Pathfinder Magic Weapon Cost Calculator

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Reviewed and verified for accuracy based on Pathfinder 1E Core Rulebook by David Chen, Pathfinder Rules Expert.

Welcome to the Pathfinder Magic Weapon Cost Calculator. This tool accurately determines the total market price of a magical melee or ranged weapon, taking into account the base cost, primary enhancement bonus, and the equivalent bonus provided by special weapon abilities (like flaming or keen).

Pathfinder Magic Weapon Cost Calculator

Calculated Total Cost (Market Price)

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Pathfinder Magic Weapon Cost Formula

Total Cost = Base Weapon Cost + Magic Cost

Total Enhancement Bonus (B_Total) = Primary Bonus + Special Equivalent Bonus
Magic Cost (C_Magic) = (B_Total)² x 2,000 GP

Formula Sources: Archives of Nethys (Magic Weapons), Paizo Community Blog (Magic Item Pricing)

Variables Explained

The calculation relies on three critical inputs to determine the weapon’s final market price.

  • Base Weapon Cost (GP): The standard price of the non-magical weapon (e.g., 50 GP for a greatsword, 10 GP for a dagger). This is typically a constant value from the equipment chapter.
  • Primary Enhancement Bonus (+1 to +5): The core numerical bonus that is added to attack and damage rolls, such as +1, +2, or +5. This value cannot exceed +5.
  • Special Ability Equivalent Bonus (Total): The sum of the bonus equivalents for all special weapon abilities applied to the weapon (e.g., Flaming is a +1 equivalent, Speed is a +4 equivalent).

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What is the Pathfinder Magic Weapon Cost Calculator?

In the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, the cost of a magic weapon is not arbitrary. It follows a structured, squared formula based on the total effective enhancement bonus. This calculator automates this complex calculation, ensuring players and Game Masters (GMs) can quickly determine the correct market price for any combination of enhancement and special abilities.

The core principle is that the power of a magic item increases exponentially. A +2 weapon is not merely twice as good as a +1 weapon; its cost reflects a significantly greater leap in power. This system, where the total bonus is squared (B_Total²), makes powerful weapons like a *+5 flaming keen speed greatsword* extremely expensive, preserving game balance. The maximum total effective bonus allowed is +10.

How to Calculate Magic Weapon Cost (Example)

Let’s calculate the cost of a +2 Keen Longsword (Base Cost: 15 GP).

  1. Determine Inputs:
    • Base Weapon Cost ($C_{base}$): 15 GP
    • Primary Bonus ($B_{primary}$): +2
    • Special Equivalent Bonus ($B_{special}$): *Keen* is a +1 equivalent. Total = 1.
  2. Calculate Total Enhancement Bonus ($B_{total}$): $$B_{total} = B_{primary} + B_{special} = 2 + 1 = 3$$
  3. Calculate Magic Cost ($C_{magic}$): $$C_{magic} = (B_{total})^2 \times 2,000 \text{ GP} = (3)^2 \times 2,000 \text{ GP} = 9 \times 2,000 \text{ GP} = 18,000 \text{ GP}$$
  4. Calculate Total Market Price ($C_{total}$): $$C_{total} = C_{base} + C_{magic} = 15 \text{ GP} + 18,000 \text{ GP} = 18,015 \text{ GP}$$

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below are common questions regarding magic weapon costs in Pathfinder.

  • Can a weapon have a total enhancement bonus higher than +10?

    No. The combined value of the primary enhancement bonus (the numerical +X) and the bonus equivalents of all special abilities cannot exceed +10. If the total inputs exceed 10, the calculator should return an error, as this is an invalid item.

  • Does this formula work for weapons that only have special abilities, like a *Flaming* weapon with no numerical bonus?

    No. A weapon must have at least a +1 primary enhancement bonus before any special abilities (like flaming or keen) can be added. The lowest valid primary bonus is +1.

  • Why is the magic cost squared?

    The squared cost formula reflects the exponential power curve of high-tier magic. The difference in utility between a +4 weapon and a +5 weapon is deemed disproportionately greater than the jump from a +1 to a +2, thus the price is multiplied accordingly.

  • What is the maximum possible market price for a standard magic weapon?

    Since the maximum total effective bonus is +10, the maximum magic cost is $(10)^2 \times 2,000 \text{ GP} = 200,000 \text{ GP}$. The total market price would be this amount plus the (usually minor) base weapon cost.

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