Minimum level

Minimum level is is the level at which a character can equip an item (given he meets the other conditions). Before reaching that level, there is no way a character can wear this piece of equipment. Nothing can overcome it, not even Use Magic Device. This was set in place to avoid low level characters possessing items which are too powerful for their level.

Randomly generated item
The minimum level of a randomly generated item is calculated by adding the minimum level on its enchantments. Then, it is calculated by using one of the two following formula:


 * For weapons, armors and shields: (Base price modifier x 2) - 2


 * Clothing and jewelry: (Base price modifier x 2) + 1 where anything under minimum level 5 has no minimum level.

Scrolls
The minimum level of a scroll is equal to its caster level minus two.

Named items
The minimum level of any named item is determined by the game developer and has no set logic.

Wands
The minimum level of a wand is equal to its caster level.

Absolute minimum level
Since Update 14, higher level variants of randomly generated armor have been introduced (see Armor by Proficiency), as well as randomly generated weapons dealing double base damage (2W). When you strip the enchantments from these items via Cannith Crafting deconstruction, the resulting blanks are not reduced to ML:1, but rather to their absolute minimum level.

Note: Race restricted items can have their minimum level 2 levels lower than the absolute minimum level.