Starting gold for your PCs

[Sound of Azure]

I used to always give maximum, but have since revised it down to 75% of maximum.

 

[azhrei_fje]

I allow all new and replacement PCs to start with assets equal in value to the Table 5-1: Character Wealth by Level in the 3.5e DMG (page 135). I put one restriction on it: no single item can be worth more than (PC Level)^2 * 1000/7 in gold pieces.

That's kind of a weird formula, I know. I based it on the progression in the wealth table and the idea that many magical items use an exponential increase (so a +2 item is 4x cost, while a +3 item is 9x cost). Therefore, I wanted the limit that the PC could spend on a single item to be exponential as well. And you could adjust the "1000/7" up or down to suit your taste.

That is not a hard-and-fast restriction, though. I use it so that the player will have an idea of what they can easily get away with (!) and anything else we work out together.

 

[kaomera]

Typically I start PCs with whatever gear they want to actually lug around within reason (but no spare coin). I do purge or edit their lists of anything I feel is over the top.

For my next (Iron Kingdoms) game I'm planning on starting each character off with basic adventuring gear, plus (since the first adventure isn't directly going to earn them any coin) one of them will have a letter to deliver that will net him 120gp. I expect that the second adventure will consist of the party trying to live in Five Fingers on those coins while trying to find someone to pay them a bounty for the stuff they killed in the first adventure...

 

[Stalker0]

I do average at 1st level, and then give them the dmg recommended amount if I start at a higher level.

 

[wolfpunk]

Max at first, use the table in the DMG for wealth at higher levels.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

In those rare cases I do start at 1st, I'd use something like 300 gp plus the bonus from home region. For higher levels, I use the tables from the DMG.

In addition to that, "Standard Gear" can be added to every inventory sheet. That contains stuff like a rope, backpack, some writing stuff, torches or sunrods, arrows. I don't require my players to keep track of that mundane stuff, I don't consider it heroic.

 

[Jack99]

Always at max starting gp, when they start at level one (which they do most of the time). If they start at higher level, I tailor some equip based on MIC's item levels to their PC. They do get some input on which kind of gear he would like, but they dont get to pick and choose except in rare cases, where they get to chose one item.

 

[milo]

I have a few different options I go with. Sometimes start them out as escaped slaves. Give them basically nothing except the clothes on their backs. Other times they might be aristocrats trying to go out and make a name for themselves. Give them max standard x2.
As for the higher level I will normally give them an amount equal to the DMG chart. I have done as little as half and as much as 1.5 the chart though. It varies by power level I want them at. It is always fun to wait until after they have their characters made to tell them wealth level though. Just to be mean.

 

[glass]

I usually use the Gestalt rules. When doing so, I use random gold for both starting classes added together.

I voted 'Other'.


glass.

 

[robberbaron]

Random roll as per PHB for 1st level characters.
Wealth as per DMG for advanced characters.