D&D 4E 4E without Magic Items

[jonrog1]

Right, I'm hacking away at trying to come up with a balance system based on the DMG, the Magic Item table in the PHB, and some developer notes. I know switching out magic items and just substituting in level-based bonuses CAN be done, I'm jut stumbling a bit on the math.

Has somebody already cracked this and I'm spinning my wheels, or has anybody some blinding insight here that may help? Thanks.

 

[strumbleduck]

If you want to play without magic items, the simplest thing to do is to give the PC's a bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, AC, and defenses based on level:

Levels 1-5: +1
Levels 6-10: +2
Levels 11-15: +3
Levels 16-20: +4
Levels 21-25: +5
Levels 26-30 : +6

You might also need to do something about the lack of healing potions (e.g., give every PC a daily power where they can use a healing surge as a minor action).

 

[andarilhor]

You might also need to do something about the lack of healing potions (e.g., give every PC a daily power where they can use a healing surge as a minor action).

Or you can give the a second use of second wind (a third wind!? rs) when they fall to blodied.

 

[Paul Strack]

You should also give them an extra +1d6 Crit bonus per 5 levels.

 

[mach1.9pants]

And to balance the lack of extra 'dailies' from the magic items, maybe you could make their daily power EDIT: one daily I mean recharge on every milestone. Along with the bonuses above (and the crit extra if you think they need it) they will be fine IMO.

 

[ForbidenMaster]

Just a quick question about low magic item campaigns: What do PCs do with the loot? Do they just not get any, or what? I mean its kind of silly to give them a binch of money if they cant spend it on anything.

 

[charlesatan]

It's been said by the designers in an article on the WotC site that the game assumes you have a magic weapon, magic armor, and an item that increases the other defenses. Strumbleduck's chart is right (I'd probably give the bonuses at 3rd level and every 5 levels thereafter). Just be sure to also give them +1d6 per supposed item bonuses on a crit. Everything else is gravy (although they obviously won't have as many dailies).

 

[RefinedBean]

Well...

Give them stuff other than loot that can nonetheless have both in- and out of combat effects...

After a long battle with the corrupt guild of thieves, the villains are vanquished and the Duke is so pleased he bestows honors on the group, and being so lauded, they gain a +1 to defenses while in his lands.

Stuff like that.

Or, just literally have no loot, and have it be a fend-for-yourself scenario.

 

[Kaodi]

While it may seem a little odd to give them the +1 at Level 1, I think that it would probably be best to just stick to what stumbleduck and Paul Strack said. The math should probably work that way.

I am glad to see you are still around, jonrog1!.

 

[Staffan]

Just a quick question about low magic item campaigns: What do PCs do with the loot? Do they just not get any, or what? I mean its kind of silly to give them a binch of money if they cant spend it on anything.

See this comic.