Xanathar's Guide to Everything includes a section on Downtime, which includes Crafting an Item. If you have purchased it on D&D Beyond, you can use this link to jump right to the section in question.
The section uses artisan tools from the game, with resource costs to attempt to create a mundane OR magical item.
I know how to craft things and how much time and resources it takes, but let’s say I want to make a shuriken. It doesn’t exist in the phb or the dmg, so I know the rate in which to craft it via phb or xge but not the final product.
Spring loaded: need a spring, or springs, and trigger
Spiked: need metal for spike(s)
Gauntlet: metal glove
Then you put a bit of a time sink into the crafting side to simulate the intricate nature of the working parts. Is technically not magical but it is an intricate machine, so give it an uncommon rating.
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There's no need to over think this kind of thing. First break an object down to what seems like the most basic components. Then give it a fair time frame based on how challenging it would be to create. Simple weapons and armor are common, even if exotic like shuriken. Complex items increase the rarity as they become more intricate.
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Something else to consider is setting. A pocket watch could be legendary in a medieval fantasy. However if you have tinker gnomes which create steampunk-esq gadgets, that rarity could drop to simply rare.
There’s also a channel divinity for a forge cleric that can do this as well, if my memory serves me correct. You need some metal worth the same amount as the intended item to create.
If you are a DM, you need to set a value you think is accurate for the item, then use one of the crafting guides to determine the time needed. For something like a retractable spiked gauntlet, you might assume its about as complicated as a crossbow (I'd use a hand crossbow since this is a one handed item and the parts would be pretty small/ie difficult to work with) so 75GP
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I cannot find rules to craft non-magical mundane items that do not exist in the PHB. Thoughts on steps? Should I use the crafting system from 3/3.5?
Xanathar's Guide to Everything includes a section on Downtime, which includes Crafting an Item. If you have purchased it on D&D Beyond, you can use this link to jump right to the section in question.
The section uses artisan tools from the game, with resource costs to attempt to create a mundane OR magical item.
There's also information on standard crafting in the Down Time section in the PHB I believe around page 186.
But what if the item is not listed in a book?
I know how to craft things and how much time and resources it takes, but let’s say I want to make a shuriken. It doesn’t exist in the phb or the dmg, so I know the rate in which to craft it via phb or xge but not the final product.
Look for something similar, and use that as a starting point.
Shuriken: similar item = dart
Those make good starting points, then you adjust if you feel necessary.
What about a spring loaded spiked gauntlet?
Well, let's look at the description:
Spring loaded: need a spring, or springs, and trigger
Spiked: need metal for spike(s)
Gauntlet: metal glove
Then you put a bit of a time sink into the crafting side to simulate the intricate nature of the working parts. Is technically not magical but it is an intricate machine, so give it an uncommon rating.
---
There's no need to over think this kind of thing. First break an object down to what seems like the most basic components. Then give it a fair time frame based on how challenging it would be to create. Simple weapons and armor are common, even if exotic like shuriken. Complex items increase the rarity as they become more intricate.
---
Something else to consider is setting. A pocket watch could be legendary in a medieval fantasy. However if you have tinker gnomes which create steampunk-esq gadgets, that rarity could drop to simply rare.
It would be a Dart variant. Use the stats for a dart, and it can look however you want it to.
There’s also a channel divinity for a forge cleric that can do this as well, if my memory serves me correct. You need some metal worth the same amount as the intended item to create.
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
If you are a DM, you need to set a value you think is accurate for the item, then use one of the crafting guides to determine the time needed. For something like a retractable spiked gauntlet, you might assume its about as complicated as a crossbow (I'd use a hand crossbow since this is a one handed item and the parts would be pretty small/ie difficult to work with) so 75GP