Identify Obfuscation

[Drathric]

Is there a way to hide the purpose of a magic item from an Identify spell? Further, is there a way to make the Identify spell produce a totally false result?

[Diarmuid]

Cursed items are the most common items that I know of that Identify as one thing but are actually something else.

[Red Fel]

Nystul's Magic Aura (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/magicAura.htm) allows you to decide how an item pings to Detect spells and the like, or whether it pings at all. It has a special caveat for Identify - if the caster of Identify fails a Will save, he believes the Magic Aura. Alternatively, an item with Nondetection (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/nondetection.htm) is resistant to Divinations, including Identify.

[Gildedragon]

Nystul's Magic Aura (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/magicAura.htm) allows you to decide how an item pings to Detect spells and the like, or whether it pings at all. It has a special caveat for Identify - if the caster of Identify fails a Will save, he believes the Magic Aura. Alternatively, an item with Nondetection (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/nondetection.htm) is resistant to Divinations, including Identify.
You could layer the magic auras. They are bound to fail a save eventually. Watch the joy as fifteen different identifications all say fifteen different things. Even if they identify successfully they will not trust the result. Then magic aura layer some other item(s) with the addition of the original item's aura.

[Crake]

You could layer the magic auras. They are bound to fail a save eventually. Watch the joy as fifteen different identifications all say fifteen different things. Even if they identify successfully they will not trust the result. Then magic aura layer some other item(s) with the addition of the original item's aura.

Except that magic stacking rules say that same source doesn't stack. So only one magic aura at a time thank you.

[Gildedragon]

Mmm.
Making decoys still works

Also a lead dip,

[atemu1234]

Except that magic stacking rules say that same source doesn't stack. So only one magic aura at a time thank you.

Meh. You could always homebrew a spell that does that if you're the DM and want something like that.

[Twilightwyrm]

Make it a Legacy Weapon/Item. It will require extra work, but these specifically do not identify themselves if the identify spell is cast. The caster just knows it is powerful.

[VoxRationis]

Except that magic stacking rules say that same source doesn't stack. So only one magic aura at a time thank you.

Would they really be stacking per se, though? Each spell would be doing separate things.

[sleepyphoenixx]

Just use Magic Aura to make it register as non-magic. Most people won't even try to identify it. Since it's duration is so long you can easily boost your saves beforehand to make it harder on those who do eventually try.
It's not 100% foolproof but it's pretty close for a minimal investment of resources.