Author Topic: What are alternatives for crafting magic items?  (Read 1659 times)

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Endarire

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What are alternatives for crafting magic items?
« on: November 03, 2009, 01:53:18 PM »
My Artificer, a long-time AD&D guy, said making items in 3.5 was boring.  In short, "Insert resources >> get item."  He suggested questing for especially rare or powerful items, but what about for more mundane stuff?
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archangel.arcanis

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Re: What are alternatives for crafting magic items?
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2009, 02:49:18 PM »
If he has a problem with crafting he really should play something other than an Artificer. So if we don't come up with a solution i think you should let him make a new character, preferably without penalty.

Here is my thoughts on making it more interesting. Keep the rules as is to make standard items. Allow him to find special components that add to the items at no further cost to himself. That way your hat of disguise made from doppelganger skin provides a +15 bonus. I would also tell him that you won't let him know everything that can be used as a booster or how it will boost stuff. This will encourage him to experiment and frees you up to be creative with stuff, just have him keep track of what things do what for you. So a Hag's blood might turn a potion into bestow curse on the drinker and the same blood could be used to add a metamagic feat to a necromancy scroll.

Now every monster you fight is a potential treasure trove for your Artificer. This can also get the rest of the group involved since him making better items for them is going to get their attention. Here is a good starting point as well as dragoncraft items in Draganomicon.
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RobbyPants

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Re: What are alternatives for crafting magic items?
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2009, 02:58:42 PM »
Yeah, if controlled, getting bonuses from special materials could liven things up.

Alternately, simply require weird materials or rituals to create items with no further benefit.  Perhaps the fire sword has to be crafted in a volcano or something.  You have to strike a balance between interesting and annoying, otherwise it becomes an arbitrary chore.
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veekie

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Re: What are alternatives for crafting magic items?
« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2009, 04:01:45 PM »
Yeah, if controlled, getting bonuses from special materials could liven things up.

Alternately, simply require weird materials or rituals to create items with no further benefit.  Perhaps the fire sword has to be crafted in a volcano or something.  You have to strike a balance between interesting and annoying, otherwise it becomes an arbitrary chore.

You could have the materials and rituals simply take the cost out of crafting appropriate items. After all, while it does say X gp worth of materials, nothing says said materials have to be bland.

Allowing him to upgrade existing equipment helps too, lets them grow attached to certain pieces.
« Last Edit: November 03, 2009, 04:04:26 PM by veekie »
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DaveoftheRave

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Re: What are alternatives for crafting magic items?
« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2009, 08:34:37 PM »
Quote
"Insert resources >> get item."

What happens when resources are short?

AD&D style item creation was ridiculous and made no sense. There should be no +1 weapons in AD&D because it's so hard to get the stuff to make it, and all you have to do is cast the spell again to make it have a bigger bonus.

3e d&d is high magic so, yeah, there is going to be a lot of items too and they're going to be easy to make.

If you were to play a low magic campaign then getting the resources in the first place would be harder.  It sounds like he doesn't like how much magic there is in your world.  That's something you'll have to talk to him about.