[3.5] Spell Arrows?

[Jergmo]

I have a quick question for the Playground; I'm running an E6 campaign, relatively low magic, and need to supply some NPCs who are mage hunters, tracking down one of the NPCs. What I'm wondering is, is there precedent for adding a spell effect to ammunition?

For example, an arrow of Dispel Magic. Any help with this, or alternatives, would be appreciated!

[Piggy Knowles]

Spell Storing (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/magicWeapons.htm#spellStoring) arrows seem like just the thing.

[Jergmo]

Oh, thank you! It had completely passed my mind that there was an actual Core option. It should apply to a bow, shouldn't it? Or I suppose if multiple archers were to use them, a spell storing arrow should be... 160 gp a pop.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

You can make +1 Spell Storing (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/magicWeapons.htm#spellStoring) Arrows, though it's not normally possible in E6. Note that their absence from the tables only excludes them from being discovered as random loot, and there's nothing in the ability's description that indicates it cannot be used on ammunition.

A Sleep Arrow (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/magicWeapons.htm#sleepArrow) is 132 gp, which based on the cost to create it means that they cost 7 gp in mundane materials and have a magical base price of 125 gp. So yes, there is a precedent for ammunition that delivers a specific spell effect. DMG Table 7-33 indicates that a single-use, use activated spell effect is Spell Level x Caster Level x 50 gp (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/creatingMagicItems.htm). You would also need to consider the price of the +1 arrows, which costs 2,000 gp for 50, or 40 gp each. So the price of a single +1 Arrow of Dispelling should be (3x5x50)+40+7= 797 gp, and cost 402 gp and 31 xp to craft.

[Jergmo]

Thank you for that to consider as well. That's fairly steep. Technically, I believe that spell storing weapons could be created via Cooperative Casting, but it would require... 7 6th level casters working together.

Edit: There doesn't seem to be a listed CL requirement for overall enhancement bonuses; am I wrong? A fair number of +1 enhancement bonuses seem legit but I don't see anything arguing against, say, a +4 thundering hammer.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

"The creator’s caster level must be at least three times the enhancement bonus of the armor/weapon. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/creatingMagicItems.htm#creatingMagicArmor)"

[DeltaEmil]

Thank you for that to consider as well. That's fairly steep. Technically, I believe that spell storing weapons could be created via Cooperative Casting, but it would require... 7 6th level casters working together.

Edit: There doesn't seem to be a listed CL requirement for overall enhancement bonuses; am I wrong? A fair number of +1 enhancement bonuses seem legit but I don't see anything arguing against, say, a +4 thundering hammer.For the enhancement bonus itself, you need a caster level of three times the enhancement bonus. If the magic item also has one or more special abilities, the highest caster level must be met.

The +1 spell storing arrow requires a creator with caster level 12 because of the spell storing special ability.

A +4 thundering hammer requires a creator with caster level 12 because of the enhancement bonus.

[holywhippet]

There is also the imbue arrow class ability of the arcane archer PrC. I don't think that will help though since you need to be level 6 before you can even take a level of that class, let alone a second level. It also requires the person to be able to cast arcane spells.

[Jergmo]

Thank you for your help, everyone. I don't know how I missed that line about enhancement bonus. This is my first time running an E6 campaign, and I suppose I've gotten a bit lost in details that I've taken for granted.