Magic Item Dead Spots, Design Flaw?

[direkobold]

So because of the way they iterate magic weapons and armor (i.e. a Flaming +3 sword is five levels higher than a Flaming +2 sword) there's a dead spot at levels 1,6,11,16,21 and 26. Meaning that at those levels there is only one kind magic weapon or armor available (the generic +X version).

I can understand this at level 1, but once you're up to level 21 or 26 you would think there would be more options than just a generic +5 or +6. I assume this is yet one more thing that only bugs me (full disclosure the things I like about 4E vastly outweigh what I dislike). But does this strike anyone else as a design flaw?

 

[burntgerbil]

Honestly, I feel that by time my party gets to those levels, we will have members purchasing copies of the Tome of Treasures and the like to implement in game.

 

[direkobold]

Fair enough, though one thing I forgot to point out is that the way they set it up it appears that only a generic weapon can be in those spots. I guess they could craft a particularly powerful weapon which wrapped if you will. The "+4 Ultimate Death Dealing" weapon which is the same level as a generic +5 weapon. But thus far there's no indication that they have any intention of doing this.

 

[Zurai]

The amusing thing to me is that, going by their treasure distribution method, the only way to get level 1 magic items is to buy them or make them. They do not exist as loot.

EDIT: And they HAVE printed a magic item that was higher level than it's bonus. I can't remember whether it was a weapon or armor, but it's in one of the Dragon articles for this month. It maxes out at +5 enchantment at something like level 27.

 

[Rechan]

The amusing thing to me is that, going by their treasure distribution method, the only way to get level 1 magic items is to buy them or make them. They do not exist as loot.

Or start with them.

 

[Zurai]

Falls under "buy them" as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Hambot]

It doesn't matter because you are always getting items from a spread of levels above your own. So you'll first get those +5 weapons a few levels before you can make them, so they seem special, then when you're at that level you're finding better things that you still can't make yet.