"Ring, engage the cloaking device" "Aye, aye, captain"

[Savage Wombat]

What's the limit on intelligent items controlling their own powers?

For example, if an intelligent ring of invisibility could turn itself on and off, a PC could take a full action each round, and have the ring turn him invisible once more each round.

This would seem to be a bit much for a mere - what, 30,000 gp?

Opinions?

 

[Len]

Yes, at-will invisibility would allow the item to re-invis its owner after every round of attacking. Yes, that would be worth a lot of money. That particular power doesn't seem to be on the list in the DMG, so the price is whatever you think is appropriate. Note that many of the powers, even expensive ones, are limited to 1/day or 3/day.

 

[Darkness]

That particular power doesn't seem to be on the list in the DMG

I think what he meant is: Take a ring of invisibility and say it's an intelligent item.

 

[LordSloth]

You may wanna apply the 'continuous' property on an item that functions in this way and multiply the cost accordingly. Just a thought.

 

[Len]

I think what he meant is: Take a ring of invisibility and say it's an intelligent item.

Yes, I was comparing that to the powers and prices of the pre-defined intelligent items. If it's an intelligent item then it does get to activate itself once per round if it wishes.

It occurs to me that if the ring acts that way the effect is similar to Greater Invisibility. That would put the price up around 200000 gp wouldn't it?

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Yes, I was comparing that to the powers and prices of the pre-defined intelligent items. If it's an intelligent item then it does get to activate itself once per round if it wishes.

It occurs to me that if the ring acts that way the effect is similar to Greater Invisibility. That would put the price up around 200000 gp wouldn't it?

I'm not so sure. Yes, you'd be able to re-invis each round, but that's not the same thing as Greater Invisibility. Being seen in one location each round makes it much easier to be hit by Glitterdust or Faerie Fire, low-level spells that completely nullify your makeshift "Ring of Greater Invisibility".

I'd say the standard price is fine. Being able to re-invis is far different from being continuously invisible even while attacking. YMMV.

 

[Jack Simth]

If the ring acts in that way continuously, mostly. However, it will only act in that way when you are acting in accordance with the ring's wishes. When you are dominant and not acting in accordance with the ring's wishes, then you are forcing the ring to obey - which takes a standard action (as activating a normal ring of invisibility) as it isn't volunteering to keep you so protected.

 

[Len]

I'm not so sure. Yes, you'd be able to re-invis each round, but that's not the same thing as Greater Invisibility. Being seen in one location each round makes it much easier to be hit by Glitterdust or Faerie Fire, low-level spells that completely nullify your makeshift "Ring of Greater Invisibility".

In melee combat there's not much difference. When I'm attacked by a Greater Invisible fighter, I can tell the rest of the party and the wizard will know where to cast Glitterdust.

However, it will only act in that way when you are acting in accordance with the ring's wishes.

Yep. As with any intelligent item, its worth depends on its personality. You could end up wanting to get rid of it at any cost.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

In melee combat there's not much difference. When I'm attacked by a Greater Invisible fighter, I can tell the rest of the party and the wizard will know where to cast Glitterdust.

Assuming the fighter isn't using a reach weapon and doesn't have Spring Attack, then yes. But that's only in regards to melee combat. A wizard with a Ring of Greater Invisibility is much better off than a wizard with an intelligent Ring of Invisibility. Because of this, as a DM, I wouldn't price the intelligent Ring of Invisibility the same as a Ring of Greater Invisibility. I think adding the intelligence cost on top of the standard price is expensive enough, for what you get in a best-case scenario, let alone the worst-case scenario you described.

 

[HeavyG]

You are also only going to be invisible for one attack per round, on average. That's really much worse than Greater Invisibility.