D&D 5E Who Uses This House Rules?

[BlueBlackRed]

But a magic sword won't rust. It can lie in the crypt of an ancient king for centuries, and when your paladin picks it up it's still got a keen edge and, under the dust, a surface unmarred by rust. If it doesn't rust, then why would a rust monster be a particular threat to it?

I'll explain that science to you once you explain the physics of how spells work, how beholder eye rays work, dragons breathe fire, and so on.

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

Yes, of course rust monsters destroy magic items in my game. Not that I've used one yet--but destroying magic loot is the rust monster's raison d'etre. The first thing I said when I read the 5E Rust Monster entry was, "Pshaw! As if" and immediately houseruled it.

 

[steeldragons]

To the question at hand...I'm not going to answer since it's kind of a "Yes, but..." thing.

As I recall, back in the day, we had it so that each "hit" from the rust monster reduced the "+" by 1. Once the item had no +'s left, the weapon/shield/armor disintegrated, as normal.

Now, in 5e, with its general limitations on the presence/commonality of magical weapons/armor/shields, and the generally lowered +'s...and the fact that I can't remember the last time I actually used a rust monster in an adventure...I'd be inclined to just say no/not bother. Magic items would be safe.

 

[BlueBlackRed]

To the question at hand...I'm not going to answer since it's kind of a "Yes, but..." thing.

As I recall, back in the day, we had it so that each "hit" from the rust monster reduced the "+" by 1. Once the item had no +'s left, the weapon/shield/armor disintegrated, as normal.

No, that's the weakened rust monster that appeared in 4E.
The real original rust monsters outright destroyed metal with a single hit.
Then in 2E they added the lovely bit about any metal striking them also rusted.

 

[steeldragons]

No, that's the weakened rust monster that appeared in 4E.
The real original rust monsters outright destroyed metal with a single hit.
Then in 2E they added the lovely bit about any metal striking them also rusted.

Thanks for telling me how we played...but no. That's what we did in 1e days (the real 1e days, before there were any other "e's" to choose from)...with the if it hit you or you hit it. So, guess we were a little ahead of 2e in that respect.

It was our houserule...then. I've never played 4e/seen a 4e rust monster. But nice to know they were only about 25 years behind us.

 

[Arial Black]

Losing your magic stuff is not fun.

 

[Falling Icicle]

As rare and precious as magical items are in 5e, I think it would be ridiculous if they could easily be destroyed by the touch of a CR 1/2 creature.

 

[Raith5]

Like any self respecting DM who played 1e, 2e or 3e I have had my PCs fall into a pit full of Rust monsters a couple of times. But as Falling Icicle says, I think 5e has a different take on what magic items mean within the game (and the world) and I think the DM "Gotcha" style of the past, is in the past.

 

[Sunseeker]

As a monk and or possibly a druid, I don't really see why rust monsters are so terrifying.

Monk/Druid 2016!

Seriously though no.