a little problem [Archive] - Wizards Community

a little problem [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
easterbunny
04-18-05, 01:08 PM need an idea to get rid of overpowered items
plz help
jasper
04-18-05, 01:13 PM 1. Take it away out of game. Sorry Bob but that magic missile M60 machine gun is too powerful for the game. I giving you a +2 weapon and 10 heal potions.
2. Take it away in game. Use cr +20 higher than party level.
One is better way.
Temrek
04-18-05, 01:53 PM If its metal it can rust, rust monsters!
mercurial67
04-18-05, 02:32 PM Couple of ways to remove overpowered items:

The item stops functioning - it had a flaw which caused it to eventually fail or was actually run on charges which the players didn't know about.

It's delusionally cursed - The players think it is working, but it is actually doing nothing and they just now figured it out.

Either way, I would recommend TELLING the players why you had that happen. Explain you either had to get rid of the item or the encounter levels would have to be bumped higher to account for the magic.

Of course you could always consider them to have an ECL +X because of the item and base their XP and encounters off of the new level. Just remember to remove the ECL bump when their power catches up with the power of the item.
Board_Rider
04-18-05, 04:15 PM need an idea to get rid of overpowered items
plz help
Two words:
Mordenkinans(?) Disjunction.
Mirikon
04-18-05, 07:06 PM Two words:
Mordenkinans(?) Disjunction.

Or, if they have good saves, Twinned Heightened Mordenkeinan's Disjunction.
Phrennzy
04-18-05, 07:25 PM A lot depends on:

1. How the PC got the item.
2. How it is overpowered.
3. What the item is.

What is it exactly? I'd like to know because there is always a good way - a story driven way - of dealing with these things that will keep the player happy.
Asciiman
04-18-05, 09:29 PM I'm with Phrenzy on this one(Doubt I'll ever say that again).

Many times DM's think something is over powered, when infact it is not. Instead the DM just can not think of a way to get out of a situation or can't find something to counter it.

The number of things in this game that don't have an effective counter are very, very small. In fact, I'm so certain of my abilities as a DM and this game in general, that I won't complain ever again of something being overpowered, I'll find a way to counter it. After all your job as the DM is not to punish players for building themselves to be effective.

Now that being said, if you let a player convince you to change the rules for their benefit, and it turns out to be too much, then I can sympathize. In this case, wipe all houserule changes and start over again.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
easterbunny 04-18-05, 01:08 PM	need an idea to get rid of overpowered items plz help
jasper 04-18-05, 01:13 PM	1. Take it away out of game. Sorry Bob but that magic missile M60 machine gun is too powerful for the game. I giving you a +2 weapon and 10 heal potions. 2. Take it away in game. Use cr +20 higher than party level. One is better way.
Temrek 04-18-05, 01:53 PM	If its metal it can rust, rust monsters!
mercurial67 04-18-05, 02:32 PM	Couple of ways to remove overpowered items: The item stops functioning - it had a flaw which caused it to eventually fail or was actually run on charges which the players didn't know about. It's delusionally cursed - The players think it is working, but it is actually doing nothing and they just now figured it out. Either way, I would recommend TELLING the players why you had that happen. Explain you either had to get rid of the item or the encounter levels would have to be bumped higher to account for the magic. Of course you could always consider them to have an ECL +X because of the item and base their XP and encounters off of the new level. Just remember to remove the ECL bump when their power catches up with the power of the item.
Board_Rider 04-18-05, 04:15 PM	need an idea to get rid of overpowered items plz help Two words: Mordenkinans(?) Disjunction.
Mirikon 04-18-05, 07:06 PM	Two words: Mordenkinans(?) Disjunction. Or, if they have good saves, Twinned Heightened Mordenkeinan's Disjunction.
Phrennzy 04-18-05, 07:25 PM	A lot depends on: 1. How the PC got the item. 2. How it is overpowered. 3. What the item is. What is it exactly? I'd like to know because there is always a good way - a story driven way - of dealing with these things that will keep the player happy.
Asciiman 04-18-05, 09:29 PM	I'm with Phrenzy on this one(Doubt I'll ever say that again). Many times DM's think something is over powered, when infact it is not. Instead the DM just can not think of a way to get out of a situation or can't find something to counter it. The number of things in this game that don't have an effective counter are very, very small. In fact, I'm so certain of my abilities as a DM and this game in general, that I won't complain ever again of something being overpowered, I'll find a way to counter it. After all your job as the DM is not to punish players for building themselves to be effective. Now that being said, if you let a player convince you to change the rules for their benefit, and it turns out to be too much, then I can sympathize. In this case, wipe all houserule changes and start over again.