The basic pact weapon can look any way you want it. At higher levels you can convert +1and lesser magic weapons into pact weapons and those would probably hold their original appearance although you might be able to “add decorative effects” if you wanted.
The basic pact weapon can look any way you want it. At higher levels you can convert +1and lesser magic weapons into pact weapons and those would probably hold their original appearance although you might be able to “add decorative effects” if you wanted.
That is not entirely correct. At 3rd level, as soon as they get their Pact Boon they could convert almost any magic weapon into their Pact Weapon, the only restrictions are:
No Artifacts.
No sentient weapons.
Pact of the Blade
You can use your action to create a pact weapon in your empty hand. You can choose the form that this melee weapon takes each time you create it (see the Weapons section for weapon options). You are proficient with it while you wield it. This weapon counts as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.
Your pact weapon disappears if it is more than 5 feet away from you for 1 minute or more. It also disappears if you use this feature again, if you dismiss the weapon (no action required), or if you die.
You can transform one magic weapon into your pact weapon by performing a special ritual while you hold the weapon. You perform the ritual over the course of 1 hour, which can be done during a short rest. You can then dismiss the weapon, shunting it into an extradimensional space, and it appears whenever you create your pact weapon thereafter. You can’t affect an artifact or a sentient weapon in this way. The weapon ceases being your pact weapon if you die, if you perform the 1-hour ritual on a different weapon, or if you use a 1-hour ritual to break your bond to it. The weapon appears at your feet if it is in the extradimensional space when thebond breaks.
It would still stay the same weapon though, you are right about that. And as for cosmetic effects (like smoke or shadow flames or something), any DM who would say no to that if the player wanted it is anti-fun IMO.
Do they look magical or do they just look normal?
There is no language in the description that says it looks like anything other than a normal weapon.
There is no glowing aura or translucency to worry about. Treat it exactly like the weapon that it is shaped like, except as described in the feature.
awesome, thank you
The basic pact weapon can look any way you want it. At higher levels you can convert +1and lesser magic weapons into pact weapons and those would probably hold their original appearance although you might be able to “add decorative effects” if you wanted.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
That is not entirely correct. At 3rd level, as soon as they get their Pact Boon they could convert almost any magic weapon into their Pact Weapon, the only restrictions are:
It would still stay the same weapon though, you are right about that. And as for cosmetic effects (like smoke or shadow flames or something), any DM who would say no to that if the player wanted it is anti-fun IMO.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Thanks for the correction
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
There's nothing in 5E that says that magical weapons always look magical. :-)