Has Anyone Tried a No Cash Game

[darthkilmor]

The only way I can see this working is if you were running a campaign where the PCs were part of some organization which provided them with all their equipment. Kind of a James Bond campaign where all the adventures are "quest"-oriented. In that context, where there's an actual in-character explanation, it might work (and it'd certainly ensure that the PCs don't role-play greedy treasure-hunters).

In a campaign I'm in we do basically this, we're more or less on hire and "the company" provides us with gear appropriate for our level. We "re-sync" every few levels so we dont get too ahead/behind. it works out ok in that you're not like "omg pick up all the short swords we can sell them for mad $$!" and in that it handwaves the shopping experience.
"I want a +1 longsword."
"ok, thats 2000(whatever it is) of your 6000gp."

Using this system makes item creation much handier, in that you know you've only got X amount of gp, so make it work for you as much as you can.

 

[Crothian]

So like when the heroic paladin loots the bodies of those he has slain. Or when the illiterate barbarian keeps inventory of each item looted and what it is worth. Or basically, all the time when playing D&D. If I'm okay with five-foot shifts and clerics of death gods that cast heal, I should be okay with not modeling this aspect of the game.

Ya, basically if you and your players throw out certain levels of realisim and don't care about in game explanitions of out of game rules, then I imagine they won't notice this. Of course, I also imagine that playing with money would not be a problem for that group either.

If people are playing like this then the DM needs to step in and say something if it is bothersome to him

Yeah, that's another option. I was trying to avoid it because there is much more material available for regular D&D, and because regular D&D has many more caster classes. But it is an option. Thanks.

You'd be amazed how easily IH will work with other d20 books. The DM will need to doi some convertying and use his brain, but in changing the genre like you want that should be expected.

 

[Crothian]

It can be argued that D&D Fantasy is Super-Hero Fantasy. D&D characters get their super-powers via magic items (and sometimes class abilities and spells).

Right....and the one big difference between the two, needing to loot gather maoney and get the magical items, is the focus of this thread.

 

[LostSoul]

Right....and the one big difference between the two, needing to loot gather maoney and get the magical items, is the focus of this thread.

Right. So if you change that, there's no need to redefine the genre, is there?

 

[Crothian]

Right. So if you change that, there's no need to redefine the genre, is there?

Changeing that redfefines the genre. Looting, getting money, gaining better magical items are all a core part of the D&D genre.

 

[maggot]

Ya, basically if you and your players throw out certain levels of realisim and don't care about in game explanitions of out of game rules, then I imagine they won't notice this.

Isn't throwing out levels of realism what the game is all about? Hit points, five-foot shifts, iterative attacks, etc. They are all grossly unrealistic, but allow the game to progress. So what is the difference between those abstractions and the proposed monetary one?

 

[Crothian]

Isn't throwing out levels of realism what the game is all about? Hit points, five-foot shifts, iterative attacks, etc. They are all grossly unrealistic, but allow the game to progress. So what is the difference between those abstractions and the proposed monetary one?

When people play games there are certain amounts of stuff they are willing to accfept. THe differnece here is the first bit are all in the book, they have been playtested, they have worked for countless people for 5 years. Your suggestions are not tested, are not designed to work with everything else and possible not even thought through. It may be the straw the breaks the camel's back.

But if you really find all that "grossly unrealistic" and still play that realism is not a concern for you. So, don't worry about it.

 

[LostSoul]

Changeing that redfefines the genre. Looting, getting money, gaining better magical items are all a core part of the D&D genre.

And if that is what you change about the genre, you're done, right? I don't see what else you'd have to change about the genre if you've already changed all that you needed to.

 

[Crothian]

And if that is what you change about the genre, you're done, right? I don't see what else you'd have to change about the genre if you've already changed all that you needed to.

It will depend solely on the players and DM. It could casue a domino effect or not.

 

[maggot]

Changeing that redfefines the genre. Looting, getting money, gaining better magical items are all a core part of the D&D genre.

Ah ha! This is where we disagree. Fighting bad guys with spell and sword, that is the core part of the D&D genre to me. The looting and getting money are not.

Thanks for the insight.