I have an idea. players should have a way to remove curses from items without removing beneficial magic. if they succeed on a difficult arcana check, they can know that they can use up all 3 3rd level spell slots to cast dispel magic and remove curse simultaneously and remove the curse from an item while leaving the other properties intact. they will have to succeed on a spell check depending on the rarity of the item in order to remove the curse. If they fail, there will be no effect, but the spell slots will be used up anyway. What do you think about this home rule?
If they fail and nothing happens then what is the point? If they only use up spell slots. Long rest try again repeat until they get roll they need. Maybe make it a ritual and the more spell slots they use it will lower the DC. And they get the slots back one per long rest. Also let them use help to get advantage if another at least third lvl arcane character helps. They may even have to make multiple rolls if it is very rare or has more then one magical property.
The 3rd lvl spell remove curse does it with one casting though. I really don’t see any point in making an item cursed it just seems like a way for the DM to screw over the players with look at this awesome toy that in fact sucks. I think you would have to take the remove curse spell out of the game or there is no reason to add a cursed item. You want the players to take the cursed ring and toss it in a fire? great, They don’t want to, Remove curse, toss ring back in the river where they found it. Oops.
Yeah I understand that. My point is though why make a cursed object at? The character can very easily remove the curse from itself. Then what’s the point of going through the troubles of getting the curse removed from the object. If I received a cursed item I would just leave it. I guess other players might not. So then it really is all up to the DM how to remove a curse from an object. Seems kinda pointless unless that’s the only adventure hook they can get.
Scorpion Armor text seems to imply that the curse can be removed while keeping the beneficial properties, but requires the use of a wish spell. Pointing that out just as a reference to how high a cost the removal of a curse could be.
What is to prevent players from trying over and over again until they clear the curse? Losing 3 spell slots can be a small price depending on the cursed item being rendered harmless.
I would set it up as a quest to clear the curse. They would need to find someone that is capable of removing the curse and then they would need to get a very specific hard to find object needed to remove the curse. An item or location. Someone said something like washing the weapon in a mountain stream. I would go one better and have it be wash the weapon in a mountain stream that passes through a specific temple guarded by hostile and powerful NPCs. Just being able to try remove curse over and over again until it works seems a little simple. If you want the item and the curse removed, that sounds like the makings of a grand quest. Then at least they'll feel like they have accomplished something.
Sometimes the dm won’t tell you. I picked up bracers of defense and attuned them, not knowing they were cursed. And now they cannot be unattuned till the curse is gone
My rogue was just bought a Shortsword of Vengeance. In game, he didn't know it was cursed but was just told it was a plus 1 sword... *I* knew it was cursed but that shouldn't affect my players desire for a better, stronger sword.
I think she will learn at some point that the sword is *making* her fight to the death and that it has a hold over her - so I think that being able to quest to remove a curse is a good idea; as long as it serves a story point, not just for the sake of shenanigans from a DM :)
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I have an idea. players should have a way to remove curses from items without removing beneficial magic. if they succeed on a difficult arcana check, they can know that they can use up all 3 3rd level spell slots to cast dispel magic and remove curse simultaneously and remove the curse from an item while leaving the other properties intact. they will have to succeed on a spell check depending on the rarity of the item in order to remove the curse. If they fail, there will be no effect, but the spell slots will be used up anyway. What do you think about this home rule?
If they fail and nothing happens then what is the point? If they only use up spell slots. Long rest try again repeat until they get roll they need. Maybe make it a ritual and the more spell slots they use it will lower the DC. And they get the slots back one per long rest. Also let them use help to get advantage if another at least third lvl arcane character helps. They may even have to make multiple rolls if it is very rare or has more then one magical property.
A catch all mechanic seems wrong here. Breaking curses as if they're simple and all the same seems wrong somehow.
Arcana or History checks for cursed items should let you find out how to break the curse. It should be different depending on the curse.
Possibilities for removing curses:
- Item must be washed in a mountain stream.
- Item must be brought to a temple of a specific god and tribute made.
- Item must be soaked in basilisk blood.
- Item must be used to slay a given number of undead.
My DM's Guild Content - Mostly quick rules and guides.
The 3rd lvl spell remove curse does it with one casting though. I really don’t see any point in making an item cursed it just seems like a way for the DM to screw over the players with look at this awesome toy that in fact sucks. I think you would have to take the remove curse spell out of the game or there is no reason to add a cursed item. You want the players to take the cursed ring and toss it in a fire? great, They don’t want to, Remove curse, toss ring back in the river where they found it. Oops.
Remove curse removes the cursed item from the character. These would be ways to remove the curse from the item.
My DM's Guild Content - Mostly quick rules and guides.
Yeah I understand that. My point is though why make a cursed object at? The character can very easily remove the curse from itself. Then what’s the point of going through the troubles of getting the curse removed from the object. If I received a cursed item I would just leave it. I guess other players might not. So then it really is all up to the DM how to remove a curse from an object. Seems kinda pointless unless that’s the only adventure hook they can get.
Scorpion Armor text seems to imply that the curse can be removed while keeping the beneficial properties, but requires the use of a wish spell. Pointing that out just as a reference to how high a cost the removal of a curse could be.
What is to prevent players from trying over and over again until they clear the curse? Losing 3 spell slots can be a small price depending on the cursed item being rendered harmless.
I would set it up as a quest to clear the curse. They would need to find someone that is capable of removing the curse and then they would need to get a very specific hard to find object needed to remove the curse. An item or location. Someone said something like washing the weapon in a mountain stream. I would go one better and have it be wash the weapon in a mountain stream that passes through a specific temple guarded by hostile and powerful NPCs. Just being able to try remove curse over and over again until it works seems a little simple. If you want the item and the curse removed, that sounds like the makings of a grand quest. Then at least they'll feel like they have accomplished something.
Sometimes the dm won’t tell you. I picked up bracers of defense and attuned them, not knowing they were cursed. And now they cannot be unattuned till the curse is gone
My rogue was just bought a Shortsword of Vengeance. In game, he didn't know it was cursed but was just told it was a plus 1 sword... *I* knew it was cursed but that shouldn't affect my players desire for a better, stronger sword.
I think she will learn at some point that the sword is *making* her fight to the death and that it has a hold over her - so I think that being able to quest to remove a curse is a good idea; as long as it serves a story point, not just for the sake of shenanigans from a DM :)