Changing the form of a magic weapon?

[Kryx]

Are there any spells/rituals that can be used to change the form of a magical weapon to another? Say a Sword to an Axe.

[ImSAMazing]

Are there any spells/rituals that can be used to change the form of a magical weapon to another? Say a Sword to an Axe.

I dont think so, but I would rule that a normal magic weapon(NOT an artifact) when melted in a Forge could be changed to another kind of weapon(as long as it is logical, so you can t change a arrow to a knife or a longsword to a longbow) with a succesfull check.

[Spacehamster]

Somebody should homebrew a feat or ritual spell that transfers an enchantment from 1 item to another. :)

[Kryx]

Somebody should homebrew a feat or ritual spell that transfers an enchantment from 1 item to another. :)
Ritual spell would be my choice.

[bardo]

Are there any spells/rituals that can be used to change the form of a magical weapon to another? Say a Sword to an Axe.

There used to be a Polymorph Object that explicitly ruled out magic items. I like the idea, though. Being able to alter a magic item, perhaps not through magic alone but also through forging?

It's frustrating when characters find magic items and go "uff, I can't use this, no body in the party can use this". On a larger scale it means adventurers sometimes find "junk" magic items (junk to them, that is) and those magic items would logically end up in shops.

Giving the players (and on a large scale, all adventurers) a means to repurpose an item would greatly reduce junk magic items, and be a more convincing argument to why shops do not have magic items.

Bardo

[VoxRationis]

Can't Blade Pact warlocks do something like that? I've seen enough "you have a special weapon"-type class abilities that I might be getting them confused.

[Ralanr]

I dont think so, but I would rule that a normal magic weapon(NOT an artifact) when melted in a Forge could be changed to another kind of weapon(as long as it is logical, so you can t change a arrow to a knife or a longsword to a longbow) with a succesfull check.

I always assumed that'd break the enchantment.

[VoxRationis]

I always assumed that'd break the enchantment.

I would too. It might depend on the way the DM views magic items. A lot of the time, they're supposed to be supernaturally sharp or the like, which would not survive reforging. But if it's somehow an enhancement of the metal itself, or is some sort of enchantment that isn't tied to physical state (which would make it a +X lump of metal during the reforging process), it could work.

[Inevitability]

Somebody should homebrew a feat or ritual spell that transfers an enchantment from 1 item to another. :)

Both 3.5 and 4e had such a thing. Just be patient and we'll get it.

That is, unless WotC decides that since magic items aren't mandatory anymore we don't need such a thing anymore.

[Kryx]

Both 3.5 and 4e had such a thing. Just be patient and we'll get it.
What was it called?

[VoxRationis]

Both 3.5 and 4e had such a thing. Just be patient and we'll get it.

That is, unless WotC decides that since magic items aren't mandatory anymore we don't need such a thing anymore.

Yeah, in this edition I'm having trouble coming up with situations where you find a magic item someone can't use, unless everyone's already completely filled up with them, at which point you have nothing to complain about.

[Atalas]

It's easy to homebrew whatever you want, but then you need to figure out balance (if you care about it). Transferring the enchantment from one item to another would be simple, and necessary for an adventuring party. The question is what level would such a spell be? I can't see it being below third level, but not really higher than fifth either.

[Kryx]

It's easy to homebrew whatever you want, but then you need to figure out balance (if you care about it). Transferring the enchantment from one item to another would be simple, and necessary for an adventuring party. The question is what level would such a spell be? I can't see it being below third level, but not really higher than fifth either.
I was thinking 4th.

[Starsinger]

Also as a note, just because the DMG says a Flametongue is a fire weapon only, it doesn't mean you can't have one be an Axe or a Spear depending on what the PCs use.

[Occasional Sage]

Are there any spells/rituals that can be used to change the form of a magical weapon to another? Say a Sword to an Axe.

Of course! Don't you know about Zeb the Enchanter who lives three towns over? He's figured out how to do it! Nobody's seen him in nine or ten years, but don't worry; just get a drink at the Rusty Giant and leave a note with the bartender (last time I was there he was expecting 10gp or so in tips). In a week or so one of Zeb's little disposable golems'll bring a reply back to the bar and fall apart. It only took us five notes to agree on a price, but MAN did Kyltho have a meltdown at the idea of leaving the Mace of Valorous Wrath with that paunchy beer-puller!

[Kryx]

10g to re-enchant a magic item? psssh

[Fighting_Ferret]

I believe the 10 gold was to "convince" the bartender to send a note to the enchanter...not the actual re-enchantment fee.

[Person_Man]

I personally would be against such a spell, unless it was exclusive to the 1/3 and 1/2 casters and somehow couldn't be selected as a Lore spell by Bards.

In most (though certainly not all) games, magic weapons are a big buff to non-full casters. If full casters (especially Lore Bards or Pact of Blade Warlocks) can snag them and reshape them into their preferred weapon, then they get a very big buff, which they don't need.

[Kryx]

Really, I don't need a spell.

I just need to know a general amount to charge for someone morphing a weapon to a new form. A trident to a spear for a monk to use for instance. Placing it around 3rd level would give me a price range.

[JackPhoenix]

You don't need any magic ritual to make a triednt into a spear, what you need is a hacksaw. :smallcool:

[rollingForInit]

Can't Blade Pact warlocks do something like that? I've seen enough "you have a special weapon"-type class abilities that I might be getting them confused.

The standard weapon can take the shape of any of the weapons from the PHB, yes. If you bond a real, magical weapon, however, you make that weapon your pact weapon. So you can summon/banish it, but you cannot alter it.

[D.U.P.A.]

In 5e (at least for now) this is not even needed, as there are no weapon type feats (yet), so a fighter can equally well use either sword, axe, hammer or even more exotic ones like morningstar or pick, all of which are pretty much equivalent.

[Sigreid]

Personally, I wouldn't allow it. But then I envision making a magic weapon as something that has to be done as the weapon is crafted, binding the magic to it's nature at it's creation.

[Kryx]

In 5e (at least for now) this is not even needed, as there are no weapon type feats (yet), so a fighter can equally well use either sword, axe, hammer or even more exotic ones like morningstar or pick, all of which are pretty much equivalent.
If you read the thread you would see my example of a monk wanting to use a trident as a spear.

I see no prob man with adapting adventure path items to the party if they pay some extra gold.

[JoeJ]

If you read the thread you would see my example of a monk wanting to use a trident as a spear.

I see no prob man with adapting adventure path items to the party if they pay some extra gold.

Why does a monk even have a magic trident to worry about? When the party divided the treasure, why didn't that go to somebody else?

[Kryx]

Why does a monk even have a magic trident to worry about? When the party divided the treasure, why didn't that go to somebody else?
Because we have an archer ranger, a wizard, a rogue, a druid, and a monk.

[MaxWilson]

Are there any spells/rituals that can be used to change the form of a magical weapon to another? Say a Sword to an Axe.

Not officially. AD&D had the Steal Enchantment spell (7th level) which moved one weapon's enchantment into another nonmagical weapon of the same general type, if you're looking for something to use as a baseline. It was basically designed for this scenario. I can't remember if the weapon got a saving throw.

I did allow one of my players to convert a Sword of Life-stealing into a Glaive of Life-stealing by making a new haft for it. I also warned him that it was due strictly to the Rule of Yes (i.e. any crazy idea you think of is legal, the first time you attempt it in the campaign; 2nd and subsequent times will cause the DM to generate actual rules for it). In general I wouldn't allow this kind of thing without special circumstances.

[Safety Sword]

Because we have an archer ranger, a wizard, a rogue, a druid, and a monk.

Why isn't the DM only giving out relevant treasure?

[Kryx]

Why isn't the DM only giving out relevant treasure?
I am the DM and we're playing an adventure path. Besides it's entirely in flavor that a sahuagin baron uses a trident - it shouldn't be reflavored just so the party can eventually have it.

Only giving loot that the party can perfectly use is unrealistic. But giving useless loot isn't good either - hence the thread.

[Safety Sword]

I am the DM and we're playing an adventure path. Besides it's entirely in flavor that a sahuagin baron uses a trident - it shouldn't be reflavored just so the party can eventually have it.

Only giving loot that the party can perfectly use is unrealistic. But giving useless loot isn't good either - hence the thread.

If you're the DM you can do whatever you like.

And let's not get into realism considerations, it's a magic elf game with enchanted dwarves and ogre princesses.

[Sigreid]

I am the DM and we're playing an adventure path. Besides it's entirely in flavor that a sahuagin baron uses a trident - it shouldn't be reflavored just so the party can eventually have it.

Only giving loot that the party can perfectly use is unrealistic. But giving useless loot isn't good either - hence the thread.

Well, as the GM you could allow the trident to adapt to the person who attunes it, changing shape over the hour into a spear. You can tell the characters that it's a hidden quality of the weapon that it adapts to the type of spear best suited for it's user (a trident basically being a variation of a spear). Heck, you could have all magic weapons adapt themselves similarly to their user much in the same way that a magic suit of armor adapts to fit it's wearer. So, a long sword could change over the attunement hour into a scimitar or a short sword for the rogue that is attuning it; but while it may turn itself into a greatsword for the half orc barbarian, it would not become a great axe.

just thinking with my fingers moving.

[Ralanr]

And let's not get into realism considerations, it's a magic elf game with enchanted dwarves and ogre princesses.

Kinda want to sig this.

[Kryx]

If you're the DM you can do whatever you like.
I can and I want the enemy to have a trident because that is what he carries.

Now I also want loot to be usable by the party. Hence this thread.



Well, as the GM you could allow the trident to adapt to the person who attunes it, changing shape over the hour into a spear.
I'm sure this won't be the last time that it happens so I'd rather have a way of pricing it as a cost to them. I'm thinking 500g.

[D.U.P.A.]

If you read the thread you would see my example of a monk wanting to use a trident as a spear.

I see no prob man with adapting adventure path items to the party if they pay some extra gold.

I would then suggest make a trident a variant of spear. Spear and trident have basically the same statistics (trident only being 1 lb heavier), only one is simple weapon, the other is military, the reason is just fluff.

Sometimes magic weapons (armors even more) can be just useless for the party. If you have a party of (Light) Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer and Wizard, you will hardly make use of any weapons.

[Kryx]

Please read the thread before posting. This will likely happen in many cases. I'm not looking for a solution for this specific case, but a solution that I can apply in general.

That solution is ~500 gold depending on the transformation. Similar items are cheaper.

[Gwendol]

You are the DM: make it so!

[Knaight]

In 5e (at least for now) this is not even needed, as there are no weapon type feats (yet), so a fighter can equally well use either sword, axe, hammer or even more exotic ones like morningstar or pick, all of which are pretty much equivalent.

There are several weapon type feats, and someone could easily be better off with a mundane pole-arm than a magical two handed weapon (or vise versa) entirely based off of feat selection.

[Fighting_Ferret]

Well as there are no rules for it... we are in new territory.

You could create a spell that basically transfers enchantments. It would require the item to transfer from and the new item to transfer to, as well as several more expensive ingredients. Give it a chance to lose some of the enchantment, maintain the full enchantment, and possibly improve it. You are gambling here, but can also charge a fee as a spell casting service...have the spell be a secret of a particular wizard, it could even be the reward for a quest.

You could grant the weapon sentience and the ability to change its shape and appearance to entice a wielder. No fee, but it might find a wielder it likes better and try to tempt them to take it or not work at all for someone if doesn't like.

You could rule that each magical item contains a certain amount of raw magic, that can be recovered and re-smithed into an enchantment of the same type/level by an expert craftsman. Charge a fee or run a quest for the legendary tools that allow this act to happen.

Or you could let them pay a fee to learn how to use the weapon over time, via a trainer.

[Cybren]

I would say if it's a simple change, like a long sword to a short sword, or a trident to a spear, any craftsman of sufficient skill could do it (though perhaps you'd only want a master to try so as to avoid accidents destroying it totally). That basically comes down to how much damage an object has to take for the bonus to "fall off".

If it's complex, like taking the enchantment off a bow and putting it on a sword... Iunno. Im not sure as a DM id want to make that an option. I'd present them opportunities to sell/trade it to collectors/other adventurers they come across, who might have the desired item (and also cannot use), or know someone who does. I'd give them opportunities to find other treasure as well, though.

[Safety Sword]

Kinda want to sig this.

Permission granted if you decide to.

[JellyPooga]

Really, I don't need a spell.

I just need to know a general amount to charge for someone morphing a weapon to a new form.

Shall I throw some numbers your way?

100gp - same price as Silvering

500gp - Five times the cost of Silvering, upper limit of Uncommon Magic Items

5,000gp - Upper limit of Rare Magic Items, cost to build a Guildhall or Trading Post

50,000gp - Cost to build a Keep, Small Castle or Temple

Depending on how rare magic is in your campaign, select an appropriate figure. You're the GM, it's your game, it's your decision. There's no RAW answer to this, so it's all on you.

If it were my game (I typically run a fairly low-magic setting), I'd charge around the 10,000gp mark,total, for a weapon change like you suggest; no ordinary smith can maintain the enchantments in a magical weapon whilst reforging it to a new shape and form; that's specialist work. The cost would include fees and bribes to actually find someone capable of the task, materials required and the actual price given to that person, as well as any subsidiary costs not mentioned.