Weapon Light Generation

[sdt]

As per the DMG (3.5) pg 221: 30% of magic weapons shed light. The two questions I have are: Does it shed light when held by someone or is it always on, even when lying on the ground? Does it cost more to make it shed light?

 

[Tessarael]

As per the DMG (3.5) pg 221: 30% of magic weapons shed light. The two questions I have are: Does it shed light when held by someone or is it always on, even when lying on the ground? Does it cost more to make it shed light?

I've always assumed that it was when the weapon was unsheathed. There are advantages to making it's light ability only start when wielded or after some initial condition with that wielder (i.e. so they don't automatically know it's magical).

It doesn't cost more for it to shed light. Shedding light is a disadvantage for anyone who doesn't want to be spotted. Of course, you could easily figure in the cost.

Just my thoughts ...

 

[Artoomis]

1. I've always though of this as it shines when unsheathed (though maybe an intelligent weapon could control this).

2. There is no cost, and that's okay because it's a real mixed blessing to have an "always-on" light if you want to have your weapon ready for action.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

I've always played it that if a weapon has light-generation ability, it works as commanded by the wielder.

AR

 

[FrankTrollman]

I've always played it that if a weapon has light-generation ability, it works as commanded by the wielder.

Can you think of any reason why people would choose to have their weapons not shed light?

It's a choice: light or no light. And it's free either way when you make the weapon. If it's a command activation, then if you never need the light, you just never say the word - and thus I would expect every single weapon would have that capability. There'd be no drwback at all.

OTOH, if it is lighted up whether you want it to or not - then it's a quandary of whether to light it or not when you make it. Of course, what I personally do, is make many weapons have a condition under which they glow. Since the concept is based on Sting from LotR, some weapons might glow when certain creatures were in the area - for example.

-Frank

 

[Artoomis]

... Since the concept is based on Sting from LotR, some weapons might glow when certain creatures were in the area - for example.

-Frank

Well, I am not sure that LotR is where the concept of a magic weapon shedding light originated (maybe so), but a power that shed light only when near certain creatures would absolutely NOT be a freebie!! That's pretty valuable (as it was in LotR).

 

[sdt]

Actually, the book states that it's always on and cannot be shut off. I was wondering if it means always on when held .

 

[Artoomis]

Actually, the book states that it's always on and cannot be shut off. I was wondering if it means always on when held .

Does it really? Well, it's amazing what you can learn when actually reading the rules!!

 

[Thaniel]

Does it really? Well, it's amazing what you can learn when actually reading the rules!!

What's more amazing is what you can learn to ignore.

 

[dagger]

I think it should be always on when it is unsheathed and held.