A question about Weapons of Legacy... [Archive] - Wizards Community

A question about Weapons of Legacy... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
SeidonVanDolf
08-02-05, 05:36 AM Okay now keep in mind I own the book but I have not really had a chance to go through it much. My fiance was telling me some things about it though and from what I understand it doesn't make a lot of sense. What I've gathered is that you go through expensive rituals to unlock the item's vast powers but as you gain powers it places a cost on you. No big, I thought. But then I was told some examples of said costs.

From what I gathered there is an item in there that bestows upon its user at it's highest level a +5 attack bonus but then as part of it's cost it bestows a -3 to attack rolls. :confused: Another I've been informed of grants a bonus to saves only to apply a penalty to saves. If this is actually true then what is the point in the weapon? :uh-huh:

Is my source off in the translation or is this actually what is in this book?
gerald_toronto
08-02-05, 06:18 PM What you are saying is accurate and at first it seems a bit off. The idea is that the costs are built to the class designed to wield it. So if it is a fighter class, then the costs for using it will likely be penalties to hit, some saves and some HP. For a weapon designed for a rogue it is more likely to be costs to skills and perhaps saves.

It is the expectation of the creators that the benefits of the weapon out-weigh the costs. So while the weapon may be +5 and give a -3 to hit, it still has the +5 on damage, it has multiple other spell-like powers, perhaps similar to being able to cast the fireball spell 3 times per day or other such things. It may have shocking burst on it as well.

So the wielder has to decide if the costs, which are real costs, are worth the benefits. There would be no real choice if you gave a fighter a weapon that only penalized skills. Most fighters would be just as effective with 0 skill points as will full skill points. But take away their HP or hit bonus and they have to think about it.

That's the concept. But as with all books, it's a guideline. Adjust as you see fit.
ShadowDragon8685
08-02-05, 06:21 PM Gerald about summed it up perfectly. It seems to make no sense, but it does. Weapons of Legacy are powerful - Artifact powerful. Adopting a Weapon of Legacy is about tatamount to making it a permanant part of your class progression. The price you pay in areas like BAB and HP is to prevent you from totally dominating.
SeidonVanDolf
08-03-05, 07:47 AM I see. It does make one think a bit now doesn't it? It's almost like philosophy in gaming. LOL Well thank you guys. It does make the book sound a good deal like it needs a long looking into with an open mind.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
SeidonVanDolf 08-02-05, 05:36 AM	Okay now keep in mind I own the book but I have not really had a chance to go through it much. My fiance was telling me some things about it though and from what I understand it doesn't make a lot of sense. What I've gathered is that you go through expensive rituals to unlock the item's vast powers but as you gain powers it places a cost on you. No big, I thought. But then I was told some examples of said costs. From what I gathered there is an item in there that bestows upon its user at it's highest level a +5 attack bonus but then as part of it's cost it bestows a -3 to attack rolls. :confused: Another I've been informed of grants a bonus to saves only to apply a penalty to saves. If this is actually true then what is the point in the weapon? :uh-huh: Is my source off in the translation or is this actually what is in this book?
gerald_toronto 08-02-05, 06:18 PM	What you are saying is accurate and at first it seems a bit off. The idea is that the costs are built to the class designed to wield it. So if it is a fighter class, then the costs for using it will likely be penalties to hit, some saves and some HP. For a weapon designed for a rogue it is more likely to be costs to skills and perhaps saves. It is the expectation of the creators that the benefits of the weapon out-weigh the costs. So while the weapon may be +5 and give a -3 to hit, it still has the +5 on damage, it has multiple other spell-like powers, perhaps similar to being able to cast the fireball spell 3 times per day or other such things. It may have shocking burst on it as well. So the wielder has to decide if the costs, which are real costs, are worth the benefits. There would be no real choice if you gave a fighter a weapon that only penalized skills. Most fighters would be just as effective with 0 skill points as will full skill points. But take away their HP or hit bonus and they have to think about it. That's the concept. But as with all books, it's a guideline. Adjust as you see fit.
ShadowDragon8685 08-02-05, 06:21 PM	Gerald about summed it up perfectly. It seems to make no sense, but it does. Weapons of Legacy are powerful - Artifact powerful. Adopting a Weapon of Legacy is about tatamount to making it a permanant part of your class progression. The price you pay in areas like BAB and HP is to prevent you from totally dominating.
SeidonVanDolf 08-03-05, 07:47 AM	I see. It does make one think a bit now doesn't it? It's almost like philosophy in gaming. LOL Well thank you guys. It does make the book sound a good deal like it needs a long looking into with an open mind.