Shapechange & Equipment Sizes

[Vlos]

Ok, Clarification on rules, which came up in game last night.

From the SRD:

SIZE AND MAGIC ITEMS

When an article of magic clothing or jewelry is discovered, most of the time size shouldn't be an issue. Many magic garments are made to be easily adjustable, or they adjust themselves magically to the wearer. Size should not keep characters of various kinds from using magic items.

There may be rare exceptions, especially with racial specific items.

Armor and Weapon Sizes: Armor and weapons that are found at random have a 30% chance of being Small (01-30), a 60% chance of being Medium (31-90), and a 10% chance of being any other size (91-100).

The above makes me think that Armor and Weapons are the exceptions in that they do not adjust size when a character changes size.


Yet, in the Rules of the Game (from Wizards Site):

In general, a change from one form that has a humanoid shape to another form that has a humanoid shape leaves all equipment in place and functioning. The subject's equipment changes to match the assumed form. It becomes the appropriate size for the assumed form and it fits the assumed form. The spellcaster can change minor details in your equipment, such as color, surface texture, and decoration.

When a subject changes from a form with a humanoid shape to a form with a nonhumanoid shape (or vice versa) most of his equipment is subsumed into the new form and becomes nonfunctional. Items the subject could conceivably wear in an assumed form remain functional. For example, most items worn on the body, such as armor, cloaks, boots, and most other items of clothing made for a humanoid body won't fit on a nonhumanoid body. Some items can fit on just about any kind of body. For example, a ring fits just about any form that has digits of some kind (the limit of two rings applies no matter how many hands or similar appendages a creature has). Likewise, a necklace fits on just about any form that has a neck.

The above makes me think that Armor does change size when the wearer changes size.

But the above does not mention weapons.

Are we reading these wrong? What have others ruled on these? Our group is discussing this issue during our off time now and would love to have a ruling for next week session as we often use shapechange or similar powers (wildshape).

Are magical items different from non-magical items?


Thanks for your input.

 

[shilsen]

Where I'm concerned, magical armor and weapons do not resize when the wearer changes shape, unless the magical effect causing the change specifically says they do (e.g. the Righteous Might spell).

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

The above makes me think that Armor and Weapons are the exceptions in that they do not adjust size when a character changes size.

Armor and weapons don't resize. Most magical clothing, however, does.

What armor and weapons will do is accomodate any creature of the same size. For instance, a lizardman, a dwarf, and a human (all Medium creatures) can wear the same chain shirt. Accordingly, if you shapeshift into another roughly-humanoid shaped medium creature, you can expect your armor and weapons to remain useable.

 

[Hypersmurf]

The above makes me think that Armor does change size when the wearer changes size.

The above makes me think that there's a mistake in RotG

-Hyp.

 

[Vlos]

Also, being in Complete Adventurer, they have a new Magical Property called "Sizing" that allows the wielder to change the size of a weapon.

So being that it just came out, suggests that the rules definitly do not apply to weapons otherwise why would they need such a ability?

Sizing: The wielder of a sizing weapon can change the weapon's size category to any other size category as a standard action. Spellcasters who frequently polymorph themselves appreciate weapons weapons with the sizing special ability.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Correct.

 

[glass]

SIZE AND MAGIC ITEMS

When an article of magic clothing or jewelry is discovered, most of the time size shouldn't be an issue. Many magic garments are made to be easily adjustable, or they adjust themselves magically to the wearer. Size should not keep characters of various kinds from using magic items.

There may be rare exceptions, especially with racial specific items.

Armor and Weapon Sizes: Armor and weapons that are found at random have a 30% chance of being Small (01-30), a 60% chance of being Medium (31-90), and a 10% chance of being any other size (91-100).

Why does everybody but me apparently read these paragraphs as giving carte-blanche to shapeshifters to have their equipment resize instantly? It is talking about found items, not shapeshifting characters. Automatically adjusting isn't even the first thing mentioned, 'made to be easily adjustable' is!

AFAIAC, some items can be adjusted to fit, other will do it themsleves. Neither of these things will happen at a sufficient speed to be of use to a shapeshifter.


glass.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Automatically adjusting isn't even the first thing mentioned, 'made to be easily adjustable' is!

But it is mentioned: "Many magic garments are made to be easily adjustable, or they adjust themselves magically to the wearer."