The DCC system attempts to make actual magic extremely chaotic and powerful but also Kinda rare. I personally noted that this makes some players less interested as “collecting magic Items” was part of their fun in a RPG. So to overcome this I present some guidelines for the terminally interested on How Magic and “Special” items will work.
Everyday Bonuses
While a true magic sword might be kinda rare, it is eminently possible that you will find items that are a bit better than “Standard” if you are familiar with the term “Masterwork” from D&D you’ll get the idea. SO expect “Non Magic” items that carry a +1 or +2 bonus on some stat in a good haul of treasure. Many enemy boss type figures mat well have a +1 armour or weapon etc.
I ran across the term “Fine” item so have decided to appropriate it here. Consider the prefix “Fine” to indicate a NON Magical +1 on the item to which it relates. “Masterwork” or “Masterful” will refer to non Magic +2 items hereafter.
Likewise Potions need not always be “Magic” you may find a rare “herbal elixir”* that acts as a Healing potion or similar but will NOT detect as magic in any way. So don’t rely on a “Detect Magic” or similar spell to pick out the goodies in any reward. You will have to trust your Rogue or similar Character with a merchant or other appropriate background to pick theses out of the pile of booty for you!
Rough guide
| Item | Non Magic | Magical | Notes |
| Weapon | +1 or rarely+2 | +2 or better | Might apply bonus to Damage To hit or Both Or to the weapon’s durability etc |
| Armour | +1 or +2 | +3 or better | Bonuses may go on protection or Armour check penalty or durability or Saves. Magic items tend to have the bonus applied to ALL of these at once |
| Jewelry | +1 | +2 or better | Non Magic Jewelry can increase a character’s PRE stat and or add bonuses to checks dealing with NPC’s as it reflects perceived status. Rule of thumb, a 30 Gp item may give a +1. Item(s) worth 100 Gp+ may give more. |
| Other Clothing | +1 or +2 | +3 or Better | Again you might get a Protection bonus or a PRE bonus like with jewelry here (they would combine) In the case of a Non Magic item of superior qualities |
| Tools | +1 rarely +2 | +2 or better | Fairly obviously these would add to the skill check associated with the Tool. But beyond that there is not much scope for variation. |
| Potions
Drugs Special Foods Etc |
Examples: Minor Healing (1d6) Stat boosting (+1d3) Poisons & Some Antidotes Anti infection balms etc Acids (1d4 to 1d8 damage) Smoke Bomb type effects |
Greater Healing (d8 or better in a single dose)
Permanent effects on Stats Spell mimicking effects |
Anybody coming from an: Alchemist, Herbalist or Sage type background could reasonably expect to have a shot at making any of these up with the right equipment and or components. Naturally the better the ingredients the better the result 🙂 |
*Special Note.Due to the wholesale butchery of any rare & magical monster this rule brought on in my last campaign… May I just repeat if you don’t have a background that includes “Alchemy” “Herbalism” or “Animal Handling” Chopping bits off a defeated magical beast is 99% likely to NOT get you a usable “Component”. Naturally they are there but without knowledge aforethought you are wasting everybody’s time. Research what “Potion” you want first THEN I’ll tell you what you need to go out a hunt Okay!
This Rule brought to you by The FCB Basilisk hunters 😉
One last Test comment!