DMing and destroying your PC's items

[zhentil]

Now I am wondering how many DM's worry about items/ simple magic items like cloaks of resistance when you fireball your PC's. In the Second Darkness module there are quite a bit of Drow Arcane casters with fireballs and well my PC's have gotten hit by a few. If I kept track I am pretty certain a few of their cloaks and or bags of holding would be gone. Just wanted to see if anyone else keeps track of things like that.

 

[Crothian]

What do the rules say? I know in older versions of D&D there were always specific rules on how and when items could be destroyed. I haven't looked it up in Pathfinder though.

 

[zhentil]

I know what the rules say and all that, just wondering if any other DM's out there keep track of that type of thing and if anyone who is a PC mostly what are your feelings on the subject.

 

[billd91]

I keep track when I remember to do so. I don't mind destroying PC gear.

 

[Crothian]

I know what the rules say and all that, just wondering if any other DM's out there keep track of that type of thing and if anyone who is a PC mostly what are your feelings on the subject.

What do they say? I don't have my books here. We have no problem destroying equipment but depending on if the rules make it too easy or too hard can determine how often we do it. Our campaign is still in the low to mid levels so it just hasn't happened yet.

 

[frankthedm]

Here is the relevant text.

Items Surviving after a Saving Throw: Unless the descriptive text for the spell specifies otherwise, all items carried or worn by a creature are assumed to survive a magical attack. If a creature rolls a natural 1 on its saving throw against the effect, however, an exposed item is harmed (if the attack can harm objects). Refer to Table: Items Affected by Magical Attacks: Items Affected by Magical Attacks. Determine which four objects carried or worn by the creature are most likely to be affected and roll randomly among them. The randomly determined item must make a saving throw against the attack form and take whatever damage the attack dealt.

If the selected item is not carried or worn and is not magical, it does not get a saving throw. It simply is dealt the appropriate damage.
1st Shield
2nd Armor
3rd Magic helmet, hat, or headband
4th Item in hand (including weapon, wand, or the like)
5th Magic cloak
6th Stowed or sheathed weapon
7th Magic bracers
8th Magic clothing
9th Magic jewelry (including rings)
10th Anything else

 

[Thazar]

We use the rule and it works well.

We do have one house rule however. If you fail a save and your magic items may get toasted we allow every player to select one item that is "safe" from risk. This does not mean a targeted attack such as Sunder, Disarm, or Steal is not allowed to target the safe item... just random destruction from a failed fireball save or whatever.

 

[pawsplay]

I always used the rule as written.