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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Al'Kelhar" data-source="post: 5714592" data-attributes="member: 7884">I tend to approach magic item allocation in the following way - without being rigid about it.1. What are the levels of magic items the DMG says I should be providing at this level (i.e. n+1 to n+4, where PC level = n)? I treat this as a general guide to the power of the magic items I should be handing out, and don't follow it slavishly.2. What are the "gaps" in each PC's "core requirement" (weapon/implement, armour, neck item)?  This will either be a rough guess at what "plus" of item they "should" have at their current level, or a comparison of the PCs reveals that one still has their amulet of protection +1 while the rest are on +2 and +3 neck items, for example. Gaps are often shown up during combat, of course!3. Am I filling one of the gaps identified in the previous step in this adventure or a later one?  This involves some planning of magic item placement, but it's not detailed - along the lines of "will I give out a +3 neck item this adventure or next"? I don't actually have to think about which +3 neck item, or where it might be found in the next adventure. These are issues I can work on next adventure.However, I will usually only try to fill 2 gaps per adventure.4. I've identified 2 gaps in the PCs' "core" magic item allotment, let's have a look through the Compendium for items that fill those gaps, of an appropriate level, and that are suitable for the adventure (e.g. where are they found, who owns them, are they taken from dead bad guys, given as rewards, etc). I may not always choose the "best" item for the PC concerned, but it will still fill the gap.5. I have 2 other magic item "slots" to fill. I typically reserve one slot for a magic item specifically linked to the adventure. Often I know what this is from the start. It may be useful to the PCs, but it may not be. The fourth magic item will not be particularly important to the adventure, but will usually be useful to the PCs and fill a non-core item slot (arms, hands, feet, etc.). Again, I have a look around the Compendium for nifty items of an appropriate level.6. Once I have my 4 magic items filling my "allotment", I will frequently add lower level items or consumables as part of the non-magic-item treasure  packages. These might be consumables that help the PCs overcome particular obstacles (e.g. potions of resistance to a particular type of damage that features prominently in the adventure), what I like to call "Easter eggs" (like minor magic items that boost skills or have daily powers that are nifty in particular circumstances but not all), or just generic low-plus items used by bad guys (that are really substitutes for cash).PCs in my campaign can't manufacture magic items other than common ones, and there are no magic shops. However, they do occasionally get the opportunity to trade, buy or sell magic items using connections they establish during the campaign.Cheers, Al'Kelhar</blockquote>

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