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Fashionable and Practical
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<blockquote data-quote="Joshua Randall" data-source="post: 7272111" data-attributes="member: 7737"><p>I think there are two different issues here.</p><p></p><p>(1) The item itself is described in a way that doesn't fit your (character's) fashion choices.</p><p></p><p>The easiest solution, to me, is simply to change the description to be fashionable (in your opinion, obviously). Change the fluff but keep the mechanics the same. Some people are totally comfortable doing this, and some aren't.</p><p></p><p>If you're not comfortable changing the fluff, well... that's rough. But I suppose having your character refuse to equip a magic item for fashion reasons is no different than any other role-playing choice that has an adverse game mechanical effect. You do it because you enjoy the role-playing more than the game mechanical benefit, which is totally legit. Feel good about it!</p><p></p><p>Maybe work with your DM to locate a fashionable magic item that does what you want? There are zillions of items across D&D, so something may be out there; or you could get a custom item.</p><p></p><p>(2) The 'Christmas tree effect' in which characters pile on magic items unto ridiculousness.</p><p></p><p>This is an old problem. There's really no elegant solution.</p><p></p><p>The 'slots' system of late 3e and into 4e at least means the Christmas tree can only hold a limited number of ornaments.</p><p></p><p>(However, 4e's propensity to create "slot-less" items like Scabbards essentially broke the system. I recommend a house rule that "slot-less" items are not allowed, period. You have the 4e slots defined in the PH, and *that's all you get, ever*.)</p><p></p><p>I have experimented with setting very small limits (3 items at Heroic tier, 5 at Paragon, 7 at Epic -- not counting armor / weapon / neck slots) so that the players really had to choose their items with care. This is, again, just limiting the number of ornaments on the tree and ensuring that the ornaments chosen will be the most shiny and sparkly available... which I guess at least makes the tree pleasing to look at?</p><p></p><p>13th Age has a slot system *and* a maximum number of magic items you can equip before bad stuff happens. This also limits the number of ornaments on the tree.</p><p></p><p>You can of course completely do away with magic items, which solves the Christmas tree problem, but I feel it's like throwing out the baby with the bath water. Magic items are part of D&D and a lot of fun for (some) players.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Joshua Randall, post: 7272111, member: 7737"] I think there are two different issues here. (1) The item itself is described in a way that doesn't fit your (character's) fashion choices. The easiest solution, to me, is simply to change the description to be fashionable (in your opinion, obviously). Change the fluff but keep the mechanics the same. Some people are totally comfortable doing this, and some aren't. If you're not comfortable changing the fluff, well... that's rough. But I suppose having your character refuse to equip a magic item for fashion reasons is no different than any other role-playing choice that has an adverse game mechanical effect. You do it because you enjoy the role-playing more than the game mechanical benefit, which is totally legit. Feel good about it! Maybe work with your DM to locate a fashionable magic item that does what you want? There are zillions of items across D&D, so something may be out there; or you could get a custom item. (2) The 'Christmas tree effect' in which characters pile on magic items unto ridiculousness. This is an old problem. There's really no elegant solution. The 'slots' system of late 3e and into 4e at least means the Christmas tree can only hold a limited number of ornaments. (However, 4e's propensity to create "slot-less" items like Scabbards essentially broke the system. I recommend a house rule that "slot-less" items are not allowed, period. You have the 4e slots defined in the PH, and *that's all you get, ever*.) I have experimented with setting very small limits (3 items at Heroic tier, 5 at Paragon, 7 at Epic -- not counting armor / weapon / neck slots) so that the players really had to choose their items with care. This is, again, just limiting the number of ornaments on the tree and ensuring that the ornaments chosen will be the most shiny and sparkly available... which I guess at least makes the tree pleasing to look at? 13th Age has a slot system *and* a maximum number of magic items you can equip before bad stuff happens. This also limits the number of ornaments on the tree. You can of course completely do away with magic items, which solves the Christmas tree problem, but I feel it's like throwing out the baby with the bath water. Magic items are part of D&D and a lot of fun for (some) players. [/QUOTE]
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