D&D 5E Magic items and identify

[Rya.Reisender]

If an item is only identified if the NPC tells the truth, I would need to give the players meta-information on whether it was a lie or not so they can write down whether it's an identified item or not, though.

 

[iserith]

If an item is only identified if the NPC tells the truth, I would need to give the players meta-information on whether it was a lie or not so they can write down whether it's an identified item or not, though.

Presumably, the characters would have to test the veracity of the NPC by experimenting with the item. It just takes less time than if they had no information at all to go on.

I do get the impression you're making this more difficult than it needs be.

 

[Rya.Reisender]

It is difficult, that's why I'm looking for an easier solution. But I don't want to completely remove the system. I want to stay within the rules.

 

[iserith]

It is difficult, that's why I'm looking for an easier solution. But I don't want to completely remove the system. I want to stay within the rules.

The rules aren't in charge of the game - you are. If the rules seem inconsistent, it's probably because consistency rightly comes from the DM's rulings, not the rules themselves. Apply the rules when it makes sense and makes the game better. Don't bring them into play when they don't.

 

[Athinar]

1. If a PC uses an unidentified item, does the PC benefit from its special properties when the item doesn't require attunement?

The book says "Maybe"

DMG pg 136
Without becoming attuned to an item that requires attunement, a creature gains only its non magical benefits, unless its description states otherwise

 

[Sword of Spirit]

If I recall correctly, the spell gets additional usefulness if the DM is using the "Hard to Identify" variant rule from the DMG.

That is does. Although that rule is rather vague. Here's my houserule/elaboration of the harder identification variant.

IDENTIFY
This spell does not reveal the exact properties of a magic item. Casting it on a common or rarer item instead reveals a single specific hint as to the functions of the item. Casting the spell again reveals the same hint.

IDENTIFYING A MAGIC ITEM
An Intelligence (Arcana) check, detect magic, or other means is necessary to discover that an item is magical.
Focusing on an item won’t reveal its properties. The identify spell reveals one reliable hint to a magic item’s properties, and experimentation or Intelligence (Arcana) checks can provide additional hints. Attuning to an item grants even more insight.
Wielding or attuning to a charged item allows a character to sense how many charges it has remaining.

 

[Lanefan]

If an item is only identified if the NPC tells the truth, I would need to give the players meta-information on whether it was a lie or not so they can write down whether it's an identified item or not, though.

Why? What's wrong with your players writing down (and acting on) wrong information? You-as-DM just have to make sure that the true information is what drives the results of whatever comes next.

Lanefan

 

[Maxperson]

If an item is only identified if the NPC tells the truth, I would need to give the players meta-information on whether it was a lie or not so they can write down whether it's an identified item or not, though.

Do you also tell the players who the murderer is when the murderer lies and says it wasn't him?

 

[Rya.Reisender]

Why? What's wrong with your players writing down (and acting on) wrong information? You-as-DM just have to make sure that the true information is what drives the results of whatever comes next.

Lanefan

Well, unless you want to overwork yourself as DM by doing all your player's character sheets, players are the ones who keep track of their items, so if they tell me they got a scroll of fireball, I have to assume they really have one. If they find a scroll of charm person, but the NPC tells them it's a scroll of fireball, then they would note down "scroll of fireball" on their character sheet. That means if they are going to use it, which can very well be one year later, I still need to remember that that scroll of fireball is actually a scroll of charm person. If that was only one magic item that wouldn't be so much of a problem, but if your PCs tend to always ask the defeated NPCs what their magic item stuff is before finishing them off (like my players do), then they start to accumulate a large amount of magic items they don't bother identifying themselves eventually.

It also makes communication with my players hard. Like if they have multiple scrolls and want to use one of them, how do I communicate with them which one of them they want to use?

Player: "I use a scroll of fireball."
DM: "Which one?"
Player: "I don't know!? Does it matter? One of the two in my inventory."
DM: "Sorry I need that to be more precise, where did you get it from?" *reads through notes to figure out what those scrolls really are and where he got them from*
Player: "Can't remember anymore."
DM: "Okay, then throw a coin."

With meta-information it's much easier but also puts a lot of responsibility on the players to avoid metagaming:

Player: "I use the scroll of charm that I think is a scroll of fireball at the skeleton in the center."
DM: "You use the scroll but for reasons unknown to you, the spell fails."

 

[Sword of Spirit]

Deleted: Because it's late and I was behind the curve.