Buying magic items [Archive] - Wizards Community

Buying magic items [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ashanti
07-20-06, 09:59 AM On these boards I hear a lot of things like:

Poster A: I have this character but what I really want is for her to be able to do such and such....

poster B: Buy her a (insert magic item here).

Now, do most people here have access to shops with whatever magic item they want?

I could be imagining it but I'm sure I recall someone saying that a poster should "just buy a Tome of Clear Thought". Another poster told someone to "just buy some adamantium full plate".

Have I missed something? Was I ill the day memo was released that you could just buy anything in the DMG?

Don't you go adventuring to find the Adamantium armour?

What gives?
Azezel
07-20-06, 10:08 AM The availability of any magic item (and the placve where said item may be aquired) is entirely up to the DM.

That said, there are some customary set-ups.

You can typically by Wands of CLW, Vigour and such spells at a medium or large temple - same goes for potions of low level Divine spells.

Arcane spells are slightly different, but you can usually get low-level wands, scrolls and potions in large towns and cities (though not all spells in every city).

As for specific high-level things eg 'Cloak of Charisma +4' or whatever, these are mostly very rare. As such they come almost exclusively from two sources, Adventure Loot, in which case it all is subect to the whims of the d% and the random item tables, or bespoke items.

If you can track down a suitable caster (One with the right spells (arcane/divine), of high enough level, with the correct feats, and with acces to the needed specific spells, then you might (might!) be able to commision him to make a given item, but this is by no means a certainty.

99 times out of 100 you are better off if your party Wizard has Craft Wanderous Item and or Craft Wand.
azmodael
07-20-06, 11:59 AM Ummm only I think that the random item generator SUX? Come on... do you really use that thing?! In all of my campaigns I generally give the party as loot suitable items for their heroes. It is pretty irritating to run everytime to the town and sell, sell, sell... I don't do it EVERY time, but for me this random generated loot is crap. The intelligent monster has Gauntlets of Ogre Strenght - well why the hell it doesn't use 'em then? (Ogres for example)
Seeker95
07-20-06, 12:09 PM Now, do most people here have access to shops with whatever magic item they want?Unfortunately, yes.
runestar
07-20-06, 12:25 PM Ummm only I think that the random item generator SUX? Come on... do you really use that thing?! In all of my campaigns I generally give the party as loot suitable items for their heroes. It is pretty irritating to run everytime to the town and sell, sell, sell... I don't do it EVERY time, but for me this random generated loot is crap. The intelligent monster has Gauntlets of Ogre Strenght - well why the hell it doesn't use 'em then? (Ogres for example)

That's why there are item creation feats. The idea was this: either you expend valuable resources crafting your own custom eq, or you leave it to fate to equip you however it deems fit. :)

If you are able to find whatever eq you want from a dragon's hoard, then there's no point to crafting them. ;) Item creation is the player's way of removing chance from the equation - you have the feat, spells and resources, you get the item you want, subject to dm's approval, of course.
Ashanti
07-20-06, 03:29 PM @ Asmodael

The intelligent monster has Gauntlets of Ogre Strength - well why the hell it doesn't use 'em then? (Ogres for example)

I don't see your point here. If (as a DM) you role up a treasure that the villain can use then it will use it. If the party has to fight the villain and the item then they deserve it all the more. An ogre with a + 4 strength suits me. If it can't use it it will go to it's lieutenent, if he can't use it then it goes to the treasure chest (not the fake one under the alter).

My problem is the charater whistling her way down to Magic-Mart and buy a vorpal sword with the massive amount of loot she just liberated. The adventures we have are to do heroic things like save the town or kill the robber Baron in his lair. There may be a treat in it for the characters but the treasure per encounter in the DMG is madness.

Down with Monte Haul!
Kursk
07-20-06, 04:03 PM On these boards I hear a lot of things like:

Have I missed something? Was I ill the day memo was released that you could just buy anything in the DMG?

What gives?

It's called Monty Haul-itus. :rofl:
Iddig Ap Nil
07-20-06, 04:13 PM Ummm only I think that the random item generator SUX? Come on... do you really use that thing?! In all of my campaigns I generally give the party as loot suitable items for their heroes. It is pretty irritating to run everytime to the town and sell, sell, sell... I don't do it EVERY time, but for me this random generated loot is crap. The intelligent monster has Gauntlets of Ogre Strenght - well why the hell it doesn't use 'em then? (Ogres for example)Everything in my setting uses whatever magic item that they have in their hoard if they're capable of it...That said, I don't wait (unless I really have no time to prepare prior to the game) to generate the random treasure (yes, I use the random tables, it's kinda fun to see what the PCs could end up with sometimes) of an encounter.
Iddig Ap Nil
07-20-06, 04:17 PM On these boards I hear a lot of things like:

Poster A: I have this character but what I really want is for her to be able to do such and such....

poster B: Buy her a (insert magic item here).

Now, do most people here have access to shops with whatever magic item they want?

I could be imagining it but I'm sure I recall someone saying that a poster should "just buy a Tome of Clear Thought". Another poster told someone to "just buy some adamantium full plate".

Have I missed something? Was I ill the day memo was released that you could just buy anything in the DMG?

Don't you go adventuring to find the Adamantium armour?

What gives?As I said in another thread, I don't use Magic Item shops, though there is the chance that a PC may be able to commission an item, but it's expensive and takes time, and if you're in a high risk job (such as adventuring), then the wizard you commissioned will likely require a pretty hefty down payment for said item...
Puca
07-20-06, 04:33 PM I think some of you are being awfully quick with the pejoratives. The fact that a magic shop exists doesn’t automatically make it a “Monty Haul” campaign. Considering you sell items you find at ½ base and buy them at full cost, characters who succeed in an encounter versus opponents with randomly generated items and sell them to get items they actually can use end up with less total gp of items than one where the DM has equipped the opponents with treasure tailored to meet the needs and wants of the characters.

Simply by virtue of being in complete control of what is for sale, the DM can still have control over what the party can get, and if he wants to run a “Monty Haul” campaign, he doesnt need to include a magic item shop to do so.
Some_call_me_Tim
07-20-06, 04:46 PM Ummm only I think that the random item generator SUX? Come on... do you really use that thing?! In all of my campaigns I generally give the party as loot suitable items for their heroes. It is pretty irritating to run everytime to the town and sell, sell, sell... I don't do it EVERY time, but for me this random generated loot is crap. The intelligent monster has Gauntlets of Ogre Strenght - well why the hell it doesn't use 'em then? (Ogres for example)He doesn't have detect magic and just uses them for gardening? Seriously, I agree, it is better to give things the players want for their characters, but giving them 'useless' items is a way to check the players getting too much gold, as they only get 1/2 (or less) of the value if they sell it.

Sometimes these seemingly 'useless' random treasures can be put to good use in the right situation. I mean who would likely buy a bottle of air? 7250gp is a lot for an item with questionable uses, but that same item can be priceless if you are trapped somewhere without oxygen. A few of these odd-ball items can lead to some outside-the-box thinking by your players.

Also PCs don't necessarily need to follow the concept the player originally came up with. I've had characters whose feats, skills, and tactics changed because of a magic item I found.

I agree that a foe with access to magic item will likely use if it can. The only way I use random generation is with veto power and healthy respect for what sounds 'right' for a situation. If you can't explain why a particular creature would have a {insert magic item here} it shouldn't.
JulesCARV
07-20-06, 06:20 PM In Eberron, there are artificers, of course. I've often thought that it would be neat for someone in a party to take the Leadership feat and get an Artificer cohort as a "Q Branch." Nothing says that cohorts actually have to adventure to get experience -- an artificer can just stay in his workshop, and get leader's experience * (his level/leader's level) experience from tinkering on magic items.

"Now Mr. ir-Bond, this appears to be an ordinary Signet ring, but it is actually a Ring of Shooting Stars, so be very (mayhem ensues as Mr. ir-Bond tries out his new ring)... I was going to say, be very careful, Mr. ir-Bond."

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ashanti 07-20-06, 09:59 AM	On these boards I hear a lot of things like: Poster A: I have this character but what I really want is for her to be able to do such and such.... poster B: Buy her a (insert magic item here). Now, do most people here have access to shops with whatever magic item they want? I could be imagining it but I'm sure I recall someone saying that a poster should "just buy a Tome of Clear Thought". Another poster told someone to "just buy some adamantium full plate". Have I missed something? Was I ill the day memo was released that you could just buy anything in the DMG? Don't you go adventuring to find the Adamantium armour? What gives?
Azezel 07-20-06, 10:08 AM	The availability of any magic item (and the placve where said item may be aquired) is entirely up to the DM. That said, there are some customary set-ups. You can typically by Wands of CLW, Vigour and such spells at a medium or large temple - same goes for potions of low level Divine spells. Arcane spells are slightly different, but you can usually get low-level wands, scrolls and potions in large towns and cities (though not all spells in every city). As for specific high-level things eg 'Cloak of Charisma +4' or whatever, these are mostly very rare. As such they come almost exclusively from two sources, Adventure Loot, in which case it all is subect to the whims of the d% and the random item tables, or bespoke items. If you can track down a suitable caster (One with the right spells (arcane/divine), of high enough level, with the correct feats, and with acces to the needed specific spells, then you might (might!) be able to commision him to make a given item, but this is by no means a certainty. 99 times out of 100 you are better off if your party Wizard has Craft Wanderous Item and or Craft Wand.
azmodael 07-20-06, 11:59 AM	Ummm only I think that the random item generator SUX? Come on... do you really use that thing?! In all of my campaigns I generally give the party as loot suitable items for their heroes. It is pretty irritating to run everytime to the town and sell, sell, sell... I don't do it EVERY time, but for me this random generated loot is crap. The intelligent monster has Gauntlets of Ogre Strenght - well why the hell it doesn't use 'em then? (Ogres for example)
Seeker95 07-20-06, 12:09 PM	Now, do most people here have access to shops with whatever magic item they want?Unfortunately, yes.
runestar 07-20-06, 12:25 PM	Ummm only I think that the random item generator SUX? Come on... do you really use that thing?! In all of my campaigns I generally give the party as loot suitable items for their heroes. It is pretty irritating to run everytime to the town and sell, sell, sell... I don't do it EVERY time, but for me this random generated loot is crap. The intelligent monster has Gauntlets of Ogre Strenght - well why the hell it doesn't use 'em then? (Ogres for example) That's why there are item creation feats. The idea was this: either you expend valuable resources crafting your own custom eq, or you leave it to fate to equip you however it deems fit. :) If you are able to find whatever eq you want from a dragon's hoard, then there's no point to crafting them. ;) Item creation is the player's way of removing chance from the equation - you have the feat, spells and resources, you get the item you want, subject to dm's approval, of course.
Ashanti 07-20-06, 03:29 PM	@ Asmodael The intelligent monster has Gauntlets of Ogre Strength - well why the hell it doesn't use 'em then? (Ogres for example) I don't see your point here. If (as a DM) you role up a treasure that the villain can use then it will use it. If the party has to fight the villain and the item then they deserve it all the more. An ogre with a + 4 strength suits me. If it can't use it it will go to it's lieutenent, if he can't use it then it goes to the treasure chest (not the fake one under the alter). My problem is the charater whistling her way down to Magic-Mart and buy a vorpal sword with the massive amount of loot she just liberated. The adventures we have are to do heroic things like save the town or kill the robber Baron in his lair. There may be a treat in it for the characters but the treasure per encounter in the DMG is madness. Down with Monte Haul!
Kursk 07-20-06, 04:03 PM	On these boards I hear a lot of things like: Have I missed something? Was I ill the day memo was released that you could just buy anything in the DMG? What gives? It's called Monty Haul-itus. :rofl:
Iddig Ap Nil 07-20-06, 04:13 PM	Ummm only I think that the random item generator SUX? Come on... do you really use that thing?! In all of my campaigns I generally give the party as loot suitable items for their heroes. It is pretty irritating to run everytime to the town and sell, sell, sell... I don't do it EVERY time, but for me this random generated loot is crap. The intelligent monster has Gauntlets of Ogre Strenght - well why the hell it doesn't use 'em then? (Ogres for example)Everything in my setting uses whatever magic item that they have in their hoard if they're capable of it...That said, I don't wait (unless I really have no time to prepare prior to the game) to generate the random treasure (yes, I use the random tables, it's kinda fun to see what the PCs could end up with sometimes) of an encounter.
Iddig Ap Nil 07-20-06, 04:17 PM	On these boards I hear a lot of things like: Poster A: I have this character but what I really want is for her to be able to do such and such.... poster B: Buy her a (insert magic item here). Now, do most people here have access to shops with whatever magic item they want? I could be imagining it but I'm sure I recall someone saying that a poster should "just buy a Tome of Clear Thought". Another poster told someone to "just buy some adamantium full plate". Have I missed something? Was I ill the day memo was released that you could just buy anything in the DMG? Don't you go adventuring to find the Adamantium armour? What gives?As I said in another thread, I don't use Magic Item shops, though there is the chance that a PC may be able to commission an item, but it's expensive and takes time, and if you're in a high risk job (such as adventuring), then the wizard you commissioned will likely require a pretty hefty down payment for said item...
Puca 07-20-06, 04:33 PM	I think some of you are being awfully quick with the pejoratives. The fact that a magic shop exists doesn’t automatically make it a “Monty Haul” campaign. Considering you sell items you find at ½ base and buy them at full cost, characters who succeed in an encounter versus opponents with randomly generated items and sell them to get items they actually can use end up with less total gp of items than one where the DM has equipped the opponents with treasure tailored to meet the needs and wants of the characters. Simply by virtue of being in complete control of what is for sale, the DM can still have control over what the party can get, and if he wants to run a “Monty Haul” campaign, he doesnt need to include a magic item shop to do so.
Some_call_me_Tim 07-20-06, 04:46 PM	Ummm only I think that the random item generator SUX? Come on... do you really use that thing?! In all of my campaigns I generally give the party as loot suitable items for their heroes. It is pretty irritating to run everytime to the town and sell, sell, sell... I don't do it EVERY time, but for me this random generated loot is crap. The intelligent monster has Gauntlets of Ogre Strenght - well why the hell it doesn't use 'em then? (Ogres for example)He doesn't have detect magic and just uses them for gardening? Seriously, I agree, it is better to give things the players want for their characters, but giving them 'useless' items is a way to check the players getting too much gold, as they only get 1/2 (or less) of the value if they sell it. Sometimes these seemingly 'useless' random treasures can be put to good use in the right situation. I mean who would likely buy a bottle of air? 7250gp is a lot for an item with questionable uses, but that same item can be priceless if you are trapped somewhere without oxygen. A few of these odd-ball items can lead to some outside-the-box thinking by your players. Also PCs don't necessarily need to follow the concept the player originally came up with. I've had characters whose feats, skills, and tactics changed because of a magic item I found. I agree that a foe with access to magic item will likely use if it can. The only way I use random generation is with veto power and healthy respect for what sounds 'right' for a situation. If you can't explain why a particular creature would have a {insert magic item here} it shouldn't.
JulesCARV 07-20-06, 06:20 PM	In Eberron, there are artificers, of course. I've often thought that it would be neat for someone in a party to take the Leadership feat and get an Artificer cohort as a "Q Branch." Nothing says that cohorts actually have to adventure to get experience -- an artificer can just stay in his workshop, and get leader's experience * (his level/leader's level) experience from tinkering on magic items. "Now Mr. ir-Bond, this appears to be an ordinary Signet ring, but it is actually a Ring of Shooting Stars, so be very (mayhem ensues as Mr. ir-Bond tries out his new ring)... I was going to say, be very careful, Mr. ir-Bond."