Calculating Crafting Cost [Archive] - Wizards Community

Calculating Crafting Cost [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Vasja
03-01-08, 02:40 AM Hi Guys. I was wondering if anyone could help me on calculating the crafting cost for two different items. I am using a different set of rules where I have to pay 1/2 the cost in materials instead of 1/3.
Here are the two items:

Large Deepcrystal Greatsword
Large Masterwork Composite Longbow (+4 Strength).

The cost of the first weapon as I see it:

[50(Greatsword) + 1000(Deepcrystal) - 300(Masterwork Component)]*2(Large) + 300(Masterwork Component) = 1800/2 (Crafting) = 900 GP

I figured this because the masterwork component is said to be included in the cost of the Deepcrystal part. Thus I took it out of the price when calculating the larger size. Then I put it back in.

The cost of the second weapon:

[500(Composite Longbow +4 Strength)]*2(Large) + 300(Masterwork Component) = 1300/2 (Crafting) = 650.

Do these look correct?

The only different cost I could see for them is (50+1000)*2/2 = 1050 for the Greatsword and (500+300)*2/3 = 800 for the Longbow.
Kouk
03-01-08, 03:06 AM I'm not really familiar with the "Deepcrystal" material, but if it adds 1,000gp like you say then it is simple enough.

Greatsword is 50 (normal) + 1,000 (materials) = 1,050gp. Multiply by 2 to make it 2,100gp for large size. Half of that is again 1,050gp.

I believe that you disregard the "masterwork component" when using materials which necessitate that they are already counting as masterwork.

Bow is 100 (normal) + 400 (STR bonus) = 500gp. x2 for large = 1,000gp. + 300 Masterwork = 1,300gp total. Half of that is then 650gp.

I'm bad at math though...
Vasja
03-01-08, 03:44 AM I just figured that since like in the second cost, you don't multiply the cost of the masterwork part by two. Thus, if I multiply the whole 1000 by 2, that would mean that the masterwork component was multiplied by two. So then I would be paying 300 too much.
Kouk
03-01-08, 06:37 AM I am no expert on Crafting (rarely sees use).

I understand your point of view on this, and the reasoning behind it.

The rules are pretty clearly designed with the expectation that a PC would only ever use or craft something for Small or Medium characters, which makes it hard to go beyond those sizes.

These are the interpretations I can arrive at:

1) Large items must cost double for everything, including Masterwork component. That would mean the Masterwork component is 600gp instead of 300gp. It would also mean special material costs are doubled because they are the masterwork costs most of the time. Total price would be 2,100gp for the sword.

2) The cost of a Large size item would require 2 times the price of the special material being added -- the item takes up more materials (large items weigh twice as much). This can mean you pay the special materials cost twice -- once, plus a second one minus 300gp. Total price would then be 1,800gp for the sword. This is the way you stipulate.

3) The cost of a Large item has only the listed price multiplied by 2, nothing else. This would mean that you would only multiply the normal cost for the Greatsword, to get 100gp. Then you add the cost for special materials a single time, which includes the masterwork component automatically. Total price would then be 1,100gp for the Large Deepcrystal Greatsword.

Honestly at this point I am leaning for choice 3 because there is no clearer statement I am finding in the books, except that it explicitly states in the Equipment chapter that a large weapon "costs twice the listed price" and the listed price is simply 50gp for a greatsword. Special materials and masterwork costs are just modifiers added on top, and don't mention anything about weapon sizes.

The differences here are not huge amounts of GP to spend, really (subject to your level I suppose), so it would just be up to the DM and whatever he figures more accurately reflects the pricing... unless someone else can cite some specific rule we are overlooking here.
TelinArtho
03-11-08, 01:00 PM Actually - crafting costs of special materials are addressed in the FAQ - you never multiply the cost of the Masterworked component. Should be on pg 48 of the FAQ in the Equipment section:

On page 217 of the Dungeon Master's guide, it states that "the cost of the masterwork quality and any magical enhancement remains the same" regardless of a creature's unusual size or shape. Adamantine and mithril both state that items made from such material are masterwork quality and the masterwork cost is part of the material cost listed. How much would a set of mithril chainmail barding for my warhorse cost?
A strict reading of the rules indicates that in such a case the masterwork cost for armor should be subtracted from the special material price before applying the multiplier for any unusual size or shape of the intended wearer.

For example, according to the Armor for unusual creatures chart on page 123 of the Player's Handbook, a set of chainmail barding for a warhorse (a Large nonhumanoid creature) would normally cost 600gp (four times the normal cost of 150gp). A set of mithril chainmail barding would cost 16000gp: 600gp for the chainmail barding plus 15400gp (the cost of mithril medium armor [4000gp], minus the masterwork cost for armor [150gp], times 4).

So the original poster has the cost correct.
risner
03-12-08, 09:18 PM [50(Greatsword) + 1000(Deepcrystal) - 300(Masterwork Component)]*2(Large) + 300(Masterwork Component) = 1800/2 (Crafting) = 900 GP

[500(Composite Longbow +4 Strength)]*2(Large) + 300(Masterwork Component) = 1300/2 (Crafting) = 650.

Do these look correct?

100% correct as per the creation rules using the FAQ suggestion to remove the masterwork component when resizing or altering (to barding for example) an item using a special material.
StevenO
03-13-08, 12:03 AM This is only an opinion but when dealing with special materials I don't give them a cost break when used in crafting. Adamantine weapons cost +3000 gp more to buy but if crafting that item I'd still charge you that extra 3000 (less the normal masterwork cost) to cover the exotic materials although I'd base the time requirement on the rest of the cost.

I feel that if you don't charge full price for special materials you are giving too much away. Say I want to make gold pieces does that mean I should be able to make them spending 1/2 (or 1/3) each? That looks like an easy way to increase you wealth if you allow it. I apply the same priciple when working with other high value materials.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Vasja 03-01-08, 02:40 AM	Hi Guys. I was wondering if anyone could help me on calculating the crafting cost for two different items. I am using a different set of rules where I have to pay 1/2 the cost in materials instead of 1/3. Here are the two items: Large Deepcrystal Greatsword Large Masterwork Composite Longbow (+4 Strength). The cost of the first weapon as I see it: [50(Greatsword) + 1000(Deepcrystal) - 300(Masterwork Component)]2(Large) + 300(Masterwork Component) = 1800/2 (Crafting) = 900 GP I figured this because the masterwork component is said to be included in the cost of the Deepcrystal part. Thus I took it out of the price when calculating the larger size. Then I put it back in. The cost of the second weapon: [500(Composite Longbow +4 Strength)]2(Large) + 300(Masterwork Component) = 1300/2 (Crafting) = 650. Do these look correct? The only different cost I could see for them is (50+1000)2/2 = 1050 for the Greatsword and (500+300)2/3 = 800 for the Longbow.
Kouk 03-01-08, 03:06 AM	I'm not really familiar with the "Deepcrystal" material, but if it adds 1,000gp like you say then it is simple enough. Greatsword is 50 (normal) + 1,000 (materials) = 1,050gp. Multiply by 2 to make it 2,100gp for large size. Half of that is again 1,050gp. I believe that you disregard the "masterwork component" when using materials which necessitate that they are already counting as masterwork. Bow is 100 (normal) + 400 (STR bonus) = 500gp. x2 for large = 1,000gp. + 300 Masterwork = 1,300gp total. Half of that is then 650gp. I'm bad at math though...
Vasja 03-01-08, 03:44 AM	I just figured that since like in the second cost, you don't multiply the cost of the masterwork part by two. Thus, if I multiply the whole 1000 by 2, that would mean that the masterwork component was multiplied by two. So then I would be paying 300 too much.
Kouk 03-01-08, 06:37 AM	I am no expert on Crafting (rarely sees use). I understand your point of view on this, and the reasoning behind it. The rules are pretty clearly designed with the expectation that a PC would only ever use or craft something for Small or Medium characters, which makes it hard to go beyond those sizes. These are the interpretations I can arrive at: 1) Large items must cost double for everything, including Masterwork component. That would mean the Masterwork component is 600gp instead of 300gp. It would also mean special material costs are doubled because they are the masterwork costs most of the time. Total price would be 2,100gp for the sword. 2) The cost of a Large size item would require 2 times the price of the special material being added -- the item takes up more materials (large items weigh twice as much). This can mean you pay the special materials cost twice -- once, plus a second one minus 300gp. Total price would then be 1,800gp for the sword. This is the way you stipulate. 3) The cost of a Large item has only the listed price multiplied by 2, nothing else. This would mean that you would only multiply the normal cost for the Greatsword, to get 100gp. Then you add the cost for special materials a single time, which includes the masterwork component automatically. Total price would then be 1,100gp for the Large Deepcrystal Greatsword. Honestly at this point I am leaning for choice 3 because there is no clearer statement I am finding in the books, except that it explicitly states in the Equipment chapter that a large weapon "costs twice the listed price" and the listed price is simply 50gp for a greatsword. Special materials and masterwork costs are just modifiers added on top, and don't mention anything about weapon sizes. The differences here are not huge amounts of GP to spend, really (subject to your level I suppose), so it would just be up to the DM and whatever he figures more accurately reflects the pricing... unless someone else can cite some specific rule we are overlooking here.
TelinArtho 03-11-08, 01:00 PM	Actually - crafting costs of special materials are addressed in the FAQ - you never multiply the cost of the Masterworked component. Should be on pg 48 of the FAQ in the Equipment section: On page 217 of the Dungeon Master's guide, it states that "the cost of the masterwork quality and any magical enhancement remains the same" regardless of a creature's unusual size or shape. Adamantine and mithril both state that items made from such material are masterwork quality and the masterwork cost is part of the material cost listed. How much would a set of mithril chainmail barding for my warhorse cost? A strict reading of the rules indicates that in such a case the masterwork cost for armor should be subtracted from the special material price before applying the multiplier for any unusual size or shape of the intended wearer. For example, according to the Armor for unusual creatures chart on page 123 of the Player's Handbook, a set of chainmail barding for a warhorse (a Large nonhumanoid creature) would normally cost 600gp (four times the normal cost of 150gp). A set of mithril chainmail barding would cost 16000gp: 600gp for the chainmail barding plus 15400gp (the cost of mithril medium armor [4000gp], minus the masterwork cost for armor [150gp], times 4). So the original poster has the cost correct.
risner 03-12-08, 09:18 PM	[50(Greatsword) + 1000(Deepcrystal) - 300(Masterwork Component)]2(Large) + 300(Masterwork Component) = 1800/2 (Crafting) = 900 GP [500(Composite Longbow +4 Strength)]2(Large) + 300(Masterwork Component) = 1300/2 (Crafting) = 650. Do these look correct? 100% correct as per the creation rules using the FAQ suggestion to remove the masterwork component when resizing or altering (to barding for example) an item using a special material.
StevenO 03-13-08, 12:03 AM	This is only an opinion but when dealing with special materials I don't give them a cost break when used in crafting. Adamantine weapons cost +3000 gp more to buy but if crafting that item I'd still charge you that extra 3000 (less the normal masterwork cost) to cover the exotic materials although I'd base the time requirement on the rest of the cost. I feel that if you don't charge full price for special materials you are giving too much away. Say I want to make gold pieces does that mean I should be able to make them spending 1/2 (or 1/3) each? That looks like an easy way to increase you wealth if you allow it. I apply the same priciple when working with other high value materials.