Socketed Items

[Carnifex]

I like the idea of magical items increasing in power as the campaign continues - such as having your longsword +1 imbued by thankful dwarven smiths with the power of flame, making it a flaming weapon as well, or something like that - as opposde to finding a new magical longsword and then selling on your longsword +1. One idea that struck me was the socketed items from Diablo II. Has anyone had anything like this in their games - I don't mean a direct translation, but say a stone of power that could be affixed to a sword and power it up, or say a magical thread that could be used to sew a new pattern into a magical cloak and make it more powerful. I'd love to hear examples from anyone who has done this sort of thing.

 

[Altalazar]

I like that idea. I thought there was something along those lines in one of the FR books - where you could add some enhancement to a wand by putting a particular kind of gem into it.

Or magical gems into the hilt of a sword, something like that. I would just want to try and keep it from becoming too much like Diablo in the process - but it is still a cool idea.

 

[Oni]

The DMG gives rules for upgrading magical items. But I think its a very good idea, lends something to the history of the character and makes his belongings more personal possessions than mere tools.

 

[Hand of Evil]

There was an artical in the Dragon not that long ago (last month) about leveling up weapons.

Just pay the exp cost and have a more powerful weapon, getting the power set for that level.

 

[Psionicist]

After I've played the CRPG Planescape Torment I converted Dak'kon's Zerth Blade. Dak'kon is a githzerai and his sword levels up as he does. Very cool idea. Very cool game.

 

[Apok]

Cloud who?

That kind of reminds me of the materia-system used by FFVII. You stuck the empowered gem or whatever into the weapon to strengthen both the weapon and yourself. Very cool idea, especially once you consider that abilities that enhance the character and not just the weapon can be applied to that concept.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Well, as someone already said, the standard rules already allow the kindly dwarven smiths to imbue the +1 longsword with flame as a reward, without the need for gems, slots, materia, or anything else.

However, if you want to make the system more elaborate, that could be cool. Just make sure that, if the gems can be bought, they cost roughly the same as the enchantment would from the DMG.

 

[Bran Blackbyrd]

I've always liked the idea of weapons that grow as the player does. That way when your fighter is nothing more than a legend, new heroes (and villains) will be out questing to find his equally legendary sword. How else should it be, y' know?

I plan on having a few weapons that do this IMC.

Examples of weapons that start out one way and get added on to/modified can be found HERE as well, as if you didn't already know.