D&D (2024) Wrapping up first 2-20 2024 campaign this week, some of my thoughts

[Stormonu]

10th+ level in D&D has always taken finesse and/or willing to go a little crazy.

I'm curious if the new MM handles higher level PCs better than 2014; I'm sure most of the higher level monsters didn't get the sort of playtesting the lower levels ones did back when this all started.

 

[Zardnaar]

Sorry if I have little sympathy for someone who 5 PCs with experienced players and with magic items up the wazoo (I've never seen a +3 shield in 5E and don't expect to) along with 10 rare ring each and then doesn't change the module at all from what I understand. Then apparently allow the party to get long rests on demand(?). No surprise it's a cakewalk.

This is not a problem with the rules of the game. I will never, ever let a level 20 group have as much magic as the OP has, but if I did I would just crank the target XP for encounters up and use tactics that are effective against the group on a regular basis. But it's like handing someone a chainsaw and then complaining when it's easy for them to chop down a tree in an open field.

It's fairly close to the DMG recommendations. I've seen 4 legendary weapons in a 5E wotc module by level 9.

The rings are somewhat excessive. My game you could probably buy 1 maybe 2.

 

[dave2008]

I said most of the party (I don't, I think three members have all 10). That is around 40 rare magic items (including my two rings) and hardly way out of line with the guidelines, especially when you consider that I am fairly certain we have fewer Very Rare and Legendary items than recommended and we certanly don't have the 100 items total that are recommended.

What I am saying is although it feels like a lot of magic items, I don't think it is way out of line with the guidelines in the DMG. It may be on the high end, but it is hardly some sort of monty haul scenario and that is even after considering that many of these (inclunding all the rings) were purchased.

Given that my group (6 players) is level 15 and has 10 magic items total it sure feels like a lot to me!

 

[dave2008]

The point that it is the responsibility of the DM? Sure. My point that giving bad advice is not excused by the fact that DM can ignore that advice stands as well though...

I am not sure what you are talking about, but I think this exchange has run its course anyway.

yes, it should. Does it?

I am not sure, but I doubt it. I got got a physical copy of the book this week (had Beyond or a long time), but I haven't had a chance to read through it yet.

 

[Mort]

I said most of the party (I don't, I think three members have all 10). That is around 40 rare magic items (including my two rings) and hardly way out of line with the guidelines, especially when you consider that I am fairly certain we have fewer Very Rare and Legendary items than recommended and we certanly don't have the 100 items total that are recommended.

What I am saying is although it feels like a lot of magic items, I don't think it is way out of line with the guidelines in the DMG. It may be on the high end, but it is hardly some sort of monty haul scenario and that is even after considering that many of these (inclunding all the rings) were purchased.

Keep in mind, the 100 items recommendation is over the life of the campaign.

47 of those are common and uncommon, many of which would be of limited usefulness by 18th level (assuming they weren't consumed, destroyed or otherwise lost).

 

[Chaltab]

At level 12 my party appears to have 29 aside from their Space ship but that's counting several one use items like scrolls, potions, and exploding fire darts.

(I say appears to have because some of them aren't great at adding things to their inventory.)

 

[MonsterEnvy]

At level 12 my party appears to have 29 aside from their Space ship but that's counting several one use items like scrolls, potions, and exploding fire darts.

(I say appears to have because some of them aren't great at adding things to their inventory.)

1 shot items are included in the DMG tracker too. So a fair number of slots can be potions and scrolls.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

For a High Difficulty Level 20 Encounter I can do some pretty crazy stuff with 5 PCs.

Like I could bring in 3 Pit Fiends and 3 Ice Devils.

 

[Zardnaar]

Level 7 probably over equipped but I wasn't keeping track of consumables handed out. Lots of potions and +1 items.

Items that matter

1 legendary, 0 ver rare and probably 3 have a rare or equivalent (custom items or BG3).

Mostly attuned to uncommen +1 types or +1 weapons with a d4 or d6 elemental damage attached. The d4 might have a spell attached eg fireball or thunderous smite.

Couple of armors from BG3 granting advantage on con saves. +1 studded leather and breastplate iirc.

 

[Oofta]

It's fairly close to the DMG recommendations. I've seen 4 legendary weapons in a 5E wotc module by level 9.

Tbe rings are somewhat excessive. My game you could probably buy 1 maybe 2.

If I look at Chapter 2 of the PHB > Starting at Higher Levels > Starting Equipment they have a handy dandy chart. But it's also still up to the DM, after all the 2024 version gets rid of requirements for magical items as far as I've seen; there are still some creatures such as the Air Elemental that has resistance but magical weapons don't negate the resistance. A few like Black Pudding are immune to slashing damage, but not bludgeoning or piercing and again, it's just a blanket immunity to slashing.

In any case if there's any hard guideline on what PCs should get I haven't seen it. On the other hand some of the modules, especially the ones based on older mods look like they hand out way too much stuff. But I don't use modules when I DM so I may have missed something.

Starting Equipment at Higher Levels​

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[th]

Starting Level​

[/th]​

[th]

Equipment and Money​

[/th][th]

Magic Items​

[/th]​

[td]

2–4​

[/td]​

[td]Normal starting equipment[/td][td]1 Common[/td]

[td]

5–10​

[/td]​

[td]500 GP plus 1d10 × 25 GP plus normal starting equipment[/td][td]1 Common, 1 Uncommon[/td]

[td]

11–16​

[/td]​

[td]5,000 gp plus 1d10 × 250 GP plus normal starting equipment[/td][td]2 Common, 3 Uncommon, 1 Rare[/td]

[td]

17–20​

[/td]​

[td]20,000 GP plus 1d10 × 250 GP plus normal starting equipment[/td][td]2 Common, 4 Uncommon, 3 Rare, 1 Very Rare[/td]