I need low-level magic items

[Dunjin]

My group is level 2, but I want to have them find useful and cool magic items. The problem is, I'm not sure how to balance them (i.e., is a staff that casts a 1st-level spell once/day too powerful for a lvl 2 sorcerer?), and so I'm hoping for examples of magic items that might be appropriate for a low level group. I'd like something with more flavor than a +1 longsword, for example.

Do you guys have anything I can use to get a feel for what I should be creating?

 

[Crothian]

I like one use options like potions and scrolls, but give them more character. Magical fruit that heals, or tokens of weapons that cast Magic Weapon.

 

[FireLance]

Based on the standard guidelines for the creation of magic items, a command activated magic item that casts a 1st-level spell at 1st caster level once per day would cost 360 gp [1 x 1 x 1800 / (5 / 1)]. This is well within the recommended gear value for a 2nd-level character.

Since there are no such items in the core rules, however, it is up to you to balance their use. One extra cure light wounds, magic missile or magic weapon per day probably would not cause any problems. However, a bracer of true strike that allows the wearer to active true strike once per day may be too good for its price.

 

[Wycen]

Check this out: http://diamondthrone.com/displaycontent.cfm?iCatId=6&iConID=134

 

[Darklone]

Check out the Villain Design Handbook for cantrips...

 

[Carnifex]

I love creating magical items that are more than just , say, a longsword +1. It doesn't have to be very powerful but it's amazing the things you can do.

For instance, two magic items my group will probably be getting their mitts on fairly soon, as part of the overall loot reward for their current adventure:

Wolf Arrows: Simple arrows tipped with bone arrowheads crafted from wolf fangs, these enchanted projectiles are arrows +1. However, if a wolf arrow is fired at a target that has already been hit with a wolf arrow and still has the arrowhead embedded in them, then the arrow benefits from an additional +3 to hit.

Ioun Stone of Minor Spell Protection: This glimmering, rough ioun stone is a pearly colour. It protects the user from lesser magiks, rendering them immune to all hostile level 0 spells directed at them, such as daze or ray of frost.

 

[corcio]

fun weapons but not unstoppable

well i decided i need to give my pcs some fun weapons...you know...the cool factor...decent damage for low levels....and good enough to use but not be super awesome.....
so i gave them a 1d6+1 warhammer that also does 1d6 shock damage at the cost of 2 hp per use if the command word is uttered.....2 hp might not seme like a lot...but if you only have like 12 hp then...well thats a lot............................
uuuuuuummmm so there you go....im only having problems with finding other stuff for my other characters

 

[Pinotage]

You can also look at Minor Magicks from Silverthorne Games. Cheapish stuff, but for the most part scrolls and potions should do fine, or as Firelancer said, 1/day items.

Pinotage

 

[corcio]

thats probably a good idea.... so what about lvl 3-4 what do you think they should get/....im sure theyll need something alittle more captivating hmmm.....or is just a regular mithril going to appease them

 

[Pinotage]

thats probably a good idea.... so what about lvl 3-4 what do you think they should get/....im sure theyll need something alittle more captivating hmmm.....or is just a regular mithril going to appease them

Traditionally its magic +1 armor and weapons at around that level. For cheap items scrolls, wands and potions might be your best bet, or perhaps miscelaneous wondrous items that are cheaper. I've dabble before with creating charged versions of some of the weapon enhancements, so a charged flaming longsword +1 or a charged bane glaive +1. If you only give it a few charges, it's much cheaper but still has some of that 'coolness' factor you're after. Although I suspect this is more house rules stuff, you can price the items at half the cost of the enhancement bonus provides, so a normal +1 longsword costs 2315 gp. A +1 flaming longsword costs 8315 gp, but a +1 flaming longsword with 50 charges only costs 5315 gp. If you reduce the charges to say only 10, then the same longsword costs 2915 gp, which is cheaper and within reach for 4th level characters.

You might also want to have one off metamagic items - just price them as scrolls equivalent to the effective level of the modified spell. So, for example, you could have an orb of extension that can extend a 1st level spell, so it would cost 125 gp (an extended 1st level spell is a level 2 spell equivalent, minimum caster level 3, and 6x25 gp scroll price).

Hope that gives you some ideas.

Pinotage