Is it possible to make a magic item that gives a +1 bonus to an ability score? Additionally, could I make this item a holy symbol by simply adding the cost of a holy symbol?
It's generally discouraged, since it won't effect all characters equally. The only thing remotely similar to the idea are the manuals and tomes in the Magical Items chapter of the Core Rulebook.
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Talk it over with your GM.
There are mechanics in place that allow such an item to be created, absolutely. It would be the easiest for it to be an enhancement bonus to your ability score though. Then just tack on a class level requirement to reflect what Ravingdork mentioned about not affecting other classes equally (-30% market value). Once you've got that under wraps, ask your GM if he'd allow an increase (should come out to 700gp by this point for just a +1 if you're not crafting it yourself) in the market value equal to +150% of the market value for a holy symbol.
Should be fairly priced for the benefits/restrictions that way. Again: GM permission is key when coming up with things like this... but in terms of game mechanics, it's not necessarily impossible nor unheard of.
Talk it over with your GM.
There are mechanics in place that allow such an item to be created, absolutely. It would be the easiest for it to be an enhancement bonus to your ability score though. Then just tack on a class level requirement to reflect what Ravingdork mentioned about not affecting other classes equally (-30% market value). Once you've got that under wraps, ask your GM if he'd allow an increase (should come out to 700gp by this point for just a +1 if you're not crafting it yourself) in the market value equal to +150% of the market value for a holy symbol.
Should be fairly priced for the benefits/restrictions that way. Again: GM permission is key when coming up with things like this... but in terms of game mechanics, it's not necessarily impossible nor unheard of.
Actually what I believe RavingDork is referring to is the espoused view of some of the game designers that a +1 stat item or any uneven stat item unless priced as manuals are invalidating to the +2 or even stat items.
Example: A character with 15 strength wants to hit harder and decides to buy a stat boosting item.
With only the items in the rule book he has the following choices:
A +2 strength belt, which grants a +2 Enhancement bonus for 4,000 gp.
or
A +1 Strength Manual which grants a +1 Inherent bonus for 27,500 gp.
Obviously he will take the +2 Enhancement bonus for 4,000 gp unless he already has a +2 or higher Enhancement bonus to strength from another source, in fact a +4 strength belt is only 16,000 gp and so would be cheaper that the +1 tome.
Now if we allow a custom +1 item then the Character only has to pay 1,000 gp (1 x 1 x 1,000) for his strength bonus and gets the same mechanical bonus as the person who had to pay 4,000 gp or the person who payed 27,500 gp.
This is why odd stat boosters are not in the books and are generally not recommended, they would boost the WBL and therefore power of any odd stat character while the even stat character would be stuck paying more as a +1 bonus does nothing for an even stat character.
On a personal note I GM almost exclusively and do not allow odd enhancement items for this reason.
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I allow them as most players will enhance them alter and they permit a more smooth acquisition of the item (especially if they craft it themselves) and generally they lose their advantage when the character get his characteristic increase every 4 levels.
That said probably a 30% increase in the production cost wouldn't be a bad idea (the extra cost would be deducted from the cost of making the even stat item, giving a progression of +1 - 1.300 gp, +2 - 4.000 gp, +3 11.700 gp and so on).
Some very good points...the imbalance off odd modifiers is more obvious with +3, so I can understand why it might not be a good idea. My GM said to go for it, but I think I'll pass. I can see other players abusing this loophole later. Thanks for the input, everyone! Very helpful.
Some very good points...the imbalance off odd modifiers is more obvious with +3, so I can understand why it might not be a good idea. My GM said to go for it, but I think I'll pass. I can see other players abusing this loophole later. Thanks for the input, everyone! Very helpful.
Thank you for your considered and calm response.
I hope you frequent these boards, as your voice seems to be a calm one, and thinkers are always welcome.
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I would not allow it for the simple reason that in game it would not make sense. A belt of +2 Cha will make everyone a little more likable. A +1 belt will only make some people more likable. I think the Ability scores are suppose to be more abstract then that, where as making an item that only increase the Cha of some people seems a little bit like metagaming.
That is very much the developers take on it, a magical belt that makes its wear more charismatic should make *any* wearer more charismatic... hence the restriction to even bonuses so that whoever wears it there will be some affect, as opposed to a magical item that does nothing for some people.
Additionally, per the OP, a Mask of Charisma should probably cost extra since it is an off-slot item (i.e. mental stats go on headbands not head slot). I would say a 20% increase in price should be appropriate, since to get a +2 Cha and +2 Wis would usually require you to buy a headband of mental prowess at 10k gp instead of the Mask and Headband for 8k gp. This would up the cost to 8800gp, less then the 10k for the one headband, but the reduced price is offset by using 2 slots.