So here is my question:
If crafting personal magic items is it possible to make an item auto-cast something under certain circumstances?
E.G. a magic item that, once per round, when the wearer is attacked it casts Emergency Force Sphere in the direction of the attack.
Obviously this would be prohibitively expensive, but I am just curious if it can, technically, be done since I'm taking a dive into crafting.
You can definitely do that, but it would have to be an Intelligent Item for it to cast on the attack, as a Readied Action from the Intelligent Item.
Unlike most magic items, intelligent items can activate their own powers without waiting for a command word from their owner. Intelligent items act during their owner's turn in the initiative order.
Emergency Force Sphere is an Immediate Action, which can be cast before an attack is made against you if you so choose, though you would not be able to use a Swift Action in the same round; whether you intend to circumvent that or not, I don't know, but let's assume you are.
Making an item Intelligent may or may not be plausible, since it really boils down to random chance...
In general, less than 1% of magic items have intelligence.
They have their own costs associated and added onto the other standard Magic Item costs. The full rules for that are here.
However, it's definitely possible by the Intelligent Item rules, since you can get Emergency Force Sphere usable 1/day, 3/day, or At-Will ability (that of which requires it to be in pursuit of its designed purpose). It does have its own costs.
Just because in general, there are few intelligent magic items, doesn't mean you can't specifically craft it as intelligent.You can definitely do that, but it would have to be an Intelligent Item for it to cast on the attack, as a Readied Action from the Intelligent Item.
Unlike most magic items, intelligent items can activate their own powers without waiting for a command word from their owner. Intelligent items act during their owner's turn in the initiative order.Emergency Force Sphere is an Immediate Action, which can be cast before an attack is made against you if you so choose, though you would not be able to use a Swift Action in the same round; whether you intend to circumvent that or not, I don't know, but let's assume you are.
Making an item Intelligent may or may not be plausible, since it really boils down to random chance...
In general, less than 1% of magic items have intelligence.They have their own costs associated and added onto the other standard Magic Item costs. The full rules for that are here.
However, it's definitely possible by the Intelligent Item rules, since you can get Emergency Force Sphere usable 1/day, 3/day, or At-Will ability (that of which requires it to be in pursuit of its designed purpose). It does have its own costs.
Of course, but it's not like it's some easy feat. It is as the rules say; the Intelligent Item is sentient and behaves as its own creature. At the very least, I'd figure it would require the binding of a soul whom becomes the essence of the Intelligent Item, something which, while can be done by either means, is no easy task. It could be the soul of an Angel to help guide a character to the path of light, or to fulfill his destiny as an agent of good. It could be the soul of a mortal whom was captured and forced to become the item; it could even be the soul of a demonic entity whom will do his damnedest to send those would-be users on the fast track to Hell or the Abyss.
In addition, there are no rules that specifically let you choose to make it Intelligent or not; I won't say you can't, but allowing it willy-nilly makes a very problematic manipulation with the Action Economy. Since RAW is silent on the matter, it basically boils down to "Ask your GM." (In the cases of PFS, AFAIK, you can't make your own magic items anyway, so it's irrelevant in that type of gameplay.)
If you don't want to fiddle with Intelligent items you could just make an item that lets you cast Contingency + Emergency Force Sphere once (or more) times a day.
Just because in general, there are few intelligent magic items, doesn't mean you can't specifically craft it as intelligent.Making an item Intelligent may or may not be plausible, since it really boils down to random chance...
In general, less than 1% of magic items have intelligence.They have their own costs associated and added onto the other standard Magic Item costs. The full rules for that are here.Of course, but it's not like it's some easy feat. It is as the rules say; the Intelligent Item is sentient and behaves as its own creature.
In addition, there are no rules that specifically let you choose to make it Intelligent or not; I won't say you can't, but allowing it willy-nilly makes a very problematic manipulation with the Action Economy. [. . .]PFS, AFAIK, you can't make your own magic items anyway, so it's irrelevant in that type of gameplay.)
Lol PFS, that is not the realm where one does creative things, that is where creativity goes to die in the name of "balance." Cool character designs are not allowed in PFS, and you should always go "Uber Gish Mode" in that version of the game anyway because it is better. Though, playing less optimal classes is a real option.
[/rant of why PFS sucks]There are no rules for making magic items intelligent, however I have always ruled that the creator is able to set the desire and alignment of any intelligent item he creates. It isn't a curse that it is intelligent, if it was it would be under cursed items. It costs money to make an intelligent item, thereby suggesting that it is a purposeful thing. The reason less than 1% of magic items are intelligent is because most people choose to not make them intelligent. Think about it like the Leadership feat, it is banned and not allowed at most tables--because some DMs just are not good enough I assume, just like crafting feats--because it can give the PCs a power boost. However, they do cost a lot of money.
If you don't want to fiddle with Intelligent items you could just make an item that lets you cast Contingency + Emergency Force Sphere once (or more) times a day.
This is also a completely valid option. If one makes both spells "continuous" then once a round the spell would go off in his defense.
I tend to be pedantic, and thus object to the word Reactionary being used in this sense (yes, the trait too).
Someone Reactionary is opposed to social or political change, not just someone or something that tends to react. If you react to things you're Reactive.
You can create a magic item similar to "Snapleaf" that would be something extremely close to what you are looking for.
Snapleaf
Price 750 gp; Aura faint transmutation; CL 5th; Weight —
This crystalline carving looks like a hand-sized tree leaf. It is usually worn around the neck on a strap so it is within easy reach, but can be affixed to a belt or clothing just like a badge. Activating a snapleaf is an immediate action and gives the bearer the benefits of feather fall and invisibility. The duration of the two effects work independently; ending one early does not affect the other. The item cannot be activated to provide just one of these two effects; they are always activated simultaneously.
Construction Requirements
Cost 375 gp
Craft Wondrous Item, feather fall, invisibility
RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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This ring is crafted with a feather pattern all around its edge. It acts exactly like a feather fall spell, activated immediately if the wearer falls more than 5 feet.
People starting looking at intelligent items and convoluted workarounds when exactly the type of item the OP is talking about is already a basic Core item? Seriously?
This ring is crafted with a feather pattern all around its edge. It acts exactly like a feather fall spell, activated immediately if the wearer falls more than 5 feet.People starting looking at intelligent items and convoluted workarounds when exactly the type of item the OP is talking about is already a basic Core item? Seriously?
You're comparing a level 1 Core Rules spell whose sole purpose is to prevent you from falling to death and/or taking falling damage, to a level 4 Non-Hardcover (though still Paizo published) spell whose power and purpose is a much greater subject, and believing they should share the same precedent? Not sure if serious or joking...
I'll tell you what, if you want to give players a 20 hardness "barrier" that has 200 hit points, refreshing every time you're attacked, then by all means, allow it at your tables. (I weep for the Martials who have to deal with that overpowered crap.)
But I highly doubt something that good, which could by RAW equate to being much better than a Heal (or even Heal Mass) spell in terms of "hit point generation", as well as being constantly up whenever you're affected by a hostile spell or physical attack, would be allowed at any sensible table; even Mythic rules aren't that strong, and that's about as much published Power Creep that anyone could possibly ask for.
You're right, there are items which do not require an activation to use, only a condition; but do you really think the intent behind a spell as strong as that would even make sense in both balance and mechanics to not require an activation?
I am total serious about the fact that Paizo's published material clearly has established a precedent that allows the creations of magic items that do not require an activation to use, only a condition to be meet.
Now when discussing a specific new magic item one must return to the rules for the creation of new magic items. Any new item must be reviewed and approved by your GM. The GM needs to review the item and compare it to other items of comparable power and effect when determining if item should be allowed and how expensive the item would cost.
Now consider the Cube of Force which in my opinion is a more versatile and in many ways a more powerful item. I think an item that in acts an Emergency Force Sphere around you upon certain condition being meet could be produced if it was sufficiently costly, has restrictions on the number of uses per day, or more realistically as a single use item.
Emergency Force Sphere always create a sphere centered around the item/you. Thus you can not attempt to target another creature. Although it is conceivable that the 10 ft diameter sphere you create may actual trap you inside the sphere with the very creature you were attempting to escape.
You didn't read my post. What I said was a 1st level spell which is convenient at best is in no way comparable to a 4th level spell, which, is not present in a Hardcover book, that essentially grants a character DR 20 that lasts until the shield generated takes 10X damage [X = Caster Level] in terms of setting a balanced "condition activation" method. (And whatever that "DR 20" negates doesn't count towards how much damage the shield can take.)
The factor that this 4th level spell is basically Stoneskin 2.0 (they're the same spell level and everything) not only invalidates the purpose of a Core Spell, but also calls into question its similarity, since both grant DR, and absorb HP up to a certain amount determined by CL.
To that end, at the very least it would be comparable to a Belt of Stoneskin, which is ~60,000 gold. Having it basically be at-will and not have a limit would skyrocket that price, making it akin to an endgame Artifact. And it should be; it's a 20 Hardness surface which can't even be overcome by Adamantine weapons, reducing overall damage dealt to the shield by that amount each time; not factoring in a 50% reduction since you're technically attacking an object, not a creature, means it's going to take the longest time to do anything.
But yet, its applicable precedent is equivalent to that of a ring which just makes it so you don't die when jumping off a cliff, which can be better or equally represented with other, even cheaper items.
Logic.
Ring of Contingency (Emergency Force Sphere)
CL12 needed due to 'Contingency' rules (Emergency Force Sphere is a 4th level spell)
Spell level 6
Duration above 24 hours results in a 0.5 multiplier
Use-activated or continuous Item : 12 x 6 x 2000 x 0.5 = 72000 gp
Everytime the conditions of 'Contingency' are meet a 'Emergency Force Sphere' is cast and lasts for 12 rounds.
With one charge per day you can lower the costs to 72000/5 = 14400 gp
Once per day when the conditions of 'Contingency' are meet a 'Emergency Force Sphere' is cast and lasts for 12 rounds.