I'm trying to figure out how to recreate an item from UE for witches that gives a +4 armor bonus to AC, doesn't have a max dex limitations or arcane spell failure chance and provides another boon specifically for witches for about 22k gp. In the craft skills section, to craft a piece of armor carries a DC of 10 + the armor bonus but otherwise provides no rules for creating a new piece of armor similar to the magic item creation guidelines.
Do these rules exist?
The description should list which spells are needed. Once you know that, crafting Magic Armor is no different from crafting Magic Items in general, really.
Which item is it? The Corset of Dire Witchcraft?
Typically the +4 armor bonus would = bonus (4) squared x 1000 gp = 16000 gp.
22k - 16k = 6k is for the +2 caster level effect in a slotted item.
We'd divide 1.5 from that since it was a slotted item in order to find original price = 4000 gp.
How'd they get the 4000? For caster level or for spell penetration purposes I'd typically price like an attack bonus = bonus (2) squared x 2000 gp = 8000, but since it's limited to one class (witches), maybe halve the cost.
Of course, these are guesstimates, hardly guidelines.
EDIT: Oh right, the corset didn't have any arcane spell failure or armor check penalty because it's not actually armor, but a wondrous item with a magical armor bonus to it (like bracers of armor).
Right but the only armor bonus is an enhancement bonus or (other) according to the crafting rules. However, to simply say +4 armor bonus to AC is a base, like any set of armor. You could wear that corset and an armor bonus (enhancement) item and they'd both stack. So, I was wondering which guidelines they were using as I'd like to craft a similar item but am having a hard time figuring out the pricing rules.
To restrict usage to a class is only a 30% reduction.
I sort of doubt that there was a reduction in cost because of that. Seems like they just took the bracers of armor +4 and priced the +2 CL for a single hex at 6k.
The corset, an article of clothing that is not categorized as armor (no proficiency needed), got the armor bonus from magic. As of now, that's the only way for clothing to provide an armor bonus, via craft wondrous items or magic vestment spell.
How they got the price was clothing (free) + 16000 gp for 4 AC. The item says it used mage armor for the spell prereq. It's NOT actually using the mage armor as a spell effect, just a justification. The armor bonus pricing is using the one provided in the guidelines for AC (enhancement) bonus squared x 1000 gp. Such as with bracers of armor, they set it up that way so it's not armor and can't simply add enhancement bonus to increase the AC bonus as if it's mundane armor.
Also, enhancement bonus needs to be applied on the item itself in order for it to stack with anything.
The +2 caster level is only applying to 1 hex. I'd say 50% reduction as it's very limited. That ain't a set guideline, but a lot of items with its effects more limited than what the original spell effect would entail would have such a reduction in price. GM-determined as to what's fair and in comparison to other similiar items, of course.
I sort of doubt that there was a reduction in cost because of that. Seems like they just took the bracers of armor +4 and priced the +2 CL for a single hex at 6k.
Good point.