Deck of Many Things Question

[Dimwhit]

So we were chatting about the DoMT the other day and a question came up. Say you pull the card that gets you 50,000 xp. OK, fine. Except that the DM's guide says you can't gain more than one level at any one time (you go 1 xp shy of the next level in that case, I think). So what gives here? Unless you are well into Epic level (and yes, I do realize this is an artifact), you are guaranted at least a two-level bump, if not three or four (or a whole lot more if some lucky/unlucky 1st-level sap happens across one ).

Would you give the player multiple levels? Or would the one level only rule kick in and they would not, in fact, get all 50k?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Hrm. Good question.

I'd say that artifacts trump the normal rules in just about every other instance I can think of; why not this one?

 

[Laman Stahros]

That amount is a holdover from 2e. I would use the 1 level only rule that you stated and that would be that. That magic item, like alot of the minor artifacts, really, really needs to be reworked for 3e.

 

[Mouseferatu]

That amount is a holdover from 2e. I would use the 1 level only rule that you stated and that would be that. That magic item, like alot of the minor artifacts, really, really needs to be reworked for 3e.

Precisely. The amounts didn't change when the DoMT hopped over into 3E. I was frankly astounded to see that it didn't change for 3.5, since (IIRC) the WotC folks have said as much that it should have.

I'd either say it just gives you a level, or maybe you can just knock a 0 off the number.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

That amount is a holdover from 2e.

Really?

I seem to remember the numbers being larger than that in 2E (for some reason, 150,000 XP springs to mind), but I could be misremembering things. I'll check when I get home tonight.

 

[Aeric]

I've also seen it done where the person got the XP, but was only allowed to level once per session. Lame, I know, but it kept him from jumping immediately ahead of everyone else.

I see no problem with someone gaining a couple of levels due to a lucky draw from the Deck, especially since the risks are just as high. It is an artifact, after all, and the inclusion of one in your campaign comes with the understanding that it can and will drastically change your game.

Still, if you just like the concept of the DoMT and want to use one without breaking your campaign, simply make up a toned-down version of it.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

That amount is a holdover from 2e. I would use the 1 level only rule that you stated and that would be that. That magic item, like alot of the minor artifacts, really, really needs to be reworked for 3e.

Considering that several of the negative effects are "lose all levels forever." I don't consider gaining multiple levels to be out-of-line with the artifact as written. It's an insane item that can either destroy your PC forever, or bump him several levels.

As a DM, I don't think I'd ever be willing to throw one into the game. But if I did, the 50,000xp could be used for multiple level gains at once.

 

[Laman Stahros]

Considering that several of the negative effects are "lose all levels forever." I don't consider gaining multiple levels to be out-of-line with the artifact as written. It's an insane item that can either destroy your PC forever, or bump him several levels.

As a DM, I don't think I'd ever be willing to throw one into the game. But if I did, the 50,000xp could be used for multiple level gains at once.

I'm sorry, but, none of the effects are "lose all levels forever". The closest to that is the Skull - defeat a dread wraith or be destroyed forever -, Donjon causes imprisonment and the Void traps the soul, but thats it. I agree that it, as you put it, is an insane item - in 3E. In 2e, it was not quite as insane because it balanced (as much anything in 2e did). 10,000 xp in 2e was normally only part of a level while 50,000 was almost always a level gain. In 3e, that is completely different.

By the way, if someone out there has a 2e DMG handy, let me know if I'm wrong about those values not changing.

 

[MichaelH]

By the way, if someone out there has a 2e DMG handy, let me know if I'm wrong about those values not changing.

I looked at the 2e DMG and the 3.5 DMG. Both Sun cards grant a magical item and 50,000 experience points. In fact, except for a few minor differences, the Deck has not changed at all.

 

[Dimwhit]

I looked at the 2e DMG and the 3.5 DMG. Both Sun cards grant a magical item and 50,000 experience points. In fact, except for a few minor differences, the Deck has not changed at all.

But that's what confuses me. They did make some minor changes. So why not change the 50,000 xp part of it? If they hadn't changed a thing, then I would say it was a holdover and the amount should be changed. But since there are changes, I'm all the more confused.

But thanks all for the answers. I'm kind of leaning toward "it's an insane artifact so it should trump the rules."

I was also thinking that the deck is designed for super-powerful characters, but gaining a 4th level fighter cohort is hardly a big deal.