Unconventional uses for cursed items?

[Ragitsu]

I created this thread in order to see what beneficial uses even a cursed item (no matter if it is a ring, a sword, a piece of armor, a gilded pitcher, etc) can have. So...feel free to contribute!

 

* Most cursed items also count as magic items. They may still unlock a portal "guarded" by a mystical sensor that requires the presence of enchantments. Additionally, they could be effective as weapons against a creature resistant to mundane arms.

* Sometimes, it helps to have a bigger dog in the fight. Those who cannot resist supernatural possession from an unknown source might find that being mind controlled by a cursed item with a powerful ego is worth the risk. "Better the devil you know" and all that jazz.

* Certain crafting recipes aren't picky when it comes to required raw materials. Even if the baleful aspect of, say, the Lichlord's Ring isn't entirely dispelled in the process, it may be significantly weakened.

* Finally, if nothing else, a cursed item can be a handy trap. That fearsome pseudo-Viking may be a terror on the battlefield under normal conditions, but...with a maliciously enchanted axe that causes its wielder to swell with bravado that's effectively suicidal, she may become reckless enough to give a lesser warrior an opening to effectively strike back. Even those who ARE wary of tricks may have a devil of a time getting rid of gear that refuses to be discarded.

[Christopher R Taylor]

Usually items aren't cursed unless they are pretty powerful to begin with, so if you are willing to put up with the bad, you get a significant boost.  Plus they are really difficult to destroy in most cases, so you can use them to prop up a lowering ceiling for example, things like that.

[Ragitsu]

1 hour ago, Christopher R Taylor said:

Plus they are really difficult to destroy in most cases, so you can use them to prop up a lowering ceiling for example, things like that.

 

Yeah. I was thinking that cursed items tend to be indestructible (hello The One Ring). Good catch!

 

* In addition to being immune to most forms of damage, cursed items are clingy in the extreme. Specifically: they are unable to be removed once equipped unless an arcane ritual or spell is called upon. A sword that cannot be disarmed is worth its weight in gold against a master fencer. When climbing, a kusari (basically, a chain designed for fighting) wrapped around your forearms that won't come loose is a useful tool indeed.

[Ninja-Bear]

9 hours ago, Ragitsu said:

 

Yeah. I was thinking that cursed items tend to be indestructible (hello The One Ring). Good catch!

 

* In addition to being immune to most forms of damage, cursed items are clingy in the extreme. Specifically: they are unable to be removed once equipped unless an arcane ritual or spell is called upon. A sword that cannot be disarmed is worth its weight in gold against a master fencer. When climbing, a kusari (basically, a chain designed for fighting) wrapped around your forearms that won't come loose is a useful tool indeed.

Unless like the One Ring, the cursed item slips off at the worst possible moment. I’m mean they are cursed for a reason ?.

[Cassandra]

Re-gifting.

[Greywind]

Being difficult to destroy is usually in the realm of artifacts. Not generally cursed items.