* * * Wizards Community Thread * * * -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Thread : Above first level and starting wealth: how in 2.0? Started at 01-06-07 12:38 AM by Serin Ghar Visit at http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=767106 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 1] Author : Serin Ghar Date : 01-06-07 12:38 AM Thread Title : Above first level and starting wealth: how in 2.0? I'm curious, how do you go about determing starting wealth and equipment for characters above first level? The DMG says very little about the topic. Does anyone know? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 2] Author : Llwch Date : 01-06-07 01:21 AM Thread Title : Re: Above first level and starting wealth: how in 2.0? I'm curious, how do you go about determing starting wealth and equipment for characters above first level? The DMG says very little about the topic. Does anyone know? IMCs, I kind of "wing it" with that (like I do with large elements of my games... Too much preplanning = too much wasted time IRL and also = less fun for my gamers). Generally, I ask each person to submit a list of items that they think are reasonable for their PC to possess, at whatever level they're at. I then preview it, and decide what is appropriate. Alternatively, you can use the D&D Rules Cyclopedia (yeah, I know it's for BECMI rules, but it works) to determine how much "money" the experienced PC has to spend on magic items (and other goodies). Still, the DM needs to approve any items on that list - in order to avoid unnecessary munchkinism. Also, I believe the 3e D&D PHB or DMG also has a table for calculating how to equip above first level PCs. Problem with both of the above is twofold. 2nd Edition AD&D doesn't use gold piece values for magic items (1st edition did), so unless you have the AD&D Magic Encyclopedia (the 4 volume set), you may be out of luck. Unless you want to "wing it" with that, too - but be careful you don't play favourites, or inadvertently create munchkin PCs. The second problem is that BECMI D&D, 2nd Edition AD&D, and 3e all use different XP values for classes, and (where available), the GP cost for items is calculated differently. Since I have the D&D Rule Cyclopedia and the Magic Encyclopedia, I'd probably use that method. But, given that my PCs are only starting at around 3rd-5th level when we play, I generally give a static amount of gold, which seems to work well (and keep the balance). However, I'd love to see if other DMs have found a better system - mine is cumbersome. :yuck: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 3] Author : Horemheb442 Date : 01-06-07 01:19 PM Thread Title : Re: Above first level and starting wealth: how in 2.0? I'm usually a firm believer in "living your levels" to get the real feel of the fantasy character and their interaction with other party members, but.... On the rare occasion when for some reason or other we would start at a higher level, for second level try 2.5x of the starting monies, rolled as normal + 25% chance of a single magic item of the DM's choice. At 3rd level, 3.5x of the starting monies, rolled as normal + 50% chance of a magic item of the DM's choice, at 4th level 4.5x regular starting monies + 75% chance of one magic item of the DM's choice, and at 5th level 5.5x starting monies plus one magic item of the DM's choice. Above this level hasn't been an issue, because we tend to play lower level adventures. I have run some competition adventures at higher levels but those had pre-rolled and pre-outfitted characters.:D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 4] Author : Agathokles Date : 01-06-07 04:45 PM Thread Title : Re: Above first level and starting wealth: how in 2.0? I'm curious, how do you go about determing starting wealth and equipment for characters above first level? The DMG says very little about the topic. Does anyone know? If all players are starting with new characters at a level higher than 1, there's no reason to give them more wealth than to 1st level beginning characters. The same is true for a PC joining a group of characters of low levels (i.e., those who don't have many magical items yet). Otherwise, if a single new character is joining an existing (mid or high-level) party, the idea should be to give him as much equipment as needed to fit in the party (i.e., if everyone has a +2 weapon, then the new character should start with something comparable). Of course, additional possessions (fiefs, ships, and in general all costly non-magical possessions, as well as magic items not normally used) that do not affect the ability of the character to work in the party are not needed, and therefore the character should gain them in time. If you need a measure, you can use XP value of magical items -- assume that the new character has magical items that sum up to more or less the same as the lowest (poorest) of the existing PCs. I guess the reason why the DMG doesn't give much details on this subject is that the issue depends strongly on how much wealth/magic the existing PCs have. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 5] Author : RobertFisher Date : 01-08-07 05:07 PM Thread Title : Re: Above first level and starting wealth: how in 2.0? I usually go with starting wealth no matter what level new PCs are at. If they join an existing party there's usually a few items in party treasure they can find useful. I hardly ever run a game where the whole party was created at higher than 1st level. I suppose in that case I might hand out some items, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 6] Author : red_scare87 Date : 01-09-07 05:28 PM Thread Title : Re: Above first level and starting wealth: how in 2.0? There are no set rules that I know of. It's purely DMs discretion as everyone else has indicated. Also, please don't call it "2.0". Thanks. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 7] Author : havard Date : 01-10-07 04:48 AM Thread Title : Re: Above first level and starting wealth: how in 2.0? Also, please don't call it "2.0". Thanks. I'm guessing he meant "2.0" as opposed to "2.5" ie Skills&Powers etc. :) Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 8] Author : Arcanda Date : 01-10-07 02:10 PM Thread Title : Re: Above first level and starting wealth: how in 2.0? I'm guessing he meant "2.0" as opposed to "2.5" ie Skills&Powers etc. :) HåvardReally!?!?!?!? :confused: And what about "2.1", "2.2" and "2.3"? :P -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 9] Author : ZolDarklock Date : 01-11-07 01:38 AM Thread Title : Re: Above first level and starting wealth: how in 2.0? Starting wealth should be just enough to get them room & board, and food for a month, with a little extra for a few nights out on the town, I would make it clear to them if they want more moola, to either go adventuring or get a job, life ain't free -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 10] Author : exorb Date : 01-11-07 02:14 AM Thread Title : Re: Above first level and starting wealth: how in 2.0? Starting wealth should be just enough to get them room & board, and food for a month, with a little extra for a few nights out on the town, I would make it clear to them if they want more moola, to either go adventuring or get a job, life ain't free :rofl: well said! - now the motivation is set to go out and seek gold. you want to keep these guys poor as long as you can. (almost always too much $ in Mods) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 11] Author : Llwch Date : 01-11-07 02:42 AM Thread Title : Re: Above first level and starting wealth: how in 2nd EDITION? :D Starting wealth should be just enough to get them room & board, and food for a month, with a little extra for a few nights out on the town, I would make it clear to them if they want more moola, to either go adventuring or get a job, life ain't free Granted, there's that point of view, too. I tend to prefer to go simple myself, but my players usually wanna know details. "What goodies do we have at start?" But then again, I don't reveal specific magic item properties when they're found, so it's quite possible to have a prayer-chanting "Magic Mouth" enspelled longsword, and have the dopey Paladin think it's a Holy Slayer. That's just me. Likewise, starting gold... The method I mentioned above is one I use when I must. Generally, I let them "buy" reasonable gear, free of charge, and then give them starting gold (sometimes with a multiplier, depending on how much gear they wanted at start. Less gear = more starting gold). Naturally, I don't let them have more goods than they can reasonably carry. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 12] Author : Serin Ghar Date : 01-18-07 01:14 PM Thread Title : Re: Above first level and starting wealth: how in 2.0? Thanks for all the advice. I'm gonna take what I got here and bring it up to the players... see what works well with all of us. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 13] Author : havard Date : 01-18-07 01:31 PM Thread Title : Re: Above first level and starting wealth: how in 2.0? I'd give them 100 gp, as much non-magical stuff as they can carry and one magical item of appropriate power each. Assuming its a standard campaign and not one where the pcs are supposed to be wealthy land owners or something... Havard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 14] Author : khyron1144 Date : 01-18-07 02:46 PM Thread Title : Re: Above first level and starting wealth: how in 2.0? I once thought of running Tomb of Horrors with a newly formed group of players starting with new characters. That never got off the ground. I did start working on a table kind of based off the treasure table but with the idea of eliminating anything too powerful or too baneful. Stuff that a PC of moderate to early high levels (About enough EXP to be a 12th level Wizard was my benchmark if I remember correctly) could expect to have obtained and adventured with and survived up to this point. I could eventually post it, but it is somewhere in the wilds of my idea notebooks, which are somewhere in the trecherous terrain of my closet. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Downloaded from Wizards Community (http://forums.gleemax.com) at 05-10-08 08:21 AM.