Two Questions on pricing

[FireHawk]

Hi all,

I'm a newcomer to pathfinder and v3.5, my collection stopped before v2 was released :) In any regards my first question is I'm trying to work on the pricing of my item but it has some cursed features. Is there a pricing formula for cursed features? or is there any errata pricing for the cursed items located in the core rules?

My second question is how heavily does pricing weigh in the judges scoring? Will correct formula pricing out weigh a rationalized price?

Thanks,

John

[Lief Clennon]

From review of past years' commentary, it seems to me that the judges' primary concern in pricing is a simple one, and not really based on any formula:

Is there something significantly cheaper that can achieve the same effect?

Is it significantly cheaper than something which it can replace?

Both answers should be no, of course. That said, it seems to be one of the last things they look at. "Dude, I want one!" is the reaction you're fishing for. :)

[Starglim]

FireHawk wrote:

I'm a newcomer to pathfinder and v3.5, my collection stopped before v2 was released :) In any regards my first question is I'm trying to work on the pricing of my item but it has some cursed features. Is there a pricing formula for cursed features? or is there any errata pricing for the cursed items located in the core rules?

There are pricing factors for "requires specific class or alignment to use", limited uses per day and the like. If the curse directly limits the use of the item at least as much as one of these (and absolutely can't be got around) then you might adjust the price accordingly.

If the curse doesn't limit the effects of the item, then a character who chooses to use the item either doesn't care about the curse or has some way to avoid its drawbacks, so there's no reason to reduce the price. It's a flavour element.

[Clark Peterson]

FireHawk wrote:

My second question is how heavily does pricing weigh in the judges scoring? Will correct formula pricing out weigh a rationalized price?

This is RPG SUPERSTAR. We expect you to get it right.

Now, pricing is a bit of an art. I don't know that it is possible to say an item has one and only one correct price. There are variables. So some leeway is allowed. But your price better be correctly pegged as compared to other items and it better follow the rules. Bring your A game. Figure out the rules. Use them.

This isn't RPG Wondrous Item Open Call. It's RPG-Freaking-Superstar, people!

It's all weighed by the Judges.

[Charles Evans 25]

Firehawk:
There is a lot to read through, and some of it may conflict or not make much sense to you, but I would suggest that you read the advice thread on this forum to get an idea of what the judges may or may not be looking for in Round 1. (*Link to Advice Thread*)
And at this point I would say read your PFRPG rulebook, check the free errata pdf dwnload if you're really conscientious and efficient, and figure things out the best that you can with regard to pricing your item. If you make it through to Round 2, once your item is posted for all to see you'll be able to see exactly what the judges though of your item and soon enough get comments from various members of the posting public on the accuracy or otherwise of your pricing, whether or not the item is overpowered, opinions on whether or not people woud use an item in their game, and complaints (from the setting nerds) if the item violates canon - and maybe even the occasional congratulations too, if your item merits such... :D

<Wanders off back to other forums.>

[FireHawk]

Clark Peterson wrote:

This is RPG SUPERSTAR. We expect you to get it right.

eeek... rolls to dodge

Since I originally posted, Ive worked out my pricing issues after some fine tuning of the item as inspired by some of the judges advice and the advice here. Many thanks to all and hope to see some of you with me in round 2 ;)

- John

[brock]

Clark Peterson wrote:

FireHawk wrote:

My second question is how heavily does pricing weigh in the judges scoring? Will correct formula pricing out weigh a rationalized price?

This is RPG SUPERSTAR. We expect you to get it right.

Now, pricing is a bit of an art. I don't know that it is possible to say an item has one and only one correct price. There are variables. So some leeway is allowed. But your price better be correctly pegged as compared to other items and it better follow the rules. Bring your A game. Figure out the rules. Use them.

This isn't RPG Wondrous Item Open Call. It's RPG-Freaking-Superstar, people!

It's all weighed by the Judges.

Hmm... hopefully 'The rules give a value that is way too high; sod it, divide by 2 ... yep, that's more like it' comes under 'bit of an art' :)

[Vic Wertz]

brock wrote:

Hmm... hopefully 'The rules give a value that is way too high; sod it, divide by 2 ... yep, that's more like it' comes under 'bit of an art' :)

One major rule on pricing is to know when to break the rules on pricing.

[Sean K Reynolds]

Vic Wertz wrote:

One major rule on pricing is to know when to break the rules on pricing.

That's also the Ninth Rule of Fight Club.

[Vic Wertz]

Sean K Reynolds wrote:

Vic Wertz wrote:

One major rule on pricing is to know when to break the rules on pricing.

That's also the Ninth Rule of Fight Club.

Don't talk about Fight Club.

[Kevin Mack]

Vic Wertz wrote:

Sean K Reynolds wrote:

Vic Wertz wrote:

One major rule on pricing is to know when to break the rules on pricing.

That's also the Ninth Rule of Fight Club.

Don't talk about Fight Club.

But talking about not talking about fight club is still talking about fight club isn't it?

[FireHawk]

Kevin Mack wrote:

Vic Wertz wrote:

Sean K Reynolds wrote:

Vic Wertz wrote:

One major rule on pricing is to know when to break the rules on pricing.

That's also the Ninth Rule of Fight Club.

Don't talk about Fight Club.

But talking about not talking about fight club is still talking about fight club isn't it?

its better than talking about limp wristed slap club :)

[Nicolas Quimby]

I've also written a bit of a double-edged sword, and my thinking was, "Who does this curse inconvenience the least, and how much is the item worth to THEM"?

Many drawbacks can be negated altogether by casting the proper spells or using the right tactics, but even then you have to consider the hoops that you're making your user jump through, and how much that is worth to them.

Also, be especially careful of drawbacks which are really benefits in the right situation. I've always hated the price-reduction for race/class/alignment-only weapons; if I'm playing a paladin anyway, the fact that evil people can't use my sword is a BONUS, not a penalty.

[Paul Worthen]

Clark Peterson wrote:

Now, pricing is a bit of an art.

That's an understatement, to be sure. There's a vast array of items out there with abilities that fall between the lines of the pricing rules. Sometimes you just have to sit there and throw numbers at the wall and see what sticks.