Crafting Metamagic Rods [Archive] - Wizards Community

Crafting Metamagic Rods [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Jaaz
02-07-05, 11:41 PM I don't know if this is right, but is the required caster level for all metamagic rods 17th regardless of power level? (Lesser Extend for example?)
Ringrose
02-08-05, 12:08 AM That seems strange...Complete Arcane's Rods are the same way...Guess that is the way it is...
deanaw
02-08-05, 06:01 AM The caster level listed in an item's description is not the minimum required caster level for creating the item. Any caster level high enough to cast the spells required to create the item will do just fine, however, a lower caster level might change the duration/effect/cost of such an item. The requirements for creating a given magical item are listed right after the common caster level of the item, which is not a requirement.
Ringrose
02-08-05, 08:34 AM See entry from the SRD below...you would need to be 17th caster level to create any MetaMagic rods...by the RAW...

Caster Level: The next item in a notational entry gives the caster level of the item, indicating its relative power. The caster level determines the item’s saving throw bonus, as well as range or other level-dependent aspects of the powers of the item (if variable). It also determines the level that must be contended with should the item come under the effect of a dispel magic spell or similar situation. This information is given in the form “CL x,” where “CL” is an abbreviation for caster level and “x” is an ordinal number representing the caster level itself.

For potions, scrolls, and wands, the creator can set the caster level of an item at any number high enough to cast the stored spell and not higher than her own caster level. For other magic items, the caster level is determined by the item itself. In this case, the creator’s caster level must be as high as the item’s caster level (and prerequisites may effectively put a higher minimum on the creator’s level).

Caster Level: Every magic item must have a caster level, which determines the item's own saving throw bonuses when the item must make a saving throw. If an item can produce a spell effect, its caster level determines any level-based variables the spell effect might have (such as range and damage). An item's caster level also determines how susceptible the item or the spell effects it produces are to dispel magic effects.

In general, the higher an item's caster level, the more it costs to buy or make.

When creating items, the creator's caster level must be at least as high as the item's caster level. Your caster level is your level in the class that gives you access to a particular spell needed for the item (see the section on prerequisites). In some cases, your caster level will be less than your class level; if so, the class description notes it. For example, a paladin's caster level is one-half her paladin level (a paladin of 3rd level or lower has no caster level at all).

If you are multiclassed, you may have different caster levels for the spells you have by virtue of your various classes. For example, a 4th-level paladin/5th-level sorcerer has a caster level of 2 for paladin spells and a caster level of 5 for sorcerer spells. If you have taken a prestige class, your levels in that class may stack with levels in another class to determine your caster level. Otherwise, your levels in your various spellcasting classes usually don't stack for purposes of determining your caster level.

If you draw on different classes to get access to different spells you need for an item, you must use the lowest of the various applicable caster levels.
Jaaz
02-08-05, 09:13 AM Huh...RAW though, that means that there'd be no way beyond purchasing or random finds (should the DM be that generous) to get even the minor rods before high levels.
Beamup
02-08-05, 10:42 AM See entry from the SRD below...you would need to be 17th caster level to create any MetaMagic rods...by the RAW...
See the errata to the DMG below... deanaw is correct.

For other magic items, the caster level is determined by the creator. The minimum caster level is that which is needed to meet the prerequisites given.
Ringrose
02-08-05, 11:04 AM That errata was written almost a year ago...I think I will take what the Sage wrote last month and what is written in the SRD...which has since been updated after the Errata...
Jaaz
02-09-05, 12:13 AM Which was? Link or summary please.
Ringrose
02-09-05, 08:30 AM Which was? Link or summary please.
Rules of the Game on creating magic items...and the creating magic Items section of the SRD...(relevant passages above)
...DMG errata is listed in the Rules section of the Wizards site and it a dated PDF...(and is also only a one liner...not very informative...unlike the other two sources which are much more informative and clear on the Preq's)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Jaaz 02-07-05, 11:41 PM	I don't know if this is right, but is the required caster level for all metamagic rods 17th regardless of power level? (Lesser Extend for example?)
Ringrose 02-08-05, 12:08 AM	That seems strange...Complete Arcane's Rods are the same way...Guess that is the way it is...
deanaw 02-08-05, 06:01 AM	The caster level listed in an item's description is not the minimum required caster level for creating the item. Any caster level high enough to cast the spells required to create the item will do just fine, however, a lower caster level might change the duration/effect/cost of such an item. The requirements for creating a given magical item are listed right after the common caster level of the item, which is not a requirement.
Ringrose 02-08-05, 08:34 AM	See entry from the SRD below...you would need to be 17th caster level to create any MetaMagic rods...by the RAW... Caster Level: The next item in a notational entry gives the caster level of the item, indicating its relative power. The caster level determines the item’s saving throw bonus, as well as range or other level-dependent aspects of the powers of the item (if variable). It also determines the level that must be contended with should the item come under the effect of a dispel magic spell or similar situation. This information is given in the form “CL x,” where “CL” is an abbreviation for caster level and “x” is an ordinal number representing the caster level itself. For potions, scrolls, and wands, the creator can set the caster level of an item at any number high enough to cast the stored spell and not higher than her own caster level. For other magic items, the caster level is determined by the item itself. In this case, the creator’s caster level must be as high as the item’s caster level (and prerequisites may effectively put a higher minimum on the creator’s level). Caster Level: Every magic item must have a caster level, which determines the item's own saving throw bonuses when the item must make a saving throw. If an item can produce a spell effect, its caster level determines any level-based variables the spell effect might have (such as range and damage). An item's caster level also determines how susceptible the item or the spell effects it produces are to dispel magic effects. In general, the higher an item's caster level, the more it costs to buy or make. When creating items, the creator's caster level must be at least as high as the item's caster level. Your caster level is your level in the class that gives you access to a particular spell needed for the item (see the section on prerequisites). In some cases, your caster level will be less than your class level; if so, the class description notes it. For example, a paladin's caster level is one-half her paladin level (a paladin of 3rd level or lower has no caster level at all). If you are multiclassed, you may have different caster levels for the spells you have by virtue of your various classes. For example, a 4th-level paladin/5th-level sorcerer has a caster level of 2 for paladin spells and a caster level of 5 for sorcerer spells. If you have taken a prestige class, your levels in that class may stack with levels in another class to determine your caster level. Otherwise, your levels in your various spellcasting classes usually don't stack for purposes of determining your caster level. If you draw on different classes to get access to different spells you need for an item, you must use the lowest of the various applicable caster levels.
Jaaz 02-08-05, 09:13 AM	Huh...RAW though, that means that there'd be no way beyond purchasing or random finds (should the DM be that generous) to get even the minor rods before high levels.
Beamup 02-08-05, 10:42 AM	See entry from the SRD below...you would need to be 17th caster level to create any MetaMagic rods...by the RAW... See the errata to the DMG below... deanaw is correct. For other magic items, the caster level is determined by the creator. The minimum caster level is that which is needed to meet the prerequisites given.
Ringrose 02-08-05, 11:04 AM	That errata was written almost a year ago...I think I will take what the Sage wrote last month and what is written in the SRD...which has since been updated after the Errata...
Jaaz 02-09-05, 12:13 AM	Which was? Link or summary please.
Ringrose 02-09-05, 08:30 AM	Which was? Link or summary please. Rules of the Game on creating magic items...and the creating magic Items section of the SRD...(relevant passages above) ...DMG errata is listed in the Rules section of the Wizards site and it a dated PDF...(and is also only a one liner...not very informative...unlike the other two sources which are much more informative and clear on the Preq's)