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How much power do magic items give?
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<blockquote data-quote="Xeviat" data-source="post: 7613846" data-attributes="member: 57494"><p>5E very famously does not have expected magic item allocation built into their encounter design math. Yet, the CR calculator values "resistant to nonmagical weapons" differently based on level, the DMG random item tables give out a fair amount of magic items, and the organized play rules and magic item allocation gives out a fair amount of magic items.</p><p></p><p>But let's assume the game designers mean what they say and that magic items aren't necessary. Even if they aren't, magic items are going to make your characters more powerful. But, how much more powerful will they be?</p><p></p><p>I think I've stumbled upon an interesting answer in the DMG's CR calculator. A creature's CR is largely based on their HP and their average damage per round. These are calculated separately, Defensive CR and Offensive CR, and averaged. But those CRs are modified by the attack bonus and AC of the monster; if it is 2 more than the expected amount, the effective CR is 1 higher.</p><p></p><p>This means giving a creature a flat +2 AC and +2 to Attack would increase it's CR by 1. Each plus could then be seen as +1/4th to CR.</p><p></p><p>A party of 4 facing off against a single enemy tracks reasonably against Party Level = Monster CR (with a few jumps at the tiers, based on the Encounter design rules in the DMG and Xanathar's).</p><p></p><p>A +1 weapon is a Uncommon, Major item. A +2 weapon or a +1 armor is a Rare, Major item. A +3 weapon or a +2 armor is a Very Rare, Major item. A +3 armor is a Major, Legendary item (let's pretend a theoretical +4 weapon would be Legendary).</p><p></p><p>Thus, a really simple way to adjust player level from their magic items would be to score the player's major items (half value for minor items), and adjust their effective level by 1 for every 4 item points they have.</p><p></p><p>Major Items</p><p>Uncommon - 1 pt</p><p>Rare - 2 pts</p><p>Very Rare - 3 pts</p><p>Legendary - 4 pts</p><p></p><p>Xanathar's magic item system, and analysis done here on EN world (<a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?395770-Analysis-of-quot-Typical-quot-Magic-Item-Distribution" target="_blank">http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?395770-Analysis-of-quot-Typical-quot-Magic-Item-Distribution</a>) nets a fully decked out character the following magic items (I'm leaving the minor items out, as they're either consumables or don't really directly impact most combat):</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #333333">2 or 3 uncommon permanent items - 2 to 3 pts</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333">1 or 2 rare permanent items - 2 to 4 pts</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333">1 very rare permanent item - 3 pts</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333">1 legendary permanent item - 4 pts</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333">So, I'm suggesting that a fully decked out 20th level character can handle challenges as if they were a level 23rd character.</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333">This is really just to give DMs an idea on a starting point of how to challenge their players.</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333">I'd be interested to hear what you think.</span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Xeviat, post: 7613846, member: 57494"] 5E very famously does not have expected magic item allocation built into their encounter design math. Yet, the CR calculator values "resistant to nonmagical weapons" differently based on level, the DMG random item tables give out a fair amount of magic items, and the organized play rules and magic item allocation gives out a fair amount of magic items. But let's assume the game designers mean what they say and that magic items aren't necessary. Even if they aren't, magic items are going to make your characters more powerful. But, how much more powerful will they be? I think I've stumbled upon an interesting answer in the DMG's CR calculator. A creature's CR is largely based on their HP and their average damage per round. These are calculated separately, Defensive CR and Offensive CR, and averaged. But those CRs are modified by the attack bonus and AC of the monster; if it is 2 more than the expected amount, the effective CR is 1 higher. This means giving a creature a flat +2 AC and +2 to Attack would increase it's CR by 1. Each plus could then be seen as +1/4th to CR. A party of 4 facing off against a single enemy tracks reasonably against Party Level = Monster CR (with a few jumps at the tiers, based on the Encounter design rules in the DMG and Xanathar's). A +1 weapon is a Uncommon, Major item. A +2 weapon or a +1 armor is a Rare, Major item. A +3 weapon or a +2 armor is a Very Rare, Major item. A +3 armor is a Major, Legendary item (let's pretend a theoretical +4 weapon would be Legendary). Thus, a really simple way to adjust player level from their magic items would be to score the player's major items (half value for minor items), and adjust their effective level by 1 for every 4 item points they have. Major Items Uncommon - 1 pt Rare - 2 pts Very Rare - 3 pts Legendary - 4 pts Xanathar's magic item system, and analysis done here on EN world ([URL]http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?395770-Analysis-of-quot-Typical-quot-Magic-Item-Distribution[/URL]) nets a fully decked out character the following magic items (I'm leaving the minor items out, as they're either consumables or don't really directly impact most combat): [COLOR=#333333]2 or 3 uncommon permanent items - 2 to 3 pts[/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333]1 or 2 rare permanent items - 2 to 4 pts[/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333]1 very rare permanent item - 3 pts[/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333]1 legendary permanent item - 4 pts So, I'm suggesting that a fully decked out 20th level character can handle challenges as if they were a level 23rd character. This is really just to give DMs an idea on a starting point of how to challenge their players. I'd be interested to hear what you think.[/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
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