rusting - several questions

[der_kluge]

Firstly, does bronze rust?

Secondly, I'm going to *introduce* a rust dragon to my party next weekend. They're going to hate me for it, of course, because in all likelihood, the thing will obliterate half of their gear.

That said, the party has in their possession an assortment of metals and items, including magical mithral chain, and magical and mundane adamantine armor, plus a variety of magical items.

I understand that magic items having saving throws equal to 2 + 1/2 caster level (round down). So, a caster level 5 item has a saving throw of 4/4/4 (unless it's intelligent, of course).

Third question, does mithral or adamantine have any inate bonus to saving throws? I don't find any mention of any anywhere, so I assume that they do not.

Lastly, do regular items get *any* saving throw? The entry for rust monster, for example, just indicates that metal is just completely dissolved without any save at all. Seems pretty potent. I was thinking of giving them a save of just 2 (since they have no caster level to add).

 

[Nik_the_Pig]

Lastly, do regular items get *any* saving throw? The entry for rust monster, for example, just indicates that metal is just completely dissolved without any save at all. Seems pretty potent. I was thinking of giving them a save of just 2 (since they have no caster level to add).

I'd give masterworkded items a save of 2 (as the base for any magic items) and a normal item a save of 0

 

[der_kluge]

It makes sense that MW items would get a base of 2 (that would explain the base of 2 for magic items).

And I hadn't considered giving regular items a save of 0. That's thinking outside the box! Of course, for a save DC of 20+, that doesn't leave a lot of hope. Still, generous nonetheless since the rules normally don't allow any save.

 

[Steverooo]

Firstly, does bronze rust?

It depends upon what you mean... Rust is oxidation of iron, so no, bronze doesn't "rust". It does, however, verdigris (which is that green stuff that often coats old bronze). Likewise, silver does not rust, it tarnishes. Different chemical processess, same effect.

Third question, does mithral or adamantine have any inate bonus to saving throws? I don't find any mention of any anywhere, so I assume that they do not.

Not as far as I can find.

Lastly, do regular items get *any* saving throw? The entry for rust monster, for example, just indicates that metal is just completely dissolved without any save at all. Seems pretty potent. I was thinking of giving them a save of just 2 (since they have no caster level to add).

They get the saves of their wielders, if wielded. See the DMG...