Confusion in Monk's Belt

[Slaved]

Most games I play in are good, or at least mostly good, aligned.

This means that if the party does come up against a group that they must fight, which likely means evil, then that party will have items that go along with that.

While that can mean evil aligned items and the like it also means booby trap items and such. Just in case a fellow party member gets the wrong idea and tries to steal some of their stuff or kills them for their items.

I actually had a couple of player characters nearly die from a couple of those traps. Afterwards they were a whole lot more careful but if a third or more of the wealth of the nonplayer character was in random bits protecting themselves from other party members there is a much smaller infusion of money into the player characters pools.

It is all a matter of balance, but that balance is not easy. Still game realism and balance can both be maintained!

 

[UltimaGabe]

Need I point out that a Sorcerer/Wizard loses absolutely nothing by equipping a Monk's belt, and easily gains several points of AC?

 

[Nail]

While that can mean evil aligned items and the like it also means booby trap items and such.

I'm not sure how "realistic" that is. Cursed or trapped items cost money for the magic, just like everything else. And the trap is for...what?...."In case the PCs kill me, they can't use my stuff?"

Sure, some evil NPCs might think that way....but all of them? And they'd put lots of money into such a purpose?

"It's true my AC, hp, ability scores, and buff items are all much less than I could afford...but when I'm dead, that's when I'll really stick it to 'em!"

 

[Nail]

Need I point out that a Sorcerer/Wizard loses absolutely nothing by equipping a Monk's belt, and easily gains several points of AC?

In our high level game, the druid equiped with a Monk's belt.

Heck, the Druid is the best case for a Monk's Belt! (All pre-wildshape errata, of course; now the druid would have to drop the belt, wildshape, magically enlarge the belt, then equip the belt again.)

 

[PallidPatience]

The traps are for fellow party members who may try to steal from them while they're alive.

And Sorcerers and Wizards don't really usually have game-breakingly high Wisdom scores, so I don't see it as so bad that a Sorc or Wiz could give up 13k gp just for a handful of points to AC.

 

[Nail]

The traps are for fellow party members who may try to steal from them while they're alive.

Describe such a trap, then (if a magic item, and not a spell) assign it a market price.

Most evil NPCs spend their resources on such a thing?

 

[hong]

In our high level game, the druid equiped with a Monk's belt.

Heck, the Druid is the best case for a Monk's Belt! (All pre-wildshape errata, of course; now the druid would have to drop the belt, wildshape, magically enlarge the belt, then equip the belt again.)

I'm just wondering if their pants fall down in between dropping the belt and wildshaping. Hmm. Trouserless Vadania.

 

[Slaved]

Most evil NPCs spend their resources on such a thing?

It is the Evil Overlord Syndrome.

Do you trust your allies? If not then most people will take steps to keep from being betrayed by them in some way.

If it is known that doing something bad to a person then people are less likely to do something bad to them. If you know that messing with a guys stuff could get you seriously hurt or killed then you are much less likely to mess with it.

I assume that people who are untrustworthy often see other people as being untrustworthy and so take steps to mitigate that danger.

While not every one will do it I could easily see a good majority doing so in some way. The evil boss of a keep has ways of keeping his followers in line. In a party the dynamic could shift and a number of methods are not available so with limited options traps of some sort are about the best way.

Need I point out that a Sorcerer/Wizard loses absolutely nothing by equipping a Monk's belt, and easily gains several points of AC?

Well, they do not get to use things like mithril twilight chain shirts or the buckler which has 0% arcane spell failure. Also they cannot go above a certain weight limit and sorcerers and wizards probably have a low strength score so they hit that ceiling fast.

Plus they have to have a decent wisdom. How many in that set are likely to have a wisdom of more than 12 or so? If you spend more money on items to boost your wisdom then you are probably using up more slots and definately using up even more money. 36kgp+13kgp for +4 or +5 to your armor class with restrictions might not be the best move.

 

[Nail]

I'm just wondering if their pants fall down in between dropping the belt and wildshaping. Hmm. Trouserless Vadania.

Sign me up.

 

[Nail]

While not every one will do it ....

Describe the Trapped Magic Items you've used.