Creating Magical Items [Archive] - Wizards Community

Creating Magical Items [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
RappinRabbi
01-23-07, 02:26 PM I need a little help. I've looked through the magic item section of the DMG about 50 times and I cant find anywhere how to calculate prices and minimum caster level to create an item.

I am looking for a guide or equation that gives the minimum CL and price based off of the spells and levels of the spells used during the items creations.

Secondly, when it says something like "Strong transmutation" how do you determine the strength of an aura on an item? Is it based off of the level of the spell? What if two or more schools of magic are used in the items creation, is the school of the stronger spell used or are both, which shows up stronger?
Vegepygmy
01-23-07, 02:39 PM The basic pricing chart is on page 285 of the DMG. Note that it is a guideline only; the best way to price a magic item is by comparing it to existing magic items. Also, here are a few of the key rules you need to know and understand:

Caster Level
Dungeon Master’s Guide, page 215
Problem: The last two sentences in the section on Caster Level are ambiguous and potentially misleading.
Solution: Replace with this text: 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.

The rules for magic item creation permit a character creating an item to use scrolls, wands, or even another caster as the source of the spells to be placed in the item. The rules do not, however, state clearly whether the character crafting the item has to be of a level sufficient to cast a given spell. Is the caster level of the character with the item creation feat being used to create the item (the “creator”) a limit on the power of the item? For example, can a 3rd-level wizard with the Craft Wondrous Item feat create items containing any spell (assuming access to the spells by other means), or is he limited to 2nd-level spells?

Unless stated specifically, items never have a minimum caster level as a prerequisite. (The “CL” entry is the default caster level of the item, not a requirement for creation.)

A 3rd-level wizard with Craft Wondrous Item could create a harp of charming (even though he’s not high-enough level to cast suggestion, a prerequisite for creation), as long he had access to the suggestion spell during creation (such as from an item or another character).

The rules for determining aura strength are found in the detect magic spell description in the PHB, and page 213 of the DMG.
RappinRabbi
01-23-07, 02:42 PM This helps a ton, thanks.
risner
01-23-07, 10:28 PM I am looking for a guide or equation that gives the minimum CL and price based off of the spells and levels of the spells used during the items creations.

Is it based off of the level of the spell?

What if two or more schools of magic are used in the items creation, is the school of the stronger spell used or are both, which shows up stronger?

First, there is no guide or equation since items are not priced by equations for spells. They are priced by "similar" items (go looking for an item that does something similar), then by power (go looking for an item of the same power level, say like fair for a 10th level player, etc) then as a last resort as SLxCLxYYYY etc.

The strength of the aura is based on the spell, look it up say for instance in Detect Magic for the CL of the item to determine the strength of the aura.

Since the aura is based on the CL of the item, pick one CL for all effects in the item (since an item can only have one CL) and use that for the aura. Pick the one you think would be the "stongest" of the auras.
Vegepygmy
01-24-07, 11:44 AM Since the aura is based on the CL of the item, pick one CL for all effects in the item (since an item can only have one CL) and use that for the aura. Pick the one you think would be the "stongest" of the auras.By the RAW, you use the highest-level spell (DMG, page 213).
risner
01-24-07, 01:24 PM By the RAW, you use the highest-level spell (DMG, page 213).

Interesting, thanks for the link.

So for the "type" of magic, you use the highest spell used in the prereqs.
The strength of the aura is not covered on p213, so it would use the CL of the item.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
RappinRabbi 01-23-07, 02:26 PM	I need a little help. I've looked through the magic item section of the DMG about 50 times and I cant find anywhere how to calculate prices and minimum caster level to create an item. I am looking for a guide or equation that gives the minimum CL and price based off of the spells and levels of the spells used during the items creations. Secondly, when it says something like "Strong transmutation" how do you determine the strength of an aura on an item? Is it based off of the level of the spell? What if two or more schools of magic are used in the items creation, is the school of the stronger spell used or are both, which shows up stronger?
Vegepygmy 01-23-07, 02:39 PM	The basic pricing chart is on page 285 of the DMG. Note that it is a guideline only; the best way to price a magic item is by comparing it to existing magic items. Also, here are a few of the key rules you need to know and understand: Caster Level Dungeon Master’s Guide, page 215 Problem: The last two sentences in the section on Caster Level are ambiguous and potentially misleading. Solution: Replace with this text: 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. The rules for magic item creation permit a character creating an item to use scrolls, wands, or even another caster as the source of the spells to be placed in the item. The rules do not, however, state clearly whether the character crafting the item has to be of a level sufficient to cast a given spell. Is the caster level of the character with the item creation feat being used to create the item (the “creator”) a limit on the power of the item? For example, can a 3rd-level wizard with the Craft Wondrous Item feat create items containing any spell (assuming access to the spells by other means), or is he limited to 2nd-level spells? Unless stated specifically, items never have a minimum caster level as a prerequisite. (The “CL” entry is the default caster level of the item, not a requirement for creation.) A 3rd-level wizard with Craft Wondrous Item could create a harp of charming (even though he’s not high-enough level to cast suggestion, a prerequisite for creation), as long he had access to the suggestion spell during creation (such as from an item or another character). The rules for determining aura strength are found in the detect magic spell description in the PHB, and page 213 of the DMG.
RappinRabbi 01-23-07, 02:42 PM	This helps a ton, thanks.
risner 01-23-07, 10:28 PM	I am looking for a guide or equation that gives the minimum CL and price based off of the spells and levels of the spells used during the items creations. Is it based off of the level of the spell? What if two or more schools of magic are used in the items creation, is the school of the stronger spell used or are both, which shows up stronger? First, there is no guide or equation since items are not priced by equations for spells. They are priced by "similar" items (go looking for an item that does something similar), then by power (go looking for an item of the same power level, say like fair for a 10th level player, etc) then as a last resort as SLxCLxYYYY etc. The strength of the aura is based on the spell, look it up say for instance in Detect Magic for the CL of the item to determine the strength of the aura. Since the aura is based on the CL of the item, pick one CL for all effects in the item (since an item can only have one CL) and use that for the aura. Pick the one you think would be the "stongest" of the auras.
Vegepygmy 01-24-07, 11:44 AM	Since the aura is based on the CL of the item, pick one CL for all effects in the item (since an item can only have one CL) and use that for the aura. Pick the one you think would be the "stongest" of the auras.By the RAW, you use the highest-level spell (DMG, page 213).
risner 01-24-07, 01:24 PM	By the RAW, you use the highest-level spell (DMG, page 213). Interesting, thanks for the link. So for the "type" of magic, you use the highest spell used in the prereqs. The strength of the aura is not covered on p213, so it would use the CL of the item.