Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Norrin 03-23-08, 06:16 PM	When making a Mithral weapon (long sword). DMG p. 284 [+500gp/lb.] Do you use the weight of a basic steel long sword for item cost modifier? Or do you use the weight of a mithral long sword? Steel long sword 4lb Mithral long sword 4lb x 1/2 = 2lb Thank you for you're help.
AngeloftheNight 03-23-08, 07:34 PM	You would use the mithral weight as that's the amount of metal you are using.
Norrin 03-23-08, 07:47 PM	Thank you
StevenO 03-23-08, 07:49 PM	Because that table is figuring costs using the base item I'd figure your costs would be based on the unmodified (ie normal) weight of 4lbs. When crafting items made from special materials I'd always assign the full cost of the special material as an addition to the normal crafting cost. If the special material gets the crafting discount why wouldn't I just want to make gold pieces as my wealth would multiply each time if it cost less than a GP to make a GP.
RavenDrake 03-23-08, 08:34 PM	It doesn't specify this with Mithral. It DOES however specify when using Darkwood(which halves the weight of wooden items) to use the item's normal weight to determine the cost of the Darkwood to be used. I use that as precidence for using the normal weight of a metal item to determine the cost of a mithral item. But either interpretation is reasonablly valid as long as you remember that, since mithral items are always masterwork, you'll always have to pay the masterwork costs for weapons which for MOST will be inlcuded in the cost of making the item mithral at +500gp a pound.