Rapier of Puncturing
- Thread starter Legildur
- Start date
ThirdWizard
First Post
I believe unless otherwise stated, activating a magical item is a Standard Action. The touch attack should be rolled into that, and thus you can do this once per round.
kreynolds
First Post
At first glance, I'd be more apt to rule the other way.
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Activation
Usually a character benefits from a magic weapon in the same way a character benefits from a mundane weapon—by attacking with it. If a weapon has a special ability that the user needs to activate then the user usually needs to utter a command word (a standard action).
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Since the description does not indicate activation is required, such as with flaming (i.e. upon command), I'd initially be willing to let this go and say that you can use this function as part of a normal attack, even multiple times per round, if you have enough attacks and enough of those attacks are successful hits.
However, a touch attack is specifically mentioned. The market price of the weapon also indicates that the puncturing function is roughly equivalent to a +1 effect (i.e. a +5 weapon is approximately 50K). Given that information, the mention of the touch attack and the overall cost of the weapon inclines me to agree with ThirdWizard.
I think I would rule that you can make such a touch attack with the weapon as a standard action, and not as part of an attack action, full attack action, nor with an attack of opportunity.
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Activation
Usually a character benefits from a magic weapon in the same way a character benefits from a mundane weapon—by attacking with it. If a weapon has a special ability that the user needs to activate then the user usually needs to utter a command word (a standard action).
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Since the description does not indicate activation is required, such as with flaming (i.e. upon command), I'd initially be willing to let this go and say that you can use this function as part of a normal attack, even multiple times per round, if you have enough attacks and enough of those attacks are successful hits.
However, a touch attack is specifically mentioned. The market price of the weapon also indicates that the puncturing function is roughly equivalent to a +1 effect (i.e. a +5 weapon is approximately 50K). Given that information, the mention of the touch attack and the overall cost of the weapon inclines me to agree with ThirdWizard.
I think I would rule that you can make such a touch attack with the weapon as a standard action, and not as part of an attack action, full attack action, nor with an attack of opportunity.
ThirdWizard
First Post
kreynolds said:
That would be the main reason why I don't think it is activated on attack.
Thanks for the quote, as well. I saw it in a recent post, but I wasn't sure where it was in the SRD.
kreynolds
First Post
Personally? Not necessarily. In this particular example, if the weapon (more specifically the puncturing effect) had a higher cost, I would have no problem allowing the wielder to trigger the effect upon a successful attack. The would merely will it to happen. The bloodfeeding ability from the BoVD comes to mind as one I would not have such a problem with. It is a fairly minor effect. Here's the relevant section about the trigger method...
ThirdWizard
First Post
Bloodfeeding can be pumped up, but since its max 10, I cautiously would say +1 is fine for it.
I should know. I gave a Vile Bloodfeeding Flaming large greataxe +1 to an NPC recently. Oh, it was beautiful.
Most weapon abilities just go off whenever you attack, becuase they can be used when you attack normally. Flaming, holy, keen, wounding, these are all built into the mechanics associated with normal attacks, giving additional abilities in their normal use.
I would say that whenever you have to use a different mechanic than a melee attack to use a weapon, then it should be activated with a Standard Action.
I should know. I gave a Vile Bloodfeeding Flaming large greataxe +1 to an NPC recently. Oh, it was beautiful.
Most weapon abilities just go off whenever you attack, becuase they can be used when you attack normally. Flaming, holy, keen, wounding, these are all built into the mechanics associated with normal attacks, giving additional abilities in their normal use.
I would say that whenever you have to use a different mechanic than a melee attack to use a weapon, then it should be activated with a Standard Action.
