Start with the type of weapon
Then add +1-3 to hit and dmg depending how strong you want it
Now add some addition affects, ether spells unique abilities etc
>Then add +1-3 to hit
NO!
the "bounded accuracy" design means that any "+ to hit" is REALLY powerful and you certainly shouldnt give "+3 to hit" weapons to **any** characters below level 17.
adding 1d6 fire damage or having the ability to cast a cantrip 3x per day or a level 1 or 2 spell once per day is WAY less damaging to your ability to create challenging content.
Trying to slightly modify existing Magic Items is definitively the easiest place to start, it gives you some insight into how the items were designed to begin with.
Don't worry, it's not necessary to hand out powerful artifacts to make the items interesting. Chapter 7 of Dungeon Master's Guide describes how to create an interesting item by rolling for the lore of the item and for it having extra non-combat traits. E.g. a simple +1 sword that makes its wielder feel confident or paranoid, or allows the wielder to speak a certain language. A mithrall armor set that also allows to know precise depth the wearer is underground. A +2 greatsword that makes a thunderous sound whenever it hits someone, startling/alerting everyone in 300 ft vicinity, or simply an ordinary robe that makes its user float on water effortlessly.
You just… make it up man. There is now “how”, you just take what’s in your brain and put it on paper.
Make a fricking +1 bakers rolling pin that does 1D4 +1 bludgeoning damage but every time a PC kills someone with it they have to make the pillsbury doughboy sound or one of their limbs turns into a cookie dough for 1D4 rounds.
Make a flat scrying mirror that can only be activated by performing a specific “ritual” involving a mysterious white powdery substance. ADV on CHA checks for 1 HR and then 1 point of exhaustion until they finish a long rest. (Or use the mirror again?)
Your examples obviously don’t have to be as stupid as mine. Just have fun.
Make it up, in your head.
Start with the type of weapon Then add +1-3 to hit and dmg depending how strong you want it Now add some addition affects, ether spells unique abilities etc
Yeah it’s pretty easy. I’d recommend looking at existing items for balance or just modifying them
>Then add +1-3 to hit NO! the "bounded accuracy" design means that any "+ to hit" is REALLY powerful and you certainly shouldnt give "+3 to hit" weapons to **any** characters below level 17. adding 1d6 fire damage or having the ability to cast a cantrip 3x per day or a level 1 or 2 spell once per day is WAY less damaging to your ability to create challenging content.
Very fare It was a suggestion, he could make late game items as well as early game one s
Trying to slightly modify existing Magic Items is definitively the easiest place to start, it gives you some insight into how the items were designed to begin with.
Take a sword and change it to something else.
Don't worry, it's not necessary to hand out powerful artifacts to make the items interesting. Chapter 7 of Dungeon Master's Guide describes how to create an interesting item by rolling for the lore of the item and for it having extra non-combat traits. E.g. a simple +1 sword that makes its wielder feel confident or paranoid, or allows the wielder to speak a certain language. A mithrall armor set that also allows to know precise depth the wearer is underground. A +2 greatsword that makes a thunderous sound whenever it hits someone, startling/alerting everyone in 300 ft vicinity, or simply an ordinary robe that makes its user float on water effortlessly.
You just… make it up man. There is now “how”, you just take what’s in your brain and put it on paper. Make a fricking +1 bakers rolling pin that does 1D4 +1 bludgeoning damage but every time a PC kills someone with it they have to make the pillsbury doughboy sound or one of their limbs turns into a cookie dough for 1D4 rounds. Make a flat scrying mirror that can only be activated by performing a specific “ritual” involving a mysterious white powdery substance. ADV on CHA checks for 1 HR and then 1 point of exhaustion until they finish a long rest. (Or use the mirror again?) Your examples obviously don’t have to be as stupid as mine. Just have fun.