D&D 5E Buying magic items, yes or no?
Stormonu
Legend
No to 3E style magic marts.
However, I do have places that sell minor magics - a temple for blessed items or minor healing potions, an alchemist's shop for potions or a smithy or retired adventure who might part with an item or two, or might have the skill to help imbue an item with the right player input. Larger cities might have better access to existing items being available, but the method of magical investiture I use (more than just gold and a spell or two) means that its not worth making an item just to hang on a rack for sale.
However, I do have places that sell minor magics - a temple for blessed items or minor healing potions, an alchemist's shop for potions or a smithy or retired adventure who might part with an item or two, or might have the skill to help imbue an item with the right player input. Larger cities might have better access to existing items being available, but the method of magical investiture I use (more than just gold and a spell or two) means that its not worth making an item just to hang on a rack for sale.
J-H
Hero
High level game: +1s can be found, and certain villages/cities have specific other magic items for sale.
Low-level game (currently 4th level): Most uncommon items can be bought, but there's a time lag and markup involved in getting them from the city a week's travel a way. Anything above uncommon is much less likely to be available.
Low-level game (currently 4th level): Most uncommon items can be bought, but there's a time lag and markup involved in getting them from the city a week's travel a way. Anything above uncommon is much less likely to be available.
Ralif Redhammer
Legend
Never-ish. A common magic item might show up here and there, but never anything beyond that. However, what I will often do is have an NPC that could create a magic item...if only they had the right materials. And that always leads to an adventure.
MNblockhead
A Title Much Cooler Than Anything on the Old Site
Depends on the campaign. Both are fun. I do like the setting to give some thought about what a world with "magic marts" would be like (which is why I'm a fan of Eberron), but I'm don't get too hung up on incongruities that tend to be inherent in high-magic settings.
Oofta
Legend
Forgot to add to my second post - I came up with a base price for most magic items based on rarity and the idea of minor/major magic items in Xanathar's. Use it, ignore it, tell me I wasted my time, but here it is. Hopefully some people find it useful
Consumables (potions, scrolls) cost half of the lower. Permanent items can normally only be purchased at the maximum price, if they can be purchased at all.
Note that magical arrows and crossbow bolts are considered consumable (the magic is gone after they are used).
If you are purchasing magical armor, add the cost of standard armor to the purchase cost.
Items that increase a stat work a little differently than listed in the book. Instead of replacing your ability score, it increases it up to a maximum score.
Scroll Cost by Level:
EDIT: forgot to put in spoiler to make it easier to ignore. Oops!
Purchasing Costs
General cost by rarity (prices may vary, all items may not be available)Consumables (potions, scrolls) cost half of the lower. Permanent items can normally only be purchased at the maximum price, if they can be purchased at all.
Note that magical arrows and crossbow bolts are considered consumable (the magic is gone after they are used).
If you are purchasing magical armor, add the cost of standard armor to the purchase cost.
| Rarity | Consumable | Minor | Major |
| Common | 50 | 100 | |
| Uncommon | 150 | 300 | 500 |
| Rare | 2,000 | 4,000 | 15,000 |
| Very Rare | 15,000 | 25,000 | 40,000 |
| Legendary | N/A |
Scroll Cost by Level:
- Cantrip: 12 GP
- 1st: 25 gp
- 2nd: 50 gp
- 3rd: 100 gp
- 4th: 250 gp
- 5th: 1,200 gp
- 6th: 2,500 gp
- 7th: 7,500 gp
- 8th: 12,500 gp
- 9th: 25,000 gp
Common Items
Consumable Items: 50 GP| Item | Type | Attune? | |
| Bead of nourishment | Wondrous item | No | |
| Bead of refreshment | Wondrous item | No | |
| Mystery key | Wondrous item | No | |
| Perfume of bewitching | Wondrous item | No | |
| Pot of awakening | Wondrous item | No | |
| Potion of climbing | Potion | No | |
| Potion of healing | Potion | No | |
| Walloping ammunition | Weapon | No | |
Common Items
Permanent: 100 GPUncommon Items
Consumable Items: 150 GP| Item | Type | Attune? |
| Oil of slipperiness | Potion | No |
| Dust of disappearance | Wondrous item | No |
| Dust of dryness | Wondrous item | No |
| Dust of sneezing and choking | Wondrous item | No |
| Elemental gem | Wondrous item | No |
| Keoghtom’s ointment | Wondrous item | No |
| Philter of love | Potion | No |
| Potion of animal friendship | Potion | No |
| Potion of fire breath | Potion | No |
| Potion of healing, greater | Potion | No |
| Potion of growth | Potion | No |
| Potion of hill giant strength | Potion | No |
| Potion of poison | Potion | No |
| Potion of resistance | Potion | No |
| Potion of water breathing | Potion | No |
Uncommon Items, Minor
Permanent Items: 300 GP| Item | Type | Attune? |
| Alchemy jug | Wondrous item | No |
| Ammunition, +1 | Weapon | No |
| Bag of holding | Wondrous item | No |
| Cap of water breathing | Wondrous item | No |
| Cloak of the manta ray | Wondrous item | No |
| Decanter of endless water | Wondrous item | No |
| Driftglobe | Wondrous item | No |
| Eyes of minute seeing | Wondrous item | No |
| Goggles of night | Wondrous item | No |
| Helm of comprehending languages | Wondrous item | No |
| Immovable rod | Rod | No |
| Lantern of revealing | Wondrous item | No |
| Mariner’s armor | Armor | No |
| Mithral armor | Armor | No |
| Periapt of health | Wondrous item | No |
| Ring of swimming | Ring | No |
| Robe of useful items | Wondrous item | No |
| Rope of climbing | Wondrous item | No |
| Saddle of the cavalier | Wondrous item | No |
| Sending stones | Wondrous item | No |
| Wand of magic detection | Wand | No |
| Wand of secrets | Wand | No |
Uncommon Items, Major
Permanent Items: 500 GPRare Items
Consumable Items: 2,000 GP| Item | Type | Attune? |
| Ammunition, +2 | Weapon | No |
| Bag of beans | Wondrous item | No |
| Bead of force | Wondrous item | No |
| Elixir of health | Potion | No |
| Potion of clairvoyance | Potion | No |
| Potion of diminution | Potion | No |
| Potion of fire giant strength | Potion | No |
| Potion of frost giant strength | Potion | No |
| Potion of gaseous form | Potion | No |
| Potion of heroism | Potion | No |
| Potion of invulnerability | Potion | No |
| Potion of mind reading | Potion | No |
| Potion of stone giant strength | Potion | No |
| Potion of healing, superior | Potion | No |
| Oil of etherealness | Potion | No |
| Scroll of protection | Scroll | No |
| Necklace of fireballs | Wondrous item | No |
Rare Items, Minor
Permanent Items: 4,000 GP| Item | Type | Attune? |
| Chime of opening | Wondrous item | No |
| Folding boat | Wondrous item | No |
| Heward’s handy haversack | Wondrous item | No |
| Horseshoes of speed | Wondrous item | No |
| Portable hole | Wondrous item | No |
| Quaal’s feather token | Wondrous item | No |
Rare Items, Major
Permanent Items: 15,000 GPVery Rare Items
Consumable Items: 15,000 GP| Item | Type | Attune? |
| Ammunition, +3 | Weapon | No |
| Arrow of slaying | Weapon | No |
| Bag of devouring | Wondrous item | No |
| Nolzur’s marvelous pigments | Wondrous item | No |
| Oil of sharpness | Potion | No |
| Potion of cloud giant strength | Potion | No |
| Potion of flying | Potion | No |
| Potion of invisibility | Potion | No |
| Potion of longevity | Potion | No |
| Potion of speed | Potion | No |
| Potion of healing, supreme | Potion | No |
| Potion of vitality | Potion | No |
Very Rare Items, Minor
Permanent Items: 25,000 GP| Item | Type | Attune? |
| Horseshoes of a zephyr | Wondrous item | No |
Very Rare Items, Major
Permanent Items: 40,000 GP| Item | Type | Attune? |
| Absorbing Tattoo | Wondrous Item | Yes |
| All-Purpose Tool (+3) | Wondrous Item | Yes |
| Amulet of the Devout (+3) | Wondrous Item | Yes |
| Amulet of the planes | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Animated shield | Armor | Yes |
| Arcane Grimoire (+3) | Wondrous Item | Yes |
| Armor, +2 | Armor | No |
| Barrier Tattoo (+3) | Wondrous Item | Yes |
| Belt of fire giant strength | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Belt of giant strength (frost/stone) | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Bloodwell Vial (+3) | Wondrous Item | Yes |
| Candle of invocation | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Carpet of flying | Wondrous item | No |
| Cauldron of Rebirth | Wondrous Item | Yes |
| Cloak of arachnida | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Crystal ball (very rare) | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Crystalline Chronicle | Wondrous Item | Yes |
| Dancing sword | Weapon | Yes |
| Demon armor | Armor | Yes |
| Dragon scale mail | Armor | Yes |
| Dwarven plate | Armor | No |
| Dwarven thrower | Weapon | Yes (dwarf) |
| Efreeti bottle | Wondrous item | No |
| Figurine of wondrous power (obsidian steed) | Wondrous item | No |
| Frost brand | Weapon | Yes |
| Ghost Step Tattoo | Wondrous Item | Yes |
| Helm of brilliance | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Horn of Valhalla (bronze) | Wondrous item | No |
| Instrument of the bards (Anstruth harp) | Wondrous item | Yes (bard) |
| Ioun stone (absorption) | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Ioun stone (agility) | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Ioun stone (fortitude) | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Ioun stone (insight) | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Ioun stone (intellect) | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Ioun stone (leadership) | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Ioun stone (strength) | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Lifewell Tattoo | Wondrous Item | Yes |
| Manual of bodily health | Wondrous item | No |
| Manual of gainful exercise | Wondrous item | No |
| Manual of golems | Wondrous item | No |
| Manual of quickness of action | Wondrous item | No |
| Mirror of life trapping | Wondrous item | No |
| Moon Sickle (+3) | Weapon | Yes |
| Nine lives stealer | Weapon | Yes |
| Oathbow | Weapon | Yes |
| Rhythm-Maker’s Drum (+3) | Wondrous Item | Yes |
| Ring of regeneration | Ring | Yes |
| Ring of shooting stars | Ring | Yes (outdoors at night) |
| Ring of telekinesis | Ring | Yes |
| Robe of scintillating colors | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Robe of stars | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Rod of absorption | Rod | Yes |
| Rod of alertness | Rod | Yes |
| Rod of security | Rod | No |
| Rod of the pact keeper, +3 | Rod | Yes (warlock) |
| Scimitar of speed | Weapon | Yes |
| Shield, +3 | Armor | No |
| Spellguard shield | Armor | Yes |
| Staff of fire | Staff | Yes (druid, sorcerer, warlock, or wizard) |
| Staff of frost | Staff | Yes (druid, sorcerer, warlock, or wizard) |
| Staff of power | Staff | Yes (sorcerer, warlock, or wizard) |
| Staff of striking | Staff | Yes |
| Staff of thunder and lightning | Staff | Yes |
| Sword of sharpness | Weapon | Yes |
| Tome of clear thought | Wondrous item | No |
| Tome of leadership and influence | Wondrous item | No |
| Tome of understanding | Wondrous item | No |
| Wand of polymorph | Wand | Yes (spellcaster) |
| Wand of the war mage, +3 | Wand | Yes (spellcaster) |
| Weapon, +3 | Weapon | No |
Legendary Items, Consumable
| Item | Type | Attune? |
|---|---|---|
| Potion of storm giant strength | Potion | No |
| Sovereign glue | Wondrous item | No |
| Universal solvent | Wondrous item | No |
Legendary Items, Permanent
| Item | Type | Attune? |
| Apparatus of Kwalish | Wondrous item | No |
| Armor of invulnerability | Armor | Yes |
| Armor, +3 | Armor | No |
| Belt of cloud giant strength | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Belt of storm giant strength | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Blood Fury Tattoo | Wondrous Item | Yes |
| Cloak of invisibility | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Crystal ball (legendary) | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Cubic gate | Wondrous item | No |
| Deck of many things | Wondrous item | No |
| Defender | Weapon | Yes |
| Efreeti chain | Armor | Yes |
| Hammer of thunderbolts | Weapon | Yes (Giant’s Bane) |
| Holy avenger | Weapon | Yes (paladin) |
| Horn of Valhalla (iron) | Wondrous item | No |
| Instrument of the bards (Ollamh harp) | Wondrous item | Yes (bard) |
| Ioun stone (greater absorption) | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Ioun stone (mastery) | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Ioun stone (regeneration) | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Iron flask | Wondrous item | No |
| Luck blade | Weapon | Yes |
| Plate armor of etherealness | Armor | Yes |
| Ring of air elemental command | Ring | Yes |
| Ring of djinni summoning | Ring | Yes |
| Ring of earth elemental command | Ring | Yes |
| Ring of fire elemental command | Ring | Yes |
| Ring of invisibility | Ring | Yes |
| Ring of spell turning | Ring | Yes |
| Ring of three wishes | Ring | No |
| Ring of water elemental command | Ring | Yes |
| Robe of the archmagi | Wondrous item | Yes (sorcerer, warlock, or wizard) |
| Rod of lordly might | Rod | Yes |
| Rod of resurrection | Rod | Yes (cleric, druid, or paladin) |
| Scarab of protection | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Sphere of annihilation | Wondrous item | No |
| Staff of the magi | Staff | Yes (sorcerer, warlock, or wizard) |
| Sword of answering | Weapon | Yes (creature of same alignment as sword) |
| Talisman of pure good | Wondrous item | Yes (creature of good alignment) |
| Talisman of the sphere | Wondrous item | Yes |
| Talisman of ultimate evil | Wondrous item | Yes (creature of evil alignment) |
| Tome of the stilled tongue | Wondrous item | Yes (wizard) |
| Vorpal sword | Weapon | Yes |
| Well of many worlds | Wondrous item | No |
EDIT: forgot to put in spoiler to make it easier to ignore. Oops!
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jmartkdr2
Hero
I allow buying and selling, but no "shops." You get a broker or go to an auction. It's like buying fine art - a process that only the wealthy are allowed to participate in.
But once you're rich enough to be a part of it (ie mid-level), there's no hard limit on what's available. Just how long it takes and how much it costs.
But once you're rich enough to be a part of it (ie mid-level), there's no hard limit on what's available. Just how long it takes and how much it costs.
CleverNickName
Limit Break Dancing
Since you clarified that you weren't talking about things like Potions of Healing, my vote is "Occasionally." There aren't any magic shops in towns, but there's usually a scribe and an alchemist. Every now and then, someone will roll into town claiming to sell magic swords or whatever, and...well, they aren't always cursed, or fakes.
DND_Reborn
The High Aldwin
I choose Rarely/ Never if you exclude the default potion of healing available in the PHB for 50 gp, but frankly I am even thinking of removing it or reducing it to just 1 hp. Then it will still stabilize a creature which is dying, but won't serve much greater purpose.
Otherwise, I want magic items to be (or at least feel) unique in my games. We dropped generic +X weapons a while ago, and even things like COPS and ROPS are dropping out of my game. I don't mind AC boosting items, or +X items which replace your ability or proficiency, instead of stacking on them. I've considered going that route, too.
I am more likely to award a magic item to a party by the local ruler, etc. instead of just having one "for sale". The rarely comes in maybe if it is something illegal that someone is pawning off on the PCs. Treasure in my games is sparse enough that you aren't going to be spending gold to buy magic items.
Otherwise, I want magic items to be (or at least feel) unique in my games. We dropped generic +X weapons a while ago, and even things like COPS and ROPS are dropping out of my game. I don't mind AC boosting items, or +X items which replace your ability or proficiency, instead of stacking on them. I've considered going that route, too.
I am more likely to award a magic item to a party by the local ruler, etc. instead of just having one "for sale". The rarely comes in maybe if it is something illegal that someone is pawning off on the PCs. Treasure in my games is sparse enough that you aren't going to be spending gold to buy magic items.
In the current campaign I'm running, there are probably a wide variety available in the three metropolises - and anything common or uncommon is probably findable as well as the more widely useful rares. Outside of the huge cities, there might be a common and maybe a random uncommon thing here or there.
