifier it would warrent? If there's not I guess this question then goes into the House Rules area and I'll go to ask it there.

I'm wondering because I have an idea for a weapon that I've wanted to make but wasn't sure how to. The idea is stolen from an old comic book called Ghost Rider. This demon thing had a chain weapon that he could make stiff so it was a staff. He could also twirl it and the chain links would seperate and fly off to hurt people like shuriken before returning and reforming into his chain. Anyway, that's what I'm wanting it for. Any help would be cool. If there's nothing for this in the rules then let me know and I'll try the House Rules area. Thanks!

 

[kreynolds]

The SRD beat you to it Kreynolds.

Hardly. Nice try though. That necklace doesn't cut your head off. It just strangles you, which is fine. No insta-death with that necklace.

 

[Zhure]

Does no one else see the irony of being killed by strangulation by a ring of free action?

 

[Voadam]

Hardly. Nice try though. That necklace doesn't cut your head off. It just strangles you, which is fine. No insta-death with that necklace.

Right, just 1 hit point a second of strangulation until limited wish or miracle, it might not be instant but it is pretty assured death in under ten minutes.

 

[kreynolds]

Right, just 1 hit point a second of strangulation until limited wish or miracle, it might not be instant but it is pretty assured death in under ten minutes.

That's fine. I don't mind that item.

All I'm saying is that having 25% or so of all necklaces found, or any random amount for that matter, actually being rings that snip your head off in a dead magic zone, anti-magic field, or with a really good dispel is just lame. It lacks creativity and serves no useful purpose.

It's a neat idea, sure. But only if you're the type of DM that sees your games as "you against the players, and you must win". That's all I'm sayin'.