Rules Conundrum. Please Help Restore Peace To Our Group

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Bob the fighter has a +1 longsword. He takes said longsword to a wizard to make it a +2 longsword. How much does it cost? 2000, 6000, 8000? We have no idea. Please help before any blood is shed. :D
 

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Expanding on Hammy's reply, the cost to upgrade an existing magic item is just the difference between the new price and the old price. A +1 sword has a 2000 gp market price (plus cost of the masterwork sword). A +2 sword has an 8000 gp market price (again, plus cost of the masterwork sword). Take the difference to arrive at 6000 gp.
 

hong said:
Expanding on Hammy's reply, the cost to upgrade an existing magic item is just the difference between the new price and the old price. A +1 sword has a 2000 gp market price (plus cost of the masterwork sword). A +2 sword has an 8000 gp market price (again, plus cost of the masterwork sword). Take the difference to arrive at 6000 gp.

I have nothing to add except my shock at this reply.

Who are you and what have you done with the real Hong Ooi?

J
 



Note that what Hong said, applies to ANY magic item that comes inmultiple "levels"; Cloaks of Resistance, Amulet of Natural Armor, Gloves of Dexterity, and so on.

Also note, if your friend decides to go with a +1 Flaming Sword (market price +2), the cost is the same as going to a +2 Sword.
 

Personally, I really don't like the idea of 'upgrading' a magic item. It seems way too video-gameish.

Since I try to stick with the core rules.... *BEG* I just require really rare components or complex instructions in order to do it. (like going from a +1 to a +1 flaming may require the blood of a red dragon, or maybe that it is started on the same day of the year that the original was finished.... something like that.)

I justify it by the fact that it is harder to effect magical items, therefore you have to 'get past' the current magic, to add 'more magic'. So it takes special requirements to do so. Mostly people only do it if it is a special sword (heirloom, or 'lucky', or gift, or whatever.)
 

Coredump said:
Personally, I really don't like the idea of 'upgrading' a magic item. It seems way too video-gameish. [...] Mostly people only do it if it is a special sword (heirloom, or 'lucky', or gift, or whatever.)

Whichonly leads to a glut on the market, WRT lower-plus magic weapons and armor. If it's easier to have something made new, from scratch, than to improve something you've alreayd got, it means anyone deciding they need a better weapon, or better suite of armor, will most often sell/discard the old equipment.

Realistically, this would devalue those lower-bonus items, since there would logically be many, many more of them available on the market, than D&D presumes.
 

Why is it less video gamish to toss your weapon every few levels to get one more in line with what you need than to have your fathers sword have enchantments lain upon it?

The problem with hard to find components is that it discourages the PCs from doing it! As an old timer (well, relatively) I was nervous about allowing the PCs to freely buy, sell, and construct magic items myself. Having taken the plunge I now love this way of doing things. It gives me much less to think about.

For example - lets say my bad guy uses a bastard sword. No one in the group uses this kind of weapon. With standard 3e, they can sell it (at a loss, I might add) and get a weapon that is more appropriate.

Furthur, I don't worry about damage reduction and such. If you are tenth level and can't hit the critter than has DR 20/+3 because you blew your cash on a keen flaming sword of shock, that isn't my fault.

Also as far as buying items, except the most common items (+1 swords/daggers, wands of healing, etc) this means having them commissioned. This could take time that the PCs don't have, or prove to be difficult to find such a person. If a character in the group is making the items, there is XP drain to keep it under control.

Don't be afraid to let them outfit their characters as they see fit!
 

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