Weapon Enhancement...Force

[kreynolds]

I've seen a lot of suggestions for force weapons, but I hadn't seen anyone post an idea like this, so, here ya' go.


Force: Weapons with this enhancement have their damaging portions transformed into pure force, enabling them to harm ethereal and incorporeal creatures normally (no miss chance), and all the damage dealt by these weapons is force damage, including bonus damage due to Strength, weapon specialization, critical hits, and sneak attacks. All force weapons shed a small amount of light, generally enough to fill the wielder’s square (5-foot radius), and they can glow in nearly any color (randomly determined).
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspA force weapon has its damage die lowered by 1 and it deals +1 points of force damage per damage die. For example, a longsword normally deals 1d8 points of damage and a greatsword normally deals 2d6 points of damage. With this enhancement, a longsword would deal 1d6+1 points of damage and a greatsword would deal 2d4+2 points of damage. Force weapons cannot be sundered.
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspCaster Level: 9th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, wall of force; Market Price: +3 bonus.


I figured this to be about a +3 market price modifier.

Opinions?

 

[Nifft]

What are the DR implications of this? Force effects affect everything -- and I think you are saying that this weapon will likewise affect everything.

I'd clarify this, and make it such that it overcomes all DR, harms incorporeal creatures normally, and cannot be sundered. I'd add that a targeted Dispel Magic can suppress the weapon's blade for 1d4 rounds. I'd also allow it to bypass Force armor effects, like Bracers of Armor or the spells Mage Armor or Shield.

IMC, such a weapon would be very powerful, and I'd make it a +5 enhancement.

-- Nifft

 

[kreynolds]

What are the DR implications of this?

It's force damage, so it bypasses it.

Force effects affect everything -- and I think you are saying that this weapon will likewise affect everything.

Pretty much.

I'd clarify this, and make it such that it overcomes all DR...

I didn't feel that was necessary. Flaming weapons don't state that they bypass DR, but we know they do. I'm not a big fan of redundancy.

...harms incorporeal creatures normally...

Got that part.

...and cannot be sundered.

Got that too. By the way, if you're just reiterating, then ignore this and the previous answer.

I'd add that a targeted Dispel Magic can suppress the weapon's blade for 1d4 rounds.

Actually, I used the wall of force spell so that that wouldn't happen. I kinda like the idea of a spellcaster plopping down an antimagic field and seeing this weapon still glowing.

I'd also allow it to bypass Force armor effects, like Bracers of Armor or the spells Mage Armor or Shield.

Why is that? I'm just curious.

EDIT: I forgot to add in that they shed a little lite. Doh!

 

[HellHound]

While I like it, I think that the longsword damage in the original post was mis-stated as 1d10 changed to 1d8+1 instead of 1d8 changed to 1d6+1.

 

[kreynolds]

While I like it, I think that the longsword damage in the original post was mis-stated as 1d10 changed to 1d8+1 instead of 1d8 changed to 1d6+1.

Doh! Nice catch.

 

[HellHound]

n/p - just trying ot make up for mistaking you for SKR over a year ago...

I like the ability, and am waffling on the +3 value.

Never mind, I'm not waffling anymore, I think the +3 value is right on target for someone trying to make this kind of weapon. (I find a lot of weapon enhancements are worth less than listed in certain circumstances - so making a +1 force greatclub would probably not be actually worth the full market value, and could be given to players before they qualify for +4 weapons by the standard treasure rewards charts, based on the knowledge that the weapon will never be a primary weapon for most play groups).

 

[Spatzimaus]

I'd almost be willing to put it as a +2, since it's basically combining Ghost Touch with Sure Striking. The only differences are it bypasses Barbarian-style DR, can't be sundered, and it glows. Those might be enough for another +1, but I'd throw in another minor "flavor" ability, like say that the item weighs 25% less or something. Then, clearly a +3.

 

[kreynolds]

The only differences are it bypasses Barbarian-style DR...

Nothing bypasses Barbarian-style DR. It is effective any time the creature takes damage.

...I'd throw in another minor "flavor" ability, like say that the item weighs 25% less or something.

That's a good idea, actually. Thanks!

 

[Nifft]

By the way, if you're just reiterating, then ignore this and the previous answer.

I was. Now for the new question: how does it relate to SR? If it overcomes DR and SR, it really ought to be +5. If it requires an SR check, +3 is fine.

Actually, I used the wall of force spell so that that wouldn't happen. I kinda like the idea of a spellcaster plopping down an antimagic field and seeing this weapon still glowing.

Magic weapon that works in antimagic field AND cuts through all DR -- this thing could lay some serious smack down on otherwise Epic foes.

Why is that? I'm just curious.

I'm thinking of something along the lines of what Thunderspear (or something like that) does in Magic of Faerun... it's a single-target Force effect which dispels other Force effects.

-- Nifft

 

[kreynolds]

Now for the new question: how does it relate to SR?

It doesn't.

If it overcomes DR and SR, it really ought to be +5.

Since when does Sure Striking justify +5? For a mere +1, I can bypass any DR but a barbarians. Why should it be more expensive now?

Magic weapon that works in antimagic field...

Not exactly. A wall of force, if already present, is not affected by an antimagic field. An antimagic field, if already present, is not affected by a wall of force. This is called "squatter's rights" and can be found in the FAQ. So, if you're holding your force weapon (that sounds kinda funny) and someone drops an antimagic field on you, it won't do anything to the weapon because the force blade was there first. If you walk into an antimagic field, your force blade goes poof.

...cuts through all DR...

Except any form of DR/--.

...this thing could lay some serious smack down on otherwise Epic foes.

No more so than a +1 flaming shock sure striking weapon. That's a total +4 weapon. This would also be a total +4 weapon.

Perhaps I should add in this little bit, just like with wall of force...

However, disintegrate immediately destroys it, as does a rod of cancellation, a sphere of annihilation, and Mordenkainen’s disjunction.

I'm thinking of something along the lines of what Thunderspear (or something like that) does in Magic of Faerun... it's a single-target Force effect which dispels other Force effects.

Ah. While that's kinda cool, its not exactly what I'm goin' for here, but its not a bad idea either. Thanks for your input!