Post/Author/DateTime	Post
PJSlavner 02-17-05, 12:35 PM	Hello all, I was wondering if it were possible to craft an item that gives an odd bonus to an ability score, such as an Amulet of Health +3 or a Periapt of Wisdom +1? I realize that doing so would be metagaming: helping some characters more than others, but is there anything someone can cite from the rules, errata, Sage Advice, etc. against it? Thank you for your responses.
Someone 02-17-05, 12:44 PM	Wow, I remember another thread on this topic exploding a while back... I don't remember what was cited in that one, but my personal view is what's wrong with the existing +2/4/6? Okay, so you can save some money and get comprable performance out of a +1/3/5, provided the user has an odd stat, but that's only going to be half (if that) of the possible users. That's a pretty heft restriction. Another way I look at it is that its actually granting an attribute modifer bonus. So, if you had a Dex of 10 and a belt of Dex +4, you would would only have a Dex mod of +2, you don't really have Dex 14.
The_Ditto 02-17-05, 12:56 PM	The main problem I've seen argued about it .. is that you just created an item that benefits people differently .. On one person, that belt of Strength +1 actually makes him stronger .. (increased hit, dmg, and weight allowance) .. On the other, it has no noticable effect ... :confused: That's an odd magical item, indeed!! Ok, so let's see: +1 belt of strength ... Base cost 2,000 ... but half the population considers it worth 0 .. the other half worth as much as the +2 ... Hmm, odd, indeed .. No, the only real reason you'd want a +1 is you have an odd stat and want to save a bunch of money .. *cough* metagaming *cough* I do admit, I have to agree on Tarkin on this one ... this is setting of my munchkin warning klaxons! :tiphat:
Seeker95 02-17-05, 01:15 PM	I do not allow +oddtostat items, for the reasons already provided.
Nephlite 02-17-05, 01:25 PM	I do not allow +oddtostat items, for the reasons already provided. Because you like your Magic items expensive. I mean to get half the bonus would surely lower the Base cost in 1/2. Not everyone is rich enough to make normal items.
Seeker95 02-17-05, 02:23 PM	Not everyone is rich enough to make normal items.It is not a "rich enough" issue. +1 to a stat gives no modifier bonus. For folks with odd stats, it gives the same benefit as a +2 item. For folks with an even stat, it gives no benefit. Allowing +1/3/5 enhancement bonus to a stat through a magic item inherently requires metagaming.
SD 02-17-05, 02:53 PM	Because you like your Magic items expensive. I mean to get half the bonus would surely lower the Base cost in 1/2.Nope! Funny thing about how numbers work. The cost for an item that grants an ability score bonus is the bonus squared times 1,000 gp. Str +1 = 1000 gp; Str +2 = 4000 gp; 4000 / 2 = 2000; 1000 gp overcharge Str +2 = 4000 gp; Str +4 = 16000 gp; 16000 / 2 = 8000; 4000 gp overcharge Str +3 = 9000 gp; Str +6 = 36000 gp; 36000 / 2 = 18000; 9000 gp overcharge So it doesn't cut the cost in half. That would make items priced drastically high and comparably randomly. It does in fact follow the nice little formula provided in the DMG for creating magic items that give stat bonuses, and basic math states that half the bonus is one-fourth the price.
Drachasor 02-17-05, 03:15 PM	Well, Strength and Constitution provide the most tangible benefits. The former a higher carrying capacity, and the latter lets you hold your breath longer (and with some optional rules, more below-zero hitpoints). All attributes gain an extra point that needs to be drained before reaching 0. It is a bit meta-gamy, but it isn't too bad, imho. -Drachasor