Magic Item Availabilty / Creation Rule Question

[Phergas]

Is there any rule that would enable a character to place an order with a merchant/crafter, say a blacksmith to get +1 full plate made, therefore enabling them to bypass the chance the item is randomly not available in town. Obviously there would be a waiting period involved with this...

So again, is there an official rule that says you can or cannot do this? Or would this come down to DM discretion.

*If there is an official rule, could you please include a link to it's source?

Thanks for the help!

[Claxon]

Is there an official rule? Not to my knowledge.

But there is a rule that if an item is under the spending limiting of a town/city/metropolis that they have a 75% chance of having the object (IIRC). For metropolis that means that have most everything. So, if your playing on Golarion you could definitely contact someone in Absalom to purchase such an item.

[j b 200]

yes. The 75% rule is for items that are specifically available, you can always roleplay finding someone with both the ability and desire to make your item. You of course need to find someone with Craft Magical Arms and Armor, and the ability to forge Fullplate (significant ranks in Craft:Armor) and a CL of at least 3.

Whether such a person exists in your town is up to the GM of course.

[Claxon]

The rules here provide pretty much everything you want to know. It mentions the part about anything under the settlements base value having a 75% chance to be available.

Assuming a metropolis exist, your players should as a worst case scenario be able to contact a shop there and order an item. Mostly on the basis of logic.