Hey. One of my players who is 12th level wants to have his greataxe enchanted so he will be able to do additional necrotic damage and regain hit points at the same time. This is similar to the Vampiric Touch spell which is 3rd level. This greataxe in my mind would be a rare magic item and will have only 2 uses to imbue the weapon with necrotic energy doing an additional 3d6 necrotic damage on a hit and the pc regains hit points equal to half the necrotic damage dealt. What type of changes should I make to this Vampiric Touch Greataxe so it is not too strong or too weak?
This seems fine though for a more regular use feature you could give it the effect of chill touch (added necrotic damage and is effective against undead).
The balancing factor for Vampiric Touch is that is requires concentration, and only allows for a single use per turn. As a magic weapon, it could be abused by a Fighter to make 4+ attacks in a round to heal 6d6+ hp (~21) per round, on top of deal a lot of extra damage. That would be very broken.
Your version, with a limit of 2 uses would be interesting, but I think a bit disappointing in game.
Instead, you might consider basing it off of Flame Tongue.
Reduce the bonus damage to 1d6, and have it restore 1d6 hit points.
Alternatively, have it deal 2d6 bonus damage, and grant 1d6 temporary hitpoints.
Alternatively, bump up the "wow" factor by letting it deal an increased 6d6 bonus damage + half restoration, but make it 1 per short rest. (Basically a free single target spell effect to showcase the ability without letting it get spammed.)
Hey. One of my players who is 12th level wants to have his greataxe enchanted so he will be able to do additional necrotic damage and regain hit points at the same time. This is similar to the Vampiric Touch spell which is 3rd level. This greataxe in my mind would be a rare magic item and will have only 2 uses to imbue the weapon with necrotic energy doing an additional 3d6 necrotic damage on a hit and the pc regains hit points equal to half the necrotic damage dealt. What type of changes should I make to this Vampiric Touch Greataxe so it is not too strong or too weak?
This seems fine though for a more regular use feature you could give it the effect of chill touch (added necrotic damage and is effective against undead).
The balancing factor for Vampiric Touch is that is requires concentration, and only allows for a single use per turn. As a magic weapon, it could be abused by a Fighter to make 4+ attacks in a round to heal 6d6+ hp (~21) per round, on top of deal a lot of extra damage. That would be very broken.
Your version, with a limit of 2 uses would be interesting, but I think a bit disappointing in game.
Instead, you might consider basing it off of Flame Tongue.
Reduce the bonus damage to 1d6, and have it restore 1d6 hit points.
Alternatively, have it deal 2d6 bonus damage, and grant 1d6 temporary hitpoints.
Alternatively, bump up the "wow" factor by letting it deal an increased 6d6 bonus damage + half restoration, but make it 1 per short rest. (Basically a free single target spell effect to showcase the ability without letting it get spammed.)