Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 autumnlyrata Aug 12, 2009 16:14:39	First off, I apologize if this has been discussed before; the search function keeps returning a blank page for me. Anyway, our 4E group is interesting in bringing back cursed items and the like, so I drew up a quick item identification system based on the various knowledge skills. Thoughts? Magically imbued or created, enhanced items, magic potions - Arcane Natural potions, food, liquid - Nature or Dungeoneering Divine items (God created items, holy symbols?) - Religion DC Table ------------------------- 15+1/2 Item Lvl - Learn name (ex. Ring of Chameleon) 20+1/2 Item Lvl - Learn description (ex. Ring of Chameleon instantly makes the wearer's tongue grow three inches; this effect lasts for one day after the ring is removed) +10 - Item is cursed With this system, fully identifying a level 22 cursed Ring of Chameleon would have a DC of 41. The DCs are less important than the concept here. But for the sake of math, let's say you have a level 22 Wizard with 26 Arcana trying to identify the above item. This would give him an average roll of about 36 on a given check. This translates to a 30% chance to know that the item is cursed, or if the item is not cursed, then an 80% chance to know what it does. Now let's say he rolls a 35 on a cursed item - enough to know the name and description of a non-cursed item. In order to reduce metagaming, the DM would give him the name and description of the item as if it weren't cursed. Furthermore, we would add a Scroll of Identify - simply, +5 to checks made to identify items. Thoughts? It's a rough system, but it seems simple enough and allows us to use cursed items again.
#2 Novacat Aug 12, 2009 18:41:42	1. There's more to account for in Cursed Items than just the identification. You've got to tweak the entire treasure parcel system to allow for the extra resources needed in order to add a bad item, and the cost of the removal. 2. Personal Opinion: As a DM, I would find this a headache. As a player, cursed items aren't fun. 3. If you really need to have a check to identify items, then the skill should always be Arcana. Even holy symbols, or items made by deities, it's magic that's powering it, and Arcana is the skill that deals with magic.
#3 autumnlyrata Aug 12, 2009 23:28:02	Good points. I'm not currently DMing, but as a player I find cursed items exciting in small doses - for example, ones used to drive a story, or joke/funny items, so on. I wouldn't, for example, want to find them in random treasure parcels and so on, but rather have the DM pick and choose when and where they show up for reasons other than random chance. I agree with Arcana, noted. Any thoughts on the actual DCs themselves?
#4 pyromancer2k Aug 14, 2009 17:37:16	Try looking into artifacts. They tend to act like cursed items when you don't do what they want ;).