Starting Characters with Magic Items

[coreyclark]

I am contemplating a one/two session game with the group I play and want to start the characters at higher levels. Is there a "formula" for starting the characters with magic items? If not, is there a rule of thumb?

Thanks for the info.

Corey

 

[hong]

See the DMG, p.43. It even has a nifty table giving suggested starting equipment values for PCs > 1st level.

 

[Maldur]

Standard starting money (DMG) with a cap on how much can be spend on a single item.

How much depends on the level (dont have my books on me so cant give you specifics).

 

[Wee Jas]

I'd say no more than 50% of your original starting gold on 1 item.

You don't want a party of just vorpal sword weilding fighters

If you have the time and ambition make them generate their characters then you hand out magical items.

 

[Sanackranib]

above level 1

we have a game starting at 8th level, our DM has set a 5,000gp per item cap. I would recomend you do somthing like this as well.

 

[WizarDru]

Re: above level 1

we have a game starting at 8th level, our DM has set a 5,000gp per item cap. I would recomend you do somthing like this as well.

It's all relative, of course, but you this is pretty logical. While PCs do normally get windfalls in spurts, it rarely comes all at once. That said, the cap should depend on the level you're working at. 5,000 g.p. seems somewhat stingy for 8th level, when a +2 weapon costs 8,000 g.p. book value. Especially considering an 8th level caster can make a weapon +2 for hours, and will be able to make it +3 for 9 hours in one more level.

Regardless of what system you use, it has to come down to DM analysis. More importantly, you need to consider spell-casters with item creation feats: it's much easier to create potions, wands and scrolls when you start at a higher level, as the x.p. is not nearly as important. When you start a game at a higher level, consider the effects of those feats, and consider how much x.p. the players should have...or else you can guarantee no one will bother taking those feats, as they will be useless at creation time, which penalizes wizards, in particular.

 

[Maldur]

To avoid that you can always let players create characters witha certain amount of XP.

They can now take other races, spend xp on items ( if they have the apropriate feats).
And giver them the starting money for their level. You can always see to a cap on spending if they go for the ubermunchkin items.

 

[Sanackranib]

starting higher

our DM has reduced the duration of magic weapon. also my weapon isn't evem going to begin the game as enchanted. however it is adamantite and serrated and I will be able to have it enchanted later. orrigionall we were gonna start out at lev 7 but he movedit to 8. I too suggested that he raise the cap, but its really not a big deal.

 

[Sanackranib]

other races

our DM allowed in up to EL+2 races accross the board if what you wanted was higher then he was open to that as well. IMO its ot worth the level hit for a race with an EL greater than +2