Rods

Using Magic Items

Rods are scepter-like devices with unique magical powers. They do not usually have charges, and anyone can use a rod. Many rods are sturdy enough to serve as a light mace or club in a pinch.

Physical Description

Rods weigh approximately 5 pounds and range from 2 to 3 feet long, usually made of iron or another metal. They have AC 9, 10 hit points, hardness 10, and a break DC of 27.

Activation

You must be holding a rod to use its abilities. Activation details vary by item — see the individual rod's description for specifics.

Metamagic Rods

Metamagic rods hold the essence of a metamagic feat, letting the wielder apply that feat's effect to a spell without changing the spell's slot. Key rules:

  • Use-activated; casting in a threatened area still draws an attack of opportunity.
  • Only one metamagic rod per spell — but you may combine it with metamagic feats you personally possess (only your own feats adjust the spell slot).
  • Possessing the rod does not grant the associated feat — only the ability to use it a set number of times per day.
  • A sorcerer still takes a full-round action to cast with a metamagic rod (except Quicken rods, which are a swift action).
Metamagic Effect Lesser (≤ 3rd level) Normal (≤ 6th level) Greater (≤ 9th level)
Empower9,000 gp32,500 gp73,000 gp
Enlarge3,000 gp11,000 gp24,500 gp
Extend3,000 gp11,000 gp24,500 gp
Maximize14,000 gp54,000 gp121,500 gp
Quicken35,000 gp75,500 gp170,000 gp
Silent3,000 gp11,000 gp24,500 gp

Special Qualities

Roll d% when generating a random rod:

d%Result
01Rod is intelligent
02–31A design, inscription, or similar feature provides a clue to the rod's function
32–100No special qualities

Rods with charges can never be intelligent.

Random Generation

MediumMajorRodMarket Price
01–07—Metamagic, Enlarge, lesser3,000 gp
08–14—Metamagic, Extend, lesser3,000 gp
15–21—Metamagic, Silent, lesser3,000 gp
22–28—Immovable5,000 gp
29–35—Metamagic, Empower, lesser9,000 gp
36–42—Metal and mineral detection10,500 gp
43–5301–04Cancellation11,000 gp
54–5705–06Metamagic, Enlarge11,000 gp
58–6107–08Metamagic, Extend11,000 gp
62–6509–10Metamagic, Silent11,000 gp
66–7111–14Wonder12,000 gp
72–7915–19Python13,000 gp
80–83—Metamagic, Maximize, lesser14,000 gp
84–8920–21Flame extinguishing15,000 gp
90–9722–25Viper19,000 gp
—26–30Enemy detection23,500 gp
—31–36Metamagic, Enlarge, greater24,500 gp
—37–42Metamagic, Extend, greater24,500 gp
—43–48Metamagic, Silent, greater24,500 gp
—49–53Splendor25,000 gp
—54–58Withering25,000 gp
98–9959–64Metamagic, Empower32,500 gp
—65–69Thunder and lightning33,000 gp
10070–73Metamagic, Quicken, lesser35,000 gp
—74–77Negation37,000 gp
—78–80Absorption50,000 gp
—81–84Flailing50,000 gp
—85–86Metamagic, Maximize54,000 gp
—87–88Rulership60,000 gp
—89–90Security61,000 gp
—91–92Lordly might70,000 gp
—93–94Metamagic, Empower, greater73,000 gp
—95–96Metamagic, Quicken75,500 gp
—97–98Alertness85,000 gp
—99Metamagic, Maximize, greater121,500 gp
—100Metamagic, Quicken, greater170,000 gp

See Also

Metamagic Feats
Rules for applying metamagic — and the feats the rods emulate.
Rods in the Database
Browse all named rods in the item compendium.