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<blockquote data-quote="eamon" data-source="post: 4711868" data-attributes="member: 51942">I prefer using a value rather than the straightjacket of exact item levels.&nbsp; Given the fact that one level represents (on average) a 5^(1/5) price increase, and that you effectively get level-1, level,level,level+1 in items, new character wealth should be about 4.1 times the value of a level-equivalent item.&nbsp; Existing characters should have significantly more than this to compensate for a less flexible item choice, and to prevent making character death too attractive.So, just use the PHB table on p.223, multiply by 4.1, and that's a fine (and more flexible) version of starting gold.It's what I'd use, if it came up.Similar rules are also useful as a DM; if you're giving out loot, you can calculate the overall value, and then not keep precisely to the DMG item levels (making the annoying task of item choosing a little more flexible).&nbsp; Some shortcuts:Two items of level N are about equivalent to a level N+2 item.&nbsp; An item of level N and one of N+3 is about one of N+4.In general, subtle errors in estimates have virtually no impact; you need a full factor 5 increase in wealth for just a +1 bonus; so don't be afraid to diverge a little from the guidelines; just make sure existing chars have significantly more than 4 times an item of their level in wealth if you do.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="eamon, post: 4711868, member: 51942"] I prefer using a value rather than the straightjacket of exact item levels. Given the fact that one level represents (on average) a 5^(1/5) price increase, and that you effectively get level-1, level,level,level+1 in items, new character wealth should be about 4.1 times the value of a level-equivalent item. Existing characters should have significantly more than this to compensate for a less flexible item choice, and to prevent making character death too attractive. So, just use the PHB table on p.223, multiply by 4.1, and that's a fine (and more flexible) version of starting gold. It's what I'd use, if it came up. Similar rules are also useful as a DM; if you're giving out loot, you can calculate the overall value, and then not keep precisely to the DMG item levels (making the annoying task of item choosing a little more flexible). Some shortcuts: Two items of level N are about equivalent to a level N+2 item. An item of level N and one of N+3 is about one of N+4. In general, subtle errors in estimates have virtually no impact; you need a full factor 5 increase in wealth for just a +1 bonus; so don't be afraid to diverge a little from the guidelines; just make sure existing chars have significantly more than 4 times an item of their level in wealth if you do. [/QUOTE]

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