Bracer of Shielding [Archive] - Wizards Community

Bracer of Shielding [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Fedifensor
08-31-05, 07:28 PM I'm working on a custom magic item (a bracer) that would give the wearer the benefits of a shield spell as long as it is worn. The item creation rules in the DMG make this item incredibly cheap, so instead I'm modeling it off of bracers of armor. Does 16,000 GP (the cost of bracers of armor +4) sound like an appropriate price for this item?
Jaeron Dalur
08-31-05, 07:44 PM A +4 shield bonus to AC is worth 16 000 gp.

If you consider the +4 as an enhancement bonus (considering it would effectively replace a real shield) then the recomended base price is 'bonus squared x 1 000 gp' or '16 000 gp'
Ithandor
08-31-05, 07:47 PM A +4 shield bonus to AC is worth 16 000 gp.

If you consider the +4 as an enhancement bonus (considering it would effectively replace a real shield) then the recomended base price is 'bonus squared x 1 000 gp' or '16 000 gp'

I don't think that works, as a Ring of Force Shield provides a +2 shield bonus to AC for 8000gp, implying that +4 would be 32000gp (following the Ring of Protection progression---bonus squared x 2000gp).

Ithandor
Tony Vargas
08-31-05, 08:18 PM Bracers that duplicated the Shield spell with unlimitted use would be about equivalent to a +2 Animated Ghost Touch Mithral Heavy Shield with the added functionality of a Brooch of Shielding.

Ouch.

Of course, a lot of that cost is because ghost touch is overpriced. ;)

I'd say the 2000 x bonus squared sounds about right - plus a little something for the magic-missle immunity.
bondious
09-01-05, 12:40 AM I'd say that 16,000gp for just the straight-up +4 shield bonus is fair since a pair of Bracers of Armor +4 would be the same price, and the shield bonus should be provided as a force effect, the same as the bracers. Of course you wouldn't be able to stack that with a shield of any kind, and if you wanted the Magic Missle absorbing properties of the Shield spell then you'd have to add in another 1,500gp (2,250gp if you add 50%) or so to emulate a Brooch of Shielding.

The body placement of this item, though, would be the problem. I'm thinking that either a bracer or a glove would be suitable, since you would use an arm to wield a shield. This might become complicated if you wanted to use Bracers of Armor as well.

As a side note: At 8,500gp, I think that the Force Shield ring is a BIT overpriced! For a heavy shield of force, regardless of whether it can be turned on/off as a free action and has no armor check/arcane spell failure, I think that it should be no more than 6,000gp. A Darkwood heavy shield has a 15% arcane spell failure, but since it's a 0 armor check then, TECHNICALLY, there would be no penalty for non-proficiency...and it would only cost you 257gp. The Darkwood shield, of course, wouldn't have the advantage of a free action on/off switch, nor would it be a force effect, but it would be WAY cheaper and could be enchanted! Hell, for that same 8,500gp you could have a +2 Heavy Darkwood Shield with 4,243gp to spare!

Also, since the Force Shield ring generates, basically, the same thing as a heavy shield, could you shield bash or shield charge or shield slam with it? And if you did, would Improved Shield Bash come into play?
Fedifensor
09-01-05, 05:53 PM I don't think that works, as a Ring of Force Shield provides a +2 shield bonus to AC for 8000gp, implying that +4 would be 32000gp (following the Ring of Protection progression---bonus squared x 2000gp).

Isn't that because a ring doesn't have a body slot affinity, and thus costs more? Not to mention that the Force Shield from the ring can be used for shield bashes...
DarkSorcerer
09-01-05, 06:57 PM 1st level spell x 1st level caster x 2000 (use activated or continuous)

Arms are an appropriate area for shields so no multiplier there. However, since there is a similar item available (Bracers of Armor) that item cost should be used (AC Bonus x 1000). I would further recommend the magic missile block be ignored and if you allow Bracers of Armor to be enhanced (per Arms and Equipment Guide) then Bracers of Shield should likewise be allowed to be enhanced. Comes as a pair of Bracers and occupies the bracer slot. Bracers of Shield provide a shield bonus and do not stack with a shield.
Lord Schpungus
09-01-05, 09:21 PM 1st level spell x 1st level caster x 2000 (use activated or continuous)

x2, because it's measured in minutes per caster level. So 4,000 at the least. However, because there's already a price listing for AC bonuses (other), you should probably go sith bonus^2*2500. Or because there's already the Ring of Force Shield, which is what you want, but better, you could double that for 16,000.

Bracers of Armor cost bonus^2*1000. So you're understating the cost by quite a bit.
DarkSorcerer
09-01-05, 10:20 PM x2, because it's measured in minutes per caster level. So 4,000 at the least. However, because there's already a price listing for AC bonuses (other), you should probably go sith bonus^2*2500. Or because there's already the Ring of Force Shield, which is what you want, but better, you could double that for 16,000.

Bracers of Armor cost bonus^2*1000. So you're understating the cost by quite a bit.I agree as the second half of my post states.
Fedifensor
09-01-05, 10:36 PM x2, because it's measured in minutes per caster level. So 4,000 at the least. However, because there's already a price listing for AC bonuses (other), you should probably go sith bonus^2*2500. Or because there's already the Ring of Force Shield, which is what you want, but better, you could double that for 16,000.

Bracers of Armor cost bonus^2*1000. So you're understating the cost by quite a bit.

Well, I'd disagree with using AC Bonus (other) - armor and shield bonuses have a nearly identical game effect, and the Other category is generally reserved for uncommon bonuses that are easier to stack (like a Dusty Rose Ioun Stone's insight bonus).

Based on what has been suggested in this thread, I'm thinking the total value should be around 17,500 or 18,000. 16,000 for the +4 shield bonus - this doesn't stack with enhancement bonuses to shield, so it's effectively identical to an armor (enhancement) bonus. Then add another 1,500 to 2,000 for the magic missile immunity.

I wouldn't let the Bracer of Shielding be enhanced - it should be a set +4 AC with no shield special abilities, just like the spell. In exchange, I'd make it a single bracer instead of a pair - irrelevant except for cosmetic purposes, since all other bracers come in pairs.
DarkSorcerer
09-02-05, 05:48 PM I wouldn't let the Bracer of Shielding be enhanced - it should be a set +4 AC with no shield special abilities, just like the spell. In exchange, I'd make it a single bracer instead of a pair - irrelevant except for cosmetic purposes, since all other bracers come in pairs.Its not irrelevant as it allows you to wear a bracelet, which usually are singular.
zzap1990
09-02-05, 09:00 PM have it a pair that has a +2 bonus each that stack with each other thus it is no longer a cosmetic thing plus adds a penalty if they only have one on or one is stolen.

By ZAK T.
:dragon::dragon::dragon:
:dragon::dragon:
:dragon:
Calibron
09-03-05, 12:27 AM Change it to command word activated and you get practically the same thing for 1800 gold. The only Draw-back is that it takes a Standard action to activate and you need to activate it every ten rounds in a fight.

And Shield Bonuses cost the same as Armor Bonuses. So a continuous Ring with +4 Shield Bonus to AC would cost 16,000.
Fedifensor
09-03-05, 08:02 AM Something I thought of last night - a mithral buckler gives no armor check penalties or spell failure chance. So, a +3 mithral buckler gives the same +4 total shield bonus for 10,165 GP.

The advantages of a shielding item would be the defense against incorporeal foes (since shield works versus incorporeal attacks) and the magic missile immunity.
Derren S.
09-03-05, 08:11 AM Which is worth 4k extra. Not to forget rust monster (or general sunder) immunity.
Merestil Haye
09-03-05, 10:12 AM Something I thought of last night - a mithral buckler gives no armor check penalties or spell failure chance. So, a +3 mithral buckler gives the same +4 total shield bonus for 10,165 GP.

The advantages of a shielding item would be the defense against incorporeal foes (since shield works versus incorporeal attacks) and the magic missile immunity.I wouldn't buy a Mithral buckler from your business... you overcharge by 150gp.

You don't add 150gp for masterwork items to an item made of mithral.Weapons or armors fashioned from mithral are always masterwork items as well; the masterwork cost is included in the prices given below.
A buckler (even a mithral one) has a small downside that Bracers of Armour, or the suggested Bracers of Shield do not have. They impose a -1 on attack rolls if you use the arm the buckler is on to attack with a weapon.

This may not be a concern unless you are forced into melee sometime, but it is there.

Edit : Not to mention that the +3 buckler will be ineffective against inorporeal touch attacks while +4 braces of Shield will apply. This is a far bigger benefit to set against the increased cost of the Bracers.
ClementWillowbreaker
09-03-05, 10:38 AM Don't forget that Bracers of Shielding let classes that can't use shields without losing special abilities (eg monks, Dervishes) a whole new type of AC bonus to work with.

Bracers of Shielding wouldn't block Magic Missles with just 16,000gp. The extra 6,000gp probably covers the force effect bonus, and how hard it is to destroy in combat. Kicking it up to 18,500gp for immunity to Magic Missle sounds about right.
Tony Vargas
09-06-05, 08:37 PM Something I thought of last night - a mithral buckler gives no armor check penalties or spell failure chance. So, a +3 mithral buckler gives the same +4 total shield bonus for 10,165 GP.

The advantages of a shielding item would be the defense against incorporeal foes (since shield works versus incorporeal attacks) Nod, which is equivalent to the Ghost Touch ability - a +3 equivalent. So now you're looking at a 36,015gp item.

And, of course, the shield spell doesn't take up a hand - using a buckler to gain an AC bonus occupies the hand/arm wearing it. You couldn't fight with a staff, for instance, while wearing a buckler and using it for AC (and you'd take a -1 attack roll penalty even if you didn't use the AC).

So, really, you're looking at the equivalent of the Animated ability on the Shield, as well. That's a +2 equivalent. We're up to 64,015gp.

and the magic missile immunity. Harder to quantify, but obviously more than the charged Broach of Shielding.
Calibron
09-06-05, 08:53 PM Ghost Touch is a +1 ability.
Tony Vargas
09-08-05, 01:50 PM Ghost Touch is a +1 ability. For weapons. For armor it's +3.
Fedifensor
09-08-05, 01:54 PM Nod, which is equivalent to the Ghost Touch ability - a +3 equivalent. So now you're looking at a 36,015gp item.

And, of course, the shield spell doesn't take up a hand - using a buckler to gain an AC bonus occupies the hand/arm wearing it. You couldn't fight with a staff, for instance, while wearing a buckler and using it for AC (and you'd take a -1 attack roll penalty even if you didn't use the AC).

So, really, you're looking at the equivalent of the Animated ability on the Shield, as well. That's a +2 equivalent. We're up to 64,015gp.

Tony, I don't know if your post was meant to be serious or not, but you must be smoking something if you honestly believe a wonderous item that emulates a single 1st level spell is worth 64,000 gold...
tarkin
09-08-05, 02:27 PM If you want to FULLY emulate the Shield Spell, then you get:

1) Force based Armor at +4. Cost = 16,000 gp.

2) Ability to negate Magic Missile attacks. Ad hoc price = 1,000 gp.

I would charge someone 17,000 gp for Bracers of Shielding that gave you an effect like that of a Shield Spell always on.
Fedifensor
09-09-05, 10:58 AM If you want to FULLY emulate the Shield Spell, then you get:

1) Force based Armor at +4. Cost = 16,000 gp.

2) Ability to negate Magic Missile attacks. Ad hoc price = 1,000 gp.

I would charge someone 17,000 gp for Bracers of Shielding that gave you an effect like that of a Shield Spell always on.

I'd probably price the magic missile immunity a bit higher (2000 or so), but otherwise I find your pricing spot on. Much better than 64k... :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fedifensor 08-31-05, 07:28 PM	I'm working on a custom magic item (a bracer) that would give the wearer the benefits of a shield spell as long as it is worn. The item creation rules in the DMG make this item incredibly cheap, so instead I'm modeling it off of bracers of armor. Does 16,000 GP (the cost of bracers of armor +4) sound like an appropriate price for this item?
Jaeron Dalur 08-31-05, 07:44 PM	A +4 shield bonus to AC is worth 16 000 gp. If you consider the +4 as an enhancement bonus (considering it would effectively replace a real shield) then the recomended base price is 'bonus squared x 1 000 gp' or '16 000 gp'
Ithandor 08-31-05, 07:47 PM	A +4 shield bonus to AC is worth 16 000 gp. If you consider the +4 as an enhancement bonus (considering it would effectively replace a real shield) then the recomended base price is 'bonus squared x 1 000 gp' or '16 000 gp' I don't think that works, as a Ring of Force Shield provides a +2 shield bonus to AC for 8000gp, implying that +4 would be 32000gp (following the Ring of Protection progression---bonus squared x 2000gp). Ithandor
Tony Vargas 08-31-05, 08:18 PM	Bracers that duplicated the Shield spell with unlimitted use would be about equivalent to a +2 Animated Ghost Touch Mithral Heavy Shield with the added functionality of a Brooch of Shielding. Ouch. Of course, a lot of that cost is because ghost touch is overpriced. ;) I'd say the 2000 x bonus squared sounds about right - plus a little something for the magic-missle immunity.
bondious 09-01-05, 12:40 AM	I'd say that 16,000gp for just the straight-up +4 shield bonus is fair since a pair of Bracers of Armor +4 would be the same price, and the shield bonus should be provided as a force effect, the same as the bracers. Of course you wouldn't be able to stack that with a shield of any kind, and if you wanted the Magic Missle absorbing properties of the Shield spell then you'd have to add in another 1,500gp (2,250gp if you add 50%) or so to emulate a Brooch of Shielding. The body placement of this item, though, would be the problem. I'm thinking that either a bracer or a glove would be suitable, since you would use an arm to wield a shield. This might become complicated if you wanted to use Bracers of Armor as well. As a side note: At 8,500gp, I think that the Force Shield ring is a BIT overpriced! For a heavy shield of force, regardless of whether it can be turned on/off as a free action and has no armor check/arcane spell failure, I think that it should be no more than 6,000gp. A Darkwood heavy shield has a 15% arcane spell failure, but since it's a 0 armor check then, TECHNICALLY, there would be no penalty for non-proficiency...and it would only cost you 257gp. The Darkwood shield, of course, wouldn't have the advantage of a free action on/off switch, nor would it be a force effect, but it would be WAY cheaper and could be enchanted! Hell, for that same 8,500gp you could have a +2 Heavy Darkwood Shield with 4,243gp to spare! Also, since the Force Shield ring generates, basically, the same thing as a heavy shield, could you shield bash or shield charge or shield slam with it? And if you did, would Improved Shield Bash come into play?
Fedifensor 09-01-05, 05:53 PM	I don't think that works, as a Ring of Force Shield provides a +2 shield bonus to AC for 8000gp, implying that +4 would be 32000gp (following the Ring of Protection progression---bonus squared x 2000gp). Isn't that because a ring doesn't have a body slot affinity, and thus costs more? Not to mention that the Force Shield from the ring can be used for shield bashes...
DarkSorcerer 09-01-05, 06:57 PM	1st level spell x 1st level caster x 2000 (use activated or continuous) Arms are an appropriate area for shields so no multiplier there. However, since there is a similar item available (Bracers of Armor) that item cost should be used (AC Bonus x 1000). I would further recommend the magic missile block be ignored and if you allow Bracers of Armor to be enhanced (per Arms and Equipment Guide) then Bracers of Shield should likewise be allowed to be enhanced. Comes as a pair of Bracers and occupies the bracer slot. Bracers of Shield provide a shield bonus and do not stack with a shield.
Lord Schpungus 09-01-05, 09:21 PM	1st level spell x 1st level caster x 2000 (use activated or continuous) x2, because it's measured in minutes per caster level. So 4,000 at the least. However, because there's already a price listing for AC bonuses (other), you should probably go sith bonus^22500. Or because there's already the Ring of Force Shield, which is what you want, but better, you could double that for 16,000. Bracers of Armor cost bonus^21000. So you're understating the cost by quite a bit.
DarkSorcerer 09-01-05, 10:20 PM	x2, because it's measured in minutes per caster level. So 4,000 at the least. However, because there's already a price listing for AC bonuses (other), you should probably go sith bonus^22500. Or because there's already the Ring of Force Shield, which is what you want, but better, you could double that for 16,000. Bracers of Armor cost bonus^21000. So you're understating the cost by quite a bit.I agree as the second half of my post states.
Fedifensor 09-01-05, 10:36 PM	x2, because it's measured in minutes per caster level. So 4,000 at the least. However, because there's already a price listing for AC bonuses (other), you should probably go sith bonus^22500. Or because there's already the Ring of Force Shield, which is what you want, but better, you could double that for 16,000. Bracers of Armor cost bonus^21000. So you're understating the cost by quite a bit. Well, I'd disagree with using AC Bonus (other) - armor and shield bonuses have a nearly identical game effect, and the Other category is generally reserved for uncommon bonuses that are easier to stack (like a Dusty Rose Ioun Stone's insight bonus). Based on what has been suggested in this thread, I'm thinking the total value should be around 17,500 or 18,000. 16,000 for the +4 shield bonus - this doesn't stack with enhancement bonuses to shield, so it's effectively identical to an armor (enhancement) bonus. Then add another 1,500 to 2,000 for the magic missile immunity. I wouldn't let the Bracer of Shielding be enhanced - it should be a set +4 AC with no shield special abilities, just like the spell. In exchange, I'd make it a single bracer instead of a pair - irrelevant except for cosmetic purposes, since all other bracers come in pairs.
DarkSorcerer 09-02-05, 05:48 PM	I wouldn't let the Bracer of Shielding be enhanced - it should be a set +4 AC with no shield special abilities, just like the spell. In exchange, I'd make it a single bracer instead of a pair - irrelevant except for cosmetic purposes, since all other bracers come in pairs.Its not irrelevant as it allows you to wear a bracelet, which usually are singular.
zzap1990 09-02-05, 09:00 PM	have it a pair that has a +2 bonus each that stack with each other thus it is no longer a cosmetic thing plus adds a penalty if they only have one on or one is stolen. By ZAK T. :dragon::dragon::dragon: :dragon::dragon: :dragon:
Calibron 09-03-05, 12:27 AM	Change it to command word activated and you get practically the same thing for 1800 gold. The only Draw-back is that it takes a Standard action to activate and you need to activate it every ten rounds in a fight. And Shield Bonuses cost the same as Armor Bonuses. So a continuous Ring with +4 Shield Bonus to AC would cost 16,000.
Fedifensor 09-03-05, 08:02 AM	Something I thought of last night - a mithral buckler gives no armor check penalties or spell failure chance. So, a +3 mithral buckler gives the same +4 total shield bonus for 10,165 GP. The advantages of a shielding item would be the defense against incorporeal foes (since shield works versus incorporeal attacks) and the magic missile immunity.
Derren S. 09-03-05, 08:11 AM	Which is worth 4k extra. Not to forget rust monster (or general sunder) immunity.
Merestil Haye 09-03-05, 10:12 AM	Something I thought of last night - a mithral buckler gives no armor check penalties or spell failure chance. So, a +3 mithral buckler gives the same +4 total shield bonus for 10,165 GP. The advantages of a shielding item would be the defense against incorporeal foes (since shield works versus incorporeal attacks) and the magic missile immunity.I wouldn't buy a Mithral buckler from your business... you overcharge by 150gp. You don't add 150gp for masterwork items to an item made of mithral.Weapons or armors fashioned from mithral are always masterwork items as well; the masterwork cost is included in the prices given below. A buckler (even a mithral one) has a small downside that Bracers of Armour, or the suggested Bracers of Shield do not have. They impose a -1 on attack rolls if you use the arm the buckler is on to attack with a weapon. This may not be a concern unless you are forced into melee sometime, but it is there. Edit : Not to mention that the +3 buckler will be ineffective against inorporeal touch attacks while +4 braces of Shield will apply. This is a far bigger benefit to set against the increased cost of the Bracers.
ClementWillowbreaker 09-03-05, 10:38 AM	Don't forget that Bracers of Shielding let classes that can't use shields without losing special abilities (eg monks, Dervishes) a whole new type of AC bonus to work with. Bracers of Shielding wouldn't block Magic Missles with just 16,000gp. The extra 6,000gp probably covers the force effect bonus, and how hard it is to destroy in combat. Kicking it up to 18,500gp for immunity to Magic Missle sounds about right.
Tony Vargas 09-06-05, 08:37 PM	Something I thought of last night - a mithral buckler gives no armor check penalties or spell failure chance. So, a +3 mithral buckler gives the same +4 total shield bonus for 10,165 GP. The advantages of a shielding item would be the defense against incorporeal foes (since shield works versus incorporeal attacks) Nod, which is equivalent to the Ghost Touch ability - a +3 equivalent. So now you're looking at a 36,015gp item. And, of course, the shield spell doesn't take up a hand - using a buckler to gain an AC bonus occupies the hand/arm wearing it. You couldn't fight with a staff, for instance, while wearing a buckler and using it for AC (and you'd take a -1 attack roll penalty even if you didn't use the AC). So, really, you're looking at the equivalent of the Animated ability on the Shield, as well. That's a +2 equivalent. We're up to 64,015gp. and the magic missile immunity. Harder to quantify, but obviously more than the charged Broach of Shielding.
Calibron 09-06-05, 08:53 PM	Ghost Touch is a +1 ability.
Tony Vargas 09-08-05, 01:50 PM	Ghost Touch is a +1 ability. For weapons. For armor it's +3.
Fedifensor 09-08-05, 01:54 PM	Nod, which is equivalent to the Ghost Touch ability - a +3 equivalent. So now you're looking at a 36,015gp item. And, of course, the shield spell doesn't take up a hand - using a buckler to gain an AC bonus occupies the hand/arm wearing it. You couldn't fight with a staff, for instance, while wearing a buckler and using it for AC (and you'd take a -1 attack roll penalty even if you didn't use the AC). So, really, you're looking at the equivalent of the Animated ability on the Shield, as well. That's a +2 equivalent. We're up to 64,015gp. Tony, I don't know if your post was meant to be serious or not, but you must be smoking something if you honestly believe a wonderous item that emulates a single 1st level spell is worth 64,000 gold...
tarkin 09-08-05, 02:27 PM	If you want to FULLY emulate the Shield Spell, then you get: 1) Force based Armor at +4. Cost = 16,000 gp. 2) Ability to negate Magic Missile attacks. Ad hoc price = 1,000 gp. I would charge someone 17,000 gp for Bracers of Shielding that gave you an effect like that of a Shield Spell always on.
Fedifensor 09-09-05, 10:58 AM	If you want to FULLY emulate the Shield Spell, then you get: 1) Force based Armor at +4. Cost = 16,000 gp. 2) Ability to negate Magic Missile attacks. Ad hoc price = 1,000 gp. I would charge someone 17,000 gp for Bracers of Shielding that gave you an effect like that of a Shield Spell always on. I'd probably price the magic missile immunity a bit higher (2000 or so), but otherwise I find your pricing spot on. Much better than 64k... :)