Comments on: What’s a +1 Sword?

By: Ameron

Ameron — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:02:12 +0000

@Bog97th
I never used to tell PCs what an item’s power was until they had an opportunity to put it to practical use. However, we eventually spent more time trying to identify items then actually role-playing so we abandoned this methodology long ago.

You’re right about the one ring. Players need to remember that just because some worlds (like Eberron, for example) are magic rich, not all worlds are. Magic items should never be taken for granted just because you think their common-place.

By: Bog97th

Bog97th — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:54:29 +0000

When I used to play with my old DM, he never told us what the item did or a name unless it was a real relic. Them the name would be told but never the functions. Players had to figure the powers out on their own. Either through trial and error or magic. It lent a lot more to the game and the character back ground. I also try to follow that rule.

As more a +1 sword “just” being a +1 sword….. Look at Lord of the Rings! One lousy ring of invisibility created all that mess. Even with Wizards being around.

It’s all in how you run game not the how the game runs you.

Game ON!

By: Top 10 of the Past 200 — Dungeon's Master

Top 10 of the Past 200 — Dungeon's Master — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:04:21 +0000

[...] What’s A +1 Sword? – I knew this article would make the top 10, but was honestly surprised that it ranked at #1! An open discussion about how your character sees and describe his magic items. [...]

By: Siskoid

Siskoid — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:47:03 +0000

I wouldn’t post on an open channel if I didn’t want you to.

Cheers.
Siskoid´s last blog ..Cat of the Geek #10: Red Lantern

By: Ameron

Ameron — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:34:48 +0000

@Sean Holland
I think many PCs get so used to having magic that when they do find something as “trivial” as a +1 sword it’s not even seen as a valuable treasure. I’m glad you’ve tried to remedy this problem.

@Rook
I like the mild, moderate or powerful idea, but I agree that it’s going to be directly related to the level of the party so long-term this may become more difficult to manage.

I’ve often used command words to trigger wands. It’s amazing how something as simple as forcing a PC to yell the activation word when he wants to use it can make a game more memorable and enjoyable.

@Siskoid
I think your effect and trigger ideas are both great suggestion. I like how it won’t directly affect the game mechanics but will enhance role-playing. Very imaginative, I may have to steal this idea.

By: Intelligent Magic Items — Dungeon's Master

Intelligent Magic Items — Dungeon's Master — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:04:48 +0000

[...] our look at magic items that began in yesterday’s article What’s a +1 Sword?, today I’m going to share some of the pros and cons I’ve experienced by introducing an [...]

By: Siskoid

Siskoid — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:38:00 +0000

I’d have to check some old notes to see if I actually “named” items, but like Sean, I like to make each item unique through effect or trigger.

Effect: The sword has faintly glowing runes that grow brighter after it tastes blood. Or the wind seems to rush behind it as it strikes. Or it feels lighter to the person it’s bonded to, and heavier to everyone else.

Trigger: If the item has a triggerable power, I like to make that trigger culturally significant. A war paint stripe has to be dashed on it. An oath must be spoken. Or it could be all about its daily maintenance, with oils, incense or being kept in a dark box.
Siskoid´s last blog ..Don’t Hurt the Player Characters…

By: Rook

Rook — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:23:33 +0000

When describing the level of enchantment of an item in game, we usually refer to their enchantment as mild, moderate or powerful. Of course, this is totally dependant on personal perception and the tier or level you are playing at. A +3 sword at 4th level would be considered very powerful, but at 23rd level, not so much.

And instead of naming some wands, rods or staves, I usually give it a short detailed description, but I also give it a very specific activation word, which tends to make it rather memorable. Even after 15 years of game play, some of my players still talk about the dread they felt when my Halfling character pulled out his Wand of Wonder and spoke the word “Canomere!”

(Ahhh… those were the days.)
Rook´s last blog ..My Foray into 4E: Taking the “Role” out of roleplaying

By: Sean Holland

Sean Holland — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:53:15 +0000

I rarely, as a GM, hand out named magic items but I try to ensure that each magic item has someone interesting in is description (and perhaps a minor additional ability) so that the players can form an attachment (and name them) if they wish. But entirely agreed, magic items should never be just a “sword, +1″.
Sean Holland´s last blog ..The Kingdom of Eosiant – Knights and Ambition

By: Ameron

Ameron — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:30:28 +0000

@Tim
I really like this idea. It eliminates the “I’ve got a +1 sword” conversation and still gives the PCs an idea of what kind of item they found in the dragon’s horde.

@Micah
Rather than rely on lesser magical items as easy ways to carry wealth we use gems. When the PCs reach a certain point in their development our DM stops rewarding as much magic (especially on the low end) and ramps up the number of gems, jewels and art objects. This way you don’t hear comments like “Great, another +2 dagger. We already have five of those. Just throw it in the Bag of Holding until we can sell it.”

@mike
This is sort of the opposite of Micah’s comment above. I can see how this would work in a society that relies heavily on trading and bartering and less on currency. If magic items are treated like currency then this makes for some very interesting role-playing opportunities.

@Ben
My group plays in Eberron, which is extremely magic-rich. It seems like everyone has magic items. But in a magic-rare world a +1 sword (whether it’s got a name or not) is going to be considered a powerful item. As for Intelligent items, we’ll be covering that in an upcoming article.

@Hungry
Sounds like you and I look at this in very much the same way. I’m glad my guys aren’t the only ones who get something extra out of this additional attention to detail. Thanks for the comment.