D&D General DMing Theory #1: The Single Gauntlet

[tombowings]

Question: In your game, a character discovers a Gauntlet of Ogre Power. Not Gauntlets, Gauntlet. One Singular. Let's say it fits the right hand. How do you rule? What is the effect?

 

[Johngernaut]

Is the character right handed or left handed?

 

[Benjamin Olson]

Either it works exactly like the pair, except it sets strength to 17 instead of 19 (or some comparable lesser effect based on relevant edition), or it is a special double one for a one-handed character, that works like the pair. Or else it doesn't work and there is a quest to find its mate.

Critically, since this isn't something on random loot tables or written into modules if players get it it's 100% because I put it there, so I will have had a plan for what it should do.

 

[tombowings]

Critically, since this isn't something on random loot tables or written into modules if players get it it's 100% because I put it there, so I will have had a plan for what it should do.

It could also come about by two characters decided to share. "I'll take the right, you take the left."

 

[tombowings]

Is the character right handed or left handed?

Let's say, right-handed.

 

[not-so-newguy]

In a typical high magic D&D game, I'd rule Gauntlets are worn together or they don't work. Same with boots and bracers. In a low magic game, where magic items are rare and unique, I'd allow mitigated effects if you split them.

 

[GMMichael]

Question: In your game, a character discovers a Gauntlet of Ogre Power. Not Gauntlets, Gauntlet. One Singular. Let's say it fits the right hand. How do you rule? What is the effect?

It works as normal for anything that can be done one-handed. Otherwise: mishap table.

 

[Charlaquin]

Question: In your game, a character discovers a Gauntlet of Ogre Power. Not Gauntlets, Gauntlet. One Singular. Let's say it fits the right hand. How do you rule? What is the effect?

This is a very strange premise, since if it’s my game, I must have either intentionally placed only one Gauntlet of Ogre Power somewhere in the adventure for the players to find, or designed a random magic item table on which “just one Gauntlet of Ogre Power” is a possible result.

I think the only way to determine how I would rule on such a matter is to reverse-engineer why I’ve made such a strange design choice, and by extension, what my design goal behind it must have been. Then the answer should be obvious, as it’s whatever would best serve that design goal.

One reason I might have included a solitary Gauntlet of Ogre Power is as an adventure hook. “You only have the one, and its match is said to be in [adventure location], should you dare to seek it.” In which case, I think my ruling should definitely be that it doesn’t work, because it’s a more effective motivator if it’s useless on its own.

Another reason I could see myself including such a thing in the game is as a gag item. Like on a custom trinket table, or being sold by some comic relief character in his pawn shop full of funny, useless items. In which case, obviously my ruling should still be that it doesn’t work, because it actually being useful would ruin the bit.

 

[greymist]

Charlaquin’s response reflects my thoughts exactly.

 

[Lanefan]

This is a very strange premise, since if it’s my game, I must have either intentionally placed only one Gauntlet of Ogre Power somewhere in the adventure for the players to find, or designed a random magic item table on which “just one Gauntlet of Ogre Power” is a possible result.

Or, as has already been suggested, the PCs find a pair and intentionally split them up between two characters hoping to spread the benefits around.

In our games we have precedent for this: someone had a pair and either lost one of them or had it destroyed. Ruling was that the other one kept functioning, meaning the wearer's arms were of vastly unequal strength; which only helped a little when it came to things like carrying capacity and various other strength-related tasks. Fortunately, the surviving gauntlet matched the wearer's dominant (i.e. weapon) hand meaning she still got the to-hit and damage benefits when swinging a one-handed weapon.

And if she punched you with that hand it hurt. A lot.