D&D General Sandbox style: Rumors say a +1 sword is in a cave nearby. Go get it?

[Ath'kethin]

In my campaigns I keep magic items, especially magic weapons, extremely rare, to the tune of there being only one of any named weapon - it's not a flame tongue, it's the Flame Tongue. Like many here have said, there's never such a thing as "just" a +1 sword.

I also like to just play ball with the DM regardless; if I'm given an obvious plot hook I follow it. Regardless of the weapon's utility - which isn't insignificant, as a magic weapon of any sort will increase my character's effectiveness - I'd rather follow the path the DM has put some thought into that make them come up with other crap on the fly. Literally the only TPKs I've ever had in games I've run have been in situations where the characters took a surprise route and ended up killed by random encounters.

 

[Bill Zebub]

"The sword magically makes your swing just a bit faster, and the edge is magically sharp and durable. It doesn't rust and you don't have to sharpen it after every battle."

"So....maybe 5% faster?"

 

[Bill Zebub]

To be fair, it’s nice if cool swords could be upgraded over time. How many first level characters start with their ‘great, great grandfather’s family sword’ only to ditch it for the first magical dagger that comes along.

I agree, and maybe that works better in fiction than at the table because finding magic weapons is a big part of the fun in RPGs. IMO.

 

[KYRON45]

There is no accounting for preferences. I don't consider immersion to be a particularly important part of play.

It let's you hit monsters that you can't otherwise. That's remarkable.

I don’t even like the word “immersion”.
Sounds very…stick blendery.

 

[Umbran]

There is no accounting for preferences. I don't consider immersion to be a particularly important part of play.

That's fine. You get to play how you want.

But the answer stands - I prefer the choice to be more informed by the in-fiction presentation than mechanical metagame information.

It let's you hit monsters that you can't otherwise. That's remarkable.

The 5% difference is below what humans can reliably notice without keeping detailed records and doing some math. Indeed, at that level, I should see more rumors of supposed magic weapons that actually aren't magical than rumors of ones that are!

 

[Velderan]

Would you be disappointed if the "the lost sword of King Grergic" was a mere +1 sword?

No, because possessing the lost sword of King Grergic might have other meaning within the campaign. Is someone else seeking it to strengthen a claim to the throne? Does it give my PC a claim? Is it just worth a lot more money because it belonged to King Grergic? What kind of enemies have I made if any of these are true? All possibilities that could go somewhere interesting.

 

[Reynard]

I can say that I love giving magical weapons stories, but as a player, I hate it when I get a hyped up weapon and its just a +1. Would love for something creative to match the weapon's history as opposed to a mediocre +1 bonus.

The "mediocrity" of +1 is both edition and setting dependent.

 

[Reynard]

The 5% difference is below what humans can reliably notice without keeping detailed records and doing some math. Indeed, at that level, I should see more rumors of supposed magic weapons that actually aren't magical than rumors of ones that are!

I think you missed my point. It is about being able to hit monsters otherwise immune to nonmagical weapons.

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

You are fresh level 1 characters. You are playing in a sandbox style game. You have many options to explore. Caves and temples and whatever. Riches and glory and treasure no matter where you go.

One rumor says a cave full of monsters has a magic (+1) sword hidden somewhere inside. Is it worth it to you to seek out this sword? You are level 1 and have no magic items. Plus, who knows what's in the other areas to explore. It's JUST a +1 sword after all.

Would it make a difference if it was AD&D/OSR/Shadowdark etc?

Basically: Is it worth going out of the parties way to get JUST a +1 sword?

Yes!

I mean what else are we going to do? I don't drive across town burning expensive gasoline and paying bridge tolls to turn my nose up and hold out for better imaginary treasure.

And if that +1 sword doesn't have a name, I'm going to give it one.

 

[Shardstone]

The "mediocrity" of +1 is both edition and setting dependent.

I am speaking of my own personal distaste for receiving +1 weapons in any game.