Magic Item Gold Piece Values

Many factors must be considered when determining the price of new magic items. The easiest way to come up with a price is to compare the new item to an item that is already priced, using that price as a guide. Otherwise, use the guidelines summarized on Table 15–29.

Multiple Similar Abilities: For items with multiple similar abilities that don’t take up space on a character’s body, use the following formula: Calculate the price of the single most costly ability, then add 75% of the value of the next most costly ability, plus 1/2 the value of any other abilities.

Multiple Different Abilities: Abilities such as an attack roll bonus or saving throw bonus and a spell-like function are not similar, and their values are simply added together to determine the cost. For items that take up a space on a character’s body, each additional power not only has no discount but instead has a 50% increase in price.

0-Level Spells: When multiplying spell levels to determine value, 0-level spells should be treated as 1/2 level.

Other Considerations: Once you have a cost figure, reduce that number if either of the following conditions applies:

Item Requires Skill to Use: Some items require a specific skill to get them to function. This factor should reduce the cost about 10%.

Item Requires Specific Class or Alignment to Use: Even more restrictive than requiring a skill, this limitation cuts the price by 30%.

Prices presented in the magic item descriptions (the gold piece value following the item’s slot) are the market value, which is generally twice what it costs the creator to make the item.

Since different classes get access to certain spells at different levels, the prices for two characters to make the same item might actually be different. An item is only worth two times what the caster of the lowest possible level can make it for. Calculate the market price based on the lowest possible level caster, no matter who makes the item.

Not all items adhere to these formulas. First and foremost, these few formulas aren’t enough to truly gauge the exact differences between items. The price of a magic item may be modified based on its actual worth. The formulas only provide a starting point. The pricing of scrolls assumes that, whenever possible, a wizard or cleric created it. Potions and wands follow the formulas exactly. Staves follow the formulas closely, and other items require at least some judgment calls.

Table 15–29: Estimating Magic Item Gold Piece Values

Effect	Base Price	Example
Ability bonus (enhancement)	Bonus squared x 1,000 gp	Belt of incredible dexterity +2
Armor bonus (enhancement)	Bonus squared x 1,000 gp	+1 chainmail
Bonus spell	Spell level squared x 1,000 gp	Pearl of power
AC bonus (deflection)	Bonus squared x 2,000 gp	Ring of protection +3
AC bonus (other)¹	Bonus squared x 2,500 gp	Ioun stone (dusty rose prism)
Natural armor bonus (enhancement)	Bonus squared x 2,000 gp	Amulet of natural armor +1
Save bonus (resistance)	Bonus squared x 1,000 gp	Cloak of resistance +5
Save bonus (other)¹	Bonus squared x 2,000 gp	Stone of good luck
Skill bonus (competence)	Bonus squared x 100 gp	Cloak of elvenkind
Spell resistance	10,000 gp per point over SR 12; SR 13 minimum	Mantle of spell resistance
Weapon bonus (enhancement)	Bonus squared x 2,000 gp	+1 longsword
Spell Effect	Base Price	Example
Single use, spell completion	Spell level x caster level x 25 gp	Scroll of haste
Single use, use-activated	Spell level x caster level x 50 gp	Potion of cure light wounds
50 charges, spell trigger	Spell level x caster level x 750 gp	Wand of fireball
Command word	Spell level x caster level x 1,800 gp	Cape of the mountebank
Use-activated or continuous	Spell level x caster level x 2,000 gp²	Lantern of revealing
Special	Base Price Adjustment	Example
Charges per day	Divide by (5 divided by charges per day)	Boots of teleportation
No space limitation³	Multiply entire cost by 2	Ioun stone
Multiple different abilities	Multiply lower item cost by 1.5	Helm of brilliance
Charged (50 charges)	1/2 unlimited use base price	Ring of the ram
Component	Extra Cost	Example
Armor, shield, or weapon	Add cost of masterwork item	+1 composite longbow
Spell has material component cost	Add directly into price of item per charge⁴	Wand of stoneskin
	Spell Level: A 0-level spell is half the value of a 1st-level spell for determining price.
1 Such as a luck, insight, sacred, or profane bonus.
2	If a continuous item has an effect based on a spell with a duration measured in rounds, multiply the cost by 4. If the duration of
	the spell is 1 minute/level, multiply the cost by 2, and if the duration is 10 minutes/level, multiply the cost by 1.5. If the spell has a
24-hour duration or greater, divide the cost in half.
3 An item that does not take up one of the spaces on a body costs double.
4	If item is continuous or unlimited, not charged, determine cost as if it had 100 charges. If it has some daily limit, determine as if it

had 50 charges.