In the game I play in, I wanted to kill Meepo, but the rest of the party took pity. Bu the time we were fith level, Meepo was polymorphed into an elf and is trying to learn to adapt to the world.
When starting characters are created at a higher level, I allow them to select items straight from the DMG. I only have two criteria though. One is a gp limit based on the average gold by level. The second is that no item bought can have a caster level higher then 10 to build. This last one...
Of course, the bluff skill will only work with an intelligent opponent. If you try to act dead with an alligator that just means dinner is served.
I have always allowed this rule in my games. It only made sense. 3e merely gave me mechanics to adjudicate the situation.
Now a question. Would...