Multi-Purpose Metamagic Rods

[Sleep-Walker]

I like the idea of a wizard who has loads of meta-magic rods, but they would be awkward to carry around and switch between.

So how about a meta-magic rod which contains other rods, like a rod of rods.

Lets go:
Metamagic, Enlarge, lesser 3,000 gp
Metamagic, Extend, lesser 3,000 gp
Metamagic, Silent, lesser 3,000 gp\

Could we build a rod which does all three in one item? I still want each one to have the 3 uses per day. How would you price it: 9k? 12k 15k 18k

I would love some input.

[Scipion del Ferro]

Well according to;

Quote:

Multiple Similar Abilities: For items with multiple similar abilities that don't take up space on a character's body, use the following formula: Calculate the price of the single most costly ability, then add 75% of the value of the next most costly ability, plus 1/2 the value of any other abilities.

A rod like that would cost 6,750 gp.

Personally I would count those as being different abilities (unless you wanted to double up a rod) and price it as 9,000gp. A GM should think very carefully about the consequences of allowing such unique creations. Of course, combining them does make it a lot easier to be destroyed or disarmed...

Lol, Ross. You moved the post right as I was responding! I do think this is a valid rule question regarding magic item creation, but I can see why you put it in Homebrew (a section I rarely look at).

[Set]

Sleep-Walker wrote:

Lets go:

Metamagic, Enlarge, lesser 3,000 gp
Metamagic, Extend, lesser 3,000 gp
Metamagic, Silent, lesser 3,000 gp

P 549 has the suggestions for these sorts of an item.

For an item with multiple similar abilities that does not take up a body slot, 100% cost for the first effect, 75% cost for the second and 50% cost for any additional abilities is suggested.

For an item that does occupy a slot (such as a ring or bracers), 100% cost for the first effect, +150% cost for each additional effect (not only no discount, but an extra charge!).

Since Rods don't have a body slot, technically the cost would be 3,000 gp for the first effect, then 2,250 gp for the second effect, and 1,500 gp for the third effect, for a total of 6,750 gp.

IMO, that's too generous, as it is an advantage to only have the one rod containing the various functions, and I'd be inclined to charge the higher rate for body-slot items, for a total of 12,000 gp.

There's also the question of the use activation. The rules don't require any sort of swift action while casting to activate the rod, but have it happen as a free action during the casting of the spell to be enhanced, and this would suggest that a rod that could empower *or* enlarge a spell could be used to empower *and* enlarge the same spell.

If that was the ruling, I'd sure as heck charge the larger 12,000 gp, since that's a big improvement over have three different metamagic rods, each only usable singly.

Pricing items strictly according to the rules results in terrible things like use-activated rings of true strike, or bracers of always on mage armor that cost a fraction what bracers of armor +4 would cost, so it's best to look at them to get a ballpark idea, and then look at other items to sort of 'sanity check' them.

[Sleep-Walker]

I also feel this is a genuine Rules Question, rather than a Homebrew idea.

I would say more expensive than the sum of the parts, 50% seems fair, 100% seems acceptable, but a little tighter.

[Remco Sommeling]

Well if it is essentially 3 rods taped together in one bundle, and the abilities do not interact I see no reason to increase cost.

If the player is still limited to use one metamagic effect per turn it is fine, I did the same in my campaign. Just add it together to get a single item of 9,000 gold.

If the abilities interact it should increase price, if you got a total of 9 uses per day for 3 effect or a certain ammount of spell level increases.

[Starglim]

I can see a question arising which metamagic ability, or abilities, would activate when a caster wielded a rod with three abilities in it. This might mean that the rod would have to be activated by command words, reducing its cost slightly.

[Set]

Remco Sommeling wrote:

Well if it is essentially 3 rods taped together in one bundle, and the abilities do not interact I see no reason to increase cost.

That's a good point, particularly since there are advantages to having three separate rods (being able to hand one to an ally to use, while you use another, not having to worry about losing all three effects if one is dispelled or sundered, etc.).