I'm sure this has been discussed ad nauseum (though I haven't been able to find it), but I am not entirely clear on this ritual.
I have several magic bows. I just retrained to get Weapon Proficiency: Greatbow. If I read the ritual correctly, I spend 175gp for the scroll, 30gp for the bow, and another 25gp for components. I have just made a +2 flameburst Greatbow and a mundane longbow. Is it really that easy? What about the masterwork quality?
I'm sure this has been discussed ad nauseum (though I haven't been able to find it), but I am not entirely clear on this ritual.
I have several magic bows. I just retrained to get Weapon Proficiency: Greatbow. If I read the ritual correctly, I spend 175gp for the scroll, 30gp for the bow, and another 25gp for components. I have just made a +2 flameburst Greatbow and a mundane longbow. Is it really that easy? What about the masterwork quality?
If you start with +2 flameburst longbow you can pay the costs you listed in order to transfer the +2 flameburst to the greatbow. If you start with a +1 flameburst longbow and a +2 magic longbow, you cannot combine all of the enchantments into a +2 flameburst greatbow.
Masterwork is only for armor.
If you start with +2 flameburst longbow you can pay the costs you listed in order to transfer the +2 flameburst to the greatbow. If you start with a +1 flameburst longbow and a +2 magic longbow, you cannot combine all of the enchantments into a +2 flameburst greatbow.
I have a +2 Flameburst longbow. So, for 230gp, I'll have a +2 Flameburst greatbow (a 3400gp value). Sweet.
Masterwork is only for armor.
I knew that. 
I have a +2 Flameburst longbow. So, for 230gp, I'll have a +2 Flameburst greatbow (a 3400gp value). Sweet.
Well yes, but you also lose the +2 flameburst longbow in the process. So in terms of magic item value it all breaks even in the end, and you are out the cost of components.
Well yes, but you also lose the +2 flameburst longbow in the process. So in terms of magic item value it all breaks even in the end, and you are out the cost of components
Killjoy 
You're right, of course. But I have several Magic longbows. I can live with the 'loss'. 
Shockingly, you appear to be trying to use Transfer Enchantment exactly as intended.
(We've had a number of threads from people calling it a lame waste of space because it can't be used to stack multiple enchantments and a high +# from a vanilla magic item).
Shockingly, you appear to be trying to use Transfer Enchantment exactly as intended.
(We've had a number of threads from people calling it a lame waste of space because it can't be used to stack multiple enchantments and a high +# from a vanilla magic item).
Ahh, for the glory days of 3.5e, where no one ever spent money making a weapon +2 through +5, instead relying on the wizard or cleric to add the pluses!
Shockingly, you appear to be trying to use Transfer Enchantment exactly as intended.
(We've had a number of threads from people calling it a lame waste of space because it can't be used to stack multiple enchantments and a high +# from a vanilla magic item).
Oh, am I not supposed to do that?
hehMy ranger wanted to be able to use greatbows and not have to wait to find them, and to not have to carry 6 or 7 bows (long and great). He can transfer the enchantment and leave the (now) non-magical longbow home. 
Arguably, you only have to find an NPC to cast the ritual for you, then you're out component cost + 25% (31 gp).
This is according to the latest CCG (and I quote):
NPC Ritual Casting
If a non-player character (NPC) is available and has the
resources (determined by the DM and/or the adventure) to
cast a ritual for the group or an individual within the group,
the group (or that individual character) pays the cost of the
ritual casting. This cost is equal to the component cost plus
20%.
The tricky bit is 'the DM determines whether the NPC is available and has the resources', but I would argue that any decent sized city where one could reasonably obtain a raise dead/cure afflication ritual, there should be someone capable of casting transfer enchantment.
Note however that another PC cannot cast the ritual for you, even if they have mastered it, unless you provide them with a scroll (quote):
You can, however, cast
rituals (including Enchant Item or Transfer Enchantment)
for a another player’s character if that character can
provide your character with the ritual scroll and pay for
the cost of the casting.
I was in a Paragon game recently where my Artificer "temporarily" transferred a +2 Vicious enchantment from one players "old" melee weapon to another players mundane weapon so he'd have something for melee basic attacks. For the low low prices of two transfer enchantments (trivial cost at paragon) he had a "free" +2 vicious weapon for the adventure
