Magic to change natural weapons into special materials

[Ambrus]

Does anyone know of a spell, potion, elixir, dust, oil or other single use magic item that changes all of a creature or character's natural weapons into a special material like alchemical silver, cold iron or adamantite for a short period of time? If no such thing already exists in any D20 book, then why not? It would seem to be almost a neccessity for a monk or druid character or any character with an animal companion.

If it doesn't already exist then it shouldn't be too hard to invent it. How much should an oil of silver talons or an elixir of iron teeth or balm of adamantite fists (which last, say an hour) cost? Perhaps 250 gp for the silver and cold iron and 500 gp for the adamantite. Does this sound resonable to you all?

 

[AuraSeer]

Silversheen works on any weapon, including natural ones. It's a wondrous itemthat gives a weapon the properties of alchemical silver for 1 hour. One vial coats a single melee weapon or 20 units of ammunition, and costs 250 gp.

An equivalent "adamantine-sheen" could be created as a custom magic item, if your DM allows it. It would probably be much more expensive, because adamantine is much more precious than silver, and is useful in ways other than simply penetrating DR. My guess would be on the order of 2000 gp per use, possibly higher.

I don't think I'd allow magical simulation of cold iron. That metal's special property is its resistance to magic, so a magically-applied version doesn't make much sense.

 

[Ambrus]

Silversheen works on any weapon, including natural ones.

I don't get that impression from rereading it's description in the SRD. It doesn't mention natural weapons just that it can be "applied to a weapon" and it'll "coat a single melee weapon or 20 units of ammunition". I could be mistaken but if it's meant to affect natural weapons it certainly isn't clear.

I don't think I'd allow magical simulation of cold iron. That metal's special property is its resistance to magic, so a magically-applied version doesn't make much sense.

There's nothing in its description that implies that it is a magic resistant substance, and by following that logic it would be impossible to enchant cold iron weapons, which isn't true.

 

[Jdvn1]

I don't get that impression from rereading it's description in the SRD. It doesn't mention natural weapons just that it can be "applied to a weapon" and it'll "coat a single melee weapon or 20 units of ammunition". I could be mistaken but if it's meant to affect natural weapons it certainly isn't clear.

A natural weapon is a type of weapon. So it works, RAW.

 

[apesamongus]

I don't get that impression from rereading it's description in the SRD. It doesn't mention natural weapons just that it can be "applied to a weapon" and it'll "coat a single melee weapon or 20 units of ammunition". I could be mistaken but if it's meant to affect natural weapons it certainly isn't clear.

There are two sub-categories of weapons, natural and manufactured. If it doesn't explicitly limit the effect to one or the other, then it should apply to both.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

I don't get that impression from rereading it's description in the SRD. It doesn't mention natural weapons just that it can be "applied to a weapon" and it'll "coat a single melee weapon or 20 units of ammunition". I could be mistaken but if it's meant to affect natural weapons it certainly isn't clear.

Actually, it's pretty much crystal clear.

Natural Weapons: Natural weapons are weapons that are physically a part of a creature.

There's nothing in its description that implies that it is a magic resistant substance, and by following that logic it would be impossible to enchant cold iron weapons, which isn't true.

Actually, there's this, as well:

Iron, Cold: This iron, mined deep underground, known for its effectiveness against fey creatures, is forged at a lower temperature to preserve its delicate properties. Weapons made of cold iron cost twice as much to make as their normal counterparts. Also, any magical enhancements cost an additional 2,000 gp.

The non-SRD version of the rules goes more into the flavor text of this, I believe, mentioning its resistance to magic.

 

[Nail]

Cold Iron shouldn't be a magical effect. It goes against the theme for the material.

Silver or adamantine? No problem. That's way I've persuaded my fellow PCs to all have cold iron weapons. The default can't be obtained magically, the others can.

...and yep: the monk is still screwed when it comes to demons. Ouch.

 

[Shadeus]

There's also a ranger (and probably druid) spell that's in some WotC source book, I think the BoED or CD, that turns a creature's claws to silver for a time. It's a 1st-level ranger spell for sure. Paladins have a similar spell that turns their sword silver for a time.

I think there is also a spell (both cleric and druid) that turns weapons adamantine for a time. But that is like 6th-level and is from either one of the same source books.

 

[Ambrus]

Cold Iron shouldn't be a magical effect. It goes against the theme for the material.

I think it makes as much sense as a magic spell that cancels magic, such as dispel magic or anti-magic sphere. Perhaps it should cost more than silversheen, but making it unavailable just screws monk, ranger and druid PC's IMHO.

 

[Jdvn1]

You could make an item, like brass knuckles, that can be made of different materials and be enchanted. Monks and Druids aren't supposed to be your main fighters, though.

There's also a feat in the Draconomicon, Sense Weakness, that lets you ignore 5 points of all DR's.