D&D 5E Should magic items stay out of the next PHB?

[Minigiant]

To me, it depends.

If D&D goes back to where a few challenges and monsters are magic item dependent, there definitely needs to be a few in the PHB so players know they might need a few.

Things like oathbows and holy avengers that are tied to races and classes should be included in the race and class chapter for flavor.

Potions and other very minor magic items like holy waters and alchemist fire should be in the equipment chapter.

But everything else in the DMG.

 

[Leatherhead]

This is kind of strange to me: Every player I know reads all three books, putting something in the DMG isn't going to stop players from knowing about it. In fact it seems kind of weird to put items in the DMG if you don't want players top read it.

 

[ForeverSlayer]

This is kind of strange to me: Every player I know reads all three books, putting something in the DMG isn't going to stop players from knowing about it. In fact it seems kind of weird to put items in the DMG if you don't want players top read it.

It's not about keeping players from reading it but to let them know that whatever is in the DMG is for the DM and not the players.

 

[Ultimatecalibur]

The thing is -- and I hate to keep hammering on this across a bunch of threads -- is that if +X items exist, act similarly to the way they did in previous editions, and are not extremely rare, then they have to be assumed in the core math or the core math will be broken. Since +X items were never extremely rare in D&D and I doubt they're going to start that with 5e (even though some noted designers have argued for ditching them entirely, it's just not the kind of move that fits in with what WotC is doing with 5e), the core math will either assume them or be broken. Pessimism leads to me to think it will be broken, since this has been true in all prior editions of the game, even when they actually did take +X items into account in 4e.

And your point is a bit off: The effects of magic items do not have to be assumed in order to prevent them from breaking the game. They need to be understood, and balanced, in order for them not to break the game.

 

[Lanefan]

The better question is not whether magic items should come out of the PH but instead why were they put there in the first place?

Magic items go in the DMG. End of story.

Lan-"though some fluff about legendary items for the PHB is a fine idea"-efan

 

[Lanefan]

And your point is a bit off: The effects of magic items do not have to be assumed in order to prevent them from breaking the game. They need to be understood, and balanced, in order for them not to break the game.

If +3 instead of +0 breaks the game that tells me the root design is way too fragile.

Lanefan

 

[Herremann the Wise]

I'm firmly in the camp of keeping most magical items out of the PHB as an expected spoonfed resource. I much prefer that the inclusion or exclusion of such items be more at the DM's discretion in consultation with his or her players when they start a campaign. This assists DMs who wish to keep this separation while for those players who don't care, it will make no difference as they will have access to the core books anyway (PHB, DMG, MM).

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[drothgery]

If +3 instead of +0 breaks the game that tells me the root design is way too fragile.

If the game is based off of rolling a d20 (and WotC isn't going to change this), +3 vs +0 is a big deal unless you're in near-autosuccess or near-autofailure ranges.

 

[drothgery]

The better question is not whether magic items should come out of the PH but instead why were they put there in the first place?

The same reason why to-hit tables were moved from the DMG to the PHB -- because it's information players need (and preventing players from getting it is futile). Player characters carry around magic items and monsters do not.

 

[Herremann the Wise]

...because it's information players need (and preventing players from getting it is futile).

The futility is neither here nor there, however why is it information that the players require? Why does a player need to know every magical item that's out there?

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise