Character and their Money-Do You Impose Limits?

[National Acrobat]

I have 2 new characters joining my group at 12th level after 2 deaths in the party. 12th level characters get a nice sum to work with as far as purchasing their goods. My question is, do you limit what they can buy or do you let them blow all their cash on whatever they want? This is the first time in one of my campaigns that this has occured.

 

[alsih2o]

well, since the other p.c.'s were limited by you in what they attained (i assume) do the same for these folks.

make a list of some random stuff and some stuff specifically tailored to their characters and let them choose. OR

let them choose whatever they want, explaining beforehand that not all of it can be kept, then remove some of it and replace it with random stuff

 

[hong]

I would use the starting gp amounts in the DMG (if your campaign is relatively low- or high-magic, adjust as necessary), and include the following limits:

- any single item can be worth up to half the total starting cash

- no more than 12 magic items, including potions, scrolls and wands

- no custom items (only what's in the DMG and any other splatbooks you use, although swapping item slots around should be fine)

In addition, remember that as DM, you have the power to forbid anything you think is inappropriate for your campaign style, overly cheesy or just stupid.

 

[Munin]

This is how I do it, but I'm an evil gm!

Think about this: unless you hand-crafted each magic item for the rest of your party, they have had to use whatever you gave them, right? So why should these two newcomers get to pick and choose whatever they want? It doesn't sound fair to me.

I set a max gold piece limit and let them choose a *few* magic items appropriate for their level. The rest is generated randomly until they have items that are close in value to the rest of the group. They might get crap, they might get what they want, but that's the way it goes!

 

[Ravellion]

This is how I do it, but I'm an evil gm!

Think about this: unless you hand-crafted each magic item for the rest of your party, they have had to use whatever you gave them, right? So why should these two newcomers get to pick and choose whatever they want? It doesn't sound fair to me.

I set a max gold piece limit and let them choose a *few* magic items appropriate for their level. The rest is generated randomly until they have items that are close in value to the rest of the group. They might get crap, they might get what they want, but that's the way it goes!

This is an official "Me too TM" Post.

Rav

 

[Buttercup]

I would look at how many and what sort of magicl items, on average, the other characters were carrying. Then I would give the new characters that number of magic items. I would subtract their cost from the starting gold amount, and tell them to outfit themselves with mundane items of their choice with the remaining gold.

You are correct that it wouldn't be fair to just let them go shopping through the DMG.

 

[Kalendraf]

I generally allow players to spend their character level wealth to equip themselves. All items get a final pass by the DM but I've rarely had to say No to any item they've chosen. So far this has not presented any problems.

 

[National Acrobat]

After reading the responses, I allowed them each to buy one thing that they really wanted that wasn't unbalanced (the level of magic in the group, all 12th-13th level is good but not overwhelming) and then told them to buy minor things with the rest of it. I think that it will end up working out good.

 

[Garmorn]

This is how I do it, but I'm an evil gm!

Think about this: unless you hand-crafted each magic item for the rest of your party, they have had to use whatever you gave them, right? So why should these two newcomers get to pick and choose whatever they want? It doesn't sound fair to me.

I set a max gold piece limit and let them choose a *few* magic items appropriate for their level. The rest is generated randomly until they have items that are close in value to the rest of the group. They might get crap, they might get what they want, but that's the way it goes!

If you are controling what the party gets then I would agree. But what about parties that make most of their items. When I play a spell caster I tend to sell or other wise dispose of items in exchange for the things I need to make custom items for my party. Would it be fair to new people to limit them you a list of the DM's chosing? Or would it be fair to let them have any thing they wanted (assmuming DM's approval for fitness, rules, ect.) equal in value to the best stuff that the party has?

 

[Roland Delacroix]

Yep, one single item worth up to half the limit, remaining items up to 1/4 the limit. Core stuff only. Non-core spells and items are always placed by me, found, granted by the gods, etc. After review of course.

A player who comes in with every item they need would be far more powerfull than a character 1-2 levels higher with random stuff. My players might start killing themselves to get the loot they want