What am I bid for this useful cursed item?

[Dr_Rictus]

Thinking of introducing one of these into my game, and I'd like opinions on what you think it's worth.

+1 weapon, inconstant: When first discovered, this +1 chaotic item appears as a melee weapon of a random type. Once per day, at some point when the owner happens to think of the weapon, it is discovered to be a melee weapon of a different type - reroll on the random melee weapon treasure tables in the DMG (87% chance of a common melee weapon, otherwise an uncommon weapon). Repeating the process if you roll the weapon's current type, or a ranged weapon.

Any damage to the weapon short of actual breakage is repaired when it changes form. The inconstant weapon functions as a weapon of its current form in all respects, but is always +1, chaotic. Such a weapon will not change form at a time when it is inside a container such as a scabbard which is too small to hold other forms, but at a time which is convenient, though nobody seems to ever actually see it change.

The drawback, of course, is that you cannot consistently apply any weapon-specific feats (such as specialization or weapon focus) to the inconstant weapon, and it will sometimes turn out to actually be an exotic weapon. On the other hand, a +1 chaotic weapon is still a useful thing, and the fact that it repairs itself (actually designed to get around issues of its changing number of maximum hit points) is at least a convenience.

So, how much would one of these things be worth to your (presumably rather low-level) adventuring party?

 

[Dr_Rictus]

By the way, if you care to use one of these yourself: the rerolling process might seem a trifle cumbersome, but in practice you can just generate a whole list of weapon types ahead of time.

 

[kkoie]

Very unusual idea. I might use it. Of course, as soon as my party realizes the weapon changes types, they'll sell it as soon as possible.

K Koie

 

[Crothian]

Well, the +1 Chaotic alone costs 8000 so, I'd keep it around there. Neat idea though.

 

[Dr_Rictus]

Very unusual idea. I might use it. Of course, as soon as my party realizes the weapon changes types, they'll sell it as soon as possible.

A distinct possibility, and one of my reasons for thinking about a reasonable price beforehand. Of course, not all parties would disclose the curse when selling the item, but that's another issue.

And, yeah, I don't think I'd discount it too much off a regular +1 chaotic weapon either, but the odd transformation into exotic weapons will render it much less usable occasionally, which ought to be worth something. The bitter irony, of course, will be the days when it turns into monk's weapons.

By the way, I'm thinking fairly simple prerequisites if you wanted to make one of these things. Say, random action and make whole on top of the usual prereqs for a chaotic weapon (though, generally, anyone who can cast chaos hammer, which is one of those requirements, should pretty much automatically have those other spells).

 

[Dr_Rictus]

Well, the +1 Chaotic alone costs 8000 so, I'd keep it around there. Neat idea though.

18,000, actually. Chaotic is a +2 equivalent power.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

As a rough estimate, I'd say 15,000 gp.

The changing deal could be very cumbersome however, so that may be a bit high. Changing from a longsword to a battle axe or a light flail only matters if you have weapon focus and/or specialization. OTOH, changing from a battle axe to a greatsword would make a character abandon his/her shield. Similarly, changing from a greatsword to a longspear or dagger would be rather inconvenient. Even changing from a longsword to a shortsword would be rather inconvenient. All of those weapons tend to favor different fighter class constructions. Weapon and shield favors weapon focus and specialization. Two weapon fighting requires a light weapon for the off hand (but works best with paired light weapons). Reach weapon fighting typically requires combat reflexes and favors spring attack. And so on. The weapon's inability to fit consistently into any of these fighting patterns would be a large disadvantage for a fighter (although not so much for a barbarian, ranger, or paladin (although Chaotic rules it out for Paladins)).

 

[CRGreathouse]

Despite its base value of 18k, I'd price the weapon much lower, around 6-10k. Chaotic isn't as useful as holy or flaming + shock, and the weapon's changes make it hard to use effectively. Frankly, I don't think I'd use it past 2nd level in favor of a vanilla +1 weapon.

 

[Alchemist]

I agree. I think the chaotic power prices it too high to really fit into the range of levels that a typical character would be willing to use such an item. By the time you're considering giving out 10k-15k (which is where I would price the beast) items, they won't want it because of the limitation.

A simple +1 weapon with this limitation could probably be handed out early and they would use it until they could get something more stable.

 

[the Jester]

Heh... imagine the halfling's surprise when his +1 chaotic shortsword suddenly becomes a +1 chaotic greatsword, too large for him to even use...