So, dispel magic can suppress the magic properties of an item for 1d4 rounds. This makes them vulnerable to shatter and polymorph any object, as has been discussed multiple times.
As such, could fabricate work to modify a magic weapon into a different form? For example, a +1 silver longsword, could it be dispelled, then fabricated, into a (at that moment while dispelled) MW silver handaxe. And after the 1d4 rounds, its magical energies return and, as it is a MW weapon, there is no reason they shouldn't operate as normal.
The idea is based on keeping tabs on the materials involved. A dagger would not provide enough material to make a greatsword. But, what if you brought to the casting enough raw metal to do so?
So far, I can not see any reason why this wouldn't work. Fabricate is a transmutive effect, it turns the original material into the new product, so its not as if the sword is being completely deconstructed then reconstructed, like a Star Trek teleporter might do.
Ultimately, to receive this service from a non-party spellcaster, you are looking at a 5th level spell (restricted to larger settlements) along with at least 1, maybe 2, castings of dispel magic, since the dispel check needs to succeed, and many common weapon properties are CL 8. Two dispel magics, and a fabricate, all at CL 9, would be 990gp. Round it to a thousand, or actually have the spellcaster roll for it and charge as he feels appropriate (some might charge per dispel attempt, some might only charge for 3, some might only charge for the successful one, personal preference).
1000gp (with restrictions on availability already built in via settlement rules) seems fair to turn an interesting but ill-suited magic weapon into a desirable component of the character's arsenal. And seems better than selling it for 1/2 and buying something else.
Thoughts?
I have no RAW but i dont have a problem with this idea on my table. The PCs find a +2 scimitar but the rogue wants a short sword. The mage uses dispel magic and fabricate to transform the +2 scimitar to a +2 short sword.
Good idea as long as you use the restrictions from the fabricate spell (same material, 10cu ft. per level).
I dunno about Fabricate, but I've always allowed this with Dispel Magic + Polymorph Any Object. Mainly for resizing oddly sized weapons like a certain large +1 Defending Spell Storing club..
So far, I can not see any reason why this wouldn't work. Fabricate is a transmutive effect, it turns the original material into the new product, so its not as if the sword is being completely deconstructed then reconstructed, like a Star Trek teleporter might do.
No, it does not. The stuff Fabricate uses is a material component. That means it is consumed by the spell.
Components V, S, M (the original material, which costs the same amount as the raw materials required to craft the item to be created)
Material (M): A material component consists of one or more physical substances or objects that are annihilated by the spell energies in the casting process. Unless a cost is given for a material component, the cost is negligible. Don't bother to keep track of material components with negligible cost. Assume you have all you need as long as you have your spell component pouch.
Fabricate does not take raw materials and transforms it into a finished product. Fabricate instead takes raw material, destroys it (as all other material components are destroyed when used), and creates a new object out of similar materials.
Being a Transmutation spell is should work, but how the spell is written it doesn't work.
I think this is a great idea. I might rule that you would need to add a "masterwork transformation" in the mix, but then it should work.
No, it does not. The stuff Fabricate uses is a material component. That means it is consumed by the spell.
I would note that the spells specific text uses the term convert, rather than destroy/replace/consume, and specific usually trumps general. If the spell did as you say it would indeed be conjuration. But if thats your interpretation, I understand it; without an extra paragraph or two almost any spell has several areas of interpretation.
I think the intent of fabricate is in line with the definition of the word, although I do admit to wondering if a finished product can be used as "raw materials". Of course, that then creates the issue of what is a "finished product". Isn't an iron bar a finished product relative to the iron ore? A sword can be melted down and cast into something new, so I felt this was acceptable as the spell mentions "original material, of value equal to the raw material of the item to be crafted".
Regarding dispel magic + polymorph any object: I was aware of this, but I felt that was inelegant, both in that it required a level of spellcasting rarely found, and was not truly permanent, as the polymorph was an ongoing spell effect, rather than instantaneous. I found it became problematic when agressive dispel magic became involved, and while I personally don't think it would be an issue, a player raised concerns over what would happen if you used change form or wildshape while holding the item, concerning the "no double polymorph" rule.
Regarding masterwork transformation: I had originally been looking at a caster capable of hitting the DC for a masterwork item on their own. The spell MW Transformation also has a prohibitive casting time regarding the interaction of Dispel Magic: 1 hour vrs 1d4 rounds, 1 of which needs be fabricate. The need to have the caster effectively reach a Craft modifier of +10 does give another area of control over this effect, as such casters could be rare and/or charge more for the extra spells needed to reach such a DC (An NPC caster with 1 rank, int of 18, mw tools, and heroism could do it, but it would add at least 270 more to cost for the heroism).
At the moment, as response has been generally positive and the only negative I feel is from subjective interpretation (no offense is meant by that Jeraa), I feel comfortable establishing this as a "known ritual" in my games. I must say I find it interesting from an in-world perspective: the legendary weapon so-and-so, passed down through a hundred hands and a hundred forms.