Help me buy magic items

[Mercurius]

I'm fine-tuning a 5th level deva avenger with magic items according to the DMG rules for creating characters of higher level (I think it is around page 141ish). The rule is that a 5th level character has 4th, 5th, and 6th level magic items with a 4th-level equivalent value in gold. We're being flexible, so I was using the total GP value and just buying items from there, which is 4,480 (and significantly less than the PCs I'm joining, who started at 1st level).

My original choices were:
*Cloth Armor +2 (1,800)
*Vicious Fullblade +1 (520)
*Cape of the Mountebank +1 (1,000)
*Bridle of Conjuration (840)

With some gold to spare (320) for various odds and ends. Then I discovered the Iron Armbands of Power and couldn't resist, but in order to fit that in I had to sacrifice elsewhere, so I came up with this configuration:

*Vicious Fullblade +1 (520)
*Bridle of Conjuration (840)
*Cloth Armor +1 (360)
*Amulet of Protection +1 (360)
*Iron Armbands of Power (1,800)

That leaves me with 600 GP to spare, of which I need about 50 GP for odds and ends (Adventurer's Kit, etc). I was thinking of a couple healing potions and another level 1 magic item.

I am not absolutely attached to the Bridle, but it is fun to be able to summon a horse. The main difference between the two configurations is that to get the +2 damage that the Armbands provide, I lose +1 to my AC and the ability to teleport once per day from the Cape. The latter I don't mind so much, although the loss to AC is unfortunate. Is it worth it? +2 damage on every attack is pretty darn nice, so I think so. But is there any way to make up for the loss in AC? Any other items I don't know about that provide a bonus to AC?

I'm open to other suggestions as well. If we take the Vicious Fullblade +1 and the Iron Armbands of Power as the only "must haves," that gives me 2,160 GP to play with. What would you buy?

 

[Turtlejay]

Mundane items are no cost, if i remember correctly. Honestly I'd ditch the bridle unless you are planning on using it in combat, 840 gp is a lot to spend for some RP time with a horse.

Not really digging your method here, I'd stick to raw. Your 6th level is a +2 basically flavorless item, perfect to boost AC or FRW depending on what you think needs the most work. The only 5th level neck item is the Cape of the Mountebank, so if you want it, take it and bet a 4th level sword. Otherwise I'd browse swords and see what strikes your fancy at that level. If you are stuck on vicious, then don't use up a slot to get it, use your gp since it is only a 2nd level item.

You're overthinking things a bit. The three granted items set you up to not suck (AC, FRW, To-hit) and the remaining gold helps round you out.

Jay

 

[Mercurius]

I'm not sure why you don't like my method, but it gives greater flexibility, especially considering I get much more bang for my buck buying +1 items than +2. For example, cloth armor +1 and an amulet of protection +1 cost 720 GP, whereas either as +2 costs 1,800 GP.

But after a bit more thought I'm going to stick with the three item slots (4-6 level) and buy extra items with gold. This is what I'm going with, unless someone can convince me otherwise:

*Iron Armbands of Power (6th)
*Cape of the Mountebank (5th)
*Bridal of Conjuration (4th)
*Vicious Fullblade +1 (520 gold)
*Cloth Armor +1 (360 gold)

I overspent just a tad (40 gp) but the DM will be accommodating, I'm sure. I just figure getting the the Armbands with Cloth Armor +1 is better than getting Cloth Armor +2 and some other 1st level magic item.

Re: the Bridal, I know it isn't the most optimizing of items but I like it for flavor and it fits the character concept.

 

[Turtlejay]

I like your items. Good choices. 40 gp isn't even enough for a healing potion, and it sounds like your DM is pretty cool. The bridle is good if you have what all else you need, which you do. I always like to preserve at least a little gold to buy a distinct item, so good on you there...

I think I sounded a little dickish in my earlier post. Sorry about that.

Jay

 

[Mercurius]

Not too dickish, just a tad ;-). But no problem, your feedback was helpful.

My DM is, well, me. Sorta. I co-DM with another guy in a homebrew of my creation; he's just starting so I made up a character. We're going to alternate DMing adventures. But in matters of rules policy we tend to discuss everything, although when he is DMing he is the DM and I am a player. It is a nice system because he can rely upon my character to know things about the world. Not quite on the level of a Gandalf, but sort of like an Aragorn.