Spell Storing weapons

[shilsen]

A ring of Spell Storing has the clause that all spells stored within are cast at minimum caster level, but the Spell Storing weapon ability doesn't have the same restriction. So I presume, for example, a 10th lvl wizard putting a Dispel Magic in the weapon means it would have a caster level of 10 when triggered.

Correct?

 

[durza120]

Yes.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Not correct IMO. Since the weapon casts the spell, you use the CL of the weapon. I'd say the same thing with the ring, but it has an explicit exception. So, the minimum CL for any weapon of storing will be 12th unless the party makes the item and a different CL is assigned (and you don't view the CL 12th as a prerequisite or minimum level).

Thus, if a 5th level wizard puts a dispel magic in a sword, it will come out as 12th-level (though only 10 levels are useful). If you don't like this interpretation, I suggest merely adopting the Rule of the Ring.

 

[frankthedm]

Yeah, strictly speaking, caster 12, though the DC is absolute minimum, which gimps the weapon a lot since not many targeted spells swell with level.

Saving Throws Against Magic Item Powers
Magic items produce spells or spell-like effects. For a saving throw against a spell or spell-like effect from a magic item, the DC is 10 + the level of the spell or effect + the ability modifier of the minimum ability score needed to cast that level of spell.

Staffs are an exception to the rule. Treat the saving throw as if the wielder cast the spell, including caster level and all modifiers to save DC.

Most item descriptions give saving throw DCs for various effects, particularly when the effect has no exact spell equivalent (making its level otherwise difficult to determine quickly).

Caster Level
The next item in a notational entry gives the caster level of the item, indicating its relative power. The caster level determines the item’s saving throw bonus, as well as range or other level-dependent aspects of the powers of the item (if variable). It also determines the level that must be contended with should the item come under the effect of a dispel magic spell or similar situation. This information is given in the form "CL x," where "CL" is an abbreviation for caster level and "x" is an ordinal number representing the caster level itself.

For potions, scrolls, and wands, the creator can set the caster level of an item at any number high enough to cast the stored spell and not higher than her own caster level. For other magic items, the caster level is determined by the creator. The minimum caster level is that which is needed to meet the prerequisites given

Spell Storing
A spell storing weapon allows a spellcaster to store a single targeted spell of up to 3rd level in the weapon. (The spell must have a casting time of 1 standard action.) Any time the weapon strikes a creature and the creature takes damage from it, the weapon can immediately cast the spell on that creature as a free action if the wielder desires. (This special ability is an exception to the general rule that casting a spell from an item takes at least as long as casting that spell normally.) Once the spell has been cast from the weapon, a spellcaster can cast any other targeted spell of up to 3rd level into it. The weapon magically imparts to the wielder the name of the spell currently stored within it. A randomly rolled spell storing weapon has a 50% chance to have a spell stored in it already.

Strong evocation (plus aura of stored spell); CL 12th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, creator must be a caster of at least 12th level; Price +1 bonus.

 

[kjenks]

frankthedm gave the general rules for all magic items, but there's a more specific rule for the caster level of a weapon with a special ability:

SRD
===
Caster Level for Weapons: The caster level of a weapon with a special ability is given in the item description. For an item with only an enhancement bonus and no other abilities, the caster level is three times the enhancement bonus. If an item has both an enhancement bonus and a special ability, the higher of the two caster level requirements must be met.
===

So the caster level for a spell from a Spell Storing weapon would usually be CL 12 (as frankthedm and Infiniti2000 say), but it would be CL 15 for a +5 weapon. (Think Greater Magic Weapon with Divine Spellpower to boost the caster level.)

 

[frankthedm]

So Tjenks, what targeted spell would you combo with that?

 

[kjenks]

There aren't that many offensive spells of level 3 or lower that are really useful here:

Inflict Serious Wounds = (3d8+12) = 25.5 HP average, Will save DC 14 for half

Dispel Magic (targeted version)

Vampiric Touch (but since the weapon is the caster, it gains HP, not you)

Avoid spells that are completely negated by a saving throw because (as you observed) the save DC stinks on ice.

But if your DM decides that a "targeted spell" includes an spell with a Target: entry in its spell block, there are many non-offensive spells that can be used to buff up your friends with a +1 Spell Storing Sap (or even better, a silver gauntlet). Use your weapon to give your friend a "noogie" -- hitting him for nonlethal damage, triggering the Spell Storing ability. This can be used for some quick curing (Cure Serious Wounds, curing the nonlethal damage and any lethal damage at the same rate) or even for Target: You spells. My favorites: Extend Spell + False Life or Extend Spell + Divine Insight.

 

[mvincent]

Thus, if a 5th level wizard puts a dispel magic in a sword, it will come out as 12th-level

That seems like a big advantage that could be easily abused. Like your example, or getting more healing from a wand of CLW, or increasing the duration and value of buffs (resist energy, protection from energy, magic circle of protection, poretection from arrows, alter self, mage armor etc.).

I don't think that was the writer's intent, and I could see it getting out of hand.

 

[Infiniti2000]

I don't think that was the writer's intent, and I could see it getting out of hand.

Agreed, which is why I suggested an alternative.

 

[kjenks]

That seems like a big advantage that could be easily abused. Like your example, or getting more healing from a wand of CLW, or increasing the duration and value of buffs (resist energy, protection from energy, magic circle of protection, poretection from arrows, alter self, mage armor etc.).

I don't think that was the writer's intent, and I could see it getting out of hand.

It might get out of hand, but there are definite drawbacks. You can only use low-level targeted spells and you must inflict damage in order to cast each spell.

The damage can be reduced -- silver weapon, self-inflicted Ray of Enfeeblement -- and even cured up after the "noogie" casts the spell. But you can't get around the fact that low-level targeted spells just aren't that helpful in a high level game.

I don't see any rules specifically allowing you to use a wand or scroll to put a spell into a Spell Storing weapon, and activating a wand or scroll is somewhat different from casting a spell, so it's a DM call whether or not you could "amp up" a Wand of CLW (normally 1d8+1 at CL 1) with a +1 silver Spell Storing gauntlet (inflicting 1-3 HP minus Str penalty, min 1 HP, and curing 1d8+5 at CL 12).