Disperity in magic item pricing [Archive] - Wizards Community

Disperity in magic item pricing [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
BennyG
10-18-06, 02:28 PM This is all 3.5 related BTW.

I am a player in a game. My DM uses standard magic item creation rules. I have recently picked up the craft magic arms and armor feat. While perusing the DMG I noticed that there was a chart in the back for various bonuses for items. One of them was skill bonus (other) which was listed as bonus squared x 100 gp. But when I went to the armor section and looked at the Silent Moves, Silent or Slick special abilities they were priced at +3750gp. When you do the math that is bonus squared x 150 gp. Now, there is a mention of items with bonuses that do not make sense for the item. Assuming that is the case then I understand the 1.5 multiplier on price. However, when one looks up Goggles of Minute Seeing one sees that it is priced at 1250 gp for +5 competency to search checks. Yet Eves of the Eagle cost 2500 gp for +5 competency to spot. Can someone explain this to me?

The long and the short of it is that I am trying to make a 'signature item' called the Shield of the Sentinel. It would be a +2 tower shield that gives +5 competency to spot and listen. By my calculations it should cost 2500 gp per bonus for 5000 gp, 4000 gp for the +2 bonus and 180 gp for the masterwork tower shield. For a total of 9180 gp or 5490 gp + 367 XP to make. Am I ok on these calculations?

BennyG
tarkin
10-18-06, 03:27 PM The armor stuff had the x1.5 placed on them, because by definition, AC is the main power of armor, and you have to pay a 50% penalty for adding any additional ability to that item.

As for the spot bonus, spot, listen, and UMD are one of the more powerfull feats. The book may have upped the price because of that.

I would add in a 50% penalty to the spot and listen, bringing it to 7,500 gp instead of 5000 gp.

That would make it inline with the other boosts, and seems right to me.
Darth Sephiroth
10-18-06, 03:38 PM As a side note, if you want a signature item and don't mind taking a feat, use the Item Familiar feat with a +2 Tower Shield. Use the invest skill points ability to boost the skills you want
risner
10-18-06, 06:05 PM I noticed that there was a chart in the back for various bonuses for items.

It would be a +2 tower shield that gives +5 competency to spot and listen. By my calculations it should cost 2500 gp per bonus for 5000 gp, 4000 gp for the +2 bonus and 180 gp for the masterwork tower shield. For a total of 9180 gp or 5490 gp + 367 XP to make.

Well, sounds like you are focusing on the chart and ignoring the item creation rules. Price item by their power, how they compare to similar items, how they compare to other items of similar power, and last by the chart.

+2 Tower Shield would be 4,180 gp plus the costs for +5 spot and listen.

Goggles of Minute Seeing are discounted because of the restriction.

5*5*100 = 2,500 gp for +5 Spot
2,500 gp for +5 Listen

So to add them to the Shield it should be a minimum of:
4,180+1.5(MDA)*2,500(+5 Spot) + 1.5(MDA)*2,500(+5 Listen) = 11,680 gp
DragonChild_
10-18-06, 06:34 PM Yet Eves of the Eagle cost 2500 gp for +5 competency to spot. Can someone explain this to me?

Eyes of the Eagle can be shared between two people. Thus, it costs twice as much.
Neutronium_Dragon
10-18-06, 07:28 PM Actually, the reason is that Eyes of the Eagle grant a +5 bonus to Spot all the time, for everything, while the Goggles have limitations on when they work and what they can be used for. With a double-limitation like that, they merited a 50% reduction.
risner
10-19-06, 06:11 PM Eyes of the Eagle can be shared between two people. Thus, it costs twice as much.

Eyes of the Eagle is priced by the normal Bonus^2*100 gp, the other item is priced with a 50% discount.
DragonChild_
10-19-06, 06:32 PM ...whoops?

In any case, I remember Eyes of the Eagle costing twice as much in 3.0, thus my confusion. I wonder why they made the price normal, but kept it sharable/
risner
10-20-06, 12:35 PM In any case, I remember Eyes of the Eagle costing twice as much in 3.0, thus my confusion. I wonder why they made the price normal, but kept it sharable/

Sigh

Think it is because there is a drawback of being dizzy for wearing one?
DragonChild_
10-20-06, 01:43 PM Yes, there is a drawback, but that's only if you have one eye open. You can just keep your other eye closed, wear an eyepatch or whatever, and still be fine.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
BennyG 10-18-06, 02:28 PM	This is all 3.5 related BTW. I am a player in a game. My DM uses standard magic item creation rules. I have recently picked up the craft magic arms and armor feat. While perusing the DMG I noticed that there was a chart in the back for various bonuses for items. One of them was skill bonus (other) which was listed as bonus squared x 100 gp. But when I went to the armor section and looked at the Silent Moves, Silent or Slick special abilities they were priced at +3750gp. When you do the math that is bonus squared x 150 gp. Now, there is a mention of items with bonuses that do not make sense for the item. Assuming that is the case then I understand the 1.5 multiplier on price. However, when one looks up Goggles of Minute Seeing one sees that it is priced at 1250 gp for +5 competency to search checks. Yet Eves of the Eagle cost 2500 gp for +5 competency to spot. Can someone explain this to me? The long and the short of it is that I am trying to make a 'signature item' called the Shield of the Sentinel. It would be a +2 tower shield that gives +5 competency to spot and listen. By my calculations it should cost 2500 gp per bonus for 5000 gp, 4000 gp for the +2 bonus and 180 gp for the masterwork tower shield. For a total of 9180 gp or 5490 gp + 367 XP to make. Am I ok on these calculations? BennyG
tarkin 10-18-06, 03:27 PM	The armor stuff had the x1.5 placed on them, because by definition, AC is the main power of armor, and you have to pay a 50% penalty for adding any additional ability to that item. As for the spot bonus, spot, listen, and UMD are one of the more powerfull feats. The book may have upped the price because of that. I would add in a 50% penalty to the spot and listen, bringing it to 7,500 gp instead of 5000 gp. That would make it inline with the other boosts, and seems right to me.
Darth Sephiroth 10-18-06, 03:38 PM	As a side note, if you want a signature item and don't mind taking a feat, use the Item Familiar feat with a +2 Tower Shield. Use the invest skill points ability to boost the skills you want
risner 10-18-06, 06:05 PM	I noticed that there was a chart in the back for various bonuses for items. It would be a +2 tower shield that gives +5 competency to spot and listen. By my calculations it should cost 2500 gp per bonus for 5000 gp, 4000 gp for the +2 bonus and 180 gp for the masterwork tower shield. For a total of 9180 gp or 5490 gp + 367 XP to make. Well, sounds like you are focusing on the chart and ignoring the item creation rules. Price item by their power, how they compare to similar items, how they compare to other items of similar power, and last by the chart. +2 Tower Shield would be 4,180 gp plus the costs for +5 spot and listen. Goggles of Minute Seeing are discounted because of the restriction. 55100 = 2,500 gp for +5 Spot 2,500 gp for +5 Listen So to add them to the Shield it should be a minimum of: 4,180+1.5(MDA)2,500(+5 Spot) + 1.5(MDA)2,500(+5 Listen) = 11,680 gp
DragonChild_ 10-18-06, 06:34 PM	Yet Eves of the Eagle cost 2500 gp for +5 competency to spot. Can someone explain this to me? Eyes of the Eagle can be shared between two people. Thus, it costs twice as much.
Neutronium_Dragon 10-18-06, 07:28 PM	Actually, the reason is that Eyes of the Eagle grant a +5 bonus to Spot all the time, for everything, while the Goggles have limitations on when they work and what they can be used for. With a double-limitation like that, they merited a 50% reduction.
risner 10-19-06, 06:11 PM	Eyes of the Eagle can be shared between two people. Thus, it costs twice as much. Eyes of the Eagle is priced by the normal Bonus^2*100 gp, the other item is priced with a 50% discount.
DragonChild_ 10-19-06, 06:32 PM	...whoops? In any case, I remember Eyes of the Eagle costing twice as much in 3.0, thus my confusion. I wonder why they made the price normal, but kept it sharable/
risner 10-20-06, 12:35 PM	In any case, I remember Eyes of the Eagle costing twice as much in 3.0, thus my confusion. I wonder why they made the price normal, but kept it sharable/ Sigh Think it is because there is a drawback of being dizzy for wearing one?
DragonChild_ 10-20-06, 01:43 PM	Yes, there is a drawback, but that's only if you have one eye open. You can just keep your other eye closed, wear an eyepatch or whatever, and still be fine.