Wondrous items are a catch-all category of magic items — amulets, cloaks, boots, belts, and other gear that don't fit neatly into weapons, armor, rings, rods, or staves. Most are worn in a specific body slot; slotless items simply need to be carried.

Activation

Command Word

A standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. If no activation method is specified, assume a command word is needed.

Command words can sometimes be found by a DC 30 Knowledge (arcana) or Knowledge (history) check, or revealed by detect magic, identify, or analyze dweomer.

Use-Activated

The item activates automatically by being worn, wielded, or used in the appropriate way. Continuously functioning items are almost always use-activated by wearing. Some worn items still require a command word even though they are worn — the item's description will say so.

Body Slots

A character can only benefit from one item per slot. Additional items of the same slot can be worn but provide no benefit. Some items require the wearer to have the item equipped for 24 hours before its full effect manifests.

SlotTypical Items
BeltBelts and other items worn around the waist
BodyBody wraps, cassocks, corsets, dusters, harnesses, robes, vestments
ChestJackets, mantels, shirts, vests worn around the torso or chest
EyesGoggles, lenses, monocles, spectacles worn over the eyes
FeetBoots, horseshoes, sandals, shoes, slippers
HandsGauntlets and gloves
HeadCirclets, crowns, hats, helms, hoods, masks
HeadbandBands, headbands, laurels, phylacteries worn around the forehead
NeckAmulets, brooches, medallions, necklaces, periapts, scarabs
ShouldersCapes, cloaks, cords, mantels, pauldrons, shawls, stoles, wings
WristsArmbands, bracelets, bracers, manacles, vambraces
SlotlessItems that need only be carried or possessed; no body slot required

Creatures missing a body part cannot use items requiring that slot. Creatures with multiple body parts corresponding to one slot (e.g., four arms) still only benefit from one item of that slot.

See Also