I was thinking today about how a very thin layer of lead is capable of blocking certain magical effects (such as divination magic). Then I started thinking, what if lead was applied to a weapon, similar to silvered weapons? Could that have some effect? Maybe even ignoring the magical implications, because of its weight it might alter it physically.
I think that since lead is able to block certain magic in D&D, it could maybe have a fun effect if applied to a weapon, but I am still unsure how strong that effect would be or to what extent it should work. Below, I will outline my thoughts so far, but I would like to hear how others would consider approaching this idea.
1) It has no effect. As far as magical interference is concerned, it seems to only block divination magic. In 5e, it seems like they are treating divination magic like radiation, where a denser material blocks more of it. In this case, applying it to a weapon really wouldn't help with blocking that. This interpretation I think sticks the best to the intended purpose of lead in 5e, but is arguably the least fun.
2) It has a physical effect, but no magical effect. Lead is not the sort of material you would make a full weapon out of, but due to its density, even a small amount is very heavy. Maybe if a player applied some lead to their weapon, it would grant additional damage, but the extra weight would also make the weapon lose the Light property if it has it. This I think allows players to make use of the material for more than just blocking divination magic.
3) It has a (anti)magical effect. This is the most far reaching, but in my opinion, most fun idea. Here, I make the assumption that lead cancels all magical effects. So if a player had some lead applied to their weapon, perhaps it could impose disadvantage on spellcasters' checks to maintain concentration on spells or maybe grant the wielder extra AC against spell attacks. While I know this is not the most correct interpretation of the RAW for lead, I think that it could be a fun homebrew rule that gives more physical players extra ways to combat magical enemies.
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It is an interesting concept. Though it should be noted that not all divination magic is blocked by lead, only the sensing through walls types (the kinds that can create a sensor can put that sensor inside a lead box no problem).
I would personally make it so that the weapon coated in it does not appear to be magical as if arcanist's magic aura were cast on it to appear unaligned and non-magic.
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I was thinking today about how a very thin layer of lead is capable of blocking certain magical effects (such as divination magic). Then I started thinking, what if lead was applied to a weapon, similar to silvered weapons? Could that have some effect? Maybe even ignoring the magical implications, because of its weight it might alter it physically.
I think that since lead is able to block certain magic in D&D, it could maybe have a fun effect if applied to a weapon, but I am still unsure how strong that effect would be or to what extent it should work. Below, I will outline my thoughts so far, but I would like to hear how others would consider approaching this idea.
1) It has no effect. As far as magical interference is concerned, it seems to only block divination magic. In 5e, it seems like they are treating divination magic like radiation, where a denser material blocks more of it. In this case, applying it to a weapon really wouldn't help with blocking that. This interpretation I think sticks the best to the intended purpose of lead in 5e, but is arguably the least fun.
2) It has a physical effect, but no magical effect. Lead is not the sort of material you would make a full weapon out of, but due to its density, even a small amount is very heavy. Maybe if a player applied some lead to their weapon, it would grant additional damage, but the extra weight would also make the weapon lose the Light property if it has it. This I think allows players to make use of the material for more than just blocking divination magic.
3) It has a (anti)magical effect. This is the most far reaching, but in my opinion, most fun idea. Here, I make the assumption that lead cancels all magical effects. So if a player had some lead applied to their weapon, perhaps it could impose disadvantage on spellcasters' checks to maintain concentration on spells or maybe grant the wielder extra AC against spell attacks. While I know this is not the most correct interpretation of the RAW for lead, I think that it could be a fun homebrew rule that gives more physical players extra ways to combat magical enemies.
Three-time Judge of the Competition of the Finest Brews! Come join us in making fun, unique homebrew and voting for your favorite entries!
It is an interesting concept. Though it should be noted that not all divination magic is blocked by lead, only the sensing through walls types (the kinds that can create a sensor can put that sensor inside a lead box no problem).
I would personally make it so that the weapon coated in it does not appear to be magical as if arcanist's magic aura were cast on it to appear unaligned and non-magic.