balanced magic idems [Archive] - Wizards Community

balanced magic idems [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
rbrt_Spade
06-22-05, 10:18 AM HI!
I have a ? fellow players/dms, what do you do to make sure that when you give out magic idems as treasure what do you do to make sure it will stay balanced in the game? :confused: do you basicly base it after the average treasure tables in the dmg?-please post some tips on how to keep a game balanced with magic idems.also what is a good level to let players have artifacts -majer ones like the orbs of dragonkind,the sword of vecnas gen. dude

thanks
post your things! :P

guess what im a level 2 fighter and own a +5keen,flaming,shocking,frosting dagger! :eek:
KoboldSlayer
06-22-05, 10:35 AM HI!
I have a ? fellow players/dms, what do you do to make sure that when you give out magic idems as treasure what do you do to make sure it will stay balanced in the game? :confused: do you basicly base it after the average treasure tables in the dmg?-please post some tips on how to keep a game balanced with magic idems.also what is a good level to let players have artifacts -majer ones like the orbs of dragonkind,the sword of vecnas gen. dude

thanks
post your things! :P

guess what im a level 2 fighter and own a +5keen,flaming,shocking,frosting dagger! :eek:

I use the treasure tables in the DMG (modified slightly so there's a chance of rolling treasure in other books, such as the Complete books. Otherwise, that treasure will never show up unless the characters make it themselves.) This keeps things fairly balanced, as long as the PCs aren't killing things that are WAY over their level (in which case, the DM already has a balance problem going on that is just feeding itself).

When I pick out a "specific" item I think the characters would like I do two things:
Make sure it's not going to put them way over their average treasure that they should have for their level.
Make sure I hand out something of similar value and power to the others, not necessarily in the same hoard, but at least near the same time. If you always give one player goodies, even if they are maybe a better RPer or tactician, etc, it will fast unbalance him to the others...and then you will have unrest among the players.

On artifacts: I would not give out major (or minor) artifacts except as a specific piece of a plot or with a very good reason in mind. Some are so powerful that they will break your game. Some are so random (deck of many things!) that they will destroy your storyline. You have to REALLY consider before you put them in. The DMG II has a section on how to (if you want to) introduce artifacts into your game and have them make sense.
rbrt_Spade
06-22-05, 10:39 AM what are you peoples favorite way to give treasure?
the tables in the dmg
the monster treasure thing in the monster stats(double goods,no coins etc.)
just giving basicly giving out treasure you choose
Ut-Napishtim
06-22-05, 10:49 AM Yeah, the treasure tables and wealth/level guidelines in the DMG pretty much do all the hard work for you. A player who want's a Flaming Dire Flail +2 is probably not going to have much of a chance of simply stumbling across one. Of course, in my games they can always sell other things they've found or use their hard earned treasure to have one made. You as a DM shouldn't feel obligated to put items your players want into random treasure. If it just happens by luck of the dice - cool, such a boon is fun from time to time for player and DM alike. If you're using the treasure tables as written and actually rolling the loot you should never have a problem with unbalanced items, and from time to time something actually comes up the players wanted. Artifacts should never be found in random loot. I would say you'd probably want a party of at least 10th level characters before you start introducing an (one) artifact into the game as part of some plot or story.
Elzar
06-22-05, 03:09 PM what are you peoples favorite way to give treasure?
the tables in the dmg
the monster treasure thing in the monster stats(double goods,no coins etc.)
just giving basicly giving out treasure you choose

I try to customize treasure and items for dungeons or encounters as much as possible, or use modified tables from the dmg (I've taken out a few items that are either silly or would overshadow the characters at lower levels.

If time permits, I try to choose.
Rathje
06-22-05, 06:50 PM When building a dungeon, I fill in all the chests and boxes and all that jazz with specific loot. One chest might get a Potion of Cure Light Wounds, while another might get a Scroll of Colour Spray.

For monsters, I follow the tables. My players enjoy it. There have been times when they've gained some things that are pretty powerful, but not overly strong. Sometimes I over-dramatize things to make them seem better than they are; it makes my players feel even happier. I only do that for the things that are on the higher end of the spectrum for their level, though.

Sometimes I give some set things on monsters. The hobgoblin might give a Scroll of Cure Light Wounds, regardless of what the tables say. I usually do this to regulate the group's HP. If they need some more liveliness to keep 'em going, then I'll throw something extra at them.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
rbrt_Spade 06-22-05, 10:18 AM	HI! I have a ? fellow players/dms, what do you do to make sure that when you give out magic idems as treasure what do you do to make sure it will stay balanced in the game? :confused: do you basicly base it after the average treasure tables in the dmg?-please post some tips on how to keep a game balanced with magic idems.also what is a good level to let players have artifacts -majer ones like the orbs of dragonkind,the sword of vecnas gen. dude thanks post your things! :P guess what im a level 2 fighter and own a +5keen,flaming,shocking,frosting dagger! :eek:
KoboldSlayer 06-22-05, 10:35 AM	HI! I have a ? fellow players/dms, what do you do to make sure that when you give out magic idems as treasure what do you do to make sure it will stay balanced in the game? :confused: do you basicly base it after the average treasure tables in the dmg?-please post some tips on how to keep a game balanced with magic idems.also what is a good level to let players have artifacts -majer ones like the orbs of dragonkind,the sword of vecnas gen. dude thanks post your things! :P guess what im a level 2 fighter and own a +5keen,flaming,shocking,frosting dagger! :eek: I use the treasure tables in the DMG (modified slightly so there's a chance of rolling treasure in other books, such as the Complete books. Otherwise, that treasure will never show up unless the characters make it themselves.) This keeps things fairly balanced, as long as the PCs aren't killing things that are WAY over their level (in which case, the DM already has a balance problem going on that is just feeding itself). When I pick out a "specific" item I think the characters would like I do two things: Make sure it's not going to put them way over their average treasure that they should have for their level. Make sure I hand out something of similar value and power to the others, not necessarily in the same hoard, but at least near the same time. If you always give one player goodies, even if they are maybe a better RPer or tactician, etc, it will fast unbalance him to the others...and then you will have unrest among the players. On artifacts: I would not give out major (or minor) artifacts except as a specific piece of a plot or with a very good reason in mind. Some are so powerful that they will break your game. Some are so random (deck of many things!) that they will destroy your storyline. You have to REALLY consider before you put them in. The DMG II has a section on how to (if you want to) introduce artifacts into your game and have them make sense.
rbrt_Spade 06-22-05, 10:39 AM	what are you peoples favorite way to give treasure? the tables in the dmg the monster treasure thing in the monster stats(double goods,no coins etc.) just giving basicly giving out treasure you choose
Ut-Napishtim 06-22-05, 10:49 AM	Yeah, the treasure tables and wealth/level guidelines in the DMG pretty much do all the hard work for you. A player who want's a Flaming Dire Flail +2 is probably not going to have much of a chance of simply stumbling across one. Of course, in my games they can always sell other things they've found or use their hard earned treasure to have one made. You as a DM shouldn't feel obligated to put items your players want into random treasure. If it just happens by luck of the dice - cool, such a boon is fun from time to time for player and DM alike. If you're using the treasure tables as written and actually rolling the loot you should never have a problem with unbalanced items, and from time to time something actually comes up the players wanted. Artifacts should never be found in random loot. I would say you'd probably want a party of at least 10th level characters before you start introducing an (one) artifact into the game as part of some plot or story.
Elzar 06-22-05, 03:09 PM	what are you peoples favorite way to give treasure? the tables in the dmg the monster treasure thing in the monster stats(double goods,no coins etc.) just giving basicly giving out treasure you choose I try to customize treasure and items for dungeons or encounters as much as possible, or use modified tables from the dmg (I've taken out a few items that are either silly or would overshadow the characters at lower levels. If time permits, I try to choose.
Rathje 06-22-05, 06:50 PM	When building a dungeon, I fill in all the chests and boxes and all that jazz with specific loot. One chest might get a Potion of Cure Light Wounds, while another might get a Scroll of Colour Spray. For monsters, I follow the tables. My players enjoy it. There have been times when they've gained some things that are pretty powerful, but not overly strong. Sometimes I over-dramatize things to make them seem better than they are; it makes my players feel even happier. I only do that for the things that are on the higher end of the spectrum for their level, though. Sometimes I give some set things on monsters. The hobgoblin might give a Scroll of Cure Light Wounds, regardless of what the tables say. I usually do this to regulate the group's HP. If they need some more liveliness to keep 'em going, then I'll throw something extra at them.