I want to create a magic item that duplicates a feat (Natural Bond, Complete Adventurer, +3 to effective druid level for animal companion advancement), but the DMG (pg 285) doesn't seem to have this on the multiplier table. Is this listed by chance in another sourcebook, if at all?
Though the effects of some feats are covered by the table (such as feats that give skill bonuses), feats that enchance class abilities aren't.
Any guestimates on how much such an item would cost? What about one that doubles the effects of Natural Bond?
I want to create a magic item that duplicates a feat (Natural Bond, Complete Adventurer, +3 to effective druid level for animal companion advancement), but the DMG (pg 285) doesn't seem to have this on the multiplier table. Is this listed by chance in another sourcebook, if at all?
Though the effects of some feats are covered by the table (such as feats that give skill bonuses), feats that enchance class abilities aren't.
Any guestimates on how much such an item would cost? What about one that doubles the effects of Natural Bond?
Actually, you can guesstimate a cost for a feat from the sample items within the DMG. Examples include Shields of Arrow Deflection (Deflect Arrows feat), Mighty Cleaving (Cleave feat), the various metamagic rods (metamagic feats) and so on. If a space-occupying item, I'd price it at perhaps 3000 gp, 6000 if not in a space.
I agree with the above post, but I'd narrow it down a notch. Specifically, natural bond is a feat that enhances a class specific ability.
Besides the ability prerequisites, feats like deflect arrows can be taken by anyone, although monks obviously have the easiest time. Same with the mighty cleaving property. If you can find a magic item that gives an extra use of rage, that might be a good example.
Actually, the best example came to mind. The Phylactery of Undead Turning. It boosts the effective cleric level for turning by 4. Pretty much spot on with what you need. Use the price as a guideline, figure out a comparable price for your item, and away you go! I'd say leave the price the same, animal companions are useful almost anywhere, but turning is only useful against undead. Makes up for the 4/3 difference.
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I want to create a magic item that duplicates a feat (Natural Bond, Complete Adventurer, +3 to effective druid level for animal companion advancement), but the DMG (pg 285) doesn't seem to have this on the multiplier table.
I agree with the above posters, but one thing to consider --
I think that this concept is difficult to "see" as a magic item. The main question that I have is -- What happens if the character takes off the magic item? Since this affects an animal companion, does the animal companion get weaker? Less powerful? It's one thing to take off a headband of intellect and loose bonus spells, but to take off a magic item and have it affect another creature seems difficult to picture.
It might still work, but this should probably be fully thought out (and maybe reworded to fit what you are trying to accomplish).
Moff has a good point, and I've a suggestion:
Limit the item to being able to grant +3(or +4) to effective druid level, but ONLY for the purposes of advancing their current companion. They cannot call a type of companion they couldn't have with their current druid level. This gives them the benefit of advancing their companion, but without the added complication of having to call a new companion every time they don or remove the item.
As an added suggestion, consider a version of this that adds to effective druid level for animal companion, wild shape uses per day (and maybe even other wild shape benefits), and wild empathy. Similar to the Monk's Belt.
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Moff has a good point, and I've a suggestion:
Limit the item to being able to grant +3(or +4) to effective druid level, but ONLY for the purposes of advancing their current companion. They cannot call a type of companion they couldn't have with their current druid level. This gives them the benefit of advancing their companion, but without the added complication of having to call a new companion every time they don or remove the item.
As an added suggestion, consider a version of this that adds to effective druid level for animal companion, wild shape uses per day (and maybe even other wild shape benefits), and wild empathy. Similar to the Monk's Belt.
Another thought might be to have the item be a couple of different items that have to be worn by all creatures to be affected. So the druid would wear the "master" and each of his creatures would also have a collar. All the pieces would have to be worn to gain the benefits.
Or something like that...
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Something to get around the idea of "What happens when the ring/amulet/cloak/etc. is taken off?": Make the magical item a magical tattoo that takes up a slot somewhere on the body. Maybe a tribal pattern around the druid's eyes that uses the goggles slot. Not only would it look cool, but it addresses this issue nicely, imo.
I think I'll do something like the following:
Ring and Collar of Bonding.
This ring and matching collar add a bonus to your effective druid level for determining the power (bonus HD, tricks, etc) of your animal companion. Your modified effective druid level may not exceed your character level/HD. The ring is worn by the the "master" and the collar by the animal companion.
Creator must have the Craft Wondrous Item feat and the Animal Companion class feature. The CL must be at least three times the level bonus granted.
Price: Level bonus squared x 500 gp.
+1 level: 500 gp
+2: 2000 gp
+3: 4500 gp
+4: 8000 gp
+5: 12,500 gp
etc
Thoughts?
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Thoughts?
I like it. It looks pretty solid. A few things to consider, though...
1) Are there any particular spells required in this crafting?
2) Does it have a maximum range?
3) Limiting the effective level to the wearer's HD seems kind of harsh. By this logic, a person who was ONLY a druid (i.e. not multi-classed) would not benefit at all from these items. I would eliminate this restriction.
Otherwise, I like it. Good stuff.
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I think I'll do something like the following:
Ring and Collar of Bonding.
This ring and matching collar add a bonus to your effective druid level for determining the power (bonus HD, tricks, etc) of your animal companion. Your modified effective druid level may not exceed your character level/HD. The ring is worn by the the "master" and the collar by the animal companion.
Creator must have the Craft Wondrous Item feat and the Animal Companion class feature. The CL must be at least three times the level bonus granted.
Price: Level bonus squared x 500 gp.
+1 level: 500 gp
+2: 2000 gp
+3: 4500 gp
+4: 8000 gp
+5: 12,500 gp
etcThoughts?
This is such a tricky item.
Do you want Craft Wondrous Item or Forge Ring for this?
At first 500 gp seems a bit low for a value, but it probably is ok. Another item that increases a level that is similar (but not the same) is the orange prism ioun stone -- that gives +1 caster level and costs 30,000. It doesn't take up a "slot" so a slotted item that gives only a +1 to caster level is 15,000 gp. It's a bit more versatile, but something else to consider.
Why do you want it to be "your modified effective druid level may not exceed your character level"? I probably wouldn't have too much problem with going a little over, but maybe this is a nice way to cap it without difficulty. The downside is that this item is then only useful to a multi-classed druid or maybe a ranger.
Last thing -- I would probably cap out the plus at +3 or maybe +4 before the item becomes an "epic" item (if you use those rules).
Just a few thoughts off the top of my head.
I like it. It looks pretty solid. A few things to consider, though...1) Are there any particular spells required in this crafting?
Wasn't sure on that. Any suggestions? Magic Fang, perhaps? Heroism?
2) Does it have a maximum range?
I'd say as long as the two are on the same plane, it would work.
3) Limiting the effective level to the wearer's HD seems kind of harsh. By this logic, a person who was ONLY a druid (i.e. not multi-classed) would not benefit at all from these items. I would eliminate this restriction.
This is intentional. The Natural Bond feat has the same restriction. Single-class druids really wouldn't have much need for this item, given the companion's regular advancement & their access to lots of spells for buffing.
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This is intentional. The Natural Bond feat has the same restriction. Single-class druids really wouldn't have much need for this item, given the companion's regular advancement & their access to lots of spells for buffing.
Point taken, but here's the counterpoint: Fighters get good attack bonus progression and feats on their own. Does that mean they wouldn't jump at the opportunity to pick up weapons that give bonuses to hit and damage? Not at all. If you're paying money for a magical item to enhance something, it should enhance something universally. You don't see magical items that enhance a bard's effective level for bardic music up to the maximum of their hit dice and you don't see items like the Monk's Belt limited similarly. Regardless of the feat's restrictions, items should not be limited in the same way.
This is, of course, only my opinion. You are free to do whatever you like.
Do you want Craft Wondrous Item or Forge Ring for this?
Craft Wondrous Item. Even though a ring is involved, the high CL needed for Forge Ring would prevent many rangers from creating such an item. Plus, there are some wondrous items that one would think would require a different item creation feat (such as the various elixirs).
At first 500 gp seems a bit low for a value, but it probably is ok.
I was thinking that, too, but I figured x 1000 gp was a bit high for an item usuable by very few characters.
Another item that increases a level that is similar (but not the same) is the orange prism ioun stone -- that gives +1 caster level and costs 30,000. It doesn't take up a "slot" so a slotted item that gives only a +1 to caster level is 15,000 gp. It's a bit more versatile, but something else to consider.
I looked at the ioun stone, but I figured something that increases the caster level, increasing the duration, range, & deadliness of spells of all levels would be far more valuable than something that's only good for characters with ranger or druid levels.
Last thing -- I would probably cap out the plus at +3 or maybe +4 before the item becomes an "epic" item (if you use those rules).
Basing it on the Natural Bond feat, I figured it was okay to go higher, as the feat can be taken multiple times. I could perhaps see it becoming an epic item at +7 and above, as you'd need a CL of 21+ to create it.
Another thought: I might limit the items "creator," in the case of multiple participants, to the participant with the animal companion class feature.
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Craft Wondrous Item. Even though a ring is involved, the high CL needed for Forge Ring would prevent many rangers from creating such an item. Plus, there are some wondrous items that one would think would require a different item creation feat (such as the various elixirs).
That's fine. Actually, I agree -- just wanted to make sure you had thought about it.
At first 500 gp seems a bit low for a value, but it probably is ok.I was thinking that, too, but I figured x 1000 gp was a bit high for an item usuable by very few characters.
Another item that increases a level that is similar (but not the same) is the orange prism ioun stone -- that gives +1 caster level and costs 30,000. It doesn't take up a "slot" so a slotted item that gives only a +1 to caster level is 15,000 gp. It's a bit more versatile, but something else to consider.I looked at the ioun stone, but I figured something that increases the caster level, increasing the duration, range, & deadliness of spells of all levels would be far more valuable than something that's only good for characters with ranger or druid levels.
The ioun stone is only good for "spellcasters" but of course that includes quite a bit. While I agree that it should be far more valuable an item, I think that the difference between 500 gp and 15,000 gp is rather more than significant. I would probably still price it out at level squared x 1,000 gp (or at least 750 gp). You are increasing the effective level, hit dice, and general effectiveness of another creature. Still seems pretty powerful even if it isn't for that many different characters.
Last thing -- I would probably cap out the plus at +3 or maybe +4 before the item becomes an "epic" item (if you use those rules).Basing it on the Natural Bond feat, I figured it was okay to go higher, as the feat can be taken multiple times. I could perhaps see it becoming an epic item at +7 and above, as you'd need a CL of 21+ to create it.
Another thought: I might limit the items "creator," in the case of multiple participants, to the participant with the animal companion class feature.
I agree with Fatespinner about allowing it to be used above the druid level -- however...
If you choose to keep it as you have it written above (up to the maximum of the character level) then it should be fine as you have it, but I would probably still cap it out at +5 just because so many other things are capped out at that point as well.
If you choose to allow the item to make an effective druid level above the character level, I would have the cap at +3 (again maybe +4) before it would go to epic because we are talking about different potential dynamics involved.
Regardless, it looks like you have a pretty good handle on what you want. Overall, I don't see a problem with balance and unless the character in question is looking to create the item himself, the gp value really doesn't matter that much.