Build Lazy Magic Items - D&D 5e Tip from Sly Flourish

Mike offers tips for building thousands of unique magic items quickly and easily that are sure to excite your players.
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[@brentrevello134]

Something I have been considering for magic item design. Have a feat linked to an attuned item. Greatclub that gives the user the Crusher feat, Crossbow that gives Sharpshooter, etc.

[@MemphiStig]

This is a sort of Frankenstein method in line with other advice I've heard many times. If you want a unique monster, take an existing one and graft on parts/abilities of another one. If you want a unique magic item, combine it with spells and historical or thematic ties to your world. Mix and match. Cannibalize the game. That's just being efficient. Always with the excellent advice!

[@Turtlpwr]

You, sir, were divinely sired by the gods of ttrpg wisdom and intellect themselves as a gift to bless all of us mere mortals with the deep knowledge. Praise be to the gods.

[@SlyFlourish]

That may be a little too much, says Mrs. Flourish.

[@garryame4008]

I like the spell method, it works well! It's a lil amusing though when considering the martial-spellcaster gap. This method merely gives martials a specific spell they can only use once whereas spellcasters can cast whatever spell they want all day long. The same thing only worse, lol. (I understand that this method isn't there to address the gap, it is just kinda amusing to think about)

[@jakodar]

In our Scarlet Citadel game I gave our Catfolk Bard a Candle of Truth. It has Kobold Press’ : Candle’s Insight built into it. Started with 4 charges (max) and renews 1d4 as the first light of the moon shines upon it each night. He adores it (player and PC). I am going to make him a card for it! This process helped me create something that he is super excited about and I didn’t have to slog through hundreds of pages in PDF’s looking for an item. I just used a spell that I had read that was interesting and useful in the game! 😃

[@baumbard]

Shout out for similar timing; Bandit's Keep also just did a 'Beyond d&d' video. We all called out spell/magic-item inspiration from DCC, "Book of Gaub" and "Wonder & Wickedness"

[@Drunk-Mosquitos]

I think another cool way to use the spell attached to the sword is make the weapon fabled. It still needs to be attuned, but the sword grows more powerful as the character levels or is able to complete certain tasks. Maybe this sword does 1d6 fire and necrotic when the character is 5th level, 1d8 at 7th, can raise one undead once (recharge to be determined), and 2d8 at level 9. I love fabled weapons because it makes magic items feel more powerful and less video game, "I just found a cooler weapon after I killed the next bad guy." I think this helps build the list of factions that Mike was talking about having to build your world out, too.

[@rufuslynks8175]

Great video. I do like the gods/factoins random table idea. I belive I'll also use that to help with crafting secrets and clues for future hooks.

[@EmethMatthew]

Procedurally generated magic items! I love it!

[@jakehickey7675]

I reduce the atonement and make these consumables via description cards and random rolls as birthday gifts for our players

[@lonic123]

Thanks

[@stoloc1]

One thing I do for magic items for folks is often make the items “grow” as the character levels up rather than have the player constantly swapping out their items for more powerful versions. So a sword they get may have a 3rd level spell associated with it and get an additional ability when they reach 9th level. For spell caster items I will also often make the item require the player to use their spell slots to power the items special abilities.

[@baumbard]

Also love this idea. I think there are some explicit systems for this too - d&d 3.5e weapons of legacy... I swear there's another ttrpg that features what they term Heirloom items.

[@Xplora213]

I both like this and hate it. No excuses - there is a mathematical game balance to consider and magic items change the height of graph line. So your weapon makes your level 2 fighter into a mathematical level 3. A weapon that grows might change your level 5 into a 7 and the disparity becomes an issue. My players have serious issues with game balance and fairness because a plus 3 mace is less powerful than a plus 1 hammer in our party. Big issues. At least we can stabilise over time when the weapons don’t grew.

[@stoloc1]

@@Xplora213 not asking for any excuses or offering any- you play the game how you wish and I will play how I wish and we can BOTH have fun at our tables. My players don't seem to have an issue with the game balance at my tables and that's all that I care about.

[@Xplora213]

@@stoloc1 just pointing out there is a mathematical element that growth weapons can violate. It would be like a wand with extra spells. Your wizard just grew some effective levels. You have not lived until your level 4 players are one shotting ogres 🤣. Things got really hairy for a while. A growth weapon would be worse!

[@zeugenberg]

Hi Mike. Thank you for this Video. This one and the one before about rolling twice gave me some wicked ideas ;)

[@dittrich04]

I like tossing a cantrip onto a magic items. Cantrips are only so powerful, and it's a ton of fun to give players utility cantrips because so few people use them.

[@boldcitylongsword9941]

I play DnD3.5/PF1e; would you allow wizards to learn spells and put them in their spell book from an item like that?

[@PhilipDudley3]

Would magic items help keep martial classes from being out shadowed by the glass cannons?

[@CJWproductions]

Magic items generally? No. Specific magic items, chosen for that exact purpose? Idk, maybe

[@Xplora213]

Definitely. Magic items break the game balance. Throw a girdle of giant strength into the mix with a particularly mediocre fighter and he becomes the destroyer of worlds.