21 threads, and not a single answer addressing what I need. I must admit, the discussion has been informative so far, and I now know beyond a shadow of a doubt that:
A) A bonded item can cast any spell the caster knows, either from spellbook or spells known, as appropriate.
B) It can be enchanted as if the caster had the appropriate creation feat, but only in relation to that item. (The discussion on the Apparatus of Kwalish ring got a chuckle, and not just because it would need to be an amulet)
However, I do not know how much a bonded item other than a weapon costs. It's masterwork, which implies to me some amount of Craft-hours went into crafting it, which in turn implies a caster needs to pay for it. I'm also wondering how a caster is supposed to have a weapon bond without starting as another class and multiclassing in.
If they just get it for free, that'd be fine with me. It's not like a masterwork weapon in the hands of a 1st-level wizard is unbalancing. At its most powerful, it's a composite longbow in the hands of a freakishly-strong elf wizard, which would put them on average with a ranged fighter (Less attack, more damage).
Also on my list of ponderings is the developers' choices for types of items. The given options are the most commonly-enchanted types of items in fiction, but cases could be made for nearly anything granting a mage his powers. Boots, vests, and belts are stretching it, but hats, robes, masks, cloaks, and even gloves could easily have some power in them. A book is also a good option, and if a wizard's spellbook is allowed to be the bonded item, gives a nice flavor.
Also, I just had this thought, and I hope it amuses some of you as much as it amused me: Currently, the rules do not specifically forbid several casters from all taking the same item as a bonded object. Which lead me to the hilarious mental image of a pair of wizards dashing about the battlefield, each holding one end of a staff. And possibly clotheslining an orc every so often.
Or a team of casters with one item, passing it back and forth like some insane relay race.
A book is also a good option, and if a wizard's spellbook is allowed to be the bonded item, gives a nice flavor.
I don't think many casters would appreciate to need to have a book in their hands to be able to cast without needing spellcraft checks, although I admit it gives a nice flavor.
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A book is also a good option, and if a wizard's spellbook is allowed to be the bonded item, gives a nice flavor.I don't think many casters would appreciate to need to have a book in their hands to be able to cast without needing spellcraft checks, although I admit it gives a nice flavor.
Plus, me being a hardcore DM, that spellbook would get sundered very quickly. I like the flavour too, especially for conjurers. Practically, it is not a good option.
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Also, I just had this thought, and I hope it amuses some of you as much as it amused me: Currently, the rules do not specifically forbid several casters from all taking the same item as a bonded object. Which lead me to the hilarious mental image of a pair of wizards dashing about the battlefield, each holding one end of a staff. And possibly clotheslining an orc every so often.
Or a team of casters with one item, passing it back and forth like some insane relay race.
I think that was purposely set up that way, think of the classic coven of witches with one eye between them and they pass the eye around. it is the bonded item of the coven. Adds flavor and an interesting way to make an object stand out.
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Also on my list of ponderings is the developers' choices for types of items. The given options are the most commonly-enchanted types of items in fiction, but cases could be made for nearly anything granting a mage his powers. Boots, vests, and belts are stretching it, but hats, robes, masks, cloaks, and even gloves could easily have some power in them. A book is also a good option, and if a wizard's spellbook is allowed to be the bonded item, gives a nice flavor.
According to the Beta:
Objects that are the subject of an arcane bond must fallinto one of the following categories: amulet, ring, staff,
wand, or weapon. These objects are always masterwork.
If the object is an amulet or ring, it must be worn to have
effect, while staves, wands, and weapons must be wielded.
So sorry it can not be a book.
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However, I do not know how much a bonded item other than a weapon costs. It's masterwork, which implies to me some amount of Craft-hours went into crafting it, which in turn implies a caster needs to pay for it. I'm also wondering how a caster is supposed to have a weapon bond without starting as another class and multiclassing in.
If they just get it for free, that'd be fine with me.
There is no cost initially associated with the Item, at least in the beta rules. As such you can choose to give it to a player for free. If they ever lose the Item however it should be standard costs to get another one and what ever cost for the enchantments that the player may want in it.
A wand is still a wand. So the cost is as normal. Now if you want to be a stickler you can also have the mage pay 100 gp for say components to bond the item to him/herself but that is up to a gm not actually listed in the beta. and keep in mind this is still a beta, not every sentence is listed yet, nor every i dotted, yet.
Also on my list of ponderings is the developers' choices for types of items. The given options are the most commonly-enchanted types of items in fiction, but cases could be made for nearly anything granting a mage his powers. Boots, vests, and belts are stretching it, but hats, robes, masks, cloaks, and even gloves could easily have some power in them. A book is also a good option, and if a wizard's spellbook is allowed to be the bonded item, gives a nice flavor.According to the Beta:
Objects that are the subject of an arcane bond must fall
into one of the following categories: amulet, ring, staff,
wand, or weapon. These objects are always masterwork.
If the object is an amulet or ring, it must be worn to have
effect, while staves, wands, and weapons must be wielded.So sorry it can not be a book.
You seem to have only read the last sentence of what you quoted, and then quoted me rules text that one should assume everyone involved with this topic, including me, is already familiar with.
Is this my fault? Was I unclear? I was not asking whether a bonded item could be a book, but rather what the reasoning was for the developers choosing the set of items (amulet/ring/staff/wand/weapon) they did rather than allowing, say, "any item that occupies a body slot, or a handheld item that is typically associated with magic." Admittedly that last half of the sentence is very vague and would need pounding into shape, but it certainly encompasses staves, wands, and weapons, as well as books and orbs.
If in fact you were answering the question I actually asked, I'm sorry, but I do not accept "because" something is as an answer for "why" something is.
I was not asking whether a bonded item could be a book, but rather what the reasoning was for the developers choosing the set of items (amulet/ring/staff/wand/weapon) they did rather than allowing, say, "any item that occupies a body slot, or a handheld item that is typically associated with magic."
I can't speak for Jason, but looking at the list, my guess is two main reasons:
A) Thematically, those items make sense
and, probably more importantly
B) Those items all have a wide variety of magic item possibilities. With something like a book, there really isn't many choices to enchant it, whereas the others are entire classes of magic items... except amulets. *shrug* Not sure why that one is included and others not (except that typical magical amulets would be generally helpful to wizards and maybe they seemed thematic enough. I don't know.)
Personally, as a DM, in my games I would have no problem with any other item if there was a good explanation. I think a book would be a really fun choice. (Heck, in one campaign we even had an intelligent magic spellbook NPC!)
If nothing else, I think there could easily be a feat that lets you arcane bond with any sort of level appropriate magic item. ("Yeah, I'm arcane bound to my Apparatus of Kwalish.")