So a player in my campaign wants to start crafting a magic item. He asked if he could make his spell book a item that bestows benefits to him if he is attuned to it. I showed him something that I had created and was in the list of items they could get in treasure hoards. It is:
Spell book shield. A caster must be attuned to it and use it as a spell book. When held in the charcs hand the book acts as an arcane focus and grants a +1 bonus as a shield. As a bonus action the book could be charged with a cantrip that increases this to a +2 until the end of the casters next turn.
For his creation he wanted to take that as a base and then upgrade it as the game goes on. I just want you guys to see what he is requesting to add to it and see what you think. He sent me this as the upgrades:
Next upgrade As a bonus action, the caster may channel a spell of 1st level or higher into the book to gain an additional benefit. All benefits last for 10 minutes and require concentration, as if concentrating on a spell, unless otherwise stated. The school of the spell used effects the ability the spellbook grants.
-Abjuration: the bonus to AC the spellbook grants increases by the level of the channeled spell. This effect does not require concentration, but no other effect may be used while this effect is active. You may end this effect at any time, no action required. While this effect is active, you may not benefit from any additional bonus to your AC from abjuration magic, such as the Shield spell.
-Conjuration: while this effect is active you may, as a reaction to taking damage, teleport up to 15ft to a unoccupied location you can see. You may use this effect a number of times equal to 1+the level of the channeled spell. -Divination: As a reaction, you may cause any creature you can see within 30ft to have disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes. You may use this ability a number of times equal to 1+the level of the channeled spell.
-Enchantment: Increase the DC of the next Enchantment spell you cast by the level of the spell channeled. This consumes the channeled spell and ends the effect. +1 for a 1st level spell, +2 for a second level spell, etc.
-Evocation: Whenever you cast an Evocation spell while concentrating on this effect, choose one creature effected by your spell, it takes additional damage equal to 3 times the level of the channeled spell. This damage is the same as the triggering effect. If multiple damage types are used, choose only one of them. -Illusion: The next Illusion spell you cast does not require concentration, and increases its DC by the level of the channeled spell.
-Necromancy: Necromatic energy surrounds you for the duration, lashing out against those who harm you, and returning some of the energy to you. Upon taking damage from a target you can see within 60ft, you may use a reaction to cause the target to take 1d6 Necrotic damage per level of the channeled spell. You gain half of the damage dealt as temporary hit points until the end of your next turn. This effect triggers before any concentration checks are made.
-Transmutation: When you channel a transmutation spell of first level or higher into the book, you skin takes on armor like qualities. You gain temporary hit points equal to you spell casting modifier times the spell level of the channeled spell. You do not need to maintain concentration on this effect.
As a side note, he is a abjuration wizard and is actively looking for a Instant fortress to make into his wizards keep for crafting his stuff.
I wouldn't use a spellbook as a shield. I recall a wizard character who keeps his inside a waterproof oiled-leather case, inside a thin metal box in his pack. He's paranoid about anything happening to it, and with some reason.
So a player in my campaign wants to start crafting a magic item. He asked if he could make his spell book a item that bestows benefits to him if he is attuned to it. I showed him something that I had created and was in the list of items they could get in treasure hoards. It is:
Spell book shield. A caster must be attuned to it and use it as a spell book. When held in the charcs hand the book acts as an arcane focus and grants a +1 bonus as a shield. As a bonus action the book could be charged with a cantrip that increases this to a +2 until the end of the casters next turn.
For his creation he wanted to take that as a base and then upgrade it as the game goes on. I just want you guys to see what he is requesting to add to it and see what you think. He sent me this as the upgrades:
Next upgrade As a bonus action, the caster may channel a spell of 1st level or higher into the book to gain an additional benefit. All benefits last for 10 minutes and require concentration, as if concentrating on a spell, unless otherwise stated. The school of the spell used effects the ability the spellbook grants.
-Abjuration: the bonus to AC the spellbook grants increases by the level of the channeled spell. This effect does not require concentration, but no other effect may be used while this effect is active. You may end this effect at any time, no action required. While this effect is active, you may not benefit from any additional bonus to your AC from abjuration magic, such as the Shield spell.
-Conjuration: while this effect is active you may, as a reaction to taking damage, teleport up to 15ft to a unoccupied location you can see. You may use this effect a number of times equal to 1+the level of the channeled spell. -Divination: As a reaction, you may cause any creature you can see within 30ft to have disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes. You may use this ability a number of times equal to 1+the level of the channeled spell.
-Enchantment: Increase the DC of the next Enchantment spell you cast by the level of the spell channeled. This consumes the channeled spell and ends the effect. +1 for a 1st level spell, +2 for a second level spell, etc.
-Evocation: Whenever you cast an Evocation spell while concentrating on this effect, choose one creature effected by your spell, it takes additional damage equal to 3 times the level of the channeled spell. This damage is the same as the triggering effect. If multiple damage types are used, choose only one of them. -Illusion: The next Illusion spell you cast does not require concentration, and increases its DC by the level of the channeled spell.
-Necromancy: Necromatic energy surrounds you for the duration, lashing out against those who harm you, and returning some of the energy to you. Upon taking damage from a target you can see within 60ft, you may use a reaction to cause the target to take 1d6 Necrotic damage per level of the channeled spell. You gain half of the damage dealt as temporary hit points until the end of your next turn. This effect triggers before any concentration checks are made.
-Transmutation: When you channel a transmutation spell of first level or higher into the book, you skin takes on armor like qualities. You gain temporary hit points equal to you spell casting modifier times the spell level of the channeled spell. You do not need to maintain concentration on this effect.
As a side note, he is a abjuration wizard and is actively looking for a Instant fortress to make into his wizards keep for crafting his stuff.
Thanks for any and all help.
K-Ray
I wouldn't use a spellbook as a shield. I recall a wizard character who keeps his inside a waterproof oiled-leather case, inside a thin metal box in his pack. He's paranoid about anything happening to it, and with some reason.
Something happening to it is not going to be a issue. Just wanting feedback on the abilities.
well as a player I'd love to have something that powerful and versatile.
As a DM I would almost certainly veto it for the exact same reasons.
jmho