"Players" asking for in-game stuff

[Oryan77]

How do you feel when players ask you for or even hint at wanting specific magic items or other goodies? Do you end up giving them what they want eventually, or do you make an effort to never throw that item into your world?

I have mixed feelings towards this. On one hand, I'd like to surprise them with something they have been desiring as players. On the other hand, I feel if I give them what they want every so often, players will think that if they just ask for it; they will get it sooner or later.

A lot of the time it even ruins the fun for the DM. If I plan to give them something and then they actually start asking for that same thing, it cheapens the gift. It makes it seem like I only gave it to them because they mentioned it before.

 

[Henry]

I usually say, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, wishes were fishes, and all that jazz. If your character wants that Item, start asking around!"

Either they can adventure until they have enough XP and craft magic skills to make it, or if they look they might find a few rumors of where they might go to get one (and what they might have to defeat.)

Turn it back on them. Do they want to daydream or be adventurers?

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I usually don't give the players things they ask for. If it is something they really want for their character, they can have it made for them. The only exception to this might be something that really works in terms of a character's background or current story. In that case I might make gaining the item a plot device, rather than something they just happen to find on the villian du jour.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Talk to the hand, cause the ears ain't listenin'.

There was some cause for that in older editions, but in 3.X it is easy enough for the players to either buy or create most magic items.

The Auld Grump

 

[ThirdWizard]

Never happened. I suppose if they really want something, they're free to take item creation feats. I don't recall in 3E my players ever dropping hints that they want a particular item. They have searched in character a very very few times for something in particular, however, or commissioned something. But, those are usually cases of wanting something for a specific purpose, like knowing they're going up against some Outsiders so being prepared for that, than getting an item because its what they want.

 

[Crothian]

I have no problem with it. I'll tell them how they can go about getting it. Then ask around for rumors of where one might be and adventure for it, they can try to locate one that someone might be willing to part with or they can try to steal it, or they can commision an NPC or request a party memeber to make one for them. I like when platers ask for things like this, it gives them direction for their characters and give me plot decvices.

 

[Joshua Randall]

I ask my players what kewl spells or items they covet, then try to weave those into the campaign as specific rewards or things to go on quests for.

E.g., if the wizard's player tells me he really wants a staff of thunder & lightning, I'll drop some rumors about an evil mage blasting towns with electric and sonic attacks originating from an iron-shod quarterstaff... then hope the PCs take the bait.

I don't have a problem with out-of-game comments being used in game. We all do this intuitively, right? When the players say, "Joshua, I really enjoyed the dungeon crawl culminating in a fight against a dragon -- but I didn't like the adventure at the duke's ball where all we did was talk and make skill checks," I take note of that so I can make future adventures that play up those elements that my players enjoy and downplay those they don't.

[edit] typos [/edit]

 

[Arnwyn]

How do you feel when players ask you for or even hint at wanting specific magic items or other goodies?

"Cool, go create it."

 

[Nylanfs]

Give them the items, just neglect to mention the curse attached

 

[Shallown]

When I was running it depended on how I was asked. That is to say one player said he wanted to look around for a Elven longsword of great renown. He didn't want me to give him one he wanted to hunt for it but wante dto give me a warning so I could set it up.

Another time a player kept saying he really wished he could pick up a cool crossbow. So when I had a chance to slip one in that made since I did. ended up he never used it and it went to another character who made good use of it.

When I want to drop in special items I usually give them as gifts from people who owe or appreciate the characters. Once about 5-6th level the party was way under power for magic at their level and I wanted to bring them back up to a reasonable level without having to drop in big treasure hoardes or anything so the rgenet general gifted them each with some items and those items were excellent fits for the characters and stayed with them up to 18th level.

As far as players asking for things that's cool to me since they often ask in general ways not for an exact item like wanting a cool longsword or a way to carry more gear and leave the actual item up to me. They always seemed to like my items I introduced. They always got excited when the gnome who administered the mages college store were items could be obtained (Store had maybe 20 items in it he mostly brokered item creation for the party) said "Check this out I just got in something new" He usually attributed it to the college's research department.

later