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| #1transcendantviewerApr 05, 2015 16:55:49 | A little while ago, I had this idea for a new kind of Magic Items. Let me know what you all think.
Cantrip Wands This type of wand can be made to use any cantrip and can be used by anyone that attunes to them. Wands that require saving throws have a DC of 8 + the wielder’s Proficiency Bonus + 2. Wands with an attack roll use the Proficiency bonus of the user plus 2. Wands with cantrips that require neither an attack roll nor saving throw of any kind to take effect have limitless charges per day and function normally. All other Cantrip Wands possess 2d8+2 (12) charges per day. This number is rolled secretly by the DM each day at dawn. Cantrip wands do not increase in power with the wielder's level. Cantrip wands that create an effect with a duration of concentration last until they expire, the cantrip is cast again, or the wielder dismisses the effect; the wielder need not concentrate on a cantrip cast by a wand. The following are examples of an Eldritch Blast Cantrip Wand, a Sacred Flame Cantrip Wand, Create Bonfire Cantrip Wand, and a Prestigitation Cantrip Wand. Wand of Eldritch Blasts This crudely crafted magic instrument appears to be shaped from the dried, withered veins of assorted creatures, tipped at its end with an onyx gem.
Wand of Sacred Flames This obtusely sculpted metal stick is tipped with a small ruby that shimmers brilliantly, in direct contrast with the pitted, rusted haft it is connected to.
Wand of Prestigitation This gaudily decorated wooden shaft is embellished with numerous gems of various sizes and shapes, though all of which possess no recognizable value. A small, almost imperceptible diamond sits, tied to the tip of its length by splayed, damaged twine that always appears ready to snap.
Wand of Bonfire Creation Wondrous Item, Uncommon (Requires Attunement) This slender piece of charred wood appears on the brink of crumbling under its own weight after being subjected to a long conflagration. While attuned to this wand, the wielder can cast the Create Bonfire cantrip at will a random number of times per day. This wand possesses 2d8+2 (12) charges. The number of charges this wand possesses is rolled secretely by the DM each day at dawn. Expelling the wand's last charge has no risk of turning it to ash. The difficulty class for avoiding getting burned by the bonfire produced is 8+ the wielder's Proficiency Bonus +2. A bonfire will last until it is dismissed by the wielder, its duration expires, or it is cast again - in which case, the new casting dispels the previous and its duration is reset. The wielder of this wand does not need to concentrate on a cantrip that the wand produced. |
| #2CatodonApr 05, 2015 22:51:51 | Yoink! So going to use this!
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| #3transcendantviewerApr 05, 2015 23:48:15 | Thanks for taking a look, man. I hope they work for you and your players. |
| #4transcendantviewerApr 07, 2015 0:05:25 | I have edited this item recently from Uncommon to Common rarity. Depending upon how this is recieved, I may put it back to Uncommon rarity. |
| #5intentlyMay 12, 2015 13:11:42 | One change I'd make: instead of tracking charges have the player roll a d10 each time he tries to use the wand. If the roll is a 1 then the wand is out of charges for the day and there's no effect. If you're feeling generous, roll the d10 *after* each wand use rather than before. |
| #6DemoMonkeyMay 12, 2015 13:21:09 | The damage for attack cantrips is variable dependent on the casters level. How much damage do these do? |
| (Reply to #6)transcendantviewer |
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| #8DemoMonkeyMay 12, 2015 16:35:41 | You should add that static amount to the description. I assumed it didn't scale with the wielder, but a reader would have nothing to go on as to what level it IS cast at.
Also, do you need to have the spell on your classes spell list to use one? Do you need to be a member of any particular class to use one? |
| (Reply to #8)transcendantviewer |
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| #10DemoMonkeyMay 13, 2015 7:05:21 | transcendantviewer
I'm actually not trying to nitpick. The spell may be on a class list, without any given character having it, because characters don't have all the cantrips. So even though I'm a wizard, a Cantrip wand of Prestidigitation might be useful for me because I didn't learn that cantrip. And since multiple wands do have a class restrictions I thought it was areasonable question.
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| #11NevvurMay 13, 2015 9:29:15 | I was thinking of a cantrip casting item for my home brew setting awhile back, but went a slightly different route. Called it a fetish, and it worked thusly:
A fetish is a magical item that any spellcasting class can create, to cast cantrips they have not mastered. Though they do not require attunement, they do require the expenditure of a spell slot to give a charge duration, and are not often found in the possession of non casters. The spent spell slot determines how long the fetish can be used, its spellcasting level and its spell attack bonus/save DC.
Each fetish is made for a single cantrip. The initial creation of a fetish requires the expenditure of a spell slot, which sets the highest spell slot level it can be charged with. The creator also requires exotic materials with a gold piece value based on this spell slot level, and a ritual that lasts one hour per spell slot level used.
Spell Slot Level --- Creation Cost --- Ritual Duration --- Spellcasting Level --- Spell Attack Bonus / Spell Save DC -- Charge Duration
1 100 1 hour 1 +3 / 12 3 hours 2 200 2 hours 3 +4 / 13 6 hours 3 500 3 hours 5 +5 / 14 12 hours 4 1500 4 hours 7 +6 / 15 24 hours 5 5000 5 hours 9 +7 / 16 36 hours 6 20,000 6 hours 11 +8 / 17 48 hours
That's about it. They're kind of niche items, and aren't meant to replace good foresight/planning when choosing your cantrips. They can fill in a gap in a pinch, like if you're fighting enemies with certain damage resistances, or to add a little utility item for your allies. |
| (Reply to #10)transcendantviewer |
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| #13GrimcleaverMay 13, 2015 14:39:45 | One of my favorite things this edition has been that I finally feel free to make imaginative freeform magic items again (there was a sense, from the third edition days really, that magic items needed to be carefully regulated and balanced and only do certain carefully prescribed and painstakingly detailed things). Now it feels like we get to just play and have fun again. I like your ideas for wands that anyone can pick up and play spellcaster. Takes me back to the old Baldur's Gate video game, which is where I first really fell in love with D&D anyway. |
| #14transcendantviewerMay 13, 2015 15:00:22 | I'm happy I could help you through this trip down memory lane, Grimcleaver. And if you're interested, feel free to use my idea and drop me some feedback on this thread how it goes. It's homebrew, everyone's welcome to it, I'd just like to hear how everything goes. |