How are magic items powered?

[Bill_in_IN]

Originally Posted by larsdangly

The question (in this context, obviously) is whether we should think of them as self powered or user powered. I assume the former, but nothing is said, and the general rule is that the user pays unless it says otherwise. So, it is ambiguous.

We used to consider unique items or artifacts to be self-powered provided that the they weren't damage per ST related spells. But these things were NOT purchased. They were usually found on a fallen foe and were very rare.