Greetings everyone! I am trying to create a custom magic weapon for a campaign and would like some feedback on how strong it could be and what type of rarity it would be.
Lightning Caller: A weapon bearing this enchantment grants its wielder a +1 bonus to attacks and damage, and every attack deals an extra 1d6 Lightning damage. Also, as a bonus action once per round, the wielder can conjure a lightning strike against a target within 60 feet. The target must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or take 2d8 Lightning damage and have disadvantage on its next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn. On a successful saving throw the target takes half damage and does not suffer any other effects. In order to use this weapon the wielder must attune to it first.
I appreciate your feedback in advance, and thanks for you help!!!
For the power or the item I think uncommon or rare.
No, with that Bonus Action feature, I’d call this Very Rare. Any martial is getting 2d6 in rider damage at 5th level to weapon attacks and a BA move with guaranteed damage. That’s a serious boost to DPR. If the lightning strike was limited use it’d be about a Rare, but as an at-will the damage stacks up fast.
My group is level 9 at the moment, and I intend to give it to them at level 10 or 11. The most probable character to take it is the party's Barbarian, who will like being able to attack foes at range.
I'd agree with it being very rare. It's really strong. I'd also agree with limiting the number of uses per day. Infinite bonus action guaranteed damage is kind of nuts.
If you're thinking the barbarian will use it, then there's a different wrinkle. The lightning strike isn't an attack (there's no attack roll) so the barb will be disappointed to realize using it won't keep their rage going. Or maybe that's kind of a backdoor check on its power.
For the power or the item I think uncommon or rare.
No, with that Bonus Action feature, I’d call this Very Rare. Any martial is getting 2d6 in rider damage at 5th level to weapon attacks and a BA move with guaranteed damage. That’s a serious boost to DPR. If the lightning strike was limited use it’d be about a Rare, but as an at-will the damage stacks up fast.
Seconded. A +1 weapon that adds 1d6 elemental damage per strike is decent for a Rare, adding the lightning strike ability bumps it to Very Rare.
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Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Raccoon just going to say, I also use they them pronouns, I'm excited to meet another person who is they/them. (I don't meet a lot of them
Same here! It's nice to meet you! I've seen you around a bit (LCW, ETC) but haven't really talked to you. Hope to see you around some!
And I second, it seems like a very rare item. I would wait till level 11, because that is generally when very rare magic items come into play, and if it still feels strong, nerf the BA lightning strike damage to 2d4
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Hi, I'm Raccoon_Master, a young genderfluid actor, writer, explorer, and bass vocalist. Pronouns They/Them/Theirs
My Characters: Brorminthe Devout Crusher; Morgrom the Cunning Summoner;Theathe Rebellious Beauty;
I think you all have a point that the bonus action power is a bit too strong. Though I wouldn't like to change it from being an at-will ability, I could drop the damage to 1d8 and reduce the Dexterity save DC to 14. Since my players will get this weapon at level 11, don't you think it will be ok?
Definitely helps moderate it. The at will is still a bit much, but tier 3 is also where the overall balance of the game starts to get fuzzier, so with the damage and DC reduction this isn't much different from an off-hand weapon attack.
Lightning Caller: A weapon bearing this enchantment grants its wielder a +1 bonus to attacks and damage, and every attack deals an extra 1d6 Lightning damage. Also, as a bonus action once per round, the wielder can conjure a lightning strike against a target within 60 feet. The target must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or take 2d8 Lightning damage and have disadvantage on its next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn. On a successful saving throw the target takes half damage and does not suffer any other effects. In order to use this weapon the wielder must attune to it first.
Borderline legendary. You don't have Charges per day on the Lightning Strike, which implies unlimited charges. It's also a Bonus Action, weapon action. This means you can cast a spell, then use the Spell like ability. That right there is busted. Also since the bonus to Hit and Damage, and extra lightning damage is not specified to the Weapon, you can add that to said spell attack. Extra Busted.
I would instead, make it tied to a melee weapon,
Lightning Caller (Weapon type- Long Sword - Attuned) : This weapon grants its wielder a +1 bonus to weapon attacks and damage, weapon attacks deals an extra 1d6 Lightning damage. Bonus Spell: Lightning Strike: (5 charges per day, if all charges are used 5% chance the weapon looses all magical alibies) as a bonus action the wielder can conjure a lightning strike against a target within 60 feet. The target must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or take 2d8 Lightning damage and have disadvantage on its next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn. On a successful saving throw the target takes half damage and does not suffer any other effects.
Having a chance of the item losing all magical properties if all charges are expended is far too punishing for a Very Rare item. Just give it five charges that refresh at dawn.
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Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
My group is level 9 at the moment, and I intend to give it to them at level 10 or 11. The most probable character to take it is the party's Barbarian, who will like being able to attack foes at range.
Having a chance of the item losing all magical properties if all charges are expended is far too punishing for a Very Rare item. Just give it five charges that refresh at dawn.
OK. So level 10 Barbarian.
Making adjustments. To my suggestion, made a Homebrew weapon as an example, feel free to use it.
Went with Lightning Lure, as it works better for a Barbadian, helps them get into melee faster. As it's for a Barbarian no need to do anything else but 5 charges.
This is an item that gives your primary target disadvantage against you. Forget everything about range and damage and so on - utterly uninteresting. In melee, your opponent has disadvantage against you. That is MASSIVELY powerful. Sure, there's a save, and sure it's only the first attack. But no, the absolute primary function of this enchantment is to make the wielder win basically any melee fight. I'd never allow it in a game, but I'd say it's legendary.
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Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
I'd say it is Legendary since it is roughly equivalent to casting Frostbite as a BA which could be done with the Very Rare Illusionist's Bracers, and Rare Dragon Wrath Weapon at the same time for only 1 attunement slot. It's not game breaking but will be the signature character-defining magic item for whomever ends up with it.
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Greetings everyone! I am trying to create a custom magic weapon for a campaign and would like some feedback on how strong it could be and what type of rarity it would be.
Lightning Caller: A weapon bearing this enchantment grants its wielder a +1 bonus to attacks and damage, and every attack deals an extra 1d6 Lightning damage. Also, as a bonus action once per round, the wielder can conjure a lightning strike against a target within 60 feet. The target must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or take 2d8 Lightning damage and have disadvantage on its next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn. On a successful saving throw the target takes half damage and does not suffer any other effects. In order to use this weapon the wielder must attune to it first.
I appreciate your feedback in advance, and thanks for you help!!!
Question: What level do you intend to give the players this magic item? In addition, what is the power level of the game you are running?
Once I have the OP's answers, I can tell you whether you need to tone it back or not in my opinion
Hi, I'm Raccoon_Master, a young genderfluid actor, writer, explorer, and bass vocalist. Pronouns They/Them/Theirs
My Characters: Brormin the Devout Crusher; Morgrom the Cunning Summoner; Thea the Rebellious Beauty;
Check out my EXTENDED SIGNATUR and don’t forget to join the Anything but the OGL 2.0 Thread!
"I don't make sense to you, and I don't make sense to myself. Maybe the only one I make sense to is God" ~ Me, trying to sound smart
Raccoon just going to say, I also use they them pronouns, I'm excited to meet another person who is they/them. (I don't meet a lot of them)
"Big sword, bigger brain"
-BigBrainGoblin
For the power or the item I think uncommon or rare.
"Big sword, bigger brain"
-BigBrainGoblin
No, with that Bonus Action feature, I’d call this Very Rare. Any martial is getting 2d6 in rider damage at 5th level to weapon attacks and a BA move with guaranteed damage. That’s a serious boost to DPR. If the lightning strike was limited use it’d be about a Rare, but as an at-will the damage stacks up fast.
My group is level 9 at the moment, and I intend to give it to them at level 10 or 11. The most probable character to take it is the party's Barbarian, who will like being able to attack foes at range.
I'd agree with it being very rare. It's really strong. I'd also agree with limiting the number of uses per day. Infinite bonus action guaranteed damage is kind of nuts.
If you're thinking the barbarian will use it, then there's a different wrinkle. The lightning strike isn't an attack (there's no attack roll) so the barb will be disappointed to realize using it won't keep their rage going. Or maybe that's kind of a backdoor check on its power.
Its a powerful item for sure but depending of its rarity it might be justifiable.
Seconded. A +1 weapon that adds 1d6 elemental damage per strike is decent for a Rare, adding the lightning strike ability bumps it to Very Rare.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Same here! It's nice to meet you! I've seen you around a bit (LCW, ETC) but haven't really talked to you. Hope to see you around some!
And I second, it seems like a very rare item. I would wait till level 11, because that is generally when very rare magic items come into play, and if it still feels strong, nerf the BA lightning strike damage to 2d4
Hi, I'm Raccoon_Master, a young genderfluid actor, writer, explorer, and bass vocalist. Pronouns They/Them/Theirs
My Characters: Brormin the Devout Crusher; Morgrom the Cunning Summoner; Thea the Rebellious Beauty;
Check out my EXTENDED SIGNATUR and don’t forget to join the Anything but the OGL 2.0 Thread!
"I don't make sense to you, and I don't make sense to myself. Maybe the only one I make sense to is God" ~ Me, trying to sound smart
I think you all have a point that the bonus action power is a bit too strong. Though I wouldn't like to change it from being an at-will ability, I could drop the damage to 1d8 and reduce the Dexterity save DC to 14. Since my players will get this weapon at level 11, don't you think it will be ok?
Definitely helps moderate it. The at will is still a bit much, but tier 3 is also where the overall balance of the game starts to get fuzzier, so with the damage and DC reduction this isn't much different from an off-hand weapon attack.
Borderline legendary. You don't have Charges per day on the Lightning Strike, which implies unlimited charges. It's also a Bonus Action, weapon action. This means you can cast a spell, then use the Spell like ability. That right there is busted. Also since the bonus to Hit and Damage, and extra lightning damage is not specified to the Weapon, you can add that to said spell attack. Extra Busted.
I would instead, make it tied to a melee weapon,
Lightning Caller (Weapon type- Long Sword - Attuned) : This weapon grants its wielder a +1 bonus to weapon attacks and damage, weapon attacks deals an extra 1d6 Lightning damage.
Bonus Spell: Lightning Strike: (5 charges per day, if all charges are used 5% chance the weapon looses all magical alibies) as a bonus action the wielder can conjure a lightning strike against a target within 60 feet. The target must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or take 2d8 Lightning damage and have disadvantage on its next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn. On a successful saving throw the target takes half damage and does not suffer any other effects.
Having a chance of the item losing all magical properties if all charges are expended is far too punishing for a Very Rare item. Just give it five charges that refresh at dawn.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
OK. So level 10 Barbarian.
Making adjustments. To my suggestion, made a Homebrew weapon as an example, feel free to use it.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/8403852-lightning-lure-greataxe-1
Went with Lightning Lure, as it works better for a Barbadian, helps them get into melee faster. As it's for a Barbarian no need to do anything else but 5 charges.
This is an item that gives your primary target disadvantage against you. Forget everything about range and damage and so on - utterly uninteresting. In melee, your opponent has disadvantage against you. That is MASSIVELY powerful. Sure, there's a save, and sure it's only the first attack. But no, the absolute primary function of this enchantment is to make the wielder win basically any melee fight. I'd never allow it in a game, but I'd say it's legendary.
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
I'd say it is Legendary since it is roughly equivalent to casting Frostbite as a BA which could be done with the Very Rare Illusionist's Bracers, and Rare Dragon Wrath Weapon at the same time for only 1 attunement slot. It's not game breaking but will be the signature character-defining magic item for whomever ends up with it.