Character Equip questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Character Equip questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
SmilesAreVegan
01-09-08, 07:37 PM Im running a campaign thats been fairly succesful. I have a LvL 6 Elf duskblade, a lvl 7 Elf Ranger, and a lvl 4/3 Wizard/Rogue. They seem to get beat up... a lot, despite what I thought was decent equip. Im sort of strict with the rules, but i feel like maybe im gimping them on equipment. What sort of equipment should they have at their level? I realise this question is sort of relative to the situation, but in general what sort of equipment should they have, and what kind of treasure should I award them? So far ive just been using the tables in the DMG, but i feel like they are alittle gimped.
Mr_Crepsley
01-09-08, 07:56 PM I'd say they should be getting mid level wands, no weapon below masterwork, some +1 or magic weapons, +1 armor, and some less potent magic items. Also, do not feel bound by the rules. If you have to break them sometimes to have fun, do it. Rules were made for DM's to break. =P
Exposed_Wires
01-09-08, 08:07 PM Crepsley is right. Also, your group is going to be a little weak because they're down one player for effective CR of their level.
Andrew
01-09-08, 08:24 PM Take a look at the handy wealth-by-level chart in the DMG. You should probably multiply that by about 3/4 - estimating that half the value of found items is in useful gear, and the other half in chaff that ought to be sold off at half value. Remember that this is the per-character value; take the right number for your average level and multiply it by 3 for your 3-person party.

Every character should have the best available nonmagical gear across the board - masterwork weapon, masterwork armor that matches well with their proficiencies & Dexterity, mighty bows if an archer, and so forth. Each character should also have one item of gear worth somewhere between 4,000 and 10,000 that helps them with their primary role - a +2 ability score booster, a +2 weapon, or perhaps a +3 shield or suit of armor.

Avoid higher-power rings of protection - I've seen +2 versions handed out too frequently as "as something for the monk or wizard," but they're a giant wealth sink. They're always useful, so you can never justify selling them, but in the transition from low to middle levels they are doom - it's less of a bonus than a +1 ring and +2 armor/bracers, but more expensive. One of the best low-level uses of gear is to spread around a variety of all the least-expensive AC items: amulets of natural armor, rings, mithral armors, shields, etc.
Kouk
01-09-08, 11:20 PM This is off the top of my head without looking at formulas and such:

At level 7 they should all have at least +1 weapons and armor if they are inclined to use them, maybe one or two characters would have +2 weapons or armor if they put effort into their armaments. They should have a small stock of potions, scrolls and wands, at least one stat boosting item each, and at least a ring of protection or cloak of resistance. Someone in the group probably would have an extradimensional container, and the party would have an assortment of small items of questionable worth (Feather Tokens and such).

Questions to consider for yourself: Where are they spending the wealth they get? Do they ever use any items you drop as loot, or are they forced to sell them for half all the time (which actually reduces the value of the gear you are handing out)? Do they spend a lot of money on consumables or just upgrading their main equipment? Are they able to buy "extras" like Cloaks of Resistance or Boots of Striding and Springing?

You also have to consider the opponents you are having them face. If they fight a lot of monsters that use no gear, they will be short on wealth. If they fight mostly NPCs with class levels they may be high on wealth.

Are their enemies using tactics that they shouldn't (are the dumb monsters too smart?)?

Are the opponents they are up against very resistant to the party's available attack forms? For instance, your party is not very well equipped to handle Undead creatures, and if all the arcane spells the party has are tied to fire, then fire elementals will be tough to beat.

Are the enemies you are using just too strong (or weak) relative to what the PCs are actually capable of? Do the monsters always hit no matter what they roll, and always do tons of damage? (I'm looking at you, Ogres against a level 2 party). Consider the party's AC and attack bonuses.

EDIT: A good indicator as to whether your players feel they are not getting enough wealth is if they try "looting" minor things just to scrape together a few silver. Are they stealing curtains? Are they taking chairs? Are they trying to find people to buy teeth and bones?

Also, you should take a look at their character sheets and perform an inventory of everything they have. Total it all up as if at the full market price and that would be what their wealth is.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
SmilesAreVegan 01-09-08, 07:37 PM	Im running a campaign thats been fairly succesful. I have a LvL 6 Elf duskblade, a lvl 7 Elf Ranger, and a lvl 4/3 Wizard/Rogue. They seem to get beat up... a lot, despite what I thought was decent equip. Im sort of strict with the rules, but i feel like maybe im gimping them on equipment. What sort of equipment should they have at their level? I realise this question is sort of relative to the situation, but in general what sort of equipment should they have, and what kind of treasure should I award them? So far ive just been using the tables in the DMG, but i feel like they are alittle gimped.
Mr_Crepsley 01-09-08, 07:56 PM	I'd say they should be getting mid level wands, no weapon below masterwork, some +1 or magic weapons, +1 armor, and some less potent magic items. Also, do not feel bound by the rules. If you have to break them sometimes to have fun, do it. Rules were made for DM's to break. =P
Exposed_Wires 01-09-08, 08:07 PM	Crepsley is right. Also, your group is going to be a little weak because they're down one player for effective CR of their level.
Andrew 01-09-08, 08:24 PM	Take a look at the handy wealth-by-level chart in the DMG. You should probably multiply that by about 3/4 - estimating that half the value of found items is in useful gear, and the other half in chaff that ought to be sold off at half value. Remember that this is the per-character value; take the right number for your average level and multiply it by 3 for your 3-person party. Every character should have the best available nonmagical gear across the board - masterwork weapon, masterwork armor that matches well with their proficiencies & Dexterity, mighty bows if an archer, and so forth. Each character should also have one item of gear worth somewhere between 4,000 and 10,000 that helps them with their primary role - a +2 ability score booster, a +2 weapon, or perhaps a +3 shield or suit of armor. Avoid higher-power rings of protection - I've seen +2 versions handed out too frequently as "as something for the monk or wizard," but they're a giant wealth sink. They're always useful, so you can never justify selling them, but in the transition from low to middle levels they are doom - it's less of a bonus than a +1 ring and +2 armor/bracers, but more expensive. One of the best low-level uses of gear is to spread around a variety of all the least-expensive AC items: amulets of natural armor, rings, mithral armors, shields, etc.
Kouk 01-09-08, 11:20 PM	This is off the top of my head without looking at formulas and such: At level 7 they should all have at least +1 weapons and armor if they are inclined to use them, maybe one or two characters would have +2 weapons or armor if they put effort into their armaments. They should have a small stock of potions, scrolls and wands, at least one stat boosting item each, and at least a ring of protection or cloak of resistance. Someone in the group probably would have an extradimensional container, and the party would have an assortment of small items of questionable worth (Feather Tokens and such). Questions to consider for yourself: Where are they spending the wealth they get? Do they ever use any items you drop as loot, or are they forced to sell them for half all the time (which actually reduces the value of the gear you are handing out)? Do they spend a lot of money on consumables or just upgrading their main equipment? Are they able to buy "extras" like Cloaks of Resistance or Boots of Striding and Springing? You also have to consider the opponents you are having them face. If they fight a lot of monsters that use no gear, they will be short on wealth. If they fight mostly NPCs with class levels they may be high on wealth. Are their enemies using tactics that they shouldn't (are the dumb monsters too smart?)? Are the opponents they are up against very resistant to the party's available attack forms? For instance, your party is not very well equipped to handle Undead creatures, and if all the arcane spells the party has are tied to fire, then fire elementals will be tough to beat. Are the enemies you are using just too strong (or weak) relative to what the PCs are actually capable of? Do the monsters always hit no matter what they roll, and always do tons of damage? (I'm looking at you, Ogres against a level 2 party). Consider the party's AC and attack bonuses. EDIT: A good indicator as to whether your players feel they are not getting enough wealth is if they try "looting" minor things just to scrape together a few silver. Are they stealing curtains? Are they taking chairs? Are they trying to find people to buy teeth and bones? Also, you should take a look at their character sheets and perform an inventory of everything they have. Total it all up as if at the full market price and that would be what their wealth is.