Skill Boost Items (Complete Adventurer)

[ThoughtfulOwl]

What is the rule on pricing unslotted items (such has pearl of power, ioun stone et al) ?

Anyways, I think the dangerous precedent here is the caster level 6, no prereq (create wondrous items only). Basically then, a 6th level caster with the feat could add a +10 on any skill he wishes for only 5,000 g.p. and 400 x.p..

If you guys don't think that's over the top, my players will kiss you.

If the bonuses are counted as similar abilities, the price is about right.
+10 skill bonus: 10^2 x 100 gp = 10000 gp
2nd similar ability: 10000 x 75% = 7500 gp
3rd similar ability: 10000 x 50% = 5000 gp
Total: 22500 gp

(I guess it's a slotted item - does it count as a necklace?)

If anything the actual price is slightly above the pricing guidelines.

The standard wealth for a sixth-level PG is 13000 gp; they might afford to create it if the entire party pools the spare money to afford one. For a group of four PCs, it means placing about 45% of the party wealth in a single item; it's quite a risk and denies many other choices.

I wouldn't consider these items as cheap until the middle to high levels.

 

[Trainz]

you feel that it is dangerous to let characters make skill bonus items?

No, I don't really (despite what I might have suggested).

Maybe it's much ado about nothing. It's just that in the whole DM's guide, every skill boost item has a prerequisite to create. If they don't anymore, fine, I won't complain. I was just pointing out something that caught my eye.

And what ThoughtfulOwl has pointed out above does put the whole thing under a new light. They are cheap, but not THAT cheap.

 

[Thanee]

Anyways, I think the dangerous precedent here is the caster level 6, no prereq (create wondrous items only). Basically then, a 6th level caster with the feat could add a +10 on any skill he wishes for only 5,000 g.p. and 400 x.p.

And what is the big difference to the DMG skill items?

You don't need the skill as a prerequisite there either, just some related spell (i.e. appropriate animal buff), which by 6th level would not be much of a problem to have.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Crosshair]

Once again Cross uses his Epic level handbook references. And such.

First off, I don't think items that give bonuses to non-physical skills should be allowed. There's magic for jumping and running, swimming, moving silently(Str and Dex skills respectively). There aren't really equivalent spells for helping you cast spells better, or knowing what they are. Some of the items are warranted, theres spells such as glibness for lying.

Now for the Epic items.

Rod of Epic spellcasting
Gives you a +10 insight bonus on your spellcraft check to cast Epic spells and only epic spell, while you're carrying it in hand.
Insight bonuses to ability scores are Bonus^2*2500 rather than *2000, IIRC.
So the interesting part is the rod is 245,000.

Me and my terrible references to ELH..

 

[Trainz]

Now for the Epic items.

Rod of Epic spellcasting
Gives you a +10 insight bonus on your spellcraft check to cast Epic spells and only epic spell, while you're carrying it in hand.
Insight bonuses to ability scores are Bonus^2*2500 rather than *2000, IIRC.
So the interesting part is the rod is 245,000.

Me and my terrible references to ELH..

Heh.

A +10 to only one skill, and a limited one at that (only for epic spellcasting purposes).

245,000 gold pieces.

Interesting conundrum to say the least.

 

[Scion]

not especially, it isnt like the epic rules are a good place to go to find out balance one way or the other.

 

[Iku Rex]

If you want examples of [+X skill] item pricing, take a look at the PsiH.

Crystal Masks: Each of the various types of crystal masks fits over the face of any Medium or Small humanoid, with slits for eyes and nostrils. The mask is transparent, although it distorts the wearer’s features. Leather straps attached to small holes on the sides of a mask enable the owner to affix the mask to his face.
Crystal masks confer special abilities or improved skills on their wearers.
A crystal mask is treated as eyewear or goggles for the purpose of determining which items can be worn on the body.
Crystal Mask of Detection: The wearer of a crystal mask of detection can make Search checks with a +10 competence bonus.
Moderate clairsentience; ML 7th; Craft Universal Item, creator must have 10 ranks in Search; Price 10,000 gp; Weight 1/2 lb.
Crystal Mask of Discernment: The wearer of a crystal mask of discernment can make Sense Motive checks with a +10 insight bonus.
Moderate clairsentience; ML 7th; Craft Universal Item, creator must have 10 ranks in Sense Motive; Price 10,000 gp; Weight 1/2 lb.
Crystal Mask of Dread: The wearer of a crystal mask of dread can attempt to frighten other beings to her will. The wearer makes all Intimidate checks with a +10 competence bonus.
Moderate clairsentience; ML 7th; Craft Universal Item, creator must have 10 ranks in Intimidate; Price 10,000 gp; Weight 1/2 lb.
Crystal Mask of Insightful Detection: The wearer of a crystal mask of insightful detection can make Search checks and Spot checks checks with a +9 insight bonus.
Moderate clairsentience; ML 7th; Craft Universal Item, creator must have 9 ranks in both Search and Spot; Price 20,250 gp; Weight 1/2 lb.
Crystal Mask of Knowledge: Each of the various crystal masks of knowledge grants the wearer a +5 competence bonus on a specific type of Knowledge check.
Faint clairsentience; ML 3rd; Craft Universal Item, creator must have 5 ranks in the Knowledge skill of the appropriate type; Price 2,500 gp; Weight 1/2 lb.
Crystal Mask of Languages: Each of the various crystal masks of language grants the wearer the ability to speak and write five different languages.
Faint clairsentience; ML 3rd; Craft Universal Item, creator must have the Speak Language skill for each of five languages; Price 2,500 gp; Weight 1/2 lb.
Crystal Mask of Mindarmor: A crystal mask of mindarmor grants the wearer a +4 insight bonus on all Will saving throws.
Faint telepathy; ML 5th; Craft Universal Item, conceal thoughts; Price 10,667 gp; Weight 1/2 lb.
Crystal Mask of Psionic Craft: The wearer of a crystal mask of psionic craft makes all Psicraft checks with a +10 competence bonus.
Moderate clairsentience; ML 7th; Craft Universal Item, creator must have 10 ranks in Psicraft; Price 10,000 gp; Weight 1/2 lb.

 

[Tarril Wolfeye]

If you want examples of [+X skill] item pricing, take a look at the PsiH.

All of these use bonus squared x 100.
The interesting one is this:

Crystal Mask of Insightful Detection: The wearer of a crystal mask of insightful detection can make Search checks and Spot checks checks with a +9 insight bonus.
Moderate clairsentience; ML 7th; Craft Universal Item, creator must have 9 ranks in both Search and Spot; Price 20,250 gp; Weight 1/2 lb.

This one uses the pricing for abilities not similar:
9x9x100 + 9x9x100x1.5 = 8100 + 8100 x 1.5 = 20.250 exactly.
Well, it seems WotC doesn't know which abilities to call similar or not.

 

[Thanee]

Don't forget, that the books are written by different people.

For example, the XPH items have skill ranks as a prerequisite, which the DMG does not have, tho that's not a bad move.

Now the item in the CAdv does work completely different for some reason.

Anyways... I think it's absolutely right to apply the "different" multiplier to Spot/Listen, as both are highly useful at the same time, there is no reason to give a cost reduction (which I can see better when putting Bluff, Diplomacy and Perform (sing) together).

Bye
Thanee

 

[ThoughtfulOwl]

Consider that between Diplomacy, Bluff and Perform (sing), you are unlikely to use more than one in the same encounter, which one depending on your social approach; Spot and Search OTOH can come along together quite often. Of course YMMV.