D&D 5E Magic Item Creation: Which book should contain rules for magic item creation?

[ForeverSlayer]

Which book should magic item creation be exclusively in?

 

[Plaguescarred]

Dungeon Master Guide

 

[steeldragons]

For me, Magic Items belong in the DMG. Period. End of story.

They are meant to be treasure. Whether you want it to be crafted, bought, found in a monster's hoard or stolen from the BBEG, magic items are extra/special powered stuff for the adventuring PC...i.e. treasure. The DM doles out treasure (and the commensurate XP). Magic items go in the DMG.

If, at some later point, the PCs are of a level to allow them to craft items themselves (and you play in a game/system that permits such), then fine, put the "magic item creation rules" into an "advanced/high level" book that is explicitly labelled as "for players and DMs" OR into a "Magic Item Compendium" type book...that is labelled "for players and DMs."

Out the gate/in the "basic" or "standard" game? No. DMG only, thanks.

 

[Li Shenron]

DMG, because the topic is too sensitive to drop it wholly in the players' hands.

Also, because the PHB is already pretty full enough, and I'd rather stuff it with as many feats and subclasses possible.

Finally, I'm not even convinced that they are positive about designing magic item creation rules (or any craft rules) for the core, this time they might choose to slip in into a later supplement.

 

[variant]

I don't think it should be in a core rulebook.

 

[Umbran]

That's a tough one. I think Steeldragons is making a big assumption that items are necessarily treasure.

If your basic game balance takes magic items into account, and if magic item creation is an expected part of the balance plan, then it ought to be in the PHB, because players are expected to do a lot of it.

If, however, your typical adventuring spellcasters are designed to be quite happy going through their entire career without crafting anything, then go ahead and stick it in the DMG, with other largely optional rules.

 

[herrozerro]

I find the sentiment amusing that putting it in the DMG will somehow keep those rules out of players hands...

 

[variant]

That's a tough one. I think Steeldragons is making a big assumption that items are necessarily treasure. If your basic game balance takes magic items into account, and if magic item creation is an expected part of the balance plan, then it ought to be in the PHB, because players are expected to do a lot of it. If, however, your typical adventuring spellcasters are designed to be quite happy going through their entire career without crafting anything, then go ahead and stick it in the DMG, with other largely optional rules.

I don't think there's any assumption there. 5e is designed around characters not having magical items.

 

[tuxgeo]

Didn't vote, because the poll is too limited.

My answer is that there should be two different locations for rules for magic item creation:
(1) DMG for rules whereby the DMs could create whatever they want to place into their worlds; and
(2) An optional supplement for rules whereby PCs (and DMPCs) could craft magical items in-game.

 

[billd91]

I find the sentiment amusing that putting it in the DMG will somehow keep those rules out of players hands...

It's not a question of the rules not being available to the players or known by the players. It's a question of making it clear that magic item creation - how it's done, what's required, whether it can happen in-campaign, etc - is within the DM's sphere of influence. Players should expect that the DM will have something to say about the topic.