Peer Review Request: New Weapon Quality Idea


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So I have a player that wants to create or have it created for his character (who is a barbarian) a new weapon quality that he and another player sort of outlined. Basically he wants the benefits of the Longarm spell as a weapon quality but can only be used for a certain number of rounds per day with a lesser and greater version. The Lesser version would only attack as the masterwork version of the sword in the extra reach squares and the greater would match all the benefits of the weapon. In fluff he sees it as an phantom or energy blade extending out of the weapon and should be limited to spears and sword like weapons as well. I don’t think it really needs such a limit and don’t see anything wrong with it. I mean if Longarm wasn’t a personal spell I just say buy potions or make a wand but as this isn’t an option I figure take a good look at the possibility of such a quality which I think includes peer review. So, this is what I have so far.

Extending, Lesser (Could be a better name): An extending weapon is able to create a phantom extension of itself when wielded upon its users need. Three times per day, as a swift action, the weapon‘s threat range extends by 5 feet until the start of the wielder’s next turn. Any attacks in the extended reach are treated if the weapon was only masterwork plus any material qualities it might have.

Moderate evocation; CL 6th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor; spiritual weapon; Price 2,400 gp.

Extending, Greater: A Greater Extending weapon shares the same qualities as lesser except they gain access to five times per day and treat attacks at the extended range with all the qualities of the enchanted weapon.

Moderate evocation; CLth 9th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor; spiritual weapon and magic weapon, greater; Price 6,400 gp


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One last try


Reach is powerful, specially in the hands of a martial. Beware!


A flat GP cost dodges the escalating '+X' cost chart and makes the enchant trivial to add to....everything once you hit +3 or greater IMO.

Limited uses per day is a decent offset, i will agree. Verbiage to not stack with similar effects should also get in there. I also suggest no multiplication to it's provided reach due to size scaling.

Just a few thoughts intended to be helpful.

Alternately, consider making it a swift action to gain benefit for next attack (not round) but make it unlimited. (costs action economy) and make it a +1 enchant. (which is cheaper then throwing/returning at +2)

My 2cp


Aeric Blackberry wrote:
Reach is powerful, specially in the hands of a martial. Beware!

Reach weapons can be purchased for 5 gp and wielded with Simple weapons proficiency. Ugh

Anyway, I find it is helpful to see if anything like this has been designed before (especially by Paizo or WotC). In the Magic Item Compendium on page 31 is the Changeling property. To paraphrase:

Once per round as a swift action, you can change the weapon between:
Shortspear: One-Handed, 1d6, Throw 20 ft range
Spear: Two-Handed, 1d8, Brace, Throw 20 ft range
Longspear: Two-Handed, 1d8, Brace, Reach

Cost: flat 2,000 gp

Seems pretty close to what your guy wants.


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White Templar wrote:

Anyway, I find it is helpful to see if anything like this has been designed before (especially by Paizo or WotC).

I have for Pathfinder, but not WotC as I don't allow it in my campaign.

Like Items/Spell:

Long Arm Spell
Longarm Bracers
Fighter's Fork

White Templar wrote:


In the Magic Item Compendium on page 31 is the Changeling property. To paraphrase:

Once per round as a swift action, you can change the weapon between:
Shortspear: One-Handed, 1d6, Throw 20 ft range
Spear: Two-Handed, 1d8, Brace, Throw 20 ft range
Longspear: Two-Handed, 1d8, Brace, Reach

Cost: flat 2,000 gp

Seems pretty close to what your guy wants.

This seems like an under cost version of transformative

Rathendar wrote:


Limited uses per day is a decent offset, i will agree. Verbiage to not stack with similar effects should also get in there. I also suggest no multiplication to it's provided reach due to size scaling.

Not stacking with other reach stuff I don't think it needed as Paizo doesn't seem to be concerned about it in their version. I think the current wording implices that it isn't going to be multiplied if you get Enlarged or something as it adds a flat +5 feet.

Rathendar wrote:


Alternately, consider making it a swift action to gain benefit for next attack (not round) but make it unlimited. (costs action economy) and make it a +1 enchant. (which is cheaper then throwing/returning at +2)

You suggesting to drop the limited uses and a swift action to get one attack with extended reach? The lesser being +1 and the greater version +2

Part of what your suggestion would remove AoO at the extended +5 range.


The lesser version is pretty worthless in my opinion. 2400 gp for the same effect as a masterwork reach weapon? Yeah, no. I'd never buy that. Especially since the masterwork weapon is over 2000 less and I can use it all day.


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Valantrix1 wrote:
The lesser version is pretty worthless in my opinion. 2400 gp for the same effect as a masterwork reach weapon? Yeah, no. I'd never buy that. Especially since the masterwork weapon is over 2000 less and I can use it all day.

It not the same as reach as you can still attack adjacent.


So? Lunge with a great sword or 5-foot step with a pole-arm does practically the same thing.


Looking at the Fighter's Fork, the switching capability costs a bit less than a +1 equivalent. I'd recommend making an always-on "true reach" ability (reach+adjacent) that costs the same as a +1 equivalent and doesn't stack with similar effects. Something like:

Extending: This ability can only be placed on melee weapons. An extending weapon is able to create a phantom extension or contraction of itself as needed. When applied to a weapon without the reach quality, the weapon gains the reach quality and retains the ability to attack adjacent opponents without penalty. When applied to a weapon with the reach quality, the weapon gains the ability to attack adjacent opponents without penalty. This ability does not stack with similar effects that extend a creature's reach with a weapon such as Lunge and long arm.

Faint transmutation; CL 5th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, long arm; Cost: +1 bonus

When it comes to weapon and armor qualities, the static prices only work with abilities that that become less relevant over time. For example energy resistance 5 is "OMGBroken" at level 1, "meh" at level 8, and a joke at level 15+. Since the extending ability is equally good across all levels, it should be priced normally, which ends up being an exponential progression.

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They should be priced and designed comeptitively with the longarm bracers. Honestly, I think those would be a better idea than a new weapon enhancement.


Valantrix1 wrote:
So? Lunge with a great sword or 5-foot step with a pole-arm does practically the same thing.

Lunge only works on your turn (no AoOs) and you can safely run circles around a polearm user provided he's not wielding multiple weapons (which has its own downsides).

I agree with Cyrad. You could argue that they should be slightly more expensive (doesn't take up the bracer slot) or slightly cheaper (effect doesn't work with multiple weapons), but I think the Longarm bracers from Ultimate Equipment are a good starting point.


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I have pointed all this out to the player and honestly I am sort of against making custom stuff. I rather have my players use something existing, specially when I give access to just about all the books and Hero Lab makes it pretty easy to look at everything.

I am trying to be open to the idea and not be a jerk but it does sort of feel he rather spend gold then take a penalty. So, yes, the player is wanting reach, AoO and threatening/attacking at no penalty except a lost from his character's coffers.

The excuses he gives is his character would get too freaked out by having his arms stretch via magic and such.

Has far as pricing, Longarm bracers have some qualities that can be in creative uses too (grabbing stuff from a distance and such).

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I'd say just have him buy longarm bracers and refluff it.

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