Why is this uncommon magic item better than this rare magic item?

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From what I understand, uncommon magic items are less valuable than rare items in terms of functional power and monetary value. From the DMG (pg. 135), uncommon items are worth 101–500 gp while rare items are worth 501–5,000 gp.

I was reading through various magic items and noticed the following items. In comparing the two I noticed something strange:

+1 Armor. Armor (light, medium, or heavy), rare. You have a [+1] bonus to AC while wearing this armor.

vs.

Cloak of Protection. Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement). You gain a +1 bonus to AC and saving throws while you wear this cloak. (DMG, p. 159)

I find it interesting that the armor is rare—worth up to 5,000 gp—while the cloak has the exact same effect and then some and is worth no more than 500 gp. In other words, the cloak is "better" than the armor but potentially worth much, much less than the armor. Am I missing something? Why would an uncommon magic item have better properties than a rare magic item?

dnd-5e

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asked 42 mins ago

KSchank

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From what I understand, uncommon magic items are less valuable than rare items in terms of functional power and monetary value. From the DMG (pg. 135), uncommon items are worth 101–500 gp while rare items are worth 501–5,000 gp.

I was reading through various magic items and noticed the following items. In comparing the two I noticed something strange:

+1 Armor. Armor (light, medium, or heavy), rare. You have a [+1] bonus to AC while wearing this armor.

vs.

Cloak of Protection. Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement). You gain a +1 bonus to AC and saving throws while you wear this cloak. (DMG, p. 159)

I find it interesting that the armor is rare—worth up to 5,000 gp—while the cloak has the exact same effect and then some and is worth no more than 500 gp. In other words, the cloak is "better" than the armor but potentially worth much, much less than the armor. Am I missing something? Why would an uncommon magic item have better properties than a rare magic item?

dnd-5e

share|improve this question

asked 42 mins ago

KSchank

1,188622

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

favorite

up vote
1
down vote

favorite

From what I understand, uncommon magic items are less valuable than rare items in terms of functional power and monetary value. From the DMG (pg. 135), uncommon items are worth 101–500 gp while rare items are worth 501–5,000 gp.

I was reading through various magic items and noticed the following items. In comparing the two I noticed something strange:

+1 Armor. Armor (light, medium, or heavy), rare. You have a [+1] bonus to AC while wearing this armor.

vs.

Cloak of Protection. Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement). You gain a +1 bonus to AC and saving throws while you wear this cloak. (DMG, p. 159)

I find it interesting that the armor is rare—worth up to 5,000 gp—while the cloak has the exact same effect and then some and is worth no more than 500 gp. In other words, the cloak is "better" than the armor but potentially worth much, much less than the armor. Am I missing something? Why would an uncommon magic item have better properties than a rare magic item?

dnd-5e

share|improve this question

asked 42 mins ago

KSchank

1,188622

From what I understand, uncommon magic items are less valuable than rare items in terms of functional power and monetary value. From the DMG (pg. 135), uncommon items are worth 101–500 gp while rare items are worth 501–5,000 gp.

I was reading through various magic items and noticed the following items. In comparing the two I noticed something strange:

+1 Armor. Armor (light, medium, or heavy), rare. You have a [+1] bonus to AC while wearing this armor.

vs.

Cloak of Protection. Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement). You gain a +1 bonus to AC and saving throws while you wear this cloak. (DMG, p. 159)

I find it interesting that the armor is rare—worth up to 5,000 gp—while the cloak has the exact same effect and then some and is worth no more than 500 gp. In other words, the cloak is "better" than the armor but potentially worth much, much less than the armor. Am I missing something? Why would an uncommon magic item have better properties than a rare magic item?

dnd-5e

dnd-5e

share|improve this question

asked 42 mins ago

KSchank

1,188622

share|improve this question

asked 42 mins ago

KSchank

1,188622

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

asked 42 mins ago

KSchank

1,188622

asked 42 mins ago

KSchank

1,188622

asked 42 mins ago

KSchank

1,188622

1,188622

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

1 Answer
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Attunement is an opportunity cost.

Wearing +1 armor is a straight uncomplicated upgrade from non-magical armor. The Cloak requires attunement, and you can only attune to three items at a time, so it competes for space with other magical items.

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edited 29 secs ago

answered 35 mins ago

Mark Wells

3,546928

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  +1, but you might be able to improve this answer by being a bit more explicit about what Attunement means and why this opportunity cost is (potentially) so large.
  – Joel Harmon
  15 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

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1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
7
down vote

Attunement is an opportunity cost.

Wearing +1 armor is a straight uncomplicated upgrade from non-magical armor. The Cloak requires attunement, and you can only attune to three items at a time, so it competes for space with other magical items.

share|improve this answer

edited 29 secs ago

answered 35 mins ago

Mark Wells

3,546928

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  +1, but you might be able to improve this answer by being a bit more explicit about what Attunement means and why this opportunity cost is (potentially) so large.
  – Joel Harmon
  15 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
7
down vote

Attunement is an opportunity cost.

Wearing +1 armor is a straight uncomplicated upgrade from non-magical armor. The Cloak requires attunement, and you can only attune to three items at a time, so it competes for space with other magical items.

share|improve this answer

edited 29 secs ago

answered 35 mins ago

Mark Wells

3,546928

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  +1, but you might be able to improve this answer by being a bit more explicit about what Attunement means and why this opportunity cost is (potentially) so large.
  – Joel Harmon
  15 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
7
down vote

up vote
7
down vote

Attunement is an opportunity cost.

Wearing +1 armor is a straight uncomplicated upgrade from non-magical armor. The Cloak requires attunement, and you can only attune to three items at a time, so it competes for space with other magical items.

share|improve this answer

edited 29 secs ago

answered 35 mins ago

Mark Wells

3,546928

Attunement is an opportunity cost.

Wearing +1 armor is a straight uncomplicated upgrade from non-magical armor. The Cloak requires attunement, and you can only attune to three items at a time, so it competes for space with other magical items.

share|improve this answer

edited 29 secs ago

answered 35 mins ago

Mark Wells

3,546928

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited 29 secs ago

edited 29 secs ago

edited 29 secs ago

answered 35 mins ago

Mark Wells

3,546928

answered 35 mins ago

Mark Wells

3,546928

answered 35 mins ago

Mark Wells

3,546928

3,546928

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  +1, but you might be able to improve this answer by being a bit more explicit about what Attunement means and why this opportunity cost is (potentially) so large.
  – Joel Harmon
  15 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  +1, but you might be able to improve this answer by being a bit more explicit about what Attunement means and why this opportunity cost is (potentially) so large.
  – Joel Harmon
  15 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

1

1

+1, but you might be able to improve this answer by being a bit more explicit about what Attunement means and why this opportunity cost is (potentially) so large.
– Joel Harmon
15 mins ago

+1, but you might be able to improve this answer by being a bit more explicit about what Attunement means and why this opportunity cost is (potentially) so large.
– Joel Harmon
15 mins ago

add a comment | 

 

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