Magic Item Crafting 5e

Where to start...

Magic items are a key feature of the 5e system. In previous editions, there have been comprehensive and detailed rules on how to craft magic items. The following serves as a simple, yet encompassing ruleset to craft and enchant magic items for the 5e system.

Crafting the item

First, you must craft the mundane item which will be imbued by your enchantment. In order to do that, you must spend a number of gold pieces equal to half the item's price in raw materials to craft it. It takes you 8 hours of work for every 50 gold it costs to create the item, or a minimum of 8 hours, whichever is higher.

For example, a creature crafting Plate armor would need to spend 750 gp and 120 hours (15 workdays), of work to craft it.

Consumable items, like Potions and Spell Scrolls, cost only 5 gold in raw materials to prepare. If there is an item that does not have an existing cost, such as a specific piece of jewelry, the cost of materials should be 10 gold.

Crafting Proficiency

In order to craft an item, you must have proficiency in the necessary tool to craft the item. Refer to the following for examples, however the DM may make exceptions or determinations on their own volition. For Wondrous Items, players and DMs should handle them with flexibility. As they are varied in design, a Cube of Force could be made from metal or wood, and therefore could be crafted using either Woodcarver's tools, Smith's tools, or even Tinker's tools.

Tools Items

Alchemist Supplies Potions, Alchemical formulas (Sovereign Glue, Universal Solvent, etc.)

Brewer's Supplies Potions

Caligrapher's Supplies Scrolls, Books

Cobbler's Tools Boots

Glassblower's Supplies Spellcasting Focus

Herbalism Kit Potions

Jeweler's Tools Jewelry, Spellcasting Focus

Leatherworker's Tools Armor, Boots, Books

Smith's Tools Armor, Metal Weapons

Tinker's Tools Spellcasting Focus, Complex mechanisms

Weaver's Tools Clothing

Woodcarver's Tools Wooden Weapons, Spellcasting Focus

Enchanting the Item

Once the mundane item has been crafted, you must enchant the object. Any creature with proficiency in the Arcana skill may enchant an item and any creature with the Pact Magic or Spellcasting feature may enchant items as well.

In order to enchant the item, you must acquire the necessary materials to imbue the item with magic. The DM may require a specific material to enchant the the item. If they do, reduce the amount of gold you must spend to enchant the item by half as the item you acquire satisfies a majority of the crafting requirement.

The price of enchanting a magic item is determined by its rarity and if it is consumable or non-consumable. For consumable items, such as Potions and Scrolls, reduce the cost and time it takes to enchant the item by half. Refer to the following to determine enchanting costs and time:

Item Rarity Cost Enchanting Time

Common 50 gp 24 hours (3 workdays)

Uncommon 200 gp 40 hours (5 workdays)

Rare 2,000 gp 80 hours (10 workdays)

Very Rare 20,000 gp 160 hours (20 workdays)

Legendary 100,000 gp 800 hours (100 workdays)