Basilisk’s Eye Sight
Aura moderate transmutation; CL 11th
Slot none; Price 19,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.
Description
Appearing as an iron cylinder with its outfacing lens resembling a slit reptilian eye, this sight can be attached to a single two-handed firearm. When this is done, the sight becomes part of the weapon, but can be removed from that weapon with a full-round action. A firearm wielder using a firearm that has this sight can choose to spend a full-round action to make a single shot once per day. A target hit by this shot must make a DC 19 Fortitude save or be petrified as by the flesh to stone spell.
When looking through this sight, the wielder may choose to keep their other eye closed. While looking through this sight in this manner the wielder is immune to gaze attacks, but takes a -5 penalty on Perception checks. A wielder with at least 1 grit point does not take the Perception penalty for this use of the sight.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, flesh to stone, break enchantment ; Cost 9,500 gp
Interesting theme. Tight design. Careful consideration for how the gunslinger class would interact with it. It's a 1/day flesh to stone that requires a ranged attack. The spell itself probably has a more effective range to it. The immunity to gaze attacks isn't completely game breaking, but I wish it were toned down a little more. The -5 Perception check penalty helps a bit, I guess. But any gunslinger will have a grit point to avoid that penalty. And who else would be using this gunsight? So, is it really a penalty?
Bottom line: Well-written. Mechanics work. Innovative to design something that interacts with a new class. Not just a SIAC since they included the ranged attack requirement. Pretty good presentation (just forgot to alphabetize the spells). This is the type of design we encouraged. It should at least be rewarded with hanging around until we sort out the Top 32.
Weak Keep.
As I was reading this item I could almost predict exactly how it would work - until I got to the stone to flesh bit, where I laughed out loud with delight. What a great surprising twist! Although this item is designed for use with guns, and guns may not mix with your version of Pathfinder, the designer did a great job of using those rules and bringing in a further benefit for those likely to be using them (Grit). So evaluate the item on the basis of its design quality, not on your opinion on the relative merits of firearms in the Pathfinder game.
I recommend that you vote for this designer.
PS: The physical description of this item is a hoot, too. I can just see this thing in my minds-eye, and that means it would be easily translated into a visual image!
This is pretty tight. I'm not super-impressed because it's pretty limited, but it works.
Keep.
I like the idea. But really it is the openness of the design space that seems to make this stand out. There is no reason why there coulnt be 100 of these items, each a different spell in a can, or "spell in a sight" in this case. So the novelty of this will likely wear off quickly. And I'm not sure I am that excited to create items that give gunslingers ranged spells. An over abudance of these and all of a sudden by spending some gp a gunslinger can have a set of spells he can cast each day. So that concerns me. But because none of this exists, it is novel. In short, if something like this existed this would not be superstar. That said, it shows good design instincts to fill an empty design space.
Welcome to the Top 32!
I'm glad that somebody decided to play around with firearms. You applied the existing firearm sight template well and included a very flavourful description. Clark makes a valid point, but I think that a limitation could easily be applied to spell sights to avoid spamming gunslinger spells. That would have been a nice addition to your otherwise solid entry.
Good luck in round 2.
What I like:
Finally! A firearm related item! I was beginning to think none had made it, and somewhere John Wayne was shedding a manly tear. You wouldn't want to make John Wayne cry, would you?
What I love:
The appearance on this item is oh so very cool. Slit reptilian eye on a gun = badass. I do like the idea of a kind of item that lends effects to gunshots, which is interesting; I'd probably be less fond of a weapon cord you wrapped around your sword that let you petrify someone once per day. But, I don't have a problem with this. I suppose it could be argued that spell effects through guns dips into the spellslinger's turf a little bit, but this is very limited as far as what it can do so it's hardly going to really put gun toting wizards out of business. Besides, i don't think flesh to stone is even a spell a spellslinger can shoot out of a gun, so it's moot.
What needs a little sumptin' sumptin'...
While I can appreciate the secondary function of being immune to gaze attacks, being able to do so without a cost as long as you have a grit point doesn't sit too well with me. Grit points get spent easy, but they also get refilled easy; I don't think that's a particularly limiting restriction- to the extent that it's really almost not a restriction at all. Basically, most gunslingers with this item get to be permanently immune to gaze attacks. (And even if you don't have a grit point, -5 to Perception isn't the biggest tradeoff for gaze immunity, really- at least not when you're in combat.)
All in all...
BANG! :::crunch::: Yeah, this could be very entertaining. Congratulations and welcome to RPG Superstar!
Awesome description, cool effect. Plus, I just like the image of a shot that turns someone to stone. Not 100% sure that the second ability is needed, but I understand including it to avoid seeming like an SIAC (and I appreciate its flavor). This definitely serves the most important function of an item dealing with niche rules material, which is to make the relevant rules seem intriguing and exciting.
I think Clark said it best. it's neat because it's new, but it's very much opening up a new 'class' of items where there could just be one for every spell in the book and be done with it.
Still, that's impressive to do in a 300-word item. So, I'll be watching you in upcoming rounds.
I like this concept as well as I'm a fan of introducing firearms into a campaign setting to give it a wild west approach. But like Clark expressed, this can potentially lead to a series of "SIAS" options. Not that I would be against it, but if such a series were to occur, I'd like for designers to provide such sights and other add-ons to offer something a bit more unique other than a repurposing of what currently exists to fit into a new niche that has yet to be explored extensively.
But it's a good way to open up that door. Good luck in the next round!
Wow, thanks for all of the great feedback! I strongly felt that fire-arms needed more attention in Pathfinder because I love the way Pathfinder handles them.
I didn't intend for the Grit requirement to be so much a limiting (or balancing) factor as an added benefit. Holy guns or even any random PC toting a Lucky firearm could cover it--so if I was undervaluing the immunity to gaze attacks then that definitely would need attention.
Perhaps handling it more like averting your eyes and having a percent chance of not being subject to the gaze attack? I wanted something better for the magic than the effects of not looking, but maybe outright immunity to gaze attacks is too much.
At first, I'd like to congratulate you on making the top 32. Honestly this item has me confused about myself. I read the name, expecting to dislike the item, but strangely it won me over somewhere between reading the name, and finishing the read. So, I'm liking your item quite a bit. I'll congratulate on daring the gunslinger - I and my players are mostly quite fond of it - but not all are. Apparently, your dare paid of.
Good luck in the future rounds.
I think that yes, looking through the scope treating you as averting your eyes would be a good change to that rule, and then you can subvert some of that with grit points. Which makes it not an automatic immunity deal, but still really useful.
I like this item a lot. I know you were probably trying to give it as much gunslinger flavor as possible with the perception penalty being negated by grit but I would penalize a gunslinger the same as everybody else on that one. Other than that it's solid as a stone...er, rock, I mean.
Many authors do too much. This item shows what you can achieve when you resist that urge. It's got very cool, understated flavor; it's got a simple but useful effect that matches its flavor; it has an intuitive and compelling concept in the idea of a rifle sight made from a gaze monster's eye; and it does something genuinely new in adding a spell effect to a firearm attack. The only place anybody criticized this item was on the gaze attack immunity, which is the only thing that departs from the very simple core concept.
Is this a spell-in-a-can? Yes, I think it is, despite the ranged attack necessary to activate it. But the problem with SIACs is that they aren't really new material. This item is novel by virtue of other design elements, so it gets a pass.
Well done and good luck on your organization.
Congratulations David,
Nice job tackling the new class and the new items. I think this is a little safe (excepting firearms-its SiaC), but your design balance choices and writing are nicely done. Nice job, & good luck!
Ant Health Warning: this year, I really worked hard on technical execution of my item, so these reviews will likely reflect template use. Brace yourselves for the template fu - it can sting.
Template Use: 10/10
template fu sees all, including a space between a spell name and a semi colon. Naughty naughty. Going to give 10 out of 10 though because my keyboard often betrays my typing too.
Slot affinity: 8/10
There is no slot as such, so I will give a general assessment score here so it balances with other reviews.
Interesting effect, but not knowing gun rules, I wonder what being shot means, does it mean hitting the target or actually penetrating doing damage.
I dont allow guns in my world as thats the start of modern day techincal encroachment into a fantasy world, but that's just me.
Big props for going with guns and the path least trod, it served you well.
Abuseability: 8/10
I wouldnt want a GM who rules that fumbles on reload means you shot yourself, or a GM who uses creatures who are already stone :)
Desirability: 8/10
If I ever go fantasy punk, steam age and gunpowder, I want one.
Originality: 9/10
You did something different and went for an item that isnt directly targetted at PC use, nice one.
Ant Score: 43/50 (86%)
Again, congratulations.
Analysis time (the grammar monster is sleepy, so I can get through things quickly right now). We'll try a like/don't like format this time.
What I like
The Effect: Uh, spell-in-a-gunsight? Yeah, it might be kind of sort-a SiaC, but I disgress, it's awesome. (one word: Fireball Sight!) Also, I asked my players, they'd buy it. I need more "Immunity to Paralysis/Turn things into stone-effects"-items, or alternately, more gargoyles. Think it'll be the last.
Using guns: It's daring, and I like it. It shows initiative. Some will hate it, but in my game, and to my players, steampunk things is a good way to make their attention turn away from whatever joke they were laughing at, and back to the game.
Clarity: Your item is easily understood. (And the grammar monster is still sleeping, so that's all I'll say to that).
What I don't like
The Name: It confused me until I realized you were talking about gunsights. Until then I was thinking... "Basilisk's Eyesight", right? Is this a Basilisk Eye? I guess I was sleepy, and not expecting Basilisk Gun Sight.
The Immunity: I don't get to use my dominate gaze on my vampire NPC...? Uh-oh, I like that ability. I'd probably lessen this, a lot, if it was in my game. Or, I might make it "Immunity to paralysis/flesh-to-stone-like gaze attacks", too limit it to one theme. Basically though, this ability detracts from the item.
At the end of it: Only gun item, and I like it. Grats on that. It looks like a decent item, which may need some power adjustments. Good idea, and good choice.
Best of luck!
Gunslinger characters really deserve some love, and this item fills the prescription. I have a player eager to run a gunslinger character, and I think she would absolutely love to have one of these sights.
I agree with the comments that this item also is well described visually, and it is very easy to picture in the imagination.
Great work!
Good, tight writing. You get to the point, explain it clearly and move on. Great stuff.
I like this a lot. It's simple but highly effective and the surprise factor is great. The look on the bad guy's face, forever captured in stone, as you pull off that special shot is a priceless image.
Also, having a PC grab the sight and stick to one eye after being surprised by a medusa could be one of those great comedy moments.
Excellent job David.
I'm getting this really silly picture of someone walking through an entire dungeon with their rifle shouldered and their eye plastered against the sight. That doesn't work for me. But the idea of magical sights is really cool - are there any others?. Just for finding that "missing slot" I think it deserves to be in the top 32.
Cool visual on someone getting hit with the bullet and then turned to stone.
Good luck.
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2012
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Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 9
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Great item, David! You took a chance building something for the new gunslinger rules, but it definitely paid off. I also like the secondary ability your sight provides.
Congratulations and good luck in the next round!
A class specific SIAC that doesn't seem to have much in the way of flavor with it. It may be me, but I just don't get why shooting someone would give flesh to stone. The visual doesn't work for me. Neither does someone going arround the everywhere looking though their site all day, and I can just see someone asking me to do that.
I think you took a risk here, playing with guns, which I think are a little polarizing among gamers -- I know they're not a popular option in my small group. I don't think that's necessarily a big risk with the judges, but if someone reverts back to Round 1 to make their Round 2 decisions, I wonder if it could come back to eyebite you.
Still, even though I don't think guns will be showing up in my campaigns any time soon, I love the idea of shooting someone and them turning into stone. I think others have pointed out some of the concerns with your secondary ability, but I think with the right tweak, it's a good add. It'd kind of suck to look through a sight to line up a shot and suddenly find YOURSELF turned to stone (though I suppose most -- all? -- gaze attacks do have a range limit).
The thing I like most about this item (besides it being for a firearm) is the visual of a character using it to hunt creatures with a gaze attack. Basilisks, medusae, beholders--you name it, they're going down! Nice way to turn the tables on them, I think! :)
Thanks again for all the comments! I really appreciate the attention to my item, and I'll definitely be tweaking the gaze immunity way down before letting it in my own campaigns now.
As for walking around with the rifle shouldered and eye-plastered to the sight? Let's see how long they're allowed to do that in town or social situations that the domination gaze attack monsters so enjoy. Personally I like the option, but I also like messing with my players.
I'm curious, does it have to be attached to the weapon to get the gaze protection? I think the way it's worded, you could argue that it only needs to be attached for the shooting quality. Otherwise I could see someone looking through the sight while scouting a la the characters on "Burn Notice."
I'm curious, does it have to be attached to the weapon to get the gaze protection? I think the way it's worded, you could argue that it only needs to be attached for the shooting quality. Otherwise I could see someone looking through the sight while scouting a la the characters on "Burn Notice."
I hadn't thought of using it without the gun... Actually, once gaze immunity is corrected to gaze protection I think I might approve of that--though probably leave the call in the hands of individual GMs.
Basilisk’s Eye Sight
Aura moderate transmutation; CL 11th
Slot none; Price 19,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.
Description
Appearing as an iron cylinder with its outfacing lens resembling a slit reptilian eye, this sight can be attached to a single two-handed firearm. When this is done, the sight becomes part of the weapon, but can be removed from that weapon with a full-round action. A firearm wielder using a firearm that has this sight can choose to spend a full-round action to make a single shot once per day. A target hit by this shot must make a DC 19 Fortitude save or be petrified as by the flesh to stone spell.
When looking through this sight, the wielder may choose to keep their other eye closed. While looking through this sight in this manner the wielder is immune to gaze attacks, but takes a -5 penalty on Perception checks. A wielder with at least 1 grit point does not take the Perception penalty for this use of the sight.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, flesh to stone, break enchantment ; Cost 9,500 gp
Disclaimer:
Note:
Fair is foul and foul is fair supposedly . Basically, though, does this item have any useful application in a spa?
It's a weapon attachment for a ranged weapon. Firstly, most succubi prefer to leave fighting to others. Secondly spas tend to feature a lot of water or water-like liquids, and firearms (or so I'm informed) dropped in liquids tend not to work too well. Thirdly, spas have an abundance of elegantly curving corridors, benches, fountains, tables, pot-plants, and sundry other objects or obstacles which people who do try to start ranged weapon fights have to cope with obstructing their line of sight. So no.
Assuming for a moment that it’s more convenient to pay taxes than to circumvent the system, does this item look likely to be a tax-deductible business expense for a succubus art-dealer?
Probably, but fire-arms and art shops tend not to mix too well. Ricochets can quickly become horribly expensive.
Is the item useful in a strawberries-and-cream-tea context?
Great Orcus, no. Any possible uses which spring to mind are horribly indelicate.
Other Comments?
Although the whole you-happen-to-be-immune-to-gaze-effects-if-you-happen-to-look-at-them-throu gh-this is nominally useful, I'm sure there are easier ways to avoid potential inconvenience than going around squinting through one of these all the time.
Gollum Rating:
Very excited to have made it as far in RPG Superstar as I did, now I've got a year to really read up on Pathfinder and Golarion and come back stronger. After so much great feedback on the Basilisk Eye Sight I did want to post my revised version here.
Good luck to all still in the running.
Basilisk’s Eye Sight
Aura moderate transmutation; CL 11th
Slot none; Price 19,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.
Description
Appearing as an iron cylinder with its outfacing lens resembling a slit reptilian eye, this sight can be attached to a single two-handed firearm. When this is done, the sight becomes part of the weapon, but can be removed from that weapon with a full-round action. A firearm wielder using a firearm that has this sight can choose to spend a full-round action to make a single shot once per day. A target hit by this shot must make a DC 19 Fortitude save or be petrified as by the flesh to stone spell.
When looking through this sight, the wielder may choose to keep their other eye closed. While looking through this sight in this manner the wielder has a 50% chance to avoid having to make saving throws against gaze attacks, but takes a -5 penalty on Perception checks. A wielder with at least 1 grit point instead has a 75% chance to avoid having to make saving throws against gaze attacks.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, break enchantment , flesh to stone; Cost 9,500 gp