alternative identifying items rules [Archive] - Wizards Community

alternative identifying items rules [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ghost0
07-02-07, 11:09 PM Please share any alternative rules you may have for identifying simple items in your campaigns.

I find it strange that scrolls and potions can be identified by way of the Spellcraft skill, but anything else, even really simple and small items that cost less than the price of identifying them, are required to have an identify spell in order to have full knowledge of them.

My best example is the Feather Tokens. These are great items, but I feel like no one wants to put them in the game because the PCs feel almost gypped by the treasure, having to spend more dough than what they are worth.

I have read the MIC of identification rules that suggest DetMag plus exceeding the Spellcraft check by 10 reveals everything about the magical items, but even this seems strange, with some items having ridiculous caster levels for a simple item (such as a pearl of power level 1=CL 17).

I just can't make heads or tails of how to adjudicate it and my PCs often get annoyed, esp when we play lower level games.

Suggestions, comments welcome,
thanks
Kouk
07-03-07, 12:03 AM If it is low level, fairly common stuff, you can just use the Appraise skill if you'd like.

Many times items come with labels.

If you bring common items to a magic shop in a town, it is almost guaranteed that the owner can identify it just by sight. "A magic feather with a blue stripe on the bottom? Probably a Quaal's anchor Token, want to buy some more?"

With the Quaal's tokens, you may just want to let them all look like miniature things of what they do rather than just feathers. Like the anchor is a little carved anchor, the fan is a little paper fan, etc.
Vegepygmy
07-03-07, 12:11 AM http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sg/20051125a
Krusk
07-03-07, 12:38 AM We use the lore skill from NWN with a dc equal to 15+caster level of the item.

Lore (int)- a successful dc of 15+caster level will successfully identify all magical properties of the item. Artifacts are not subject to this skill.

it is a class skill for archivists, wizards, and bards. Add to any you think it should go to.

Basically you are like "well ive heard of swords that are hot to the touch, the command word is usually something like Flame on! ok this is a flaming longsword."
Ghost0
07-03-07, 01:17 PM but don't you think the CL is a bad system to use? My case in point is the Pearl of Power, CL 17th! This is a 1k gp item (for level 1)...
Krusk
07-03-07, 09:45 PM That just means the occasional item requires the use of an identify spell.
SALDAR
07-03-07, 09:54 PM Alternative ways of identifying magic items is covered in the DMG on pg 212. My group has been using the DC 30 Spellcraft check discussed under Trial and Error. Mainly because our present band of adventurers has been in the wilderness and it's damn hard to find 100gp pearls in the forest.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ghost0 07-02-07, 11:09 PM	Please share any alternative rules you may have for identifying simple items in your campaigns. I find it strange that scrolls and potions can be identified by way of the Spellcraft skill, but anything else, even really simple and small items that cost less than the price of identifying them, are required to have an identify spell in order to have full knowledge of them. My best example is the Feather Tokens. These are great items, but I feel like no one wants to put them in the game because the PCs feel almost gypped by the treasure, having to spend more dough than what they are worth. I have read the MIC of identification rules that suggest DetMag plus exceeding the Spellcraft check by 10 reveals everything about the magical items, but even this seems strange, with some items having ridiculous caster levels for a simple item (such as a pearl of power level 1=CL 17). I just can't make heads or tails of how to adjudicate it and my PCs often get annoyed, esp when we play lower level games. Suggestions, comments welcome, thanks
Kouk 07-03-07, 12:03 AM	If it is low level, fairly common stuff, you can just use the Appraise skill if you'd like. Many times items come with labels. If you bring common items to a magic shop in a town, it is almost guaranteed that the owner can identify it just by sight. "A magic feather with a blue stripe on the bottom? Probably a Quaal's anchor Token, want to buy some more?" With the Quaal's tokens, you may just want to let them all look like miniature things of what they do rather than just feathers. Like the anchor is a little carved anchor, the fan is a little paper fan, etc.
Vegepygmy 07-03-07, 12:11 AM	http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sg/20051125a
Krusk 07-03-07, 12:38 AM	We use the lore skill from NWN with a dc equal to 15+caster level of the item. Lore (int)- a successful dc of 15+caster level will successfully identify all magical properties of the item. Artifacts are not subject to this skill. it is a class skill for archivists, wizards, and bards. Add to any you think it should go to. Basically you are like "well ive heard of swords that are hot to the touch, the command word is usually something like Flame on! ok this is a flaming longsword."
Ghost0 07-03-07, 01:17 PM	but don't you think the CL is a bad system to use? My case in point is the Pearl of Power, CL 17th! This is a 1k gp item (for level 1)...
Krusk 07-03-07, 09:45 PM	That just means the occasional item requires the use of an identify spell.
SALDAR 07-03-07, 09:54 PM	Alternative ways of identifying magic items is covered in the DMG on pg 212. My group has been using the DC 30 Spellcraft check discussed under Trial and Error. Mainly because our present band of adventurers has been in the wilderness and it's damn hard to find 100gp pearls in the forest.