Item Hardness

[Bugromkiller]

If I have an item that his function makes it a target of choice for an opponent to sunder, like a cloak that can grapple (not my item), should I list his hardness and HP or just mentioning the material is enough and let the GM extrapolate the value?

If answering this is more a hint than help with templating please disregard. I'm a bit too perfectionist and it is starting to obsess me since some wondrous item have it but I didn't see a worn magic item that have it displayed.

[Andrew Christian]

My opinion (I'm not a judge, so its just that) would be that if the hardness is integral to the item, listing it (and the items hit points) could be useful. Especially if the hardness would be difficult to extrapolate by rules or is different, for some reason, than the rules might generate.

But if the hardness has absolutely nothing to do with how the magic of the item works, then I'd say leave it out.

[Lachlan Rocksoul]

This is somewhat explained here:

Wondrous Item auto-reject advice #24: Item repeats existing rules text in its description

Basically, with only 300 words to play with, don't reiterate something that can be found in the rules, unless your item contradicts the rules. IE., if your item is made of paper, but the magics involved make it harder than normal, then you would need to put in it's hardness, AC and what not. But, if it's properties are normal, there are already rules governing the strength and hardness of items in the rules.

[Bugromkiller]

Ok thank you, I can now stop obsessing with the details.

[RonarsCorruption]

Andrew actually has a good point. If you think it's something that's going to actually come into effect for the item, unless it's going to be a one-page lookup, include it.

For instance, a one-inch steel rod is easy to look up hardness and hit points for. A +1 mace is harder to look up, a bone chalice is harder still, etc.

[Matthew Morris]

Also it can be a word saver to mention what the item is made of, so the DM can look it up and save you the effort. (case in point, the thought of bludgeoning people with the tankard never occured to me)