I will just start right on.
1) Instead of using charges on wands, I would suggest to make them usable only once for a certain time periode but then never uncharge.
(f.e. a wand allowing to cast "insert spell here" once per day, is much cheaper and easier to create then a wand that can cast the same spell once per hour/minute/round.)
2) Casters with the appropriate item creation feats should be able to improve magical items with additional abilities (where appropriate, f.e weapons)
3) Casters with the appropriate item creation feats should be able to disenchant "lower" magical items to use some part of their energy to create new items.
4) I would combine the creation feats to the following:
* Arms and Armory
* Wands and Staffs
* Scrolls and Potions
* Wonderous Items, rods and rings (I'm not sure about this one)
I will just start right on.
1) Instead of using charges on wands, I would suggest to make them usable only once for a certain time periode but then never uncharge.
(f.e. a wand allowing to cast "insert spell here" once per day, is much cheaper and easier to create then a wand that can cast the same spell once per hour/minute/round.)2) Casters with the appropriate item creation feats should be able to improve magical items with additional abilities (where appropriate, f.e weapons)
3) Casters with the appropriate item creation feats should be able to disenchant "lower" magical items to use some part of their energy to create new items.
4) I would combine the creation feats to the following:
* Arms and Armory
* Wands and Staffs
* Scrolls and Potions
* Wonderous Items, rods and rings (I'm not sure about this one)
As far as #2 you can do that it just takes more money and XP to add abilities to an existing magic item. i agree with the combining and i think that forge ring should be available earlier. as far as making wands X use/day just house rule it but i think the charge system not only helps reg the rules but also seems to work well. and as far as #3 i've seen splat books that allow for deconstructing other items and using the XP in them to create other items. (also i think the Eberron artificer can do something similar)
I was also thinking of letting anybody cast a spell from a scroll, since the magic to fuel the spell is already in it.
But it should be harder then drinking a potion ofcourse.
Some skill check or such.
Such as Use Magic Device skill, now available to all classes?
I'm a strong proponent of Create by effect, not by form. Balancing factor? You need X ranks in a Craft skill of appropriate nature to the form.
I'd say that if Eschew Magic Components requires a feat then so should Magic Item Salvage. If you're going to argue that wizards should be able to use and shape magical energies, how do you feel about the 'original' barbarian gaining 1 XP per 25 GP of item cost for destroying them? (Disclaimer: I *don't* like this - sorry, Conan - because any form of GP to XP conversion either needs to be fair to all classes, or disallowed.)
1) Well personnally I think you could decide to create a wand with only 10 charges, making it cheap to create. Behind one times/day is like creating a wondrous item, so only make it that "resembles" a wand...
2) Heu... its already possible.. the new power cost double standard cost. One of my PC has a Belt of Strength and Constitution +2. Cost of Belt of strength + (2x (cost of Belt of Constitution). But uses only one slot.
3) Much like FR-Spellfire abilities... which would bring is power useless.
4) I wouldn't combine creation feats, but make them ALL available at 3rd or 5h-level. Since you have a Ring of Feather Falling, I never understood why it would take a 12th-level Wizzy to create this stupid item (considering that he is 12th-level and could have a permanency spell on him giving the same power...)
5) Also, I would do a great overhaul of the Continous power of Wondrous Item, as per one of my player came with a Belt of Shield:
Spell level 1 x Caster level 1 x 2.000 gp x 2 (continuous duration 1 min/level)= 4.000 gp market value, 2,000 gp creation, 2 days. Gives a +4 on shield bonus.
Which the fighters appreciated for no more having uses of shields...
Which the cleric appreciated for no more having uses of shields...
Which the Rogue appreciated for no more having uses of shields...
Which the Wizard/Sorcerer appreciated for no more having uses of casting shield spell...
And you could create the same item, but using Mage Armor...so Wiz/Sor start-up with +8 AC, always.
Continuous power should really be eliminated...