Old School Flavor Doesn't Mean Lazy

[RFisher]

I'm more trying to figure out of if my concerns are unreasonable and nobody else notices. My suspicion is I'm in the minority.

I don't know. Personally, I've decided (yet again) that I don't do modules well no matter how well they're written/developed. I suspect that puts me in a minority too.

Do you get enough value out of modules to justify their cost?

 

[pawsplay]

That's a very sad story. I'm working on a module... hopefully I will do better.

 

[Henry]

There are other opponents that don't have treasure -- animals, in this case. That said, they're definitely not powerful enough to warrant a magic item of 20th level.

The only standards I'm going by is the DMG. Its NPC section shows sample magic items for NPCs at each level. Most of them don't start getting +2 items until 11th level. *shrug*

These would be the SAME NPCs who only get about 1/3rd of the recommended wealth by level of Player Characters?

 

[Kafkonia]

Yes, because playing dirt scrabble farmers is the only good way to play.

Thunderfoot said nothing along those lines, Hussar. Let's not go putting words in other people's mouths. Different strokes for different folks and all that.

 

[theemrys]

The only standards I'm going by is the DMG. Its NPC section shows sample magic items for NPCs at each level. Most of them don't start getting +2 items until 11th level. *shrug*

Just out of curiosity, are these items purely +1, or are they +1 with some other abilities like keen? (that does increase the "effective" +) Just shooting in the dark here...

 

[Odhanan]

PHB2's character generation guidelines give some ideas of instant equipment for a PC or NPC of this or that level.

For an NPC Cleric, Fighter, Knight, Marshal or Paladin, the +1 weapon appears at level 5, +2 weapon at 11th level, +3 weapon at 13th level, +4 at 15th level, +5 at 17th, +6 at 19th, +7 at 20th. This is far from being the only magical item listed in this automatic equipment. The +1 Full Plate shows up at 6th level, for instance, and becomes +2 at 8th, +3 at 12th, +4 at 14th, +5 at 18th, +6 at 19th.

Just to give an example.

These of course are guidelines. I handed out a +2 dagger and other more powerful magical items to our 4th level PCs last session because I knew that for the last few sessions that remain for them to play, there would be a LOT of damage going on, and ultimately, they won't be there to play next year so... that's just a power increment for the next few sessions. Believe it or not, there's more... much more... coming their way.

 

[talien]

These would be the SAME NPCs who only get about 1/3rd of the recommended wealth by level of Player Characters?

Uh, yes?

Not sure I understand what you're getting at.

 

[Kafkonia]

I don't want to specifically call out these companies -- I don't think that will be particularly productive.

Well, it would help the rest of us know which products may require this extra effort, and prepare or avoid accordingly. But it's your call.

 

[Mycanid]

Gah, yeah, that would suck.
PC: "Behold my mighty pitchfork, the trusty weapon that has been with me these ten levels since I left the farm behind, and cower in fear o Dragon!"
Dragon: *munch munch splortch burp*

ROFL!!

Augh! HELP! I can't breathe!

 

[Voadam]

Its been a problem since the beginning of D&D.

I think there is a helm of brilliance in a 1e level 0-3 FR module I have.

Always adjust modules to your own play style.

Plus there are rust monsters, earth elementals or giants with sunder, druids with warp wood and rusting grasp, etc. which a DM can use to bring down PC wealth pretty quickly.

Also look at lots of the srd small animals. Weapon finesse requires a +1 BAB by RAW unless it is a bonus feat.