Help with some item creation stuff

[brutology]

First lemme say hello this is my first post here but i read the forums alot
ok down to the problem
i have a artificer who cant hit the broad side of a barn
i roll like crap so im trying to boost my +1 light crossbow

i wanted to add truestrike (yes i know its uber powerful) however i want to do either charges or 3 uses per day so heres what i came up with for prices and what not

base price is 2000gp (1x1x2000 i went with the higher one as its a powerful spell) cost to craft is 750g(2000/2 - 25% for ext artisian)
xp cost is 80
please tell me i did this right any help would be great

thanks
Brutology

[Revolt268]

This is for 3.5 correct? Once I get home I will refresh myself on item creatation and let you know. Its been months since I played and that was one of the things I just got into doing, so the rules aren't craved into my head yet like all the others. One thing I would like to point out is really, even if its wrong, it won't matter as long as your GM appoves it. I have had cases where I just wasn't sure how something worked. Me and the GM just worked something out that we and all the other players could agree on. Later on, we would check the rules to see what they really where and decide if we prefer the house rules or the basic ones. But any way, I'll refresh myself on it tonight and hopefully be able to post tonight or tomorrow if you are on the right track or not.

[brutology]

we have a very small group and all close friends so i think i got it worked out with him and from what i see in the rules its fine. and considering how often i would get to use it i dont think its broken. and if it turns out that it is we will go back and change it

[ignimbrite]

Ok so I don't do a whole lot of item creation but I think you are using the wrong caster level in your formula. You need to be higher than level 1 to create an item like a weapon or a wondrous item.

May I suggest making a Pearl of Truestrike? As a Wondrous Item the breakdown would be something like this:
Spell level 1
Caster level 3

So (1*3*2000) = 6,000 gp
At 3 times per day: (3/5)*6000 = 3600 gp
Using 25% artisan: 2700 gp

XP would be 2700/25 = 108 XP

Hope this helps

[Digital Arcanist]

Are you playing in Eberron or general setting? Artificers operate differently in that setting.

[ignimbrite]

mmmm yes, good point, I was using the Eberron rules (craft points not XP) for my suggested formula.

Are you playing in Eberron or general setting? Artificers operate differently in that setting.

[Digital Arcanist]

Well if you are in the Eberron setting then you can't use True Strike anyway since it is not on the infusions list to begin with. Additionally you can't use Weapon Augmentation on a weapon that is already magical (ie. has a +1 enhancement or higher on it).

Since you added the Expert Artisan feat into your equations I will assume you are using the Eberron artificer class. I don't see True Strike as a viable spell anyway since it gives you a +20 bonus to hit on your next attack and not in the current round.

As a DM I disallow any of the Artisan feats in my campaign since they were designed solely for the Eberron setting and I don't allow Warforged or artificers in my campaigns. The feats work well in the setting but are broken outside of it.

Look up page 215 (I think) in the DM's guide for item creation rules. You will need a special feat to make magical items and the costs are different from what you used. I suggest using a weapon augment crystal listed in the Magic Item Compendium. They are much cheaper and will do what you want.

[ignimbrite]

ummm yes and no

yes, you should be using the Eberron camapign setting to get maximum artificer goodness and the feat choice implies the use of this setting.

no, you do not need the spell as an infusion to add it to an item or make an item. The Item Creation (Ex) in the Artificer class makes a provision for specifically this case - the example is for a scroll of Magic Missile (which is not on the infusion list). As long as you can make the Use Magic Device checks you can simulate casting the spell to make the item.

yes, I also think that you should not be adding True Strike to the weapon - it is messy and more expensive than my suggestion of a wondrous item or Digital Arcanist's suggestion of a weapon augment crystal (but you need the book to implement that option).

Well if you are in the Eberron setting then you can't use True Strike anyway since it is not on the infusions list to begin with. Additionally you can't use Weapon Augmentation on a weapon that is already magical (ie. has a +1 enhancement or higher on it).

Since you added the Expert Artisan feat into your equations I will assume you are using the Eberron artificer class. I don't see True Strike as a viable spell anyway since it gives you a +20 bonus to hit on your next attack and not in the current round.

As a DM I disallow any of the Artisan feats in my campaign since they were designed solely for the Eberron setting and I don't allow Warforged or artificers in my campaigns. The feats work well in the setting but are broken outside of it.

Look up page 258 (I think) in the DM's guide for item creation rules. You will need a special feat to make magical items and the costs are different from what you used. I suggest using a weapon augment crystal listed in the Magic Item Compendium. They are much cheaper and will do what you want.

[Digital Arcanist]

Your example of the wand is spot on Ignimbrite but Truestrike does not fit the use he is trying for. Truestrike can't be cast on a weapon but a person rather. I don't think you can have a weapon cast that kind of spell. Usually, a weapon or item can only imbue spells with continuous effects like stat enhancements and such. You of course get into the dicey area of staffs and staves being both weapons and carrying spells and such. I remember reading an article of Sage Advice answering these questions. Hopefully I can find it and post it so we can all know the answer.

[ignimbrite]

yeah I forgot that weapons cannot do the old spellcasting thing - unless it was an intelligent weapon

prob why your weapon crystal or wondrous item pearl of truestrike (like prayer bead) would be more appropriate

anyway I think we are both on the same page - don't attach the effect to a weapon. Make something else that duplicates what you want. What and how you make it are up for debate

[Digital Arcanist]

yeah I forgot that weapons cannot do the old spellcasting thing - unless it was an intelligent weapon

prob why your weapon crystal or wondrous item pearl of truestrike (like prayer bead) would be more appropriate

anyway I think we are both on the same page - don't attach the effect to a weapon. Make something else that duplicates what you want. What and how you make it are up for debate

Gauntlets or bracers of Truestrike would be great as well as goggles. I remember a rule concerning slots and spell uses having to make sense but then WotC goes and changes everything on us constantly. Capes, girdles, helmets, torques, and trinkets wouldn't be suitable.

Personally I recommend crystals because they act like free slots for items and I believe it is only a standard action to change them out. Weapons have 1 slot and armors can hold two or three is I recall correctly.

At this point Brutology, it might be simplest for you to just spend the gold to upgrade the enhancement bonus to your weapon. Ranged weapons always benefit from Seeking. Your Expert Artisan will be handy especially since weapon enhancements are so pricey. The XP cost is not too bad but Legendary Artisan is probably on your list of feats to get anyway.

Normally I would call this a debate but it appears that Ignimbrite and I agree anyway so just do what we say Brutology and no one will get hurt! Capito?

[brutology]

wow this post was up forever with no replies then it gets hammered. thanks for the help guys. lemme lay it out straight then. im looking to stop missing all the time while shooting my light crossbow. and a +5 enhancment isnt alot when i roll like absolute crap all the time.
that is why i looked at the truestrike spell as i figured i could activate it with a command word and bam next shot doesnt miss.
im open for other suggestions on what would help. i dont have alot of gold in game so that is why i was looking for a low level spell.

well you have given me some ideas and i really appreciate it (oh and yes we are playing eberron)

[Farcaster]

Hmm.. How much do you have to spend? You're best bet would probably be going for some dexterity increasing items and maybe a set of Bracers of Archery. That'll get you a few extra points to your attack and AC.

Bracers of Archery, Lesser These wristbands function as greater bracers of archery, except that they grant a +1 competence bonus on attack rolls and no bonus on damage rolls.
Faint transmutation; CL 4th; Craft Wondrous Item, Craft Magic Arms and Armor; Price 5,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.

Gloves of Dexterity These thin leather gloves are very flexible and allow for delicate manipulation. They add to the wearer’s Dexterity score in the form of an enhancement bonus of +2, +4, or +6. Both gloves must be worn for the magic to be effective.
Moderate transmutation; CL 8th; Craft Wondrous Item, cat’s grace; Price 4,000 gp (+2), 16,000 gp (+4), 36,000 gp (+6).

[Digital Arcanist]

Personally I would go with the Gloves of Dexterity. Not only do you get at least a +1 to your attack modifiers but also increases to your AC and dexterity-based skill checks. They are a little pricey but then again I feel the benefits outweigh the costs.

[brutology]

gloves of dexterity sound like the perfect fit now being im a warforged is there any restrictions on that?
also i can upgrade them later when i get more cash right??