D&D 4E 4E without Magic Items

[Andur]

Problem is, that only solves half the problem...

My solution:

Give them a +1 to Attacks, Defenses, Damage, and an extra +1d6 point of damage every 4 levels.
(yes this gives them a +7 at 28+, it should make up for quite a bit of the power loss from magic items at those levels.)

 

[Gloombunny]

See this comic.

Don't forget that when you reach paragon tier, you can upgrade your ale and whores to single-malt whiskies and exotic half-elven courtesans.

(Seriously, "what do you spend your money on if there's no magic items" is a really weird question. What do people spend their money on in real life, then?)

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Don't forget that when you reach paragon tier, you can upgrade your ale and whores to single-malt whiskies and exotic half-elven courtesans.

(Seriously, "what do you spend your money on if there's no magic items" is a really weird question. What do people spend their money on in real life, then?)

Magic items are a very high overhead, however, costing far more than "living". Also, many modern costs (like phone bills) just didn't exist in those days.

That's why some system have lifestyle costs, so you can skip the math.

 

[Gloombunny]

Magic items are a very high overhead, however, costing far more than "living". Also, many modern costs (like phone bills) just didn't exist in those days.

Magic items didn't exist in real life a thousand years ago, either.

That's why some system have lifestyle costs, so you can skip the math.

It's not just basic lifestyle maintenance, though. Sometimes people want to do things like acquire titles and land, fund armies, buy ships, and so forth.

Granted, in a game with no magic items you'll probably want to keep the loot at a sane rate at all levels, instead of inflating it to millions of gold pieces... but I see that as a good thing.

 

[Victim]

Magic items are a very high overhead, however, costing far more than "living". Also, many modern costs (like phone bills) just didn't exist in those days.

That's why some system have lifestyle costs, so you can skip the math.

Yeah. A single level 12 item/reward is worth more than a sailing ship. High level expenditures are less like ale and whores and more like fleets.

As far as living expenses go, a luxury room is 2 GP a day. A feast is 5 GP.

 

[ForbidenMaster]

Don't forget that when you reach paragon tier, you can upgrade your ale and whores to single-malt whiskies and exotic half-elven courtesans.

(Seriously, "what do you spend your money on if there's no magic items" is a really weird question. What do people spend their money on in real life, then?)

But D&D isnt the game of life. We dont model bathroom breaks, or what happens if you dont brish your teeth. In real life we get tangible returns for our money. We get the use of utilities, luxuries, etc.

Buying ale and harlots in D&D doesnt really amount to anything IMO. It might be fun to roleplay for the first few hundred gold, but beyond that its just doesnt translate to out of game fun. It all amounts to gold and treasure not directly tied to the story being useless, in which case it might as well not be there.

So thats my question: do you just not give PCs any treasure, or do you use gold to acquire some other sort of thing that has an actual use to the player, or something compleatly diffirent?

 

[nittanytbone]

I would first follow the NPC level bonus guidelines for bonuses to attacks, damage, etc. That takes care of your essentials.

The other bonus provided by Magic Items is choices and options. Do you want to use a Frost sword or Fire Sword? Bag of Holding or some other misc magic item? You might find that your players lack choices to solve some problems. To get around that, I might provide a few bonus feats or multiclass powers. The idea of providing another use of a Daily Power with a milestone might not be bad, although they will likely just refresh their most potent daily every time, which could be broken.