Magical ammunition and crafting

[BloodandDust]

Hello brain trust...

I have a PC (4th level, expert crafter) that wants to buy and/or craft magical ammunition, e.g. shining arrows, antler arrows, etc. We are not clear on how batch sizes and costs work for this.

For normal arrows, the price is per batch: e.g. 1sp / 10 arrows

When purchasing magical arrows, is this the same? e.g. 3gp / 4 shining arrows - or - 12gp / 4 shining arrows

Assume the answer above would apply equally to crafting: 3gp / 4 (no extra time committed) to as low as 1.5gp / 4 (with 3 extra days spent) - or - 12gp / 4 (no extra time) to as low as 6gp / 4 (with 8 extra days spent)

Thoughts?

[Cordell Kintner]

The cost of magical ammo is per shot, so 4 of them would be the listed price x4.

[Mellack]

As was said, the cost is per individual piece of ammunition. If crafting in batches of 4, it would cost 4 times the price. The advantage is that you can craft 4 pieces in the same time instead of just one.

[BloodandDust]

Ok, thanks. I was afraid of that. Just seems quite expensive (unlike with potions, arrows frequently miss) but it makes sense nonetheless.

[Cordell Kintner]

You shouldn't be attacking with magical ammunition constantly. First off, most of them require an additional action to activate, restricting it to one shot per round (two with haste). Second, they usually don't deal additional damage, and when they do it's usually something that wouldn't stack with itself, like the Corrosive Ammunition's persistent damage.

Magical Ammo is a consumable, and by design consumables should be used periodically, not constantly.

[BloodandDust]

Oh absolutely, but even so....
The character conceptually would have a handful of different arrows, and pull out maybe one each fight (or two if the first misses). Sort of a low-budget Thaumaturge that has "just the right tool for this situation".

Well, maybe not low budget after all =)

Regular replenishing would be expensive but could possibly work. Think of an archer that, like a grappler monk, focuses on inflicting conditions instead of damage. Maybe a pile of arrows instead of a striking rune... just thinking.

Also love the visual of a desperate archer firing holly bushes and swan boats at an onrushing horde of zombies (feather token arrows) but, sadly, RAW is not kind to that idea either.

[Errenor]

They not only almost prohibitively expensive they also have fixed DCs which makes them useless when above their level...