This ability works like a paladin's and antipaladin's abilitys, granting a weapon more enhancement bonus or sp. abilitys. It says...
"Bladethirst (Su): An arcane duelist of 6th level or higher may use performance to grant one weapon, one natural weapon, one end of a double weapon, or 50 items of ammunition of the same type within 30 feet a +1 enhancement bonus. This enhancement bonus increases by +1 for every three levels after 6th (maximum +5 at 18th level). These bonuses stack with existing bonuses and may be used to increase the item’s enhancement bonus up to +5 or to add any of the following weapon properties: defending, distance, ghost touch, keen, mighty cleaving, returning, shock, shocking burst, seeking, speed, or wounding. If the weapon is not magical, at least a +1 enhancement bonus must be added before adding special abilities. "
But in magic item rule we can read this...
"Some magic weapons have special abilities. Special abilities count as additional bonuses for determining the market value of the item, but do not modify attack or damage bonuses (except where specifically noted). A single weapon cannot have a modified bonus (enhancement bonus plus special ability bonus equivalents, including those from character abilities and spells) higher than +10. A weapon with a special ability must also have at least a +1 enhancement bonus. Weapons cannot possess the same special ability more than once"
What is the question: I am trying to make a really epic artifact for my arcane duelist, but here is the question: can I add some new abillities for this weapon, even if it is already +10? Maybe, there is some rule to make it?
I don't want to lose an ability to grant weapon some abilities (defending, ghost touch, shocking burst), but also want this weapon to be +4 Agile, Holy, Thundering, Bane (Undead), Merciful. Is it impossible?
Thanks.
no, even with class abilities the weapon can't go above a +10 weapon. Now furious, bane, and the like don't increase their bonus when they increase the weapon. meaning a +5 bane, furious, flaming, icy, shocking is a +10 weapon, but if raging and against it's target it's able to be a +9 flaming, icy, shocking weapon.
And there is no chance to do something with it?.. :( Maybe, errata, mythic abilites (we are using mythic)?
Your quotes answer the question. You can't exceed the +10 limit with class abilities. If you have a double weapon, however, you can enchant each end separately up to +10 each. You could enchant one end as you have suggested, and leave room on the other end to add your bladethirst enhancements when needed. My staff magus uses this approach with quarterstaffs and Arcane Pool.
And what about using "Greater Magic Weapon" spell?
This spell does not give a weapon ability to bypass DR's and is not actually an enhancement bonus of the weapon (you can not place it for defending ability, for example), but it gives a weapon enhancement bonus to ATTACK ROLLS and DAMAGE ROLLS.
Am I right?
You are correct regarding the DR. I'm still unclear regarding the interaction of GMW and defending, but GMW does count toward the +10 limit. I have a list of methods for enhancing weapons here if you are interested.
Thanks a lot!
Offtop: Bane equivalent is also BANE BALDRIC, that gives you limited inquisitor's "bane" ability ;)
Thanks! I'll add it to the list this weekend.
But how does it work? For example...
I have +6 (in sum) weapon. Wizard casts GMW weapon on it, and it becomes +10. So... I just CAN NOT use my inquisitor's bane ability with this weapon until spell is dispelled? Or I can dicrease this bonus to +3 when using bane? Os wizard can do it? And when?
The wizard can cast it at a lower caster level to give a smaller bonus, but then it's a lower caster level for everything else too.
And what about using "Greater Magic Weapon" spell?
This spell does not give a weapon ability to bypass DR's and is not actually an enhancement bonus of the weapon (you can not place it for defending ability, for example), but it gives a weapon enhancement bonus to ATTACK ROLLS and DAMAGE ROLLS.
Am I right?
Here is the plain simple all-encompassing answer. if your weapon is already +10 or equivalent, there is simply no non-epic power, no class ability, no spell, that can be applied to further bolster, or add to it's power. And before you ask, there are no epic powers defined in the Pathfinder ruleset.
The cup is full sir, and you're not allowed to make it runneth over.
Got it. This answer is absolutely fair, thanks!