Are there "official" rules for reducing the action required to activate a magic item (to be combined with consulting the DM of course)? i.e. demote the action from Standard action to a move action
I think your average DM will just do a blanket "No" to anything that speeds up the activation time of an item because that way lies power creep, horrid brokenation, and unexpected combos.
Changing the command word of a wand, OTOH, is something I'd allow to someone with the appropriate crafting feats and some spellcraft, since while a Wand of Healing is nice, it's a little less nice if the command word is "Lamashtu, Bless me with Your monstrous babies!" is somewhat less nice, especially if you expect it to be used by a cleric of Shelyn.
Official? Not that I know of. At our table, to reduce something to a swift action, you basically apply the Quicken spell, and base the item cost on the new spell level and minimum caster level. To take something from a standard action to a move action, we apply a "half-quicken" which is just a +2 spell level modifier.
I believe the official response is to set out a robot with claws and have it wave its arms around while shouting
"Danger will Robinson, Danger !"
Because its not usually a good idea.
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Are there "official" rules for reducing the action required to activate a magic item (to be combined with consulting the DM of course)? i.e. demote the action from Standard action to a move action
You could perhaps add the cost of a metamagic quicken rod of appropriate level, adding 50% to the less costly ability. Mauril's idea also sounds workable.
I wouldn't favour changing a standard action to a move action, unless the item's effect is, in fact, movement or something similar to existing move actions, and I wouldn't price that any cheaper than Quicken Spell.
Are there "official" rules for reducing the action required to activate a magic item (to be combined with consulting the DM of course)? i.e. demote the action from Standard action to a move actionYou could perhaps add the cost of a metamagic quicken rod of appropriate level, adding 50% to the less costly ability. Mauril's idea also sounds workable.
I wouldn't favour changing a standard action to a move action, unless the item's effect is, in fact, movement or something similar to existing move actions, and I wouldn't price that any cheaper than Quicken Spell.
Approaching from another angle- you could make a magic item that is use activated ( cost CL x Spell level X 2000) and give it an amusing spell. I'm still looking for a really amusing spell to put in a pair of boots that could go off when you stomped.
Stinking Cloud.
Stinking Cloud.
I am so making "Pants of Deadly Silence" now.
Stinking Cloud.I am so making "Pants of Deadly Silence" now.
Better yet, Monocle of Popping. First failed will save it absorbs and pops off. Essentially a use activated abjuration spell- I know there's one in there that protects against compulsions or fear or the like.
I'm still looking for a really amusing spell to put in a pair of boots that could go off when you stomped.
Expedition Excavation would be fun. "Let me just climb back out of this hole . . ."
Arcane Mark - leaving permanent, invisible, when you choose to tracks could be useful in dungeons - better than string or breadcrumbs.