Broach of Shielding [Archive] - Wizards Community

Broach of Shielding [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Istaran
01-15-07, 04:03 PM A Brooch of Shielding absorbs 101 hp worth of magic missile damage. It is a handy thing to have when you have good AC and low hit points, as MM completely ignores any of the standard defenses. However, as a consumable item, it gets 5x cost in XE, putting its cost well above its usefulness. It is highly unlikely that a single PC will be hit by over 20 hp worth of MM in a single module, and certainly most PCs would be unwilling to bet 6500 gp that they will. However, the 1/5 charges for 1/5 price rule does not allow a Budget Broach of Shielding because the "charges" are not evenly divisible by 5.

For XECS 2.0, could you consider broadening the rule to catch this case, and others like it. Maybe something like "If a magic item contains more than five charges, you can buy a version with 1/5th the charges (round down) for 1/5th the price you would otherwise pay. If no other discounts are used (see crafting and item packages), this means you get 1/5th the charges listed in the source book for the price listed in the source book."

It seems silly that Brooch of Shielding is excluded from the one fifth rule because the designers decided to go for an odd-ball 101 hp worth of effect instead of only 100.
Lightblade
01-15-07, 11:06 PM It seems silly that Brooch of Shielding is excluded from the one fifth rule because the designers decided to go for an odd-ball 101 hp worth of effect instead of only 100.

Uhh, it wasn't excluded. Check the top of page 11 of the campaign standards.
Istaran
01-15-07, 11:49 PM I stand corrected. I read the sentence:
When you buy a wand, staff, or any other consumable magic items with a number of charges or uses that can be divided by 5, you may choose to pay the standard published cost and have an item with 1/5th the charges of the described item.
but missed the examples after. It is still contrary to the rules as written, and ought to be edited for clarity. (101 is not a "number ... that can be divided by 5" using the standard definition of divisibility in mathematics.) Good to know the Brooch itself is specifically allowed though.
Lightblade
01-15-07, 11:55 PM I stand corrected. I read the sentence:

but missed the examples after. It is still contrary to the rules as written, and ought to be edited for clarity. (101 is not a "number ... that can be divided by 5" using the standard definition of divisibility in mathematics.) Good to know the Brooch itself is specifically allowed though.

You can divide 101 by 5, just not evenly. Round down, just as you always do in D&D (for saving throws and the like). :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Istaran 01-15-07, 04:03 PM	A Brooch of Shielding absorbs 101 hp worth of magic missile damage. It is a handy thing to have when you have good AC and low hit points, as MM completely ignores any of the standard defenses. However, as a consumable item, it gets 5x cost in XE, putting its cost well above its usefulness. It is highly unlikely that a single PC will be hit by over 20 hp worth of MM in a single module, and certainly most PCs would be unwilling to bet 6500 gp that they will. However, the 1/5 charges for 1/5 price rule does not allow a Budget Broach of Shielding because the "charges" are not evenly divisible by 5. For XECS 2.0, could you consider broadening the rule to catch this case, and others like it. Maybe something like "If a magic item contains more than five charges, you can buy a version with 1/5th the charges (round down) for 1/5th the price you would otherwise pay. If no other discounts are used (see crafting and item packages), this means you get 1/5th the charges listed in the source book for the price listed in the source book." It seems silly that Brooch of Shielding is excluded from the one fifth rule because the designers decided to go for an odd-ball 101 hp worth of effect instead of only 100.
Lightblade 01-15-07, 11:06 PM	It seems silly that Brooch of Shielding is excluded from the one fifth rule because the designers decided to go for an odd-ball 101 hp worth of effect instead of only 100. Uhh, it wasn't excluded. Check the top of page 11 of the campaign standards.
Istaran 01-15-07, 11:49 PM	I stand corrected. I read the sentence: When you buy a wand, staff, or any other consumable magic items with a number of charges or uses that can be divided by 5, you may choose to pay the standard published cost and have an item with 1/5th the charges of the described item. but missed the examples after. It is still contrary to the rules as written, and ought to be edited for clarity. (101 is not a "number ... that can be divided by 5" using the standard definition of divisibility in mathematics.) Good to know the Brooch itself is specifically allowed though.
Lightblade 01-15-07, 11:55 PM	I stand corrected. I read the sentence: but missed the examples after. It is still contrary to the rules as written, and ought to be edited for clarity. (101 is not a "number ... that can be divided by 5" using the standard definition of divisibility in mathematics.) Good to know the Brooch itself is specifically allowed though. You can divide 101 by 5, just not evenly. Round down, just as you always do in D&D (for saving throws and the like). :)