Greater Magic Weapon

[thaelis]

This may be a dumb suggestion, but would it be possible to make the GMW spell increase enhancement bonus by a flat +2? (to a max of +5) instead of setting it to 1/4 level?

Would really make those rare +3 weapons, and blue diamonds (also super rare) a bit more worthy of their price tags, and useful to casters as well as melee types.

Also you'd get less people making +0 Flaming shocking holy swords...which to me seems a little silly, but its the smartest thing to do in the current system.

In PnP this kind of thing doesn't occur, as a weapon can't be enchanted unless you add an enhancement bonus of at least +1 first. If thats gonna be a feature of the upcoming new craft system (@GBX) then just ignore this post!

[Fezzik]

As a wand maker, I agree whole heartedly with making it a base +2... a GMW wand is about 6000, casts at 5 (if I remember right) and gives +1... Magic Weapon Wand, 1000 at most, cast at 3... gives +1.... ???????

[Cornuto]

I think his suggestion was to make it +2 at all levels, but have it cumulative with any enchantment bonus already on the weapon up to +5.

If that's correct, I think its an interesting idea, but not one I'm really sold on.

[bipolar bear]

would it not be easier to have weapons only carry one type of energy? either fire damnage or acid or electrical not all.

[Thief Of Navarre]

Are we talking about crafting here or the spell itself? Im confused.

[ManUtd4Ever]

I think his suggestion was to make it +2 at all levels, but have it cumulative with the any enchantment bonus already on the weapon up to +5.

This is the way I read it too. But I am not sure if the issue is making GMW more effective, or changing the crafting mechanics.

I will assume for a moment its the crafting mechanics. NWN2 allows for any item to carry three enchantments unless the enchanter is Epic level. So a flaming electrical holy sword is within the mechanical boundries of the game.

For some of the player base it may make a whole lot more sense to craft their weapon accordingly rather than making it +1, 2, or 3... This is because of the new fighter feats.

At 20th level:

Weapon Training: Adds +4 AB to any weapon the Fighter has a focus in...

Weapon Mastery: The Fighter's chooses one weapon to focus on to receive x1 critical damage multiplier increase and a treat range increase by 2.

At 20th level a fighter's AB is high. They have access to Greater Heroism potions, which adds +4 to their AB making it higher. If they are a strength or dexerity build they have access to bull's strength or cat's grace, which can further increase in their AB.

This is why I would say that for some of the player base it may make a whole lot more sense to craft their weapon accordingly rather than making it +1, 2, or 3...

Cheers!

[thaelis]

Are we talking about crafting here or the spell itself? Im confused.

The suggestion of tweaking the spell was because as it stands makes +3 weapons look pretty shitty, whereas (I think) they are supposed to be awesome things to go "Ooooh, ahhhhh" at.

If the crafting system were fixed so you had to have an enhancement bonus on a weapon first before any other properties were added then this wouldn't be necessary.

I just figured tweaking one spell could have virtually the same effect and be easier to implement. Plus, there are a lot of staff-created weapons which have effects but no enhancements so tweaking the craft system wouldn't make sense.

There is also the issue that Fezzik mentioned...at some caster levels (i.e. Wand CL) GMW is exactly the same as the 1st level spell Magic Weapon.

[Thief Of Navarre]

I see, thanks for clearing that up. Interesting idea... but doesnt enchantment bonus count as ability to overcome DR anymore? or is it only weapon material now?