magic item levels

[sidebar]

Hello all, I am running a campaign currently where my pcs are allowed to spend their hard-earned loot "shopping" for magic items in large cities where anything is available, according to the rules in the dmg. I just have them stay within the wealth by level guide lines in the dmg. Now I see in the magic item compendium, the item levels suggested that are appropriate for pcs. now my players have been buying items that are way above the level guidlines in the MIC, which has been a tad problematic. for example, one player had a +4 weapon since at least 12th level. I dont want restrict my players unfairly, how do you other dms out there set what magic item levels your players can use?

[billd91]

If you are keeping to the wealth by level guidelines, I wouldn't worry about it. The level info in the MIC is an expected value based on those guidelines, not a required one. If the PC scrimps in one area to afford a premium somewhere else (like skimping on his protection to get a better sword), that's his choice to make. Let him sink or swim based on it.

[StreamOfTheSky]

I wouldn't allow them to spend more than half their wealth on a single item, maybe limit it to 1/3, even. Other than that, no real restrictions. I don't allow PCs to go out and buy everything they want, I keep certain aximum gold values in place and slowly raise it over time, with the really expensive or rare stuff pretty much hopeless to find other than via some sort of quest for it. if you're allowing them to just buy whatever, it should still be ok. Just don't let them buy a single super-powerful item that breaks the game balance at their level.

And maybe ban the mirror of opposition.

[kitsune9]

Originally Posted by sidebar

Hello all, I am running a campaign currently where my pcs are allowed to spend their hard-earned loot "shopping" for magic items in large cities where anything is available, according to the rules in the dmg. I just have them stay within the wealth by level guide lines in the dmg. Now I see in the magic item compendium, the item levels suggested that are appropriate for pcs. now my players have been buying items that are way above the level guidlines in the MIC, which has been a tad problematic. for example, one player had a +4 weapon since at least 12th level. I dont want restrict my players unfairly, how do you other dms out there set what magic item levels your players can use?

I used the gp limits that were used in the RPGA for Living Greyhawk, but nowadays, since I play Pathfinder, I've just set 25% of the wealth level as the gp limit for buying magic loot.