How to Upgrade Your Gear in PFS.

[Zorkesh, wielder of Toras]

Can someone verify this for me? Don't know why but I feel quite confused.

To enchant my MW Cold Iron weapon to a +1, it will cost me 4000gp.

To then enchant that weapon with a special ability with a +1 item cost, will cost 2000gp.

With a Fame of 26 and each enhancement being treated separately, this is legit?

Thanks!

EDIT: My bad, I see now, the cost to add would be as if the effective enhancement addition was +2. So... 6000 GP to add the ability to the +1 weap?

[Nefreet]

6,000 to upgrade a +1 to a +2, even if it's cold iron.

[kinevon]

And you need enough Fame for the total cost of the weapon, which is 8,300+base weapon cost for a normal weapon.

To be honest, I am not sure if you need enough Fame for a weapon costing 10,300+ double base weapon cost to make a cold iron weapon +2...

Basically, does that extra 2000 gp needed to put the first enhancement onto a cold iron weapon get included in the weapon value for Fame purposes? I guess that depends on whether you get half that 2,000 gp back if you sell a magical cold iron weapon or not...

[N N 959]

Upgrade questions:

If you buy any of the stat belts, can you upgrade it to the belt of Physical Perfection?

The OP looks like it's a yes, but I don't know if it was confirmed or denies.

[kinevon]

N N 959 wrote:

Upgrade questions:

If you buy any of the stat belts, can you upgrade it to the belt of Physical Perfection?

The OP looks like it's a yes, but I don't know if it was confirmed or denies.

You can upgrade any +2 stat belt to a +4 or +6 single stat belt or a +2 belt for two stats, or a +2 belt for all three stats.

Once the belt is +2 for multiple stats, it has to have them all upgraded to +4 or +6 as a group, not individually.

[SCPRedMage]

Chuss'tith wrote:

Although the upgrade section say you can always upgrade a masterwork item to +1, it doesn't say that upgrades are an exception to the fame limits given earlier for items not on the always available list.

I've seen this come up before, and the problem with it is that you're not reading the entire sentence:

Guide to Pathfinder Society Organized Play wrote:

For ease of play in Pathfinder Society, a masterwork item can always be upgraded to a +1 item without paying for the masterwork cost again.

The point is that you can upgrade without having to buy a new item; the next two sentences are pretty clear on the matter:

Guide to Pathfinder Society Organized Play wrote:

Instead, you pay the difference between the cost of the +1 item and that of the masterwork item. This rule also applies to upgrading from a +1 item to a +2 item and so on—you never have to repay the original cost or sell your current item for half to upgrade to the next step.

The first sentence clarifies that it's referring simply to how upgrades work. If it instead meant that you could ALWAYS upgrade ANYTHING to a +1, then the last sentence would extend that to mean you could ALWAYS upgrade to anything after that, as well.

[Hobbun]

kinevon wrote:

To be honest, I am not sure if you need enough Fame for a weapon costing 10,300+ double base weapon cost to make a cold iron weapon +2...

Basically, does that extra 2000 gp needed to put the first enhancement onto a cold iron weapon get included in the weapon value for Fame purposes? I guess that depends on whether you get half that 2,000 gp back if you sell a magical cold iron weapon or not...

This is what I’m wondering, as well.

I have a MWK Cold Iron Bastard Sword and don’t have an issue paying the additional 2,000 GP for the +1. However, when I go to +2, do I need a higher fame to cover the additional 2,000 GP?

[Paz]

Hobbun wrote:

I have a MWK Cold Iron Bastard Sword and don’t have an issue paying the additional 2,000 GP for the +1. However, when I go to +2, do I need a higher fame to cover the additional 2,000 GP?

A +2 cold iron weapon is going to cost 10,300 gp plus double the normal weapon cost. When you upgrade to +2, you need to have sufficient fame to cover that total cost, even if the upgrade itself only costs 6,000 gp.

[Hobbun]

That’s what I had figured.

Thanks.

[Millefune]

I was told that the +2,000 gp cost of enchanting a Cold Iron item is rolled into the total cost when wanting to upgrade to +2 or adding a magical ability. For example:

+1 Cold Iron Weapon (MW Weapon Cost + 2,000 + 2,000)

Now to upgrade it to +2, I would only need 4,000 gp (rather than 6,000 gp for a "normal" material weapon), since the 2,000 gp from the Cold Iron clause goes toward the 6,000 gp needed to upgrade to +2.

The above example seems wrong to me, as that means there isn't much of an actual added cost to a Cold Iron weapon if you plan on keeping it around and upgrading it. I wanted to ask here, to check if what I was told was correct or if it was wrong.

[TetsujinOni]

Millefune wrote:

I was told that the +2,000 gp cost of enchanting a Cold Iron item is rolled into the total cost when wanting to upgrade to +2 or adding a magical ability. For example:

+1 Cold Iron Weapon (MW Weapon Cost + 2,000 + 2,000)

Now to upgrade it to +2, I would only need 4,000 gp (rather than 6,000 gp for a "normal" material weapon), since the 2,000 gp from the Cold Iron clause goes toward the 6,000 gp needed to upgrade to +2.

The above example seems wrong to me, as that means there isn't much of an actual added cost to a Cold Iron weapon if you plan on keeping it around and upgrading it. I wanted to ask here, to check if what I was told was correct or if it was wrong.

A +2 or equivalent cold iron magic weapon would be 10000 gp + base masterwork cold iron weapon cost. Cold iron weapons add 2000 gp to the cost compared to basic material weapons of the same level of enhancement equivalence.

[Millefune]

Thank you very much.

[Jeff Faust]

can I get a +1 shield or +1 bastard sword for faction created prestige. IN the past I was allowed to purchase wand of cure light wounds for them. I have 4 unspent prestige and I just bought +1 chainmail with some gold I have saved. I am a third level fighter.

[Jiggy]

You can spend 2PP to acquire any single item worth 750gp or less. So you could acquire, say, a masterwork bastard sword by spending 2PP and then spend gold to upgrade it as normal. But no, there's no amount of PP you could spend to acquire a +1 weapon (unless you have some special ability that explicitly says you can spend PP on bigger stuff, but you'd know if you had something like that).

[Jeff Faust]

Jiggy wrote:

You can spend 2PP to acquire any single item worth 750gp or less. So you could acquire, say, a masterwork bastard sword by spending 2PP and then spend gold to upgrade it as normal. But no, there's no amount of PP you could spend to acquire a +1 weapon (unless you have some special ability that explicitly says you can spend PP on bigger stuff, but you'd know if you had something like that).

I already have a masterwork bastard sword.

[Majuba]

Jeff Faust wrote:

can I get a +1 shield or +1 bastard sword for faction created prestige. IN the past I was allowed to purchase wand of cure light wounds for them. I have 4 unspent prestige and I just bought +1 chainmail with some gold I have saved. I am a third level fighter.

No.

Jiggy's answer expands on the reasons why, but the answer is simply no - you can only spend gold to get a +1 weapon or shield.

[Rusty Ironpants]

Jeff Faust wrote:

can I get a +1 shield or +1 bastard sword for faction created prestige. IN the past I was allowed to purchase wand of cure light wounds for them. I have 4 unspent prestige and I just bought +1 chainmail with some gold I have saved. I am a third level fighter.

Spending 2PP allows you to get an item of up to 750 gp value. A wand of cure light wounds costs 750 gp which is why you can get it for 2PP. A +1 shield or +1 sword costs more than 750 gp. You cannot spend more PP to get a more expensive item. Spending 4PP does not allow you to get an item of up to 1500 gp value, it allows you to get 2 items of up to 750 gp value each.

[JohnF]

Rusty Ironpants wrote:

Spending 4PP does not allow you to get an item of up to 1500 gp value, it allows you to get 2 items of up to 750 gp value each.

Not at the same time, though. You can only purchase one such item per session.

[Rusty Ironpants]

JohnF wrote:

Rusty Ironpants wrote:

Spending 4PP does not allow you to get an item of up to 1500 gp value, it allows you to get 2 items of up to 750 gp value each.

Not at the same time, though. You can only purchase one such item per session.

Really? I did not know that! Thanks.

[JohnF]

Rusty Ironpants wrote:

JohnF wrote:

Rusty Ironpants wrote:

Spending 4PP does not allow you to get an item of up to 1500 gp value, it allows you to get 2 items of up to 750 gp value each.

Not at the same time, though. You can only purchase one such item per session.

Really? I did not know that! Thanks.

I've yet to see a GM who enforces the limit, but

Guide to PFS Organized Play V4.3 wrote:

Once per session, you can acquire any single item of this cost or less from your faction by spending the appropriate amount of Prestige Points.

[SCPRedMage]

JohnF wrote:

I've yet to see a GM who enforces the limit, but

Guide to PFS Organized Play V4.3 wrote:

Once per session, you can acquire any single item of this cost or less from your faction by spending the appropriate amount of Prestige Points.

And I've yet to see a player try to break that limit. I'm assuming it's a combination of the players in my area buying the goodies they want as soon as they have the prestige (meaning they don't have enough PP at any one time to TRY to buy more than one, until after they've gotten what they wanted), and said players just not spending prestige on much, at all.

[ezrider23]

I didn't want to start a new thread and can't seem to find the answer for myself so i'll ask here...
When selling back my mundane gear, a Masterwork Cold-Iron Nodachi, do i sell it back at full price or 1/2 price? This is not a level one rebuild or anything.

Sorry for such a silly question.

[Todd Lower]

ezrider23 wrote:

I didn't want to start a new thread and can't seem to find the answer for myself so i'll ask here...

When selling back my mundane gear, a Masterwork Cold-Iron Nodachi, do i sell it back at full price or 1/2 price? This is not a level one rebuild or anything.

Sorry for such a silly question.

Not silly at all. Except in the case of a rebuild you resell any items that you have at 1/2 of their retail price.

[Nunspa]

Can you upgrade a composit bow +1 (str +2) to a higher strengh bonus? Or do i need to sell it and buy a new one?

[Nefreet]

Pay 1,000gp and just put Adaptive on it.

[Serum]

Nunspa wrote:

Can you upgrade a composit bow +1 (str +2) to a higher strengh bonus? Or do i need to sell it and buy a new one?

If you're not going to put adaptive on it, then yes, you'd need to buy an entirely new weapon to get the higher strength bonus.

[ezrider23]

Todd Lower wrote:

ezrider23 wrote:

I didn't want to start a new thread and can't seem to find the answer for myself so i'll ask here...

When selling back my mundane gear, a Masterwork Cold-Iron Nodachi, do i sell it back at full price or 1/2 price? This is not a level one rebuild or anything.

Sorry for such a silly question.

Not silly at all. Except in the case of a rebuild you resell any items that you have at 1/2 of their retail price.

Thanks. This is what i had thought but wanted to double check.

[kinevon]

Nefreet wrote:

Pay 1,000gp and just put Adaptive on it.

Just remember that you need to have a copy of the rules from Ultimate Equipment, and the portion of the Additional Resources page, that show it as a legal option.

[Akerlof]

kinevon wrote:

Nefreet wrote:

Pay 1,000gp and just put Adaptive on it.

Just remember that you need to have a copy of the rules from Ultimate Equipment, and the portion of the Additional Resources page, that show it as a legal option.

And enough fame for the entire cost of the bow:

+2 Str Composite longbow = 300gp
Masterwork Weapon = 300gp
+1 magic weapon = 2000gp
Adaptive = 1000 GP
Total = 3,600gp, requiring 18 fame even though you're only spending 1,000gp

[Nefreet]

Yes, of course. My apologies. Given the number of times I've said those very words up thread I simply chose not to for that particular post. I'm usually first and foremost to require that people own the source they're using.

[Mistwalker]

Akerlof wrote:

kinevon wrote:

Nefreet wrote:

Pay 1,000gp and just put Adaptive on it.

Just remember that you need to have a copy of the rules from Ultimate Equipment, and the portion of the Additional Resources page, that show it as a legal option.

And enough fame for the entire cost of the bow:

+2 Str Composite longbow = 300gp
Masterwork Weapon = 300gp
+1 magic weapon = 2000gp
Adaptive = 1000 GP
Total = 3,600gp, requiring 18 fame even though you're only spending 1,000gp

Could you point out where in the rules it states that?

I am aware of the gold piece spending cap, but can't seem to find or recall anywhere where it states that you have to apply it to upgrading items.

[Paz]

It stands to reason that the fame limit would apply to upgraded items. Otherwise people would buy items (e.g. weapons, armour) on the always available list and immediately upgrade them, rendering the fame system meaningless.

[kinevon]

Mistwalker wrote:

Akerlof wrote:

kinevon wrote:

Nefreet wrote:

Pay 1,000gp and just put Adaptive on it.

Just remember that you need to have a copy of the rules from Ultimate Equipment, and the portion of the Additional Resources page, that show it as a legal option.

And enough fame for the entire cost of the bow:

+2 Str Composite longbow = 300gp
Masterwork Weapon = 300gp
+1 magic weapon = 2000gp
Adaptive = 1000 GP
Total = 3,600gp, requiring 18 fame even though you're only spending 1,000gp

Could you point out where in the rules it states that?

I am aware of the gold piece spending cap, but can't seem to find or recall anywhere where it states that you have to apply it to upgrading items.

Page 26:

A character’s Fame score determines the maximum gp value of any items she can purchase from her faction, as detailed in Table 5–3 below. The character must still actually spend the gold to receive the desired item. For double weapons, calculate the cost of each end separately when considering Fame purchasing limits.

Also check table 5-3 on page 26, as well.

You must have the Fame required to purchase the total gp value of any item purchased, even when it is purchased incrementally.

To purchase or upgrade a set of armor to +2, you must have the Fame required to be able to purchase the whole thing in one purchase, not just the incremental pieces.

Studded Leather Armor = 25 gp
Masterwork = +150 gp
+1 = +1,000 gp
+2 = +3,000 gp
Total purchase price = 4,175 gp, which requires having 18 Fame, even though you could buy it up to +1 (1,175 gp) with 0 Fame, due to everything but the +2 being on the Always Available list.

This holds true of all purchases.

+2 stat item = 4,000 gp = 18 Fame
+2/+2 Stat Item = 10,000 gp = 27 Fame, not 18 Fame for the original +2 item, and 22 Fame to add the second +2 for 6,000 gp.

[Bloodlust]

I want to upgrade my firearm from +1 reliable to +1 reliable, greater.

As it says that you cannot have both enchantments on the same gun, it makes sense to me that this is an "upgrade".

[David_Bross]

It'd be nice if you could upgrade flaming to flaming burst, reliable to greater reliable, as they seem to make sense with the spirit of the rules, but that'd have to be Brocked.

[Mistwalker]

kinevon wrote:

Mistwalker wrote:

Could you point out where in the rules it states that?

Page 26:

A character’s Fame score determines the maximum gp value of any items she can purchase

Thanks.

[Haco]

But you can BUY ANY MAGIC ITEM on the books and legal for the PFS with Fame? Or you need to find a +2 or +3 weapon (or any properties like flaming, frost, ghost touch, etc) in an scenario to buy them?
Can i buy wands and woundrous items that not appear in any of my chronicle's sheets of the scenarios that i played?
Where are this new rule writted? Suppressing the rule of "You only can buy always avalaibles items and items that appear in the scenarios chronicles sheets that you played?
It is not a cheat?

Please resolve my questions!!

[David Bowles]

There are three ways to get access to equipment:

1) Have it on a chronicle sheet

2) Have it be on the "universal list". This includes +1 enhancement weapons/armor and special material stuff

3) Have the fame necessary to access it off the fame access table.

Yes, #3 often make #1 T-totally useless. That's just kind of how it works.

[Haco]

David Bowles wrote:

There are three ways to get access to equipment:

1) Have it on a chronicle sheet

2) Have it be on the "universal list". This includes +1 enhancement weapons/armor and special material stuff

3) Have the fame necessary to access it off the fame access table.

Yes, #3 often make #1 T-totally useless. That's just kind of how it works.

But where is writted the third point, in the Pathfinder Society Guide? Or is an interpretation of the rule of fame?

[David Bowles]

Yeah, the table is in the Field Guide to the Pathfinder Society, not the free guide to society. It's a bit awkwardly worded, but that's how it works.

[Paz]

The table IS in the free Guide to Pathfinder Society Organised play, on page 26. See Table 5-3 and the section 'Benefits of Fame'.

All references above correct for v4.3 of the GtPFSOP.

[David Bowles]

I stand corrected. I never use that one, lol.

[Haco]

Ok the problem is the word "Faction":

"A character’s Fame score determines the maximum gp value of any items she can purchase from her faction"
If no say "her faction" all we can understand the same, but with "her faction" many of us question if youu can buy ANY of the magic items in all legal books or in any book says what items can buy any faction member from "her faction".
We need an explanation of this sentence.

[David Bowles]

Technically it is your faction that you are purchasing the equipment from. But that's the way it works for sure.

[kinevon]

@Haco: It is partially a legacy from the original version of how factions and Fame (before it was called Fame) worked.

Waaaay back, in Season 0, you had the Always Available list, the items listed on the last 3 Chronicles, and a short list, with Fame required, of items specifically available from your faction, which was different for each faction.

IIRC, there was also a generic list of items available to any faction at certain Fame levels.

Since then, a few things have changed, but not all the language has been completely cleaned up yet.

Chronicles no longer have a lifespan, you can buy anything from your first chronicle at any time in your PC's career, not just for the next couple of adventures.

There are, other than vanities from the Pathfinder SOciety Field Guild, no longer any differences between the items you can buy "from your faction", that is just how item access is explained.

If you have less than 5 Fame, you can only buy Always Available items, and items listed on a Chronicle. (You can use 2 Prestige Points to purchase anything legal that costs up 750 gp, however)

Once you have 5 Fame, you can buy anything from the Always Available list, anything listed on a Chronicle, or any PFS legal item that costs 500 gp or less, as long as it is either from the Core Assumption or you have the rules source for the item.

[Haco]

Ok thanks for the help an explanations to explain to the people in Spain!!

[David Bowles]

Sorry I didn't know the back history like kinevon, but I did the best I could.

[Undone]

I've looked but it's not entirely clear to me as to the special materials. For a Mith Breastplate would the upgrades look like this.

0 Fame required - 4200 Mith Breastplate
0 Fame required - 5200 +1 Mith Breastplate
27 Fame required - 9200 +2 mith Breastplate

This jump seems... excessive. Am I wrong or is the jump on special materials really that huge?

[Sniggevert]

Undone wrote:

I've looked but it's not entirely clear to me as to the special materials. For a Mith Breastplate would the upgrades look like this.

0 Fame required - 4200 Mith Breastplate
0 Fame required - 5200 +1 Mith Breastplate
27 Fame required - 9200 +2 mith Breastplate

This jump seems... excessive. Am I wrong or is the jump on special materials really that huge?

The jump is really that huge.

Do the same thing with adamantine full plate...it's an even bigger jump.

[thejeff]

Undone wrote:

I've looked but it's not entirely clear to me as to the special materials. For a Mith Breastplate would the upgrades look like this.

0 Fame required - 4200 Mith Breastplate
0 Fame required - 5200 +1 Mith Breastplate
27 Fame required - 9200 +2 mith Breastplate

This jump seems... excessive. Am I wrong or is the jump on special materials really that huge?

That looks correct to me. A little odd, but that's more a factor of being able to buy things made with special materials and +1 armor and weapons without Fame.

It's not like you're going to able to afford even the 4200 for the Mithral Breastplate until you've got some Fame. (I suppose if you always manage to play up and survive and don't succeed at faction missions, you might get enough money while still being very low on Fame?)

It might make more sense to not have the special materials and/or +1 weapons/armor always available, since those are what break the normal spending limits.