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[Foxworthy]

Originally Posted by DarkelvenSFi

Those two comments seem to contradict each other in terms of game-play. If the shop has the items the players want, they may as well have every item available; as the players will only buy the ones they want anyhow...

Exactly the players get what they want for their characters but the illusion of the shop being filled to the brim with magic items isn't there. It's a way to give players what they want without having to sacrifice the realism of magic item shops.

Originally Posted by DarkelvenSFi

Getting the best items should be a challenge. Saying 'you can have what you want' is similar (in a loose way) to letting the players not die when they reach -10 hipoints (even if you invent a fancy excuse). You're catering to the desires of the players in bending the rules/realism of the game.

Getting items is still a challenge. The players need to face challenges to get the loot they end up selling for half in order to get the gear they want. And comparing my idea to a house rule about PC's not dieing is a bit off. Especially since I'm mentioned using the DM Guide rules on GP Limits in Community Wealth.

Originally Posted by DarkelvenSFi

If the players find a sparce village next to a well that can support only 30 people; the village has no weaponsmith or magic user. They should not be able to buy any potion or magical weapon from the local shop. There might be some, due to trade, but overall, they're just not going to have certain types of items.

Of course not, the community has a 40gp limit and a max amount of cash on hand of 300 gold.

But the players should be able to find anything they want that cost less than 40gp.

Originally Posted by DarkelvenSFi

The more I think about it, creating a system whereby players can choose the items they buy from a list of all items, feels like a digression back to the 'cowboys and indians' school-yard game. It's all in the effort of keeping players happy and the workload of DMs light.

But after my half-rant.. it does come down to the DM :P I've got no problem with others playing the game the way they want. I'll put forward my views on what's appropriate, but at the end of the day, each person will decide for themselves.

Well sure it's a game so keeping the players [including the DM] happy should be the primary goal.

Telling the players that the DM is going to limit the magic item options inorder to prevent the players from getting the good items, despite the fact that by the DM Guide and MIC they should be able to buy them seems more like punishment to the players.

If your players like that, more power to you becaus elike you said it comes out to what works for each DM and group. Which is one of the good things about DnD, you can always find a group catering to the game style you prefere.