Masterwork gear

[c2k]

As there would not be a check involved, it should be set at 19. Master work is just that. the work of a master. Considering a high INT character with a couple of specialist items can have 15 ranks at a very early level it would be ridiculous to assume that this n00b would be classed as a master.

I agree. Masterwork shouldn't be as common as someone just rolling a random character and being able to achieve it immediately. I would also think the DCs should change varying on the material, such as normal crafting. That way, there is a distinction between being able to forge a masterwork weapon out of say iron and forging one out of adamantine.

[Kaeldorn]

Some things to note about downsides of masterwork weapons and armour:

The Attack Bonus on weapons doesn't stack with Enhancement Bonuses from enchanting, and it isn't overwritten, but it does take up an enchantment slot. This means that if masterwork is included in NWN2 the normal (non masterwork) weapons will actually be better suited for enchantment, while in P&P an item has to be masterwork to even be enchanted at all. However, the masterwork weapons can be included as required 'crafting ingredients' to have special items made out of in future custom crafting recipes. Three such recipes requiring crafted weapons are actually already in the script, but have not yet been made available.

As for masterwork armour, this sadly cannot be made like the P&P versions without adding an excessive amount of new base armour types. Armour check penalties can't be modified otherwise. There is plenty of room for more advanced armours requiring special materials though.

[Elusa]

I agree. Masterwork shouldn't be as common as someone just rolling a random character and being able to achieve it immediately. I would also think the DCs should change varying on the material, such as normal crafting. That way, there is a distinction between being able to forge a masterwork weapon out of say iron and forging one out of adamantine.

The skill requirement for crafting the masterwork component doesn't need to be any higher than 19. If you start adding on +5 for cold iron and up to +15 for adamantine, you get into ridiculous character builds that only pay off at epic levels, and even then with only a +1 bonus to attack, which doesn't stack with anything. Yeah, I think 19 is fine. Especially when PCs are already considered well above-average in their abilities.

[Ceyrus Hawke]

The Attack Bonus on weapons doesn't stack with Enhancement Bonuses from enchanting, and it isn't overwritten, but it does take up an enchantment slot.

I said this already, though not in such a verbose manner.

The skill requirement for crafting the masterwork component doesn't need to be any higher than 19. If you start adding on +5 for cold iron and up to +15 for adamantine, you get into ridiculous character builds that only pay off at epic levels, and even then with only a +1 bonus to attack, which doesn't stack with anything.

Oh, this too, again, I wasn't so wordy with my post though.

[Elusa]

*gives a credit cookie to Ceyrus Hawke*

And with that I'm out of ideas on the subject. Be nice if a Dev would pop in and let us know about the plausibility of masterwork weapons being implemented sometime in Sundren's lifetime. *cough*

[Phantom Lamb]

I was going to say, it's pretty funny how much thought everyone wants to weigh in on an idea that hasn't gotten ANY comments from staff... you guys need a hobby, or a job! :O

Kidding aside, this will have to be tabled as an idea until October I'm sure. Even then, who knows.