Character wealth

[Lopke_Quasath]

Simple wealth question that I need to have clarified.
On the character wealth by level chart on page 135 of the DMG (3.5), that is the total amount of wealth a character should have?
or that is the highest priced item they can have?

For example: A 5th level character has a wealth limit of 9000gp.

a) the total of his/her items cannot be higher than 9000gp. +1 long sword (2,315gp), +2 chain mail (4,300gp), Ring of Protection +1 (2,000gp), and the rest (385gp) for misc stuff.

b) the highest priced item is maxed at 9000gp. +2 slick chainmail (8000gp, rough), +2 longsword (8,315gp), Ring of the ram (8,600gp), etc, etc.

I'm pretty darn sure it's A, or else it could be overpowering. Just checking.

Cheers

 

[Shin Okada]

a)

But remember this is just a guideline and not a strict rule.

 

[Lopke_Quasath]

Much obliged Shin.

The first few levels in my campaign the characters had squat for equipment.
Which is what I wanted.
Now that their reputation has spread a little, some items are coming their way (for a favor or two).

Just didn't want to go overboard.

 

[Bront]

I believe the highest priced item is supposedly 50% of that, though it could be 40%, but yes, that is total wealth.

It is a guideline however. I've found that if you believe spellcasters are a bit unbalanced/stronger than non-spellcasters at higher levels, simply up the gear factor and the combat and skill monkeys tend to close the gap/surpass them.

 

[Lopke_Quasath]

Bront, where did you get "the highest priced item is supposedly 50% of that, though it could be 40%" from?

I don't recall reading that anywhere?

 

[Jack Simth]

It's the optional 40/20 rule for character creation at higher levels - that is, the PC can buy one item that is worth a maximum of 40% of character wealth, and all other items must be worth 20% total or less of total wealth.

 

[Jdvn1]

It's the optional 40/20 rule for character creation at higher levels - that is, the PC can buy one item that is worth a maximum of 40% of character wealth, and all other items must be worth 20% total or less of total wealth.

Yeah, but for some reason, some people seem to think it's RAW. Odd.

 

[Arbiter of Wyrms]

Confusing realism with RAW is a slippery slope. I don't know, nor have I ever even heard or, anyone whose entire worth could be accounted for in their one most valuable posession, but then, if D&D characters were expected to exhibit realism, the game would no longer be fun. (IMnsvHO)

 

[Goolpsy]

Yeah, but for some reason, some people seem to think it's RAW. Odd.

well, Character Wealth is a suggestion you COULD follow, as well as the 40/20 Rule is...
And as they are both suggested in the Core rule books (DMG) people are using these to answer the question.

 

[Jdvn1]

well, Character Wealth is a suggestion you COULD follow, as well as the 40/20 Rule is...
And as they are both suggested in the Core rule books (DMG) people are using these to answer the question.

Well, the entire DMG is a suggestion you could follow, but it's certainly not an optional sidebar like the 40/20 thing.