Magic item creation costs

[Devronq]

Use-activated or continuous
Spell level × caster level × 2,000 gp
example. Lantern of revealing

Just looking through the item creation rules and im a little confused at this part.

Use-activated or continuous
Spell level × caster level × 2,000 gp
example. Lantern of revealing

then the total price is multiplied by a number based on its duration.
1 round/level times 4
1min/level times 2
10mins/level times 1.5
24hours divide in half

ok so if the spell has no duration (instantaneous) then the price isnt multiplied at all? but why it seems following this the spell is more expensive the shorter the duration, unless the spell has a really short or no duration than its suddenly alot cheaper? am i missing something or is this just one of those disfunctional things

[Telonius]

Think of it this way: if you didn't have the item, and you were trying to get the effect up all the time, you'd have to cast the spell a lot more often if the duration were rounds/level. So, it's more expensive.

But if you had an effect that lasted for 24 hours, you might as well just get a scroll or a wand of it; it would take a while before the Wondrous Item's price was lower than just using a wand once a day. So they reduce the price of the continuous item to compensate.

[Devronq]

well i was thinking about it this way
lets make two items

item of hold person infinite times a day (cl.10) would cost

(3x10x2000) x4= 240,000gp

item of fireball infinite times a day (cl.10) would cost

(3x10x2000)= 60,000gp

Why does hold person cost 4 times the amount that fireball does? ya its a better spell but no excuse its the same level why the huge cost difference?

[Jeraa]

Only items with a continuous duration (they function constantly) have a duration multiplier. Spells with an instantaneous duration should never be put into an item with a constant effect - thats probably the reason they weren't given a duration multiplier.

An item that can cast an unlimited number of Hold Person spells at caster level 10 doesn't cost 240,000gp. Its best made as a command activated item (spell level x caster level x 1800gp) for a total of (2x10x1800) 36,000gp (or 54,000gp if made by a wizard instead of a cleric).

Same with the item that can cast an unlimited number of fireballs. Its best priced as a command-activated item.

[Crake]

well i was thinking about it this way
lets make two items

item of hold person infinite times a day (cl.10) would cost

(3x10x2000) x4= 240,000gp

item of fireball infinite times a day (cl.10) would cost

(3x10x2000)= 60,000gp

Why does hold person cost 4 times the amount that fireball does? ya its a better spell but no excuse its the same level why the huge cost difference?

The hold person at will and fireball at will would cost the exact same, the x4 multiplier is if you make the magical item act continuously. So for example say.. manacles of paralysis. You put them on someone and they remain paralyzed until the manacles are taken off, vs say, a macguffin of hold person that lets you cast hold person every round, against whatever you want (with varying degrees of success)