CapnZapp
Legend
Yes, but body slots and encumbrance are definitely not big hurdles, I would say.2014 includes a lot of passive agressive design choices to place awkward hurdles in the way of using magic items as if there was an effort to pressure away from using them.
I don't care about encumbrance at all and it has never been any hurdle at all, ever. Sure I see the allure in the "ten torches deep" mindset, but it is ultimately not a good balancing factor. And if it isn't used as a balancing factor, then any rule will do.
Body slots were never an intelligent solution to the "you can't stack ten bonuses to claim +10 to your fraggalicious stat" (i.e. as a balancing factor). Yes, it was a solution, and thus better than no solution. But that is really all it was.
The real mountainous hurdle is... magic item pricing.
The only place for balanced thoughtful magic item pricing is right in the DMG and nowhere else. This is a real need, since it is as crucial to balance as class features. Anyone claiming this makes it obligatory can go where the sun don't shine. It's needed for all us who don't see "you can always sponsor an orphanage" as a credible reply to "what to do with all my gold". It can be safely ignored by the entire "I like no magic item economy" crowd. If you hand out items at random today, you are not missing the balancing factor today so you won't miss it tomorrow either. And you don't need the lack like we need the presence.
Last edited: