Wand "Charges"?

[takasi]

No, casters don't get to charge allies for casting spells on them in games I play.

Just to play the Devil's advocate, consumable items can screw over the caster's wealth level.

If a fighter purchases +2 full plate he can sell it later for half value regardless of how often he uses it.

If a wizard purchases a wand of fireball he will lose money every time he uses it.

(Of course, the full plate could also be "damaged", but does that happen often in your experience?)

 

[Aaron L]

No, no one has ever charged a party member for use of their wand. No Fighter has ever charged per swing of his magic sword either, nor has a Cleric charged for healing spells, nor a Rogue for picking a lock.

In general the characters realize that the party exists as a group, and anything that makes one member better able to win a fight adds to the collective survival of the group. We aren't in any sort of competition with each other, and are usually fighting for our lives in combat; no one would ever stop and say "That'll be 1000 GP for a Stoneskin."


Now, the maker of that wand will probably, when the time to make a new wand comes around, subtly (or not so subtly) remind everyone who had benefited from the wand that some extra cash would be welcome to help defray the costs. And since they all know that they will be benefiting from said wand they'll probably be more than happy to pitch in (attitudes modified by character Alignment and personality, of course. I guess I really could envision some Lawful Evil prick who hated another character charge him for heals in the middle of a fight, or something. But that would be a Lawful Evil prick trick.)


Maybe some ultra Lawful group could have a chart where they keep track of who used how many charges and then pay an appropriate amount, or something. But that'd be way to much for my tastes.

But all of these concerns are based entirely on the personalities of the characters. The way we do it in one campaign probably has little resemblance to how we do it in the next.

 

[Crothian]

Just to play the Devil's advocate, consumable items can screw over the caster's wealth level.

Wealth level is not something players should be concerned with.

 

[takasi]

Wealth level is not something players should be concerned with.

Do you think it's something a DM should be concerned with?

 

[Crothian]

Do you think it's something a DM should be concerned with?

As its in the DMG, it is something that only the DM should be concerned with. But it is just a guideline not a hard and fast rule.

 

[takasi]

No, no one has ever charged a party member for use of their wand. No Fighter has ever charged per swing of his magic sword either, nor has a Cleric charged for healing spells, nor a Rogue for picking a lock.

Again (Devil's Advocate remember), none of those actions cost money to begin with right? The actions do not expend a consumable item.

Now, the maker of that wand will probably, when the time to make a new wand comes around, subtly (or not so subtly) remind everyone who had benefited from the wand that some extra cash would be welcome to help defray the costs.

That's an informal way of charging people, right?

I guess I really could envision some Lawful Evil prick who hated another character charge him for heals in the middle of a fight, or something.

Again, for the sake of discussion, is a reminder of how much someone is spending on wand charges (because that's what they are doing whether you charge them or not) an evil act?

If a fighter never had to worry about wand charges, do you think this might make him a bit more reckless?

And do you think that a reminder of the cost involved might make him more cautious?

Maybe some ultra Lawful group could have a chart where they keep track of who used how many charges and then pay an appropriate amount, or something. But that'd be way to much for my tastes.

In one of our campaigns that's exactly how we do it. It's not my personal preference but it's certainly interesting.

 

[takasi]

As its in the DMG, it is something that only the DM should be concerned with. But it is just a guideline not a hard and fast rule.

I'm sorry, I wasn't referring to specific wealth levels as detailed in the DMG charts.

I am referring to a disparity in wealth levels between party members. Is this something that should concern players (and DMs)?

 

[Crothian]

I am referring to a disparity in wealth level between party members. Is this something that should concern players (and DMs)?

No, it is not something players should have to worry about. Dm's should keep an eye on it, but it is not that big of deal.

 

[Aaron L]

Again (Devil's Advocate remember), none of those actions cost money to begin with right? The actions do not expend a consumable item.



That's an informal way of charging people, right?



Again, for the sake of discussion, is a reminder of how much someone is spending on wand charges (because that's what they are doing whether you charge them or not) an evil act?

If a fighter never had to worry about wand charges, do you think this might make him a bit more reckless?

And do you think that a reminder of the cost involved might make him more cautious?
.

Oh, certainly. If a character was willy-nilly using charges from a wand of mine I would remind of him of just how much it costs. If he still didn't get the hint I may actually have to start charging, at least for a few charges just to get my point across. (Charging for Charges?) (this would more than likely be totally in character and the player would know what was going on, but at least one guy I play with is a bit of a dunce.) Informal way of charging is exactly right, too much formality makes me itch. However, if the character was very Lawful I'd do it as a matter of character.


But having actual rules written down just rubs me the wrong way (way the wrong way.) Especially considering that different groups of unrelated people wouldn't follow the same rules just because the players are the same. Every party should have it's own method based on the personalities of the characters. What works for a Lawful group of Clerics and Paladins probably won't work for a party of Chaotic Rogues and Sorcerers.

 

[delericho]

Typically, wands of this sort (usually buffs and heals) are considered party resources. The most appropriate character carries them, but is expected to use them on behalf of the party. However, the character who carries them does not pay for this privilidge. The items are removed from the haul before treasure division is performed.