Greater Spelljamming Helm
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Greater Spelljamming Helm
Wondrous Item (Slotless, Epic)
Price: 500,000 gp
Caster Level: 21st
Aura: Overwhelming transmutation & universal
Weight: 1,000 lbs of Starmetal (100lbs waste)This helm is intended to be:
• One tier above the Major Helm (250,000 gp)
• Not as rare or reality-breaking as an Artifact Helm
• Capable of powering colossal vessels, or granting enhanced movement options not available to standard helmsMechanically, it improves:
• Speed
• Maneuverability
• Pilot flexibility
• Defensive capabilities
• Multi-pilot synergyActivation: Sit + 1 round of concentration. As with all helms, the user must maintain concentration to maneuver.
Power Source (Improved Efficiency)
A Greater Helm requires only that the pilot be:
• A divine or arcane spellcaster of at least 9th level, OR
• Anyone with Use Magic Device and DC 35 check to attune
It does NOT consume spell slots
(identical to the Major Helm, but easier pilot access).
Tactical Movement (In-Combat Speed)
Tactical Rating (TR):
TR = Pilot’s Caster Level × 20 ft.
This is twice as fast as a Major Helm.
Examples:
Pilot CL Major Helm Greater Helm
15 150 ft. 300 ft.
20 200 ft. 400 ft.
25 250 ft. 500 ft.Spelljamming (Interplanetary) Speed
Spelljamming speed normally caps at 100 million miles/day.
A Greater Helm enhances this:
Greater Helm Speed: 200 million miles/day
Ships with these helms are the fastest in known space short of artifact helms or teleportation circles.Maneuverability
Greater Helms grant:
• +2 bonus to ship maneuverability checks
• Ships one size larger than usual do not suffer maneuverability penalties
Example: A Huge ship maneuvers as a Large vessel.
Dual-Pilot Resonance (Unique Feature)
A Greater Helm can accept two attuned pilots simultaneously:
• Both pilots make a shared concentration pool
• If one fails, the other may maintain helm control
• Tactical Speed uses the higher caster level
• Maneuverability uses the average of both pilots’ mental ability modifiers
• Allows spellcasting by the non-primary pilot
(as long as concentration is maintained by the partner)
This solves the biggest tactical disadvantage of Major Helms:
the pilot normally cannot cast spells while navigating.Spellward Shield (Defensive Feature)
While a pilot is attuned:
• Ship gains SR 20 + pilot’s highest caster level against spell effects targeting the vessel
• Includes dispel magic, disjunction, telekinesis, reverse gravity, and other control spells
Example: CL 20 pilot → Ship gains SR 40.Emergency Blink Translation (1/day)
Once per day, the helm may execute a short-range astral “blink-hop”:
• Teleports the vessel up to 250 miles
• Can be used to avoid collisions, escape combat, or reposition
• Cannot be used to enter or exit crystal spheres
• Does not function in the phlogiston
This makes a Greater Helm exceptionally valuable in tactical fleet engagements.Crafting
Feat: Craft Wondrous Item, Epic Spellcasting or Skill Ranks 24 in Spellcraft
Caster Level: 21st
Spells Required (all):
• telekinesis
• overland flight
• reverse gravity
• greater teleport
• fabricate
• mind blank (stabilizes multi-pilot resonance)
• greater heroism (to align pilot focus)
Cost to Create:
• 40,000 gp materials -
Without breaking out my spelljamming docs to compare with myself, I see no major issues that would cause me to object to this.
