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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hussar" data-source="post: 9239226" data-attributes="member: 22779">Ok. Here’s an example of where DnD went from transparent to opaque. Start with the 3e wealth by level assumptions. That was very clear. A character of level X was presumed to have Y wealth in gear. Everything in the game was then based on those presumptions. Magic item values were based on how much power they grant to the pc. Not that the system was perfect. Far from it. But it was completely transparent. Then comes 4e which takes this a step further by not only presuming wealth by level but then also plunking magic items into the phb equipment lists and then advising players and DMs to use wish lists. Equipment as a character building tool same as proficiencies or feats. And people strongly reacted to that. So now we have 5e’s magic items. Not assumed in anything. Meant as power ups. But the rarity system is never actually explained. What level should a character start seeing “very rare” items? Who knows? Figure it out yourself. Never minding that rarity does not equal utility. After all a potion of supreme healing is equivalent to a 25 Strength Belt of Giant Strength. Because that makes total sense. <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/erm.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":erm:" title="Erm    :erm:" data-shortname=":erm:" />Does anyone think that it helps game play to make the magic item system totally opaque?</blockquote>