Treasure - how do you give it out?

[genshou]

Since I use Elements of Magic, which has a strict 12-effect-per-character limit that has nothing to do with body slots, I don't have this problem come up as much. Also, I have to come up with all of my own magic items.

The random treasure tables in D&D were a nightmare for me, but they work well for a lot of games. Depends on the people around the gaming table, I suppose.

 

[devilbat]

Depends on the party level. At lower levels, I roll randomly in advance, and then doll out the treasure to monsters, NPC's, etc... Basically sticking to the random tables.

At mid to higher levels, say sixth and up, I start to add in specific items that either fit the opponents class and style, or is something that I would like the PC's to have, or has been requested by a player. One think I always make sure, is that the item is not just thrown in as an after thought. I hate playing in games when, as suggested higher up the thread, a bugbear would be using a mundane weapon, when there happens to be a magical version in his treasure pile.

 

[The_Magician]

Why would I give out treasure? are you crazy? It's MY treasure! ALL MINE! *clings to it*

 

[WayneLigon]

kill something from like a random monster chart, he has us roll the dice, and he generates the treasure randomly.

I make up all possible random encounters on the regional area beforehand with a card for each, and roll treasure at that time. I have a sheet of standard encounters that can be used in almost any region as well and I change it up every few months so they don't have a specific encounter more than twice, depending on what they roll. So, all my treasure rolling is done beforehand, but most wandering things won't have much treasure on them. If the group decides to track the thing back to it's lair, then they might find more things and the treasure, if any.

I usually roll, then adjust as needed. If I get some anomolous result, like a goblin encounter with a wand of fireballs, I'll either discard or beef up the encounter and come up with some reason for them to have such a thing. Stuff like that has sparked many a plot idea.

 

[Chaldfont]

I give named opponents something cool to use against the PCs. I give mooks and random enounters standard treasure (rolled randomly).

I roll up treasure like I always have (since the 3rd grade):

ME: (rolls) "A +1 dagger? That's stupid."
ME: (rolls again) "A scroll with protection from chaos--lame!"
ME: (rolls again) "They already have bracers of armor +2..."
ME: (flips through book) "immovable rod it is!"