Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Wolftame Aug 24, 2014 6:59:16	Hi! Not 100% sure this really is a rules question or not, but I think it applies.   Just picked up the started set, downloaded teh free rules and ahve PHB and Horde ordered and now rolling characters for a small party. I've decided to forgo the packages and go with rolled funds. When I come to the wizard though I quickly run into a problem. With 4d4*10 gp you at best have 160gp (and not very likely) and you need at least the spell book (and you do lose ALL equipment right?), From that money you need at least the non-optional spellbook and pretty much non-optional component pouch, those two items on their own already is 75gp. Quite likely you will not have money for ANY other resources, supplies, gear or anything.   Have I missed something, how does others rule on this? The spellbook is a bit different than other gear for any class (I think), would this possbly be exempt from the lost gear when using the optional roll for gold rule?   I know you can set up your own house rules for things like this, but I tend to want to keep things "official" so therefore wonder about the low starting funds vs. high expenses of wizard characters.
#2 Undrhil Aug 24, 2014 7:20:13	Instead of rolling on the starting wealth table, take the starting equipment choices from your class and the equipment shown on your background.   Problem solved.
#3 Wolftame Aug 24, 2014 7:26:58	True, but then characters wouldn't be playing by the same rules as all others will roll for their starting gold and equip themselves. (going by the thought that if you set an optional rule for a campaign it should apply equally to everyone). But yes, that's the idea I'm thinking of going with (I guess they are supposed to be roughly equal so each character could be allowed to chose either gear or gold (before rolling for the gold)).
#4 Alynn Aug 24, 2014 7:52:18	Undrhil wrote:
#5 Wolftame Aug 24, 2014 7:51:28	Alynn wrote:
(Reply to #5) Alynn	Wolftame wrote:
#7 Suzume_Stjohn Aug 24, 2014 8:20:28	Does the wizards spellcasting class ability say that you get a spellbook with a certain number of spells In it? Sounds like you get that free at least. The rest you'd need to pick up on your own though. At least thats how I read it anyway.
#8 Wolftame Aug 24, 2014 8:30:39	Suzume_Stjohn wrote:
#9 Danny_Montanny Aug 24, 2014 8:37:34	If you're playing an Adventure League game you get the maximum gold if you don't want to take your packages from your class and background. I guess the biggest question should be what do you want other than the items you need? If the answer is nothing, then not picking the packages just seems silly. The class package gives you everything you need, the backgrounds leave you with a little gold to buy something else you may want. What's the point in taking the rolled amount? Is it a Mountain Dwarf or Variant Human with armor?
#10 Ashrym Aug 24, 2014 10:21:50	The wizard does start with a spell book per the class as listed. Additional or replacement spell books are a cost. The median is 100 gp and not 80 gp. In the event the wizard is so poor at creation the gp is a concern the option exists to track individual components or to simply take spells that don't have material components in the first place. First level wizards are using cantrips with very few spell slots so it's not problematic to track components or select spells that don't need them in the offhand chance the gp isn't enough. Adventuring certainly isn't funded through starting gold in any event as the PC levels up.
#11 CrispyCrew Aug 24, 2014 10:01:12	This reads as the sort of problem that players impose on themselves. I can understand wanting to roll for cash and buy custom equipment in some cases, but a starting wizard doesn't appear to be a good case for that. I don't have the books in front of me, but if memory serves, the option to roll for starting cash and to buy a la carte is player's discretion. This would be an instance where the discretionary decision to roll for starting cash is a poor one.   Alternatively, I agree that the spell book appears to be a first-level class feature, not a piece of equipment subject to deletion if one opts for starting cash instead.
#12 Ashrym Aug 24, 2014 10:40:29	Considering fighters are 5d4*10 instead of 4d4*10 and chainmail plus a greatsword is 125gp right there I would be more concerned about starting funds for a heavy weapon fighter if we're looking at rolling. The class feature for spell book states the wizard starts with a spell book and a cheap focus is only 5gp. Wizards don't seem strapped for cash to me.
(Reply to #4) Undrhil	Alynn wrote:
#14 Wolftame Aug 24, 2014 13:19:34	Undrhil wrote:
#15 Wolftame Aug 24, 2014 13:24:40	Ashrym wrote:
#16 OoftaMeg Aug 24, 2014 13:33:43	Basic rules page 29 At 1st level, you have a spellbook containing six 1st-level wizard spells of your choice. You don't have to buy a spell book.
#17 Whir Aug 24, 2014 13:34:35	Spellbook At 1st level, you have a spellbook containing six 1st-level wizard spells of your choice.       You do not have to pay for a spellbook, you simply have one to start with. It could be dinner napkins with notes scrawled in blood, but you have one.
#18 CorwynnMaelstrom Aug 24, 2014 13:55:30	Spellbook is free, 100gp is your median, and you should usually come out ahead of the packages if you roll gold. Even rolling minimum you should be able to buy everything (not the max value choices, but a choice from each line) a wizard would have and all of the things some of the backgrounds give you. Yes, rolling has risks associated with it, but in the case of the wizard there is zero risk of not having the single most important item (spellbook) or the lack of ability to cast a spell with a matierial component (arcane focus: staff is only 5gp) so I think the rules are fine.
(Reply to #15) Ashrym	Wolftame wrote:
#20 reddaemon Aug 24, 2014 16:05:32	If you want to talk about poor starting characters, Monks don't even start with enough gold to buy a bow.  I think Monk is the only class that it is better to take the starting package than to buy your equipment a la carte.
#21 Wolftame Aug 24, 2014 17:33:02	Ashrym wrote:
#22 Wolftame Aug 24, 2014 17:41:32	OoftaMeg wrote: