PC Wealth at Level 2?

[Greyline]

Looking through the DMG, I noticed that according to the Character Wealth by Level Table (p. 135), a second level PC starts with 900gp worth of gear. Which is fine, except that this is the same as the amount of starting gold for a 1st level NPC (p. 127)! Is this right? And if so, what's the reasoning behind it?

Greyline

 

[evileeyore]

I don't know, however it could go like this:

NPC's are mooks. Mooks are meant to be beaten up by PC's who then swipe all the mooks stuff. Don't give the mooks too much or the PC's will have way too much stuff. Or something...

It could also go along these lines:

NPC's are meant to be whipped by PC's. Give them equal gear and the PC's can't whip them. This leads to unhappiness on the parts of the PC's. Then the crybabies will whine until you let them whip the big bad NPC. Or something...

Frankly I ignore such charts when I DM (if I ever run D&D, yeah right).

Anyway I figure its to promote balance or somesuch mythical ideal.

TTFN

EvilE

PS: You might have noticed I am not down with those charts.

Edit: I do good grammar.