Let's have a quickie! The 50g Houserule.

[Rachel]

Just something really quick here. As a house rule, I start all PC's out with only [50g] to spend at initial character creation (instead of [100g]).

This eliminates the "full-armor" paladin at start, and really encourages players to be wise about how they spend their starter gold. The PCs may not have *everything* they could possibly want right from the start (with plenty o' gold to spare), but I love the challenge of squeezing in the gear I can. And if I can't yet afford it, I like looking forward to when I can!

(Okay but plz note, martial characters will be more hard-pressed to fit in what they need under the 50g limit; this, imho, is actually as should be).

 

[eriktheguy]

There's certainly some merit to making the players earn their equipment. You should keep in mind that starting with plate mail is part of the balance of the paladin class, something that makes them more 'defender' and less 'striker' (i.e. relative to a fighter).

I'm not saying that your idea is bad, I'm just saying that it will disturb the balance by a few points. Your suggestion will have the players earning their initial equipment instead of simply getting it.

The problem is that it only really penalizes a few classes. Anyone with light armor will be able to afford most of their equipment from the start. It will limit classes that need specific tools, such as theives. But some classes simply don't need the initial 100gp, for example sorcerers and wizards.

What you have suggested basically forces the players to 'earn' their level 1 equipment. You could find a way to sort of 'penalize' each class to below level 1 power. The paladin has to earn his armor, the rogue her thief's tools, the wizard his spellbook (for dailies).

Rather than limiting their starting gold, which only really affects paladins and a few others, you could try to limit each player. Either come up with a way to limit each player before hand, or discuss with the players how you want to do this.

For the record, limiting the paladin to 50 gold at level 1 would be a great way to limit them.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Pretty much harks back to old style D&D. In 1e you got a variable amount of gold depending on your class. Wizards got the least 20-80 gp IIRC. Thieves got 20-120 gp, fighters got I think something like 40-200 gp and clerics I think 30-180. It pretty much meant that the heavy armor people got around 2x more gold so they could buy some armor.

Things were not so easy though back then for your 1st level PC. Rarely could the fighter afford the best armor and if he didn't roll well he might be stuck with nothing but a suit of chain and no shield or even studded leather.

The idea was OK but the randomness kind of spoiled it as did the fact that inevitably the party would just pool all its gold if they had any wits and make sure everyone had the best basic equipment you could get.

The other problem is just that the whole thing really only lasts a couple encounters at most before enough cash is scrounged up to do the most urgent upgrades. Could definitely be fun for a 'starting off down and out' kind of feel. Earning your stuff isn't bad though it can be a bit frustrating when the character dies in that first adventure before he's even really fully 'born'.

 

[Rachel]

Thanks for replying, erik---Im quickly learning you're a go-to guy for me!

A few thoughts: The paladin has *plenty* going for them already. If they don't get to start in full plate, Im sure they will be fine. It will reduce their effectiveness AC-wise, so I dont want to ignore that. Perhaps I could make it so that spellcastery types have the 50g, and maybe a bump up for martialers (70g, perhaps?). Either way, I don't think they are "earning" their starting equipment. They just don't get crazy amounts of it and have to be a bit more choosy.

P.S.: In regards to thieve's tools at start-up, not every rogue is assumed to be a thief. Thus, it is not mandatory that they can automatically afford these at the start.

 

[Rachel]

Also, thank you for replying Necronomicon guy (sorry, Abdul...knickname!).

I had thought of going more "old school" with varying amounts of gold based on class or random rolls. Even rolls for factoring in socio-economic background! But I'm not looking to add complexity, just do something about PCs starting with so much gold.

Just because you decide to adventure doesn't mean you have everything in the world that you need right from the get-go. Sorry if some players might expect this, but I don't care for that. You have some stuff...not everything, but a decent bit to get you started.

Counterbalance! Almost forgot to mention, I am in the habit of letting players have something of an "heirloom" at character creation, such as a minor magic item or some sort of finery/tool that is part of their background. Kind of like, "look at this neat signet ring my father left me". That helps, too (and is fun for RP).

 

[eriktheguy]

Well I've done a few 'earn your stuff' campaigns where players sort of started out at 'level 0' and needed to carve their way to level 1. My players enjoyed it, but it really depends on your players. If you building your way from zero to hero the long way (a la Zelda games) then it can be really fun.
And no class should have to earn their title more than the paladin, it fits the flavor well.

 

[Rachel]

P.S.: In regards to thieve's tools at start-up, not every rogue is assumed to be a thief. Thus, it is not mandatory that they can automatically afford these at the start.

Er, quoting myself...weird.

Anyways, just wanted to point out that furthermore, what weapon do most rogues start with? A dagger or two. They are 1gp. Armor? Max. leather...25g. Thieve's tools? 20gp....mmmm *does some math*.

Rogues can still have their cake (tools) and eat it too (the cake, not the tools!).

Xtra credit: Everyone in this community can spell the word "rogue" (not rouge like certain other communities...MMORPG communities...not naming names).

 

[eriktheguy]

Xtra credit: Everyone in this community can spell the word "rogue" (not rouge like certain other communities...MMORPG communities...not naming names).

As far as forums and internet communities go, you will probably find ENWorld to be well above the curve as far as intelligence, civility and grammar go.

 

[Amaroq]

Heh - you and I seem to be on the same page, Rachel, for so many things.

Started the party paladin without any armor at all for our first session .. (though, to be fair, her dad had a suit of chain and a sword under the bed, she didn't know those were there and did fight without either before finding them.)

It didn't seem to gimp her too badly - I particularly liked that she played the character as a defender anyways .. but she did wind up actually dying halfway through level two.

Those first couple levels are already pretty tough on survivability, just because of the high ratio of damage to available hit points .. so I'm not sure I'd wholeheartedly endorse this idea after trying it out.

 

[Rachel]

Heh - you and I seem to be on the same page, Rachel, for so many things.

Started the party paladin without any armor at all for our first session .. (though, to be fair, her dad had a suit of chain and a sword under the bed, she didn't know those were there and did fight without either before finding them.)

It didn't seem to gimp her too badly - I particularly liked that she played the character as a defender anyways .. but she did wind up actually dying halfway through level two.

Those first couple levels are already pretty tough on survivability, just because of the high ratio of damage to available hit points .. so I'm not sure I'd wholeheartedly endorse this idea after trying it out.

Ack! Well I didnt say no armor at all! Yikes. Anyways, Im glad someone is with me and finding value in my ideas. Cheers to you.