D&D 5E Should I use the Gauntlets of Ogre Strength? [Spoilers from Mines of Phandelver]

[ccs]

So I have an Aasimar Rogue. We just finished Mines of Phandelver and we found the Gauntlets of Ogre Power. That's the bit of loot I can get if I want it, or the Wand of Magic Missiles.

I'm leaning towards the Gauntlets of Ogre Power. How long will these be useful for me? I figure I could get a Magic Weapon later, and some Magic Armor, but if I keep the Gauntlets, that precludes other miscellaneous magic items most likely.

In that light, I'm thinking the most useful would be either ditching the Gauntlets in the long run, or ditching the option for a Magic Weapon. My STR is 12 BTW, if that's something to consider. With the Gauntlets that gives me a 19 STR, which is far more than what I'd get normally, and only the more powerful magical weapons will give me those types of bonuses.

If I use both a Magic Weapon and Gauntlets it gives me a bigger boost in combat, but I lose out in other more useful magic items that could help beyond just combat encounters.

If you chose, would you choose the Guantlets, Magic Weapon, both, or neither as a Rogue?

Right now? I'd chose the gauntlets. I wouldn't worry one bit about what I might or might not find later on. I also wouldn't be shy about claiming magic weapons, misc magic etc in the future.

 

[Mercule]

If you chose, would you choose the Guantlets, Magic Weapon, both, or neither as a Rogue?

Not sure about a recommendation, but our Rogue took the gauntlets and ended up in a cycle where he's now wielding strength-based weapons and losing out on sneak attack on a regular basis. He eventually multi-classed into Ranger, which has gone well, but the whole thing has been a bit wonky for him.

Not helping the situation is that the Fighter is a dual rapier-wielding elf with a 20 dexterity. So, he's effectively competing with two other characters for access to magic weapons he could use with sneak attack.

 

[Caliban]

Right now? I'd chose the gauntlets. I wouldn't worry one bit about what I might or might not find later on. I also wouldn't be shy about claiming magic weapons, misc magic etc in the future.

It's possible they are playing the Mines of Phandelver as an Adventure League module, in which case there are specific rules governing loot distribution.

If multiple people put a claim on a magic item, the person with the fewest number of permanent items gets it, if they have the same number of magic items then they roll a D20 [high roll wins] to decide who gets it. (If only one person lays claim to the item, then their current number of magic items doesn't matter.)

So taking a magic item you don't need now, can prevent you from getting a magic item you would prefer in a later module.

If they aren't playing AL, then none of this matters.

 

[Caliban]

Not sure about a recommendation, but our Rogue took the gauntlets and ended up in a cycle where he's now wielding strength-based weapons and losing out on sneak attack on a regular basis. He eventually multi-classed into Ranger, which has gone well, but the whole thing has been a bit wonky for him.

Does your rogue know that he can use a finesse weapon, choose to use strength for the attack and damage, and still qualify for Sneak Attack?

 

[Mercule]

Does your rogue know that he can use a finesse weapon, choose to use strength for the attack and damage, and still qualify for Sneak Attack?

Yeah. It's a matter of him getting the non finesse weapons because he's the strongest member of the party. The party internal dynamics are what they are.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Yeah. It's a matter of him getting the non finesse weapons because he's the strongest member of the party. The party internal dynamics are what they are.

Is the party intentionally playing dumb or the player deciding just to anti-optimize? In most cases a non-magical rapier will be better, once they go past 1st level. Even if the characters are all idiots, you should probably have a OOC talk about the way poor loot distribution is screwing one player out of the key combat feature for the class. That or let him re-roll as another character class entirely, like a ranger with the criminal background.

 

[Caliban]

Yeah. It's a matter of him getting the non finesse weapons because he's the strongest member of the party. The party internal dynamics are what they are.

Understood. Just sounded odd.