I have a player who wants to make items that give a luck bonus. My first reaction was 'No Chance'. the concept of adding another layer of bonuses that stack to through numbers higher seems a bit gratuitous. However, I try to not make decisions that way. I went through the book to find examples where the luck bonus is granted. I found 3, Divine Power, Divine Favor and a Sorc bloodline ability. Granted, I might have missed some, but I tried to be thorough. Even if I did miss some, it seems that luck bonuses are hard to come by.
Having said this, are there rules for making items that give specific bonus types? If not, how is the bonus type determined if a pc wants to make magic items. And mostly, am I wrong for the base assumption that allowing him to make luck bonus based items will quickly create a situation that can get out of hand and therefore I should stick to my guns and say no.
The table "Estimating Magic Item Gold Piece Values" has prices for "other" bonuses to AC and saves (2.5x and 2x the price for a "normal" bonus, respectively). I'd use that as a starting point, but don't be afraid to say "no" if it proliferates too much!
The rules allow it, so I would allow it in my game (have actually). Just make sure the players understand the goose/gander paradigm. That is, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. That means if they proliferate luck bonuses then the bad guys are going to get them as well. Most players don't like to start arms races with the GM. Mainly because the GM has unlimited resources in his half of the arms race. :)
The table "Estimating Magic Item Gold Piece Values" has prices for "other" bonuses to AC and saves (2.5x and 2x the price for a "normal" bonus, respectively). I'd use that as a starting point, but don't be afraid to say "no" if it proliferates too much!
Missed that all together. Guess I should have read to the last page! Thanks for pointing this out.
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It's all perfectly legal according to the rules.
That said, as a DM who in 3.5 ran a group of 6-7 characters from level 18 to level 27, I can tell you that letting him do this WILL break your game at that stage.
If you game will stop under level 15 or so, then making them is just flat out not economical; there are other, better things to spend money on that will help more. But one you hit the 18+ range, dropping 62.5k on a +5 bonus to AC is nothing, and he can't just do it once, but 3 or 4 times - Luck, Insight, Sacred/Profane, and one or two others I don't recall. that's +15 AC for the cost of a backup +10 weapon, and 18+ level characters can afford multiple backup high end weapons.
I'd say allow them, but put the following requirements on item creation: [appropriate craft item feat], CL (bonus x 3), divine favor. This brings them in line with the stone of good luck.
Also, make sure you strictly enforce item values on Table 15-29 (PF RPG pg. 550):
AC Bonus (other) - Bonus squared x 2,500 gp
Save Bonus (other) - Bonus squared x 2,000 gp
Just watch out for too much stacking of items/spell effects using various bonus types (competence, deflection, dodge, enhancement, insight, luck, morale, sacred/profane, size, etc.). Especially watch out for stacking of bonuses of the same type (usually not allowed, except for dodge bonuses) and that they are applied correctly (i.e., enhancement bonuses are specific, not general; an enhancement bonus to a suit of armor or shield only improves the bonus from that specific armor or shield, not a bonus from any other item or effect).
It's all perfectly legal according to the rules.
That said, as a DM who in 3.5 ran a group of 6-7 characters from level 18 to level 27, I can tell you that letting him do this WILL break your game at that stage.
If you game will stop under level 15 or so, then making them is just flat out not economical; there are other, better things to spend money on that will help more. But one you hit the 18+ range, dropping 62.5k on a +5 bonus to AC is nothing, and he can't just do it once, but 3 or 4 times - Luck, Insight, Sacred/Profane, and one or two others I don't recall. that's +15 AC for the cost of a backup +10 weapon, and 18+ level characters can afford multiple backup high end weapons.
Wow, I've never had people in my game, regardless of level, running around with multiple +10 weapons. Heck, it's unusual for them to get a single plus 10 weapon.
You might want to point out the luckstone. It's about the only magical item that gives a luck bonus to multiple things... darn expensive too.
You might want to point out the luckstone. It's about the only magical item that gives a luck bonus to multiple things... darn expensive too.
Don't forget that it doesn't take up a magic item slot... very cool item to have.