I recently created a very rare magic greatsword for my level 9 paladin, and wanted some input and feedback on it, as it has gone through several iterations and I just can't seem to get it quite right!
Knightfall was a normal sword of exceptional make and terrifying sharpness used to hunt rogue paladins after the Black War, but the blood it soaked in and the legend formed from whispers carried on the silent winds gave it true power. A magical enhancement born of blood and fear was unbefitting of a holy warrior, and it was sealed in the grand cathedral for eternity.
Knightfall has since been removed from its prison; Corrupt, dangerous, and free once more, its legend was furthered with more bloodshed, until it was purified by the celestial spirit of the paladin Daedarus. Knightfall remains dangerous and free, but it no longer thirsts for blood. Now the mighty sword serves the will of its master and cleaves through all in their way,
You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon, and when you attack an object with this magic sword and hit, maximize your weapon damage dice against the target.
You can choose to harness the legend of Knightfall, and cause your attack to ignore 3d6 of your targets AC bonus from physical armor and shields, and deal the total ignored AC as bonus radiant damage to the target on hit. Alternatively, you can choose to heal yourself for the amount of AC ignored.
In addition, you can speak the sword's command word to cause the blade to shed bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet. Speaking the command word again or sheathing the sword puts out the light.
Once you use either of these features, you cannot use them again until the next dawn.
This player is already devastatingly strong and boasts an AC of 26 when using shield of faith, so my concern is that this greatsword is a little too devastating. What do you folks think, too much, not enough, or just right?
Not only that but is it interesting, and fun. If you were a player and attuned to this item, learned its effects, and owned it, would you be interested and excited to hoist this lump of metal around?
Pretty powerful sword, however if your character has 26 ac(how is it so high?!?!?!) then I would assume you like powerful magical items. With that in mind, I would play off the sword's lore more. It's supposively a curse bloodthirsty sword yet nothing mechanic wise points to that. Make the sword a sentient, LE entity that slowly breaks down its victims into rightous blood thirsty monsters who desires the blood of lost palaidins. Also I would make it so he has to fight for the sword. Let him taste it's bite first.
Good suggestion! That's definitely something to consider. If I were to make the sword less powerful, how would you suggest I do so?
Also amazingly he got that AC all base with a lot of gold and about 6 months in this campaign. He tends to be a pretty number focused player so it was a bit of a goal of his. He has plate armor, a cloak of protection, a ring of protection, and a +2 shield, and he casts shield of faith on himself before combat normally. 18 base due to plate, +1 from cloak, +1 from ring, and a +4 from shield, finally the +2 from shield of faith.
Overall I tend to prefer more roleplay based balanced magic items.
I had sat and discussed the idea of making it sentient with the player, but he was very disinterested in the idea and said he would prefer I go a different route.
You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon, and when you attack an object with this magic sword and hit, maximize your weapon damage dice against the target.
Do you think that would put it in a more balanced spot, in your opinion?
You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon, and when you attack an object with this magic sword and hit, maximize your weapon damage dice against the target.
Do you think that would put it in a more balanced spot, in your opinion?
Also reconsidering the 3d6, as it seems too high.
I would personally remove the max damage property but keep it as a +1, maybe even a +2 weapon?
3d6 is absolutely devastating for most monsters at that level, you would have to be very unlucky with your roll to miss and then the bonuses on top of that do seem a bit strong. If you included a DC of some sort so that the target could half the damage with a success?
Good suggestions though! Thanks for jumping in IRONRatchet!
I removed the +1 and the max damage property, and am letting the player use it as a test run to see how it is.
The 3d6 was inspired by Oathbow very rare item, but if it does turn out to be too high I was considering reducing it to 2d8. Do you think that would be a bit less horrifying and less like an instant kill button?
I recently created a very rare magic greatsword for my level 9 paladin, and wanted some input and feedback on it, as it has gone through several iterations and I just can't seem to get it quite right!
This player is already devastatingly strong and boasts an AC of 26 when using shield of faith, so my concern is that this greatsword is a little too devastating. What do you folks think, too much, not enough, or just right?
Not only that but is it interesting, and fun. If you were a player and attuned to this item, learned its effects, and owned it, would you be interested and excited to hoist this lump of metal around?
Pretty powerful sword, however if your character has 26 ac(how is it so high?!?!?!) then I would assume you like powerful magical items. With that in mind, I would play off the sword's lore more. It's supposively a curse bloodthirsty sword yet nothing mechanic wise points to that. Make the sword a sentient, LE entity that slowly breaks down its victims into rightous blood thirsty monsters who desires the blood of lost palaidins. Also I would make it so he has to fight for the sword. Let him taste it's bite first.
Good suggestion! That's definitely something to consider. If I were to make the sword less powerful, how would you suggest I do so?
Also amazingly he got that AC all base with a lot of gold and about 6 months in this campaign. He tends to be a pretty number focused player so it was a bit of a goal of his. He has plate armor, a cloak of protection, a ring of protection, and a +2 shield, and he casts shield of faith on himself before combat normally. 18 base due to plate, +1 from cloak, +1 from ring, and a +4 from shield, finally the +2 from shield of faith.
Overall I tend to prefer more roleplay based balanced magic items.
I had sat and discussed the idea of making it sentient with the player, but he was very disinterested in the idea and said he would prefer I go a different route.
I was considering removing this section:
You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon, and when you attack an object with this magic sword and hit, maximize your weapon damage dice against the target.
Do you think that would put it in a more balanced spot, in your opinion?
Also reconsidering the 3d6, as it seems too high.
I would personally remove the max damage property but keep it as a +1, maybe even a +2 weapon?
3d6 is absolutely devastating for most monsters at that level, you would have to be very unlucky with your roll to miss and then the bonuses on top of that do seem a bit strong. If you included a DC of some sort so that the target could half the damage with a success?
All just suggestions though!
Good suggestions though! Thanks for jumping in IRONRatchet!
I removed the +1 and the max damage property, and am letting the player use it as a test run to see how it is.
The 3d6 was inspired by Oathbow very rare item, but if it does turn out to be too high I was considering reducing it to 2d8. Do you think that would be a bit less horrifying and less like an instant kill button?
Yeah I think after removing the other features the 3d6 attack seems a lot farer.
Test runs are the best way to check though as long as your players are prepared for you to tweak some of the properties if needs be.
Thanks loads for your help!