ffone
2010-09-08, 02:17 AM
MIC (Magic Item Compendium) introduces Augment Crystals (i.e. Materia). Each can be affixed to a weapon (or armor, for some), only one at a time, and some only to masterwork or magic weapons.
The 'lesser' energy assault crystals add 1d6 of an energy type (sounds familiar...), cost 3K, and can be added to mw (or thus magic) weapons.
So...the regular energy properties have the same effect (as far as I can tell), but can only be added to magic weapons, will cost 6K or more (being base-price-bonus-+1), and can't be swapped out.
So are the crystals just flat out better? Why would anyone want a +1 flaming weapon instead of a +1 with the fire energy crystal? Other than the opportunity cost of a crystal slot, of course (i.e. there might be even better crystals!)
There are some other things which seem like a steal - free action draw crystals for 300 gp (can be added to any weapon) - seems far better than the 10,000 gp glove of storing in the srd, or taking Quick Draw, unless you plan to throw a very large number of weapons. There's also a 4K crysal which grants this, plus free pickup within 30' (if you dropped it or were disarmed, etc.), plus the Returning property, for 4K
Do people think these are too good? A fair correction of formerly overpriced abilities? (In my experience players consider energy properties a staple but Return not worth it). Is it just an acknowledgement that weapons should get one base-price-bonus+1 ability at a flat rate and then start using the bonus-squared formula? DMs, do you let your players with srd-style energy weapons retcon or fudgecraft them into +1-with-crystal weapons?
The 'lesser' energy assault crystals add 1d6 of an energy type (sounds familiar...), cost 3K, and can be added to mw (or thus magic) weapons.
So...the regular energy properties have the same effect (as far as I can tell), but can only be added to magic weapons, will cost 6K or more (being base-price-bonus-+1), and can't be swapped out.
So are the crystals just flat out better? Why would anyone want a +1 flaming weapon instead of a +1 with the fire energy crystal? Other than the opportunity cost of a crystal slot, of course (i.e. there might be even better crystals!)
There are some other things which seem like a steal - free action draw crystals for 300 gp (can be added to any weapon) - seems far better than the 10,000 gp glove of storing in the srd, or taking Quick Draw, unless you plan to throw a very large number of weapons. There's also a 4K crysal which grants this, plus free pickup within 30' (if you dropped it or were disarmed, etc.), plus the Returning property, for 4K
Do people think these are too good? A fair correction of formerly overpriced abilities? (In my experience players consider energy properties a staple but Return not worth it). Is it just an acknowledgement that weapons should get one base-price-bonus+1 ability at a flat rate and then start using the bonus-squared formula? DMs, do you let your players with srd-style energy weapons retcon or fudgecraft them into +1-with-crystal weapons?