It seems that genies don't suffer any XP-consequence for granting wishes that the normal spellcasting version would entail. Is this correct?
The bulleted wish possibility for creating a magic item is only bounded by the XP-limitation of the spell (specifically, when creating a magic item via a wish, the caster pays the 5000 XP + 2x the standard item creation XP cost). With this limitation gone, it would seem that a granted wish can provide any magic item of less than artifact level (as such items don't have creation details RE: GP & XP cost). Is this an accurate interpretation?
If such is the case, then a granted wish could be used to obtain a magic item that grants a +5 inherent bonus to a particular ability score, and there would never be a reason to simply wish for the direct, inherent bonus increase to an ability score.
It seems that genies don't suffer any XP-consequence for granting wishes that the normal spellcasting version would entail. Is this correct?
The bulleted wish possibility for creating a magic item is only bounded by the XP-limitation of the spell (specifically, when creating a magic item via a wish, the caster pays the 5000 XP + 2x the standard item creation XP cost). With this limitation gone, it would seem that a granted wish can provide any magic item of less than artifact level (as such items don't have creation details RE: GP & XP cost). Is this an accurate interpretation?
If such is the case, then a granted wish could be used to obtain a magic item that grants a +5 inherent bonus to a particular ability score, and there would never be a reason to simply wish for the direct, inherent bonus increase to an ability score.
I would say that this is true...but there is still a great reason to wish for the ability score increase: permanency.
A magic item that grants a +5 bonus can still be lost, stolen, taken away by force, un-magicked or dispelled, destroyed or negated - which makes any single magic item still weaker than a wish for the direct ability score increase.
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Plus, right after you wish for the +5 item, you hear a strange buzzing sound coming form the sky. You crane you neck upward, and are instantly crushed by a Storm Giant's +5 blade.
THe force of the impact also shatters the blade, releasing latent magical energy in a massive 15d6 fireball.
The rest of the party not instantly killed by the sword's impact must now make a reflex save. . . oh yeah, you are also being hunted by a pack of Storm Giants who want their ceremonial sword back so they can plug the tear in the fabric of the cosmos. . . you know, the one that appears in the heart of their cloud city once a century. It seems the ceremony with teh sword was the only thing holding back the Hordlings from the battle planes of the Three Glooms. . .
Plus, right after you wish for the +5 item, you hear a strange buzzing sound coming form the sky. You crane you neck upward, and are instantly crushed by a Storm Giant's +5 blade.
THe force of the impact also shatters the blade, releasing latent magical energy in a massive 15d6 fireball.
The rest of the party not instantly killed by the sword's impact must now make a reflex save. . . oh yeah, you are also being hunted by a pack of Storm Giants who want their ceremonial sword back so they can plug the tear in the fabric of the cosmos. . . you know, the one that appears in the heart of their cloud city once a century. It seems the ceremony with teh sword was the only thing holding back the Hordlings from the battle planes of the Three Glooms. . .
Lol!!!
Actually, you forgot about the tomes. The ones with magical inherent bonuses woven into them, all the way up to +5. That's what I'd wish for.
You could rule that the size of the wish is somewhat propotional to the character and his deeds, or those used in capturing the genie. Personally, I would make the item creation function of the wish spell consume XP even as a spell-like ability, just as a house rule to maintain balance. Genies might still make such powerful things for people, but I would give them the right to decline something that strong. Then the DM limits the power of item available depending on party level and the amount of physical harm he thinks the players will inflict upon him for doing so.