Shoulder Tappin' PC's!

[Jarjaxle]

So in my weekly game that I run the PC's know that they can't buy any items that are of higher level then the level of their character.

Last night during our game my PC's were in town and looking spend of their gold. Checking the Player's Handbook and seeing that Healing Potions are a level 5 item and being level 4 themselves they know that they are off limits... so ...
One my PC's says to me "So, this is what I do... I want to hang outside of the store and wait for a level 5 NPC, then ask him to buy me some potions..."

LOL!! Shoulder Tappin' PC's!
I almost died of laughter....
I love 4E!!

 

[Mengu]

So in my weekly game that I run the PC's know that they can't buy any items that are of higher level then the level of their character.

This seems like a rather arbitrary rule. They can only *make* items of their level or lower, but I can see how you would run into awkward situations if you try to stipulate what they can and can't buy.

If you really want a house rule for this, a better limitation might be that items of higher level than a PC do not function for the character. This would mean they could buy that potion of healing but it's not going to have any effect until they are 5th level.

 

[Andor]

One my PC's says to me "So, this is what I do... I want to hang outside of the store and wait for a level 5 NPC, then ask him to buy me some potions..."

LOL!! Shoulder Tappin' PC's!
I almost died of laughter....
I love 4E!!

Yeah, nothing makes you feel like a world saving hero like hanging out outside the convenience store like a teenager trying to score beer. *facepalm*

 

[Jhaelen]

So in my weekly game that I run the PC's know that they can't buy any items that are of higher level then the level of their character.

Do they actually have the money to buy anything except healing potions above their level? Why do you even feel the need to add that restriction?

I don't want to spoil your fun but the player's reaction seems to show at least one of players doesn't really think your limitation is reasonable.

 

[DracoSuave]

Actually the DMG states that it is important to keep the number of potions in the party at a manageable level, neither above nor below a certain safe point, and for good reason. Healing is a finite resource, and should be kept to a certain level. What PCs want and what is best for the game are not always one and the same.

It's really easy to mitigate. Figure out the number of potions you feel is fair to float in the party, and reduce the supply from NPC sources to match that level, more or less. Potions are not easy to just make, and so assigning a rarity to them in the hands of vendors goes a way to keeping them at a good level.

Setting a level-cap on their use will have disasterous problems with found treasure--it is impossible to find a treasure your level or lower on the treasure tables, so you'd never be able to use that shiney sword the DM set for you.

 

[Otterscrubber]

Why can't they buy items that are higher level than they are? If they have the gold for it, and it is on a shelf in a store? I'm confused.....

 

[Ravingdork]

I allow my players to buy potions with their 1st-level starting funds should they so desire. Is there some restriction I was previously unaware of?

 

[Starbuck_II]

I allow my players to buy potions with their 1st-level starting funds should they so desire. Is there some restriction I was previously unaware of?

No, some people (DMs) even in 3.5 restricted items by their whim. Maybe, they dislike the idea of people buying stuff from stores. Who knows?

 

[DracoSuave]

So, in related news, the game I ran last night, the new player said 'We should go buy some potions before we go deeper.' The other party members said 'We already bought them out this morning.'

Limited resources on healing is a good thing as it makes encounters more of a management puzzle for the players. Potions become -valuable- when they realize they're not going to have a finite number of uses, just as parties -should- conserve Lay on Hands when Healing Word/Inspiring Word is available, especially seeing as Potions of Healing are usually greater than their healing surge value (excepting Dragon Born) until they get up to 40 hps.

I usually just float 2 or 3 potions in the party to get them through a level. Potions are -powerful- in that they heal for more than the healing surge at low levels, AND are a minor action to use. They should be kept to a manageable level.

 

[Jhaelen]

So, in related news, the game I ran last night, the new player said 'We should go buy some potions before we go deeper.' The other party members said 'We already bought them out this morning.'

Well, that's something I consider reasonable and it is also something I am doing, as well. I don't have magic shops that always have everything in stock. But if the gp limit of the place is sufficient, they'll create magic items on order or send for them from some nearby place. It'll take at least a couple of days to get the desired item.

Often there isn't sufficient time to wait around, so it's pretty effective in limiting shopping.