Magic Items in AD&D

[FATDRAGONGAMES]

Was there ever a known formula for determining experience point and GP values for magic items in AD&D 1E?

 

[the Jester]

Not that I am aware of, and I was a hardcore gamer then as now.

I'd say check with diaglo- he has all the obscure stuff (and I do mean all); if there was a formula anywhere, he'd prolly be aware of it... alternatively, post this question in the Gary Gygax Q&A thread!

 

[Treebore]

There is a formula for calculating xp from the gold piece value. I don't believe there was anything than kind of guestimating for determining gold values for items. I would have to look again, but I think it was a specific percentage.

 

[grodog]

Maybe I'm misreading the original Q but I thought that XP from treasure was at a 1:1 ratio, and that XP from magic items depended on whether you sold it (got the GP sale value---either book or whatever you parted with it for) or kept it (got the XP value instead of GP sale value).

Or am I missing the point because I really need to go to bed?

 

[Treebore]

Actually I think your right and I am thinking of 2E.

 

[Lanefan]

Maybe I'm misreading the original Q but I thought that XP from treasure was at a 1:1 ratio, and that XP from magic items depended on whether you sold it (got the GP sale value---either book or whatever you parted with it for) or kept it (got the XP value instead of GP sale value).

ExP for treasure was 1:1. The DMG lists ExP values for magic items shown there, as does UA. I'm not at all sure if there's a formula or - if there is - whether it's consistent between different types of magic items e.g. scrolls, potions, weapons, wands etc. As for assigning money/ExP values to homebrew stuff, you might be on your own there.

Lane-"does *anybody* still use ExP-for-treasure rules?"-fan

 

[robberbaron]

1GP = 1XP, but we never used it. Even given the huge amounts of XPs needed to level up in those days, giving experience for loot seemed unnecessarily generous.

 

[Greegan75]

Considering that the only way a character could get any meaningful amount of xp was from loot, I'd have to disagree. Monsters don't really give out that much XP in 1E.

 

[dcas]

The XP value of a magic item is 20% of its GP sale value, in general. This isn't stated anywhere AFAIK but you can just go down the list and see for yourself. One receives the XP value in experience if one keeps the item (because magical items are there own reward, n'est-ce pas?), but the GP sale value in experience if it is sold (of course, you should use the actual sale value rather than the MSRP given in the DMG ).

I don't know if there's a formula for figuring out the GP sale value of a magical item. Use your best judgment, comparing any new magic items to the ones already existing.

 

[diaglo]

dcas has the right of it as far as i remember too.

1xp for 1gp is the suggested for sale of the magic items. you get the straight xp value when you learn the nature of the items or just use the item (like say swallowing a potion of invisibility without testing it first) but there is also mention of adjusting it depending on the difficulty of the encounter. many times this is done for you in some of the modules after 1983 (when they started to include xp value in monster stats and in some of the encounters too)