Been trolling the forums for an answer, haven't found one though, so I'm hoping for the combined intellect of the Paizo forums to enlighten me ;)
The rules state that you can add new abilites to an existing item. The rules are pretty clear on adding another +1 to an existing longsword +1 (cost to create a +2 longsword - the cost of a +1 longsword. Simply, easy, works.
Now, the rules state that you can add invisibilty to your ring of protection +2, at the cost of 1,5 for a ring of invisibility.
I read somewhere that you can't tamper with "named items", ie. Sunblade and such, or specific Weapons and Armor.
However, I always assumed that named items was all items without a +X enchancement.
Can someone clarify? And how many abilites are you able to add into a single ring for example?
If one had unlimited resources, one could make a Ring of Protection +5, with invisibility, telekinises and regeneration..
Adding New Abilities
Sometimes, lack of funds or time make it impossible for a magic item crafter to create the desired item from scratch. Fortunately, it is possible to enhance or build upon an existing magic item. Only time, gold, and the various prerequisites required of the new ability to be added to the magic item restrict the type of additional powers one can place.
The cost to add additional abilities to an item is the same as if the item was not magical, less the value of the original item. Thus, a +1 longsword can be made into a +2 vorpal longsword, with the cost to create it being equal to that of a +2 vorpal swordminus the cost of a +1 longsword.
If the item is one that occupies a specific place on a character's body, the cost of adding any additional ability to that item increases by 50%. For example, if a character adds the power to confer invisibility to her ring of protection +2, the cost of adding this ability is the same as for creating a ring of invisibility multiplied by 1.5.
There is no limit really, but be aware that they are only guidelines for players and GMs to estimate the price of an item they come up with, not solid rules and even if they were the GM could still say no of course..
In the case of the rings you take the most expensive ring and for every 'ring' that you add you pay 1.5 times the usual price, I'd argue that is not a perfect way of doing things but it comes pretty close to a balanced approach.
In the 3.X version of the game there was a limit at 200k, anything above was considered an artifact and could not be made with the usual methods.
Specific weapon and armor are complicated items, often balanced by virtue of them being sub-optimal item choices or an unusual combination of abilities, you can not simply enhance them and expect to get a balanced item. It is still possible, though not in organized play, but there are no easy guidelines.
As i thought then.. thanks for the info!
In the 3.X version of the game there was a limit at 200k, anything above was considered an artifact and could not be made with the usual methods.
No, in 3.X everything above that was an epic item and had different pricing guidelines. Epic magic items are not artifacts.
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While I don't think it's forbidden, it's something I prefer to avoid, because for most of those items, the costing formula isn't given, so you're making the GM reverse-engineer the math, to try figure out if Ability X is an upgrade with a '+X' equivalent, or a flat '+x,000gp' modifier.
It's all extra work that I'd rather not be doing if I don't have to, thank you very much.
You can do it, if you GM is willing to let you.
Take Holy Avenger for example:
Holy AvengerAura strong abjuration; CL 18th
Slot none; Price 120,630 gp; Weight 4 lbs.
DESCRIPTION
This +2 cold iron longsword becomes a +5 holy cold iron longsword in the hands of a paladin.
This sacred weapon provides spell resistance of 5 + the paladin's level to the wielder and anyone adjacent to her. It also enables the paladin to use greater dispel magic (once per round as a standard action) at the class level of the paladin. Only the area dispel is possible, not the targeted dispel or counterspell versions of greater dispel magic.
Construction
Requirements Craft Magic Arms and Armor, holy aura, creator must be good; Cost 60,630 gp
A a masterwork cold iron longsword costs 330 gp. For it to be a +2 item adds an additional cost of 8000 gp to the item. This means that the rest of the cost is the "Holy Avenger" "template" of the item. So 120,630 - 8000 - 330 = 112300. If you were to craft this item yourself it would be an additional flat cost of 56150 gp. Of course this is only a guideline and doesn't make it balanced, and as all item creation is, it is subject to your GM's approval.
Yeah, I'll talk it over with the DM - don't want the game to become unbalanced. I was more interested in the rules behind it, wondering if it was ever an option. Don't think anyone at our table ever considered the option.
I'm thinking of suggesting a "max value", so things don't get out of hand :)
It does spice up the options!