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New to the game..

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
iamtherisingsun
Dec 26, 2009 2:40:03 Ok well im new to the game, and our DM has offered us a choice of any magical item under 2,000g that we can find on the character builder. I am a human wizard that uses orbs. I don't own any magic items yet my self and I really dont know if I should go for a nice orb, or something a little more uncommon. Any advice would be of great help!
#2
kouk
Dec 26, 2009 3:23:11 In what "way" did he offer this "choice"?
#3
lizardmage
Dec 26, 2009 11:04:35 Go for something, simple and practical to your character. No need to take something overly complicated if you are new to the game. If your character has a specific theme try to tailor your orb choice to fit that theme.

#4
iamtherisingsun
Dec 26, 2009 14:26:41 well we had just finished up a fight that was really hard and we used alot of creative and interesting ways to finally winning the fight that our dm just loved. Also it was like 2 days before xmas and I think he was feeling in the "holiday spirit" so when we finished there was some treasure in the back room. Instead of the one magical item the event called for he decided to reward us all for the way we handle things. So he is letting us all choose what item was int he pile.
#5
Mad_Jack
Dec 26, 2009 19:09:38
Are you each getting an item?

Without looking over your character sheet, I'd recommend asking for a magic orb - hitting more often with your powers is never a bad thing. The Orb of Ultimate Imposition is nice for a first magic item, even after the errata to it...
#6
kouk
Dec 26, 2009 20:45:17 Strictly speaking, you should probably choose whatever you think will make the game even more fun than it is already. Perhaps something you wouldn't expect the DM to ever place on his own.

Technically, your character should be provided for in terms of weapons/implements and armor after a couple of levels. That's how the game is set up; the DM has an eye on what's going out, and tries to make sure everyone gets some useful stuff (individual results will vary by DM).

If you see an Implement, Armor, or Neck item slot that you absolutely love, it may be good to go for that. The treasure system gives out only a few items of certain levels, so if a particular level item appeals to you, you might not get another shot at it for some time.

However, if none of the "big three" slots seem good for what you have, it may be better to hope for something better to come along, like it "should" eventually. If you choose an Implement now, you likely won't find another for some time, you see.

Thinking in purely game terms is generally thought poorly of by DMs, so don't explain the reasoning like that if you are asked "why" you didn't choose an Implement (assuming you don't). However, it's information that most experienced players already know and understand in the back of their minds and base their own decisions on. (It's a weird little thing with D&D, everyone does it to some degree but nobody likes to admit it.)

In this case though he literally *is* asking for out of game thought, because the players are choosing their own items either way.

So, if you see something of the "big three" slots that seems perfect, or nearly so, then you may want to choose that rather than risk something less appealing later on. Or the opposite, if it's not good, bank on something better turning up or at least not any worse.

One option to consider are Ritual Books (can be said to be a "spellbook" found with a bunch of rituals in it that you can learn). Rituals can get pretty pricy to buy and have your character learn, and many DMs forget or don't care to place them as treasure themselves. So a spellbook with 2000gp worth of Ritual Books inside might be great, even if you can't use them all just yet. Maybe you can talk the DM into letting any leftover be residuum components.
#7
iamtherisingsun
Dec 26, 2009 22:16:49 thank you all for your advice, I figure im going to go with a orb, or the shimmering armor +1 for the no attack of opertunity if im casting my spells
#8
kouk
Dec 27, 2009 1:46:50 Remember that Close Burst and Close Blast spells don't provoke anyway, and normally you could Shift and then cast the spell. Still, depending on your party your Wizard might end up in melee a bit more often than he would prefer.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 iamtherisingsun Dec 26, 2009 2:40:03	Ok well im new to the game, and our DM has offered us a choice of any magical item under 2,000g that we can find on the character builder. I am a human wizard that uses orbs. I don't own any magic items yet my self and I really dont know if I should go for a nice orb, or something a little more uncommon. Any advice would be of great help!
#2 kouk Dec 26, 2009 3:23:11	In what "way" did he offer this "choice"?
#3 lizardmage Dec 26, 2009 11:04:35	Go for something, simple and practical to your character. No need to take something overly complicated if you are new to the game. If your character has a specific theme try to tailor your orb choice to fit that theme.
#4 iamtherisingsun Dec 26, 2009 14:26:41	well we had just finished up a fight that was really hard and we used alot of creative and interesting ways to finally winning the fight that our dm just loved. Also it was like 2 days before xmas and I think he was feeling in the "holiday spirit" so when we finished there was some treasure in the back room. Instead of the one magical item the event called for he decided to reward us all for the way we handle things. So he is letting us all choose what item was int he pile.
#5 Mad_Jack Dec 26, 2009 19:09:38	Are you each getting an item? Without looking over your character sheet, I'd recommend asking for a magic orb - hitting more often with your powers is never a bad thing. The Orb of Ultimate Imposition is nice for a first magic item, even after the errata to it...
#6 kouk Dec 26, 2009 20:45:17	Strictly speaking, you should probably choose whatever you think will make the game even more fun than it is already. Perhaps something you wouldn't expect the DM to ever place on his own. Technically, your character should be provided for in terms of weapons/implements and armor after a couple of levels. That's how the game is set up; the DM has an eye on what's going out, and tries to make sure everyone gets some useful stuff (individual results will vary by DM). If you see an Implement, Armor, or Neck item slot that you absolutely love, it may be good to go for that. The treasure system gives out only a few items of certain levels, so if a particular level item appeals to you, you might not get another shot at it for some time. However, if none of the "big three" slots seem good for what you have, it may be better to hope for something better to come along, like it "should" eventually. If you choose an Implement now, you likely won't find another for some time, you see. Thinking in purely game terms is generally thought poorly of by DMs, so don't explain the reasoning like that if you are asked "why" you didn't choose an Implement (assuming you don't). However, it's information that most experienced players already know and understand in the back of their minds and base their own decisions on. (It's a weird little thing with D&D, everyone does it to some degree but nobody likes to admit it.) In this case though he literally is asking for out of game thought, because the players are choosing their own items either way. So, if you see something of the "big three" slots that seems perfect, or nearly so, then you may want to choose that rather than risk something less appealing later on. Or the opposite, if it's not good, bank on something better turning up or at least not any worse. One option to consider are Ritual Books (can be said to be a "spellbook" found with a bunch of rituals in it that you can learn). Rituals can get pretty pricy to buy and have your character learn, and many DMs forget or don't care to place them as treasure themselves. So a spellbook with 2000gp worth of Ritual Books inside might be great, even if you can't use them all just yet. Maybe you can talk the DM into letting any leftover be residuum components.
#7 iamtherisingsun Dec 26, 2009 22:16:49	thank you all for your advice, I figure im going to go with a orb, or the shimmering armor +1 for the no attack of opertunity if im casting my spells
#8 kouk Dec 27, 2009 1:46:50	Remember that Close Burst and Close Blast spells don't provoke anyway, and normally you could Shift and then cast the spell. Still, depending on your party your Wizard might end up in melee a bit more often than he would prefer.