In both DD and BD, item properties (and many container contents) are set when you run your mouse over it, move it, pick it up or press the alt key nearby. You can quick save before this to reload repeatedly to try for different equipment stats. IIRC, someone mentioned seeing a maximum of 4 charm slots in BD. I only recall seeing a charm quality of 1 or 2, but since I have not used any charms yet, have not been paying close attention.
This is not the case, I must say.
In DD, if you have a unidentified item in your inventory, and when you meet someone who is capable of identifying, you can save before indentifying and each time you will get different stats for the item and different charm qualities. But in BD, when you grab the item, it's stats are set, that's the difference.
BTW, my Battle Mage just acquired a crossbow with the charm quality of 4,:)
