Price this Item: Amulet of Youth

[nittanytbone]

Hey, I'd like a bit of guidance to make sure that I've priced this correctly. Thanks for the double-check!

"Amulet of Youth"

Just as the sun stays high in the sky late into the day on the summer solstice, the vigor and vitality of a brave adventurer should not always be allowed to wane as the years take their toll. This amulet was created by an aging adventurer who desired to stave off the impact of the years on his body as well as enhance the wisdom of older age. It is cast of heavy bronze and features the image of half of a sun and half of a moon.

Grants +1 str, +1 con, +1 dex, and +2 wisdom.
Moderate transmutation; CL 8th; Craft Wondrous Item, bear’s endurance, bull's strength, owl's wisdom, cat's grace; Price 10,000 gp.

The +2 wisdom is the most expensive component. It should cost 2^2 x 1000 GP for a total of 4000 GP.

The +1 con is easy, as it fits the item slot (CF Amulet of Health). Therefore, it costs 1^2 x 1000 GP (1000 GP) plus a surcharge of 50% for "multiple similar abilities." Thus the +1 con component costs 1500 GP.

The +1 str and +1 dex do not fit the item slot. They are also multiple similar abilities. Thus, there are two charges of 1.5 added to the 1000 GP base cost, for a total of 2250 GP each.

That makes the total price 10,000 GP.

 

[Fieari]

+1 bonuses are... tricky. For about half the population of the world, they're basically worthless, and for the other half of the world, they're just as good as a +2. Why not just make it a +2 and make it useful for anyone that puts it on?

 

[Rystil Arden]

Why not change the +1 physical stat ability to the following: A character who wears this amulet feels her body become youthful and vibrant. As long as the amulet is worn, she treats her physicals stats as if she was one age category younger, though her mental stat bonuses for aging remain with her.

 

[Caliban]

Items are not supposed to give odd numbered bonuses. I think for what you want, it should negate the stat penalty for aging instead of giving a general bonus to the stat.

That way the bonuses only affect those who are actually old. This does make it trickier to price, but it should be less than what you are pricing it at. Perhaps 6,000 gp.

 

[nittanytbone]

Items are not supposed to give odd numbered bonuses.

Out of curiosity, where is this stated (other than by example in that all the BTB items except for tomes and such are +2/+4/+6)?

I was going with the +1 so as to negate middle aged penalties, but I see the point of changing it to offset such penalties rather than give a general bonus. Good idea!

 

[Caliban]

Out of curiosity, where is this stated (other than by example in that all the BTB items except for tomes and such are +2/+4/+6)?

I don't think it's formally stated anywhere in the books, it's more of an unwritten rule that you have to infer.

It was also mentioned in Dragon magazine article right after 3.0 came out, where they discussed the theory behind the game mechanics.

Basically, permanent ability bonuses from magic items should grant the same benefit no matter who uses it. (Inherent bonuses to ability scores are an exception to this, and are capped at +5 in the rules.)

An item that gives you a +1 bonus to a stat gives no benefit to someone with an even stat, and gives the same benefit as a +2 bonus item to a person with an odd stat. It also means that the item may become useless (or less useful) every 4 levels if you put your stat bump into that ability.

So it's not prohibited by the RAW, but it's generally a bad idea, and you won't find it in any of the published books from WOTC.

 

[Coredump]

So it's not prohibited by the RAW, but it's generally a bad idea, and you won't find it in any of the published books from WOTC.

I think they are a great idea. To me, the current way makes having a 17 str pretty worthless, at least compared to a 16 str.... But if you have +1 belts, than your character actually gets *some* advantage to being 'stronger' than the guy with 16 str.

I think it makes a better system if all of the stat bonuses are odd. Think about it, the way it is now, you can have a 16 str, or you can spend the points to get a 17 str, and get no benefit. There is *no* reason to have an odd stat. (except for a few rare feat needs) My suggestions has the trade-off. You can have a 16 str, or you can spend the points to get a 17 str, get no benefit, but get more benefit from magic items, if you can find/get the right ones.

I don't think "everyone benefits equally" is a good rationale, I *want* the guy who 'wasted' a point to get an odd stat to get some benefit.
And how many folks hesitate to bump an even stat, because of no benefit for 4 more level?
And sure, you can look at it as being 'worth less every other level', or you can look at it as being 'worth more every other level'.

One problem, however, is I think +1 items are priced too low based on the forumula. I would have them be 2K.

 

[Caliban]

I think they are a great idea. To me, the current way makes having a 17 str pretty worthless, at least compared to a 16 str.... But if you have +1 belts, than your character actually gets *some* advantage to being 'stronger' than the guy with 16 str.

I think it makes a better system if all of the stat bonuses are odd. Think about it, the way it is now, you can have a 16 str, or you can spend the points to get a 17 str, and get no benefit. There is *no* reason to have an odd stat. (except for a few rare feat needs) My suggestions has the trade-off. You can have a 16 str, or you can spend the points to get a 17 str, get no benefit, but get more benefit from magic items, if you can find/get the right ones.

I don't think "everyone benefits equally" is a good rationale, I *want* the guy who 'wasted' a point to get an odd stat to get some benefit.
And how many folks hesitate to bump an even stat, because of no benefit for 4 more level?
And sure, you can look at it as being 'worth less every other level', or you can look at it as being 'worth more every other level'.

One problem, however, is I think +1 items are priced too low based on the forumula. I would have them be 2K.

That's what the inherent bonuses are for. And that's also why they use odd stats as feat prereqs.