Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Madmartigan 03-08-06, 11:51 PM	Does a magical item that is activated by command word have to have a number of charges per day (not to be confused with use-activated or continuous). To my understanding, the price on such items is caster level x spell level x 1800. Does this item have to have charges per day, under the special cost modifiers? In otherwords, can someone have a cloak of mage armor, usable as a command word for 1800 gp? They would just have to keep reactivating it, thus duplicating the abilities of a use-activated or continuous cloak of mage armor (which of course would then have to apply the higher costs for deflection modifiers, etc)? Or does this command word item have to have a number of charges per day? Also, can anyone give me the rules as written for this question, if there is explicit material on the subject? Thanks, Madmartigan
risner 03-09-06, 12:29 AM	Command word has charges per day. You want use-activated or continuous (2000 * caster level * spell level) and there is modifiers based on spell duration: If the spell is measured in rounds, it is 4 times. If measured in 1 min/level, it is 2 times. If measured in 10 min/level, it is 10 times. If measured in days, it is half.
Lemmose 03-09-06, 12:32 AM	It would be my opinion that no you do not have to have a number of charges per day, that only reduces the price, and thusly the cost of making, for the respective penalty. Being a Commmand Word means 2 things: 1) The effect have a duriation that will run out, and not when you'll want it to either 2) You must use an action to activate it, standard action.
Jade Rabbit 03-09-06, 01:31 AM	There's nothing specific AFAIK in the rules that covers this, but if you look at the price modifier for command word items you can come to the reasonable conclusion that an item costing caster level x spell level x 1800gp has a limit of 5 charges per day. In the Table Estimating Magic Item Gold Piece Values (subcategory special) an item with charges per day has its price reduced by "5 divided by the number of charges per day". 5/5=1 so a full price command word item has 5 charges per day. You (if you're the DM) or your DM might think something different but this is what I run with. If you follow what it sounds like Lemmose is suggesting you end up with an item with unlimited uses per day which will create balance issues for sure. (For example, who wants a wand of cure light wounds that runs out and costs 750gp, when you can have a command word item of unlimited cure light wounds for 1800gp (CL 1 x SL1 x 1800)).
Lemmose 03-09-06, 02:23 AM	If you follow what it sounds like Lemmose is suggesting you end up with an item with unlimited uses per day which will create balance issues for sure. (For example, who wants a wand of cure light wounds that runs out and costs 750gp, when you can have a command word item of unlimited cure light wounds for 1800gp (CL 1 x SL1 x 1800)). By your example yes, it is unbalanced, but you must consider what do you use for the 'unlimited uses per day' instead of 'Command Word', 'Use Activated/Continuous'? That would make the same item cost 2000GP. Also, in the description of 'Daern's Instant Fortress' it is activated by command words ("This metal cube is small, but when activated by speaking a command word...") and it says nothing about how often it can be used in a day.
strumbleduck 03-09-06, 02:37 AM	The key thing is that all made-up magic items are subject to DM approval. Not every item that can be made with the given rules is balanced. For command word items, there is no need to have charges per day as long as gaining unlimited uses of the spell would be reasonably balanced. For example, a command word item that lets you cast alarm need not have charges per day. The same holds for a knock item, or a detect magic item, or an item of minor image. An unlimited command word cure light wounds, on the other hand, would be ludicrous. The key question is -- would making this item umlimited make it significantly more powerful than if it had 5 charges per day? If the answer is yes, it's unbalanced.
risner 03-09-06, 10:45 AM	By your example yes, it is unbalanced, but you must consider what do you use for the 'unlimited uses per day' instead of 'Command Word', 'Use Activated/Continuous'? That would make the same item cost 2000GP. Also, in the description of 'Daern's Instant Fortress' it is activated by command words ("This metal cube is small, but when activated by speaking a command word...") and it says nothing about how often it can be used in a day. Yes it would be 2000, but with a multiplier based on the duration of the spell the item "casts". If the spell duration is measured in rounds, that is 8000. So an item, like Grease, would cost 2000*1*1*4 = 8000 for a use activated item that lasts for 1 round and provides Grease for 1 round. So you would need to spend 1 standard action each round to maintain a continual effect of Grease. If you wanted say, 10 rounds at a time, that would be 80000 for a use activated 10 round grease every ten rounds.
Seeker95 03-09-06, 01:49 PM	Continuous is always on. It is a base 2000gp. Use activated happens "normally". It is a base 2000gp. Command word requires that you say a command. It is a base 1800gp. Charges per day can apply to either of the latter two, reducing the price accordingly.