Availability of Items [Archive] - Wizards Community

Availability of Items [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
spyderfreek
05-22-06, 02:12 PM I've been reading posts for the past few weeks and I have noticed a trend. There are people getting magic items way too easily. Now I hate to get off on a rant here, but isn't the purpose of this wonderful game the role-playing?

Don't get me wrong, I like a +20 Loki Blade (inside joke) as well as anyone else, but doesn't it seem that people are getting way too much stuff, or at the very least way too easily?

The group I am in has 6 very different members, but they can be split into two groups: RPGers and Hack-n-Slashers. The HnSers are much less fun oriented and more damage oriented. Myself and the others try to push the game into a more intelectually involved place, but we always come down to the "who gets what" argument about treasure.

In my group we are not generally allowed to just buy magic stuff, or commision too many things. This makes what we find that much more treasured and valuable. The few times we have bought gear, or had it made, those items tend to be the ones that unbalance our games. (EX: Halfling with quickdraw, greater twf, and a bandolier of holding that keeps a stock of daggers close at hand... many many enemies died at those thrown blades)

While they are fun, its not roleplaying... its Diablo II with dice rather than a computer.

I guess all I am saying is ....think about what you are sitting at the table for.. roleplaying or hacking.

Enjoy your game
Spyder
tarkin
05-22-06, 02:48 PM Read the d20 magic item creation rules.

They made it relatively EASY to create magic items on purpose.

Specifically, WoTC went out of it's way to let people get the magic items they want.

Your game is unusual in that it is dificult to get magic items.

Lots of people enjoy playing in other game types.

It should also be noted that your game is at heart very illogical. The existence of high end communication spells, travel spells (Teleport) plus high population centers, pretty much means that:

A) Any magic item valued more than 10,000 gp should be easily obtainable by commission at no more than time to make + 2 days after you request it in a big city. (Guy takes an order, sends it magically to someone 1/2 way around the world who is willing to make it, he makes it then teleports it to you worst case scenario is you pay 1,000 gp shipping fee).

B) Given A, most magic items under 10,000 should be stockpiled in a large city (just like in the real world). Delivery time of more than 2 weeks would be STRANGE.

=======
The only logical ways to prevent this is:

1) Change the magic item creation rules
2) Make it hard to teleport with magic items
3) Use HEAVY HANDED laws/guild regulations to strictly control magic item creation.

If your DM is not doing one of those three things, I would not respect him.

When I DM low magic games I tend to use option #3, but sometime suse option #1.
mvincent
05-22-06, 03:23 PM Now I hate to get off on a rant here, but isn't the purpose of this wonderful game the role-playing?Default D&D is more gear-centric

In my group we are not generally allowed to just buy magic stuffYour group is non-typical for D&D. The rules were written with a different assumption.

While they are fun, its not roleplaying... its Diablo II with dice rather than a computer.Diablo II was modeled mainly after D&D style play. I know this is a subjective subject (i.e. everyone has their own opinion of what role-playing is), but objectively speaking: D&D is more about gear and power-ups than you seem to think. That's just the way it's designed. This is fun for a lot of people though.

I guess all I am saying is ....think about what you are sitting at the table for.. roleplaying or hacking.D&D is actually designed more for the latter. Nothing wrong with going against that (I applaud it in fact, especially if your group enjoys that), just be aware of it is all. Play balance can/will be affected.
spyderfreek
05-22-06, 05:43 PM Thank you for the intelligent answers, I undestand that we are all different and enjoy thgings our own way. I am glad to have had this chance to express my opinion and to better understand the opinions of others.

Thanx
=)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
spyderfreek 05-22-06, 02:12 PM	I've been reading posts for the past few weeks and I have noticed a trend. There are people getting magic items way too easily. Now I hate to get off on a rant here, but isn't the purpose of this wonderful game the role-playing? Don't get me wrong, I like a +20 Loki Blade (inside joke) as well as anyone else, but doesn't it seem that people are getting way too much stuff, or at the very least way too easily? The group I am in has 6 very different members, but they can be split into two groups: RPGers and Hack-n-Slashers. The HnSers are much less fun oriented and more damage oriented. Myself and the others try to push the game into a more intelectually involved place, but we always come down to the "who gets what" argument about treasure. In my group we are not generally allowed to just buy magic stuff, or commision too many things. This makes what we find that much more treasured and valuable. The few times we have bought gear, or had it made, those items tend to be the ones that unbalance our games. (EX: Halfling with quickdraw, greater twf, and a bandolier of holding that keeps a stock of daggers close at hand... many many enemies died at those thrown blades) While they are fun, its not roleplaying... its Diablo II with dice rather than a computer. I guess all I am saying is ....think about what you are sitting at the table for.. roleplaying or hacking. Enjoy your game Spyder
tarkin 05-22-06, 02:48 PM	Read the d20 magic item creation rules. They made it relatively EASY to create magic items on purpose. Specifically, WoTC went out of it's way to let people get the magic items they want. Your game is unusual in that it is dificult to get magic items. Lots of people enjoy playing in other game types. It should also be noted that your game is at heart very illogical. The existence of high end communication spells, travel spells (Teleport) plus high population centers, pretty much means that: A) Any magic item valued more than 10,000 gp should be easily obtainable by commission at no more than time to make + 2 days after you request it in a big city. (Guy takes an order, sends it magically to someone 1/2 way around the world who is willing to make it, he makes it then teleports it to you worst case scenario is you pay 1,000 gp shipping fee). B) Given A, most magic items under 10,000 should be stockpiled in a large city (just like in the real world). Delivery time of more than 2 weeks would be STRANGE. ======= The only logical ways to prevent this is: 1) Change the magic item creation rules 2) Make it hard to teleport with magic items 3) Use HEAVY HANDED laws/guild regulations to strictly control magic item creation. If your DM is not doing one of those three things, I would not respect him. When I DM low magic games I tend to use option #3, but sometime suse option #1.
mvincent 05-22-06, 03:23 PM	Now I hate to get off on a rant here, but isn't the purpose of this wonderful game the role-playing?Default D&D is more gear-centric In my group we are not generally allowed to just buy magic stuffYour group is non-typical for D&D. The rules were written with a different assumption. While they are fun, its not roleplaying... its Diablo II with dice rather than a computer.Diablo II was modeled mainly after D&D style play. I know this is a subjective subject (i.e. everyone has their own opinion of what role-playing is), but objectively speaking: D&D is more about gear and power-ups than you seem to think. That's just the way it's designed. This is fun for a lot of people though. I guess all I am saying is ....think about what you are sitting at the table for.. roleplaying or hacking.D&D is actually designed more for the latter. Nothing wrong with going against that (I applaud it in fact, especially if your group enjoys that), just be aware of it is all. Play balance can/will be affected.
spyderfreek 05-22-06, 05:43 PM	Thank you for the intelligent answers, I undestand that we are all different and enjoy thgings our own way. I am glad to have had this chance to express my opinion and to better understand the opinions of others. Thanx =)