Creating Staffs? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Creating Staffs? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
TrackStar
09-27-06, 04:54 AM I have no idea how the cost for creating staffs works, even after looking at it in the DMG.

Can I get some help with this?

Use this example: (since you have to have a minimum 8th CL)

A staff with 50 charges and uses 2 charges per a casting to cast a 8th CL fireball.
Loki5654
09-27-06, 06:40 AM First a few obligatory statements:

1. Magic items not specified in the DMG require DM approval. DM's should be wary of allowing custom magic items willy-nilly into their games.

2. The item creation guidelines in the DMG are just that: guidelines. The DM is free (and sometimes encouraged) to adjust the prices as he sees fit.

3. Some argue that it goes against the flavor of Staffs to allow single-spell Staffs. Doing so relegates them to the status of "just bigger wands". Staffs are meant to hold thematically related sets of spells. For example, the Staff of Fire (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/staffs.htm#fire) already suits your needs, so you should consider using it before attempting to get a custom Staff approved.

4. Craft Staff (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#craftStaff) requires a CL of 12. However, Staff creators can choose to set the CL of the Staff lower (but no lower than CL 8).

Now for the quick and dirty Staff Creation rules:

50 charges at creation.

Highest Spell: 375gp x SL x CL
Second Highest Spell: 75% of above (281.25gp x SL x CL)
Any Other spells: 50% of Highest (187.5 x SL x CL)
Any costly material or xp components: Cost of component x (50 divided by the number of charges one use of the spell expends)

All Caster levels must be the same.

Any spell can be enchanted at half the cost, but this doubles the charges needed from 1 to 2.

Total up all of the above = Material Cost
Material Cost x2 = Market Price
Market Price divided by 25 = XP cost

So your Fireball Staff would be:
375 x 3 x 8 = 9000gp
Material Cost = 9000/2 = 4500gp (half the cost, double the charges)
Market Price = 9000gp
XP cost = 360xp

This staff would let you cast a 8d6 fireball at a cost of 2 charges per casting with a base DC of 17. It would cost you 4500gp and 360xp to create.

However

If we go back a step and undo the half-price/double charge calculation we get a Market Price of 18,000gp.

A Staff of Fire costs 17,750gp, gets you the same 8d6 fireball at only one charge per casting, plus you get a 5d4 burning hands for one charge per casting and a wall of fire for 2 charges per casting. All for 17,750gp cash or 8875gp + 710xp if you make it yourself.

Either way the Staff would use your (I'm assuming) Sorcerer spell DC's if you so choose.

:teach:
tarkin
09-27-06, 08:39 AM Technically it is not just "flavor".

The description of staff specifically uses the PLURAL. So if you go by the actual wording of the core books, it requires you to put a minimum of two spells in a staff.

This effect DRAMATICALLY increases the price of a staff.

Allowing a single spell staff maks them much cheaper. It is a significant power boost and will not be allowed found in any WoTC approved game. No published WoTC material includes a staff with but a single spell.

If you want to do it, that is up to your DM. But don't get upset if he laughs and says no.
Loki5654
09-27-06, 04:39 PM Technically it is not just "flavor".

The description of staff specifically uses the PLURAL. So if you go by the actual wording of the core books, it requires you to put a minimum of two spells in a staff.

This effect DRAMATICALLY increases the price of a staff.

Allowing a single spell staff maks them much cheaper. It is a significant power boost and will not be allowed found in any WoTC approved game. No published WoTC material includes a staff with but a single spell.

If you want to do it, that is up to your DM. But don't get upset if he laughs and says no.
Good point. I never looked at it that way but know that I have, I like it!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
TrackStar 09-27-06, 04:54 AM	I have no idea how the cost for creating staffs works, even after looking at it in the DMG. Can I get some help with this? Use this example: (since you have to have a minimum 8th CL) A staff with 50 charges and uses 2 charges per a casting to cast a 8th CL fireball.
Loki5654 09-27-06, 06:40 AM	First a few obligatory statements: 1. Magic items not specified in the DMG require DM approval. DM's should be wary of allowing custom magic items willy-nilly into their games. 2. The item creation guidelines in the DMG are just that: guidelines. The DM is free (and sometimes encouraged) to adjust the prices as he sees fit. 3. Some argue that it goes against the flavor of Staffs to allow single-spell Staffs. Doing so relegates them to the status of "just bigger wands". Staffs are meant to hold thematically related sets of spells. For example, the Staff of Fire (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/staffs.htm#fire) already suits your needs, so you should consider using it before attempting to get a custom Staff approved. 4. Craft Staff (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#craftStaff) requires a CL of 12. However, Staff creators can choose to set the CL of the Staff lower (but no lower than CL 8). Now for the quick and dirty Staff Creation rules: 50 charges at creation. Highest Spell: 375gp x SL x CL Second Highest Spell: 75% of above (281.25gp x SL x CL) Any Other spells: 50% of Highest (187.5 x SL x CL) Any costly material or xp components: Cost of component x (50 divided by the number of charges one use of the spell expends) All Caster levels must be the same. Any spell can be enchanted at half the cost, but this doubles the charges needed from 1 to 2. Total up all of the above = Material Cost Material Cost x2 = Market Price Market Price divided by 25 = XP cost So your Fireball Staff would be: 375 x 3 x 8 = 9000gp Material Cost = 9000/2 = 4500gp (half the cost, double the charges) Market Price = 9000gp XP cost = 360xp This staff would let you cast a 8d6 fireball at a cost of 2 charges per casting with a base DC of 17. It would cost you 4500gp and 360xp to create. However If we go back a step and undo the half-price/double charge calculation we get a Market Price of 18,000gp. A Staff of Fire costs 17,750gp, gets you the same 8d6 fireball at only one charge per casting, plus you get a 5d4 burning hands for one charge per casting and a wall of fire for 2 charges per casting. All for 17,750gp cash or 8875gp + 710xp if you make it yourself. Either way the Staff would use your (I'm assuming) Sorcerer spell DC's if you so choose. :teach:
tarkin 09-27-06, 08:39 AM	Technically it is not just "flavor". The description of staff specifically uses the PLURAL. So if you go by the actual wording of the core books, it requires you to put a minimum of two spells in a staff. This effect DRAMATICALLY increases the price of a staff. Allowing a single spell staff maks them much cheaper. It is a significant power boost and will not be allowed found in any WoTC approved game. No published WoTC material includes a staff with but a single spell. If you want to do it, that is up to your DM. But don't get upset if he laughs and says no.
Loki5654 09-27-06, 04:39 PM	Technically it is not just "flavor". The description of staff specifically uses the PLURAL. So if you go by the actual wording of the core books, it requires you to put a minimum of two spells in a staff. This effect DRAMATICALLY increases the price of a staff. Allowing a single spell staff maks them much cheaper. It is a significant power boost and will not be allowed found in any WoTC approved game. No published WoTC material includes a staff with but a single spell. If you want to do it, that is up to your DM. But don't get upset if he laughs and says no. Good point. I never looked at it that way but know that I have, I like it!