D&D 5E Do We Really Need a Lot of Gold? (D&D 5th Edition)

[Reynard]

One way to make money relevant is to run an "evil" campaign where the goal of the party is to take over or destroy the world. This would involve things like building a base of operations, recruiting followers and minions, remaining secret etc that would require wealth, and wealth could therefore be a legitimate target for an adventure.

Being evil isn't necessary. They just need goals. "Destroy all vampires" or "eliminate the Church of Asmodeus" would require a whole lot of infrastructure, too.

 

[Charlaquin]

Adventurer’s League had a thing for a while where you could purchase tittles and properties and unique items and pets. They were only for RP and bragging rights but folks spent LOTS of gold in them and their upkeep.

say, if you don’t want yours I’ll happily relieve you of that burden.

That makes sense to me in an organized play or troupe play context. Similar to buying cosmetic items in online multiplayer games.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

So what is interesting to your character?
Which is something your DM/GM should be asking before approaching this.

Session zero question perhaps would this be part of the character's destiny or what they start off planning and then during the game they let their dm/gm know if that plan changes as a result of their experiences and character growth?

Not gold. My character and campaign are fine and the DM knows what works for my character.

The thread is questioning whether gold is important in D&D. My argument is that it's not, much of the time. (And that's OK.)

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

To simplify this excellent list, money lets you buy new narratives and introduce them into your games.

Was anyone questioning that?

Gold definitely has uses some of the time. But a D&D campaign shouldn't be predicated on the idea that, after murder-hoboing their way through dungeons for eight levels, the player characters will then be interested in turning around and working on civic projects. That there's not a way to spend gold without changing the focus of the campaign is a tacit admission that gold doesn't have much value for the game as it is typically played.

DMs could probably slash treasures by three-quarters or more, especially after Tier 1, and it would have very little impact on most campaigns. Or, again, most groups could just go to a narrative wealth system.

But unless the players express a desire to accumulate a mountain of gold for some reason, gold as a motivating force shouldn't be assumed to be the default. Yes, it was once, but the great thing about gaming in 2021 is that those games and games built the same way are still out there, with more material available for them than any time in their histories.

 

[darjr]

That makes sense to me in an organized play or troupe play context. Similar to buying cosmetic items in online multiplayer games.

It was crazy popular and the fact you could only do so at events made for a bit of a frenzy. I am almost certain some PCs ended up broke because of it. In 5e D&D AL no less.

 

[Nefermandias]

I had actually completely forgotten that. Please send my compliments to the 4e chef!

Unironically, 4e DID solve quite a lot of D&D problems... That's why so many people had a hard time seeing it as "true D&D"

 

[Bacon Bits]

To simplify this excellent list, money lets you buy new narratives and introduce them into your games.

I think this is true, but... at no point does the PHB or DMG present this idea, nor are there any costs associated to help the DM. There's just... nothing there.

Like, I get that it isn't difficult conceptually to find something to do with gold. But at the same time, I'm not really satisfied with the collective that the game offers now as far as advice or tools.

 

[Bacon Bits]

It was crazy popular and the fact you could only do so at events made for a bit of a frenzy. I am almost certain some PCs ended up broke because of it. In 5e D&D AL no less.

If you only have one meaningful thing to spend gold on, what's the motivation to save any of it?

 

[darjr]

If you only have one meaningful thing to spend gold on, what's the motivation to save any of it?

Yea, true, but if people didn't care for these things they wouldn't bother at all. And I wish they'd bring it back.

 

[darjr]

I think this is true, but... at no point does the PHB or DMG present this idea, nor are there any costs associated to help the DM. There's just... nothing there.

Like, I get that it isn't difficult conceptually to find something to do with gold. But at the same time, I'm not really satisfied with the collective that the game offers now as far as advice or tools.

while your right, it's also common sense that a TON OF GOLD would influence NPC's. I mean if my players were going to start bribing in a BIG way they.... wait.... they HAVE. It explains so much now!