Arcane Bond question: WBL out the window? [PF]

[SilverLeaf167]

Well, I seem to be in a mood for Pathfinder exploits.

Reading through the Wizard's Arcane Bond ability (find it here (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/wizard)), I noticed that it says this:

Wizards who select a bonded object begin play with one at no cost. Objects that are the subject of an arcane bond must fall into one of the following categories: amulet, ring, staff, wand, or weapon.
Does this mean you can choose any magic item falling into one of those categories and get if for free at first level? I don't see in the anything in the text arguing against that possibility, of course it is possible I simply missed something simple like last time.

Anyway, if it worked like I think it does, it would be quite gamebreaking by giving the player a very powerful magic item, whether they decide to use it or sell it for a huge step forward in WBL.

Please tell me I'm just reading it wrong. :smalleek: Otherwise this is a mistake the sorts of I don't really remember even WotC making (they probably have, but that's not the point)

[Grelna the Blue]

Wizards who select a bonded object begin play with one at no cost. Objects that are the subject of an arcane bond must fall into one of the following categories: amulet, ring, staff, wand, or weapon. These objects are always masterwork quality. Weapons acquired at 1st level are not made of any special material. If the object is an amulet or ring, it must be worn to have effect, while staves, wands, and weapons must be wielded. If a wizard attempts to cast a spell without his bonded object worn or in hand, he must make a concentration check or lose the spell. The DC for this check is equal to 20 + the spell's level. If the object is a ring or amulet, it occupies the ring or neck slot accordingly.


A wizard can add additional magic abilities to his bonded object as if he has the required Item Creation Feats and if he meets the level prerequisites of the feat. For example, a wizard with a bonded dagger must be at least 5th level to add magic abilities to the dagger (see Craft Magic Arms and Armor feat). If the bonded object is a wand, it loses its wand abilities when its last charge is consumed, but it is not destroyed and it retains all of its bonded object properties and can be used to craft a new wand. The magic properties of a bonded object, including any magic abilities added to the object, only function for the wizard who owns it. If a bonded object's owner dies, or the item is replaced, the object reverts to being an ordinary masterwork item of the appropriate type.


If the object of an arcane bond is lost or destroyed, it can be replaced after 1 week in a special ritual that costs 200 gp per wizard level plus the cost of the masterwork item. This ritual takes 8 hours to complete. Items replaced in this way do not possess any of the additional enchantments of the previous bonded item. A wizard can designate an existing magic item as his bonded item. This functions in the same way as replacing a lost or destroyed item except that the new magic item retains its abilities while gaining the benefits and drawbacks of becoming a bonded item.


So yes, you can get an absolutely free masterwork item at 1st level wizard, OR theoretically you could designate an existing magic item as a bonded item, for the full cost of the item plus 200 gp. Of course, "existing" in this case would assume bought or inherited (plus requisite GM approval), but it would count against your starting wealth regardless. A less than fully-charged wand with a 1st level spell cast at 1st level plus the Rich Parents trait (900 gp starting wealth) would do it. However, it doesn't really seem worth as if it would be worth it, most of the time.

[SilverLeaf167]

Hmm, I get your point, but I find those bolded parts sort of questionable.

The object reverts to a masterwork item, but, well, all magic items have been masterwork at some point. Who says they're necessarily masterwork at the time the Wizard gets them? After all, a normal wand can revert into an useless stick, but that doesn't mean it was an useless stick when the character bought it.

About that last part, even if we ignore the fact that it actually discusses replacing your arcane bond and not receiving it in the first place, an object does exist even if you don't own it yet. Nothing in the text really states that you couldn't simply choose "the king's +5 speed vorpal greatsword" or just "a staff of power" as your arcane bond and receive it immediately, as long as the item in question exists somewhere in the world.

[grarrrg]

Nothing in the text really states that you couldn't simply choose "the king's +5 speed vorpal greatsword" or just "a staff of power" as your arcane bond and receive it immediately, as long as the item in question exists somewhere in the world.

Well, there is this part:

Wizards who select a bonded object begin play with one at no cost. Objects that are the subject of an arcane bond must fall into one of the following categories: amulet, ring, staff, wand, or weapon. These objects are always masterwork quality. Weapons acquired at 1st level are not made of any special material.

And yes, 'technically' all magic items must also be Masterwork.
But given the context, and specific mention of Masterwork, I'd say "no magic for you".

[gomipile]

Yes, at level 1 it is just a masterwork item that gives some specific magical benefits to its owner and only its owner. Those benefits are precisely outlined in the description of Arcane Bond. It can be upgraded by the wizard later as though the wizard had the item creation feat required, but until that time it is just a masterwork item. And those upgrades revert as soon as the wizard dies, relinquishes the item, etc.

[ShadowFighter15]

Yeah, you only get the item free if it's just a masterwork item. If you wanted to change your Arcane Bond item to a staff of some kind you found later in the adventure, you could, but you would still have to obtain that staff through gameplay somehow (or pay for it with starting cash).