Question relative to enchanted weapons and armor

[applecat144]

I can't figure out if the enhancement bonus of a weapon still applies when you have a property.

In other words, let's say I want to craft an Igniting rapier. Igniting is a +2 enhancement bonus equivalent and what I don't understand is if when enchanted the weapon gets both the Igniting property and the +2 enhancement bonus, or if when I enchant to +2 level I have to choose between giving the bonus or the magic property ?

[Ferka]

You have to choose, and the weapon needs at least a +1 enchantment bonus to add any special abilities on top of. So to add Igniting, you’ll need to pay for a +3 equivalent in total. Here’s the relevant text from the prd:

Some magic weapons have special abilities. Special abilities count as additional bonuses for determining the market value of the item, but do not modify attack or damage bonuses (except where specifically noted). A single weapon cannot have a modified bonus (enhancement bonus plus special ability bonus equivalents, including those from character abilities and spells) higher than +10. A weapon with a special ability must also have at least a +1 enhancement bonus. Weapons cannot possess the same special ability more than once.

[Wonderstell]

Bob the Brawler wants a magic rapier.

In fact, he wants a rapier with the Igniting special ability.

Magic Weapon: Special Abilities wrote:

Some magic weapons have special abilities. Special abilities count as additional bonuses for determining the market value of the item, but do not modify attack or damage bonuses (except where specifically noted). A single weapon cannot have a modified bonus (enhancement bonus plus special ability bonus equivalents, including those from character abilities and spells) higher than +10. A weapon with a special ability must also have at least a +1 enhancement bonus. Weapons cannot possess the same special ability more than once.

So before you can add the Igniting ability, the rapier must be at least +1.

So Bob buys a (+1, Igniting) rapier. This has the same price as a +3 rapier, as Igniting is a +2 equivalent ability.

The (+1, Igniting) rapier is not better than a +1 rapier to hit, as they have the same enhancement bonus.

****

To make this more clear, there is a difference between Enhancement Bonus and Weapon Bonus.

The (+1, Igniting) rapier has the same Enhancement Bonus as a +1 rapier.

The (+1, Igniting) rapier also has the same Weapon bonus as a +3 rapier.

***

The (+1, Igniting) rapier has an Enhancement bonus of +1 to Attack/Damage.

The +3 rapier has an Enhancement bonus of +3 to Attack/Damage.

[applecat144]

Wonderstell wrote:

Bob the Brawler wants a magic rapier.

In fact, he wants a rapier with the Igniting special ability.

Magic Weapon: Special Abilities wrote:

Some magic weapons have special abilities. Special abilities count as additional bonuses for determining the market value of the item, but do not modify attack or damage bonuses (except where specifically noted). A single weapon cannot have a modified bonus (enhancement bonus plus special ability bonus equivalents, including those from character abilities and spells) higher than +10. A weapon with a special ability must also have at least a +1 enhancement bonus. Weapons cannot possess the same special ability more than once.

So before you can add the Igniting ability, the rapier must be at least +1.

So Bob buys a (+1, Igniting) rapier. This has the same price as a +3 rapier, as Igniting is a +2 equivalent ability.

The (+1, Igniting) rapier is not better than a +1 rapier to hit, as they have the same enhancement bonus.

****

To make this more clear, there is a difference between Enhancement Bonus and Weapon Bonus.

The (+1, Igniting) rapier has the same Enhancement Bonus as a +1 rapier.

The (+1, Igniting) rapier also has the same Weapon bonus as a +3 rapier.

***

The (+1, Igniting) rapier has an Enhancement bonus of +1 to Attack/Damage.

The +3 rapier has an Enhancement bonus of +3 to Attack/Damage.

Ok, thank you. This is much clearer.