do you agree with purchasing magic items?

[Tonguez]

IMC I have Apothecures who sell potions (which are mundane but have the same effect as magical ones eg a potion which causes an adrenaline rush that improves strength). The occasional cleric and/or shaman might have a talisman-fetish (equivalent to a scroll) and a variety of 'minor invocations' (orisons/cantrips) are common knowledge usable by anyone (Knowledge:Religion or Spellcraft checks DC 25).

After that Medium power items (eg +1 weapons) can be sort (PCs visit a known Crafter and make the request (diplomacy et al) and the Crafter may give them a task to complete (eg "In addition to my payment of 3 pigs and 7 fine mats, the item will require three feathers from a Arrowhawks wing - fetch them and you shall have your item")

Anything else must be found and usually have a Status restriction* on them (due to most such items being holy relics imc)

(*I use a status sytem imc where PCs cna lose of gain Social Status in addition to normal leveling)

 

[Celtavian]

Re

We normally play Forgotten Realms as well. You can buy any magic item up to the Gold piece and total asset limit of a particular place. Forgotten Realms is high magic, and the creation of magic items strongly fuels the economy of many major cities and regions. Even when you read the Volo's guide to Cormyr, there are several high level wizards in Cormyr who make magic items.

I feel it is especially important to allow players to buy magic items such as healing and buffing wands, battle wands, and all kinds of protective items and items commonly used adventuring like magical carrying items. These are easily acquired, fairly common items in the Forgotten Realms world. For example, it is fairly easy to buy a want of cure wounds (any type), wand of protection from elements, wand of magic missile, lightning bolt, etc., rings of protection, cloaks of resisance or Heward's Handy Haversack or Portable Holes.

Now, if someone wants to buy more potent magic items, then they have to commision them to be made or make the item themselves. It is not hard to find someone to make the item, but it does take time.

To answer your question, in the Forgotten Realms, I feel magic should be fairly easy to come buy. Other worlds, it just depends on the flavor of the world.

 

[Psion]

I figure that if there are willing buyers and willing sellers, there is no logical reason to restrict it. Wizards need cash to support their research, spell components, etc., so there is no reason that such a character wouldn't sell a magic item.

That said, I treat magic items pretty much like luxury / collector items that are only reluctantly parted with. Purveyors typically don't have items more than 1000 gp available for immediate sale. Characters looking for more expensive items than that must seek out a "broker" that arranges a trade between interested buyers and sellers, taking a percentage, of course. As a result, I usually knock trade in value down and purchase value up.

The brokers have access to a limited list of magic items. I keep a file with the latest items available, and swap out items every time the players visit using Jamis Buck's Treasure Generator.

If you want something specific, you usually have to commission an artificer, and this comes with the attendant time. One player in the party has hung on to a +2 intelligent outsider-bane sword she has until 17th level simply because she doesn't want to part with it for long enough to get it enchanted.

If you don't like the idea of gold for magic items (especially really expensive ones, which makes sense since gp are like pennies at high levels...), try doing direct barter instead. I assume that the city limits are the actual gp limits, beyond that, you can only trade magic for magic.

 

[teitan]

No I don't agree and for some reason my players think they can just whip out there DMGs and start purchasing magic items. I have a player who is already plotting to have magic items made for him etc. Gah... this is the ony major issue with 3E that I have found thus far. Any tips on getting them to understand that is not how it works? LOL

Jason

 

[Fenes 2]

IMC, only minor, very minor magic items may be purchased, and then only regularly from the Red Wizards of Thay. Potions and scrolls are commonly available from wizards and temples, but not in bulk, and not all types.
Comissioning is possible, but not for money - my high-level casters will demand not only that the needed components must be gathered, but a service or two as well - and I take the right to veto special items, or add some quirks.

 

[Numion]

I allow PCs to purchase items pretty freely. In 3e it wouldn't be fair to make a +4 sword very rare item, considering that the party cleric can easily make such a sword for the day with greater magic weapon spell.

In fact, clerics are mostly independent when it comes to magic items. Their hour / level spells allow them to enchant their armors and weapons quite easily with no moneytary investment. Various ability boosting spells eliminate the need for Belts of Giant strength or Gloves of Dex.