Pricing question

[thorin001]

I am trying out a formula system for magic items similar to what PF2 does. So to make a magic item you need the apropriate feat and the formula. I want characters to buy new formulae just like wizards can buy new spells for their spellbooks.

What is a fair pricing scheme for such formulae? My first thought is 1% of the sale price of the item.

[I grok do u]

I assume you are trying to limit PCs from making just anything in the vast lists of magic items. Is this just for wondrous items, or also for weapons and armor?

Since PF1e items are "mostly" balanced by price, a flat 1% price is probably good enough. Pricing by caster level x some gp amount is another method, but will have some oddities as CL is not really linked to pricing as consistently.

Just use wizard spell scribing prices if you are requiring these for potions, wands, and the like. That is an interesting mechanic that could allow wizards to make healing potions or clerics doing potions of mage armor.

[thorin001]

I grok do u wrote:

I assume you are trying to limit PCs from making just anything in the vast lists of magic items. Is this just for wondrous items, or also for weapons and armor?

Since PF1e items are "mostly" balanced by price, a flat 1% price is probably good enough. Pricing by caster level x some gp amount is another method, but will have some oddities as CL is not really linked to pricing as consistently.

Just use wizard spell scribing prices if you are requiring these for potions, wands, and the like. That is an interesting mechanic that could allow wizards to make healing potions or clerics doing potions of mage armor.

It would be for everything except potions, scrolls, and wands. Characters get free formulae every level for each crafting feat they have, similar to how wizards get free spells every level.

[NorrKnekten]

You don't need the formula to craft items in 2e anymore since the remaster hit.

Formula prices in 2e also vary between 5-10% of the price for a permanent item based on its level but allow the item to be crafted faster, This also includes consumables so characters can make them faster/cheaper.

You also gain a couple of free ones when picking up Magical crafting, Alchemical Crafting or the likes.

So yeah... im not sure but I think a 5% sounds reasonable if you include the additional benefits of having a formula. (like reduced crafttime)

[Taja the Barbarian]

Is there a specific objective for this idea? In my limited experience with item crafting, a free formula each level will almost certainly be more than I will actually use if I have enough foresight to plan ahead a bit, as the major limitation on crafting is actually the amount of downtime the campaign* allows.

I suspect my Oracle from Wrath of the Righteous could count the number of items she actually crafted over maybe 10 levels on the fingers of one or maybe two hands..

*My group plays Adventure Paths, so it might be that other campaigns have more downtime than I tend to see (My Bloodrager literally took a trainer with her on a boat trip to retrain a feat in Return of the Runelords as I didn't see her getting a solid week of downtime any other way).

[thorin001]

Taja the Barbarian wrote:

Is there a specific objective for this idea? In my limited experience with item crafting, a free formula each level will almost certainly be more than I will actually use if I have enough foresight to plan ahead a bit, as the major limitation on crafting is actually the amount of downtime the campaign* allows.

I suspect my Oracle from Wrath of the Righteous could count the number of items she actually crafted over maybe 10 levels on the fingers of one or maybe two hands..

*My group plays Adventure Paths, so it might be that other campaigns have more downtime than I tend to see (My Bloodrager literally took a trainer with her on a boat trip to retrain a feat in Return of the Runelords as I didn't see her getting a solid week of downtime any other way).

This will be for King Maker, so there will be copious down time. This is mostly to keep people from making every item under the sun. It also allows for some non-gold rewards.

I also have more involved rules for making your own formulae.

[Azothath]

maybe Homebrew forum?

Would it be that bad to have them hire an NPC with the correct crafting feat and assist? That hits two rules and can speed up the crafting. It also lets you easily limit what class of items can be made and the rate of production.

a thought:

I think I'd use their IWC average ((Int bonus +Wis bonus +Cha bonus)/3) or INT bonus to determine the "free" learnable formula for specific items. A feat would add 3 items to your list.
Learning it means finding and being accepted as a temporary apprentice for an NPC, 3* minimum caster level number of days, then highest Spl Lvl requirement in gp/day (as your are an apprentice crafter).