Post/Author/DateTime	Post
rice830 12-20-06, 06:13 PM	Can a rod be a sword or axe instead of a light mace or quarterstaff? So a "Rod of Wondrous Might" would be a "Sword of Wondrous Might" Would that work?
Grod_The_Giant 12-20-06, 06:18 PM	if you want, but ceremonial, unless it could be used as a weapon (when specifically stated). by RAW, though, they can't.
Millennium 12-20-06, 06:40 PM	For the most part, I consider the form factor of the item to be just flavor. A player can make an item in any form factor, as long as it still follows the normal rules for an item of its kind (a wand that looks like a staff is still crafted as a wand) and it still meets any special requirements of the "normal" version of an item (a helm of brilliance in a different form factor still needs to have all those jewels somewhere). In this case, I'd allow a rod to be in the form factor of a sword, with the understanding that the sword is not a magic weapon: you could use it as a masterwork sword if you really had to, but it has no magical enhancement bonus. The sword would effectively be just a ceremonial weapon, like Grod said. If you're talking about the rod of lordly might, by the way, this is one of the few items I would not allow a custom form factor for. This particular rod has very detailed and exacting requirements for its appearance, and I'm not sure how those requirements could be fulfilled while looking like anything else.
Seeker95 12-20-06, 07:46 PM	by RAW, though, they can't.By RAW a rod can be just about anything.Rods Physical Description Rods weigh approximately 5 pounds. They range from 2 feet to 3 feet long and are usually made of iron or some other metal. (Many, as noted in their descriptions, can function as light maces or clubs due to their sturdy construction.) Although all rods are generally scepterlike, their configurations and abilities run the magical gamut. Standard rods are described below.It is porbably a stretch to let a rod mimic any old wondrous item, but a sword of rulership, a flail of absorbtion, etc. is not outside the realm of possibilities. I would recommend that the rod pricing and the weapon ability pricing be priced separately and added together. Whether you impose a price multiplier for one half or the other is up to you. I would just add them together, if the idea was permissible at all.
Airos 12-21-06, 12:51 AM	if you want, but ceremonial, unless it could be used as a weapon (when specifically stated). by RAW, though, they can't. Well, the SRD (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/magicItemsCreation.html) seems to suggest otherwise, with the note: 1 Rods usable as weapons must include the masterwork weapon cost. That seems to be fairly open to any weapon. For the most part, I consider the form factor of the item to be just flavor. A player can make an item in any form factor, as long as it still follows the normal rules for an item of its kind (a wand that looks like a staff is still crafted as a wand) and it still meets any special requirements of the "normal" version of an item (a helm of brilliance in a different form factor still needs to have all those jewels somewhere). However, one must take great care in moving items around to different body slots, as opposed to slotless items such as wands and rods. Allowing a player to make his Cloak of Charisma +6 into a belt, so that he can also wear his Cloak of Elvenkind would result in an increased cost due to body slot affinities. Allowing players to skirt this added cost would be unbalanced, as opposed to if a player wanted Ioun Baskets instead of Ioun Stones or a Chair of Fireballs instead of a Wand of Fireballs. :thinks:... and now I really want to mess with my players. "You find 12,000 gold, a chair and a basket in the dragon's hoard"
Millennium 12-22-06, 11:48 AM	However, one must take great care in moving items around to different body slots, as opposed to slotless items such as wands and rods. Allowing a player to make his Cloak of Charisma +6 into a belt, so that he can also wear his Cloak of Elvenkind would result in an increased cost due to body slot affinities. Allowing players to skirt this added cost would be unbalanced, as opposed to if a player wanted Ioun Baskets instead of Ioun Stones or a Chair of Fireballs instead of a Wand of Fireballs. Yeah; I take that into account. If your custom form factor would change the body slot that the item takes up, you incur the Inappropriate Body Slot cost as normal.
tarkin 12-22-06, 12:02 PM	Uhm, did you read the Rod section. Look at the following, all from the SRD/DMG: Alertness: This rod is indistinguishable from a +1 light mace... Flailing: Upon the command of its possessor, the rod activates, changing from a normal-seeming rod to a +3 dire flail... Lordly Might: ...When button 1 is pushed, the rod becomes a +1 flaming longsword. ...When button 2 is pushed, the rod becomes a +4 battleaxe...When button 3 is pushed, the rod becomes a +3 shortspear or +3 longspear... Thunder and Lightning: Constructed of iron set with silver rivets, this rod has the properties of a +2 light mace... Viper: This rod strikes as a +2 heavy mace... Withering: A rod of withering acts as a +1 light mace... I would have to say that, yes, Rods are fine as weapons, but must always be at least a +1 weapon, and yes, this does increase the cost..
Nezkrul 12-22-06, 10:48 PM	what would be an appropriate cost modifier if one were to purchase/make/order a Rod that uses up a body slot; say the Glove(s) slot(s)? For instance; Gloves of Greater Quicken Metamagic.