Magic Item Crafting Rules: Difference between revisions
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* The DC to create a magic item is double the Impossible Skill Check number for the CL of the item. Note that you CAN attempt to craft items with a Caster Level higher than your own Effective Caster Level! While possible, this is not recommended. If a spell is required that has a minimum caster level of five (such as a fireball), you could choose to set the caster level to 10, increasing the cost and creation DC, but also increasing the power of the spell when it is cast from the item. | * The DC to create a magic item is double the Impossible Skill Check number for the CL of the item. Note that you CAN attempt to craft items with a Caster Level higher than your own Effective Caster Level! While possible, this is not recommended. If a spell is required that has a minimum caster level of five (such as a fireball), you could choose to set the caster level to 10, increasing the cost and creation DC, but also increasing the power of the spell when it is cast from the item. | ||
* Using the metamagic feat [[Heighten Spell]] (or the metamagic rod, if you have one), it is also possible to place spells in items at a higher level than normal. The primary reason to do this is to make the saving throw DC higher, though this is only really applicable to offensive spells. | * Using the metamagic feat [[Heighten Spell]] (or the metamagic rod, if you have one), it is also possible to place spells in items at a higher level than normal. The primary reason to do this is to make the saving throw DC higher, though this is only really applicable to offensive spells. Note that this obviously increases the item's caster level. | ||
* Failing to expend enough pips on the magic item creation check means that the item does not function and the materials, time, money, and pips are wasted. Failing this check by 5 or less results in a working but cursed item. Yikes! Note that cursed items are almost always subtle, IE, the creator does not know they are cursed. | * You may not always know the exact CL of the item you are attempting to create. In such a case, only the GM knows the true CL, so it is possible to underestimate the number of pips required, and fail to create the item. Failing to expend enough pips on the magic item creation check means that the item does not function and the materials, time, money, and pips are wasted. Failing this check by 5 or less results in a working, but cursed, item. Yikes! Note that cursed items are almost always subtle, IE, the creator does not know they are cursed. Note that is is VERY unlikely that a player character will create a cursed item for their own use, but an NPC just might. Such acts of negligence (or spite) are where many cursed items in the world come from. | ||
* All items have prerequisites in their descriptions. These prerequisites must be met for the item to be created. Most of the time, they take the form of spells that must be known by the item's creator (although access through another magic item or spellcaster is allowed). The DC to create a magic item increases by 5 for each prerequisite the creator does not meet. The only exception to this is the Creator feat, which is mandatory. In addition, you cannot create potions, spell-trigger, or spell-completion magic items without meeting its prerequisites. Note that due to this requirement, it is much easier for a spellcaster to make these items, as seeking substitutes for a potion takes just as long as seeking a substitute for a mighty sword. | * All items have prerequisites in their descriptions. These prerequisites must be met for the item to be created. Most of the time, they take the form of spells that must be known by the item's creator (although access through another magic item or spellcaster is allowed). The DC to create a magic item increases by 5 for each prerequisite the creator does not meet. The only exception to this is the Creator feat, which is mandatory. In addition, you cannot create potions, spell-trigger, or spell-completion magic items without meeting its prerequisites. Note that due to this requirement, it is much easier for a spellcaster to make these items, as seeking substitutes for a potion takes just as long as seeking a substitute for a mighty sword. | ||