From what I can tell there are two 'Wealth by Level' tables in the DMG. One on page 54 and the other on page 135.
Oddly enough the Eratta does not clear the issue up.
Anyone know which table is correct. Am I misunderstanding the use of these two tables in some manner? Could they both be right?
The really strange thing is that the tables don't seem at all close. So the table on p. 54 says that a 13th level character should have roughly 40,000 GP worth of stuff. The table on p. 135 says the same player should 110,000 GP. I've considered that one table might be teh wealth of the entire party of presumably 4 characters but things still don't add up. While the table on page 135 is way better from 4th on its actually worse at 1st and 2nd.
Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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If I recall, one is NPC wealth and one is PC wealth.
The reason there are different tables is because PC's would get too much treasure for killing leveled NPC's if each NPC had the same amount of gear as a PC.
e.g., suppose that a 4th level party only fights 4th level NPC's. They'd have 13x as much treasure going into 5th level as they had for 4th level. I don't have the tables in front of me, but the jump from 4th level to 5th level is in the neighborhood of 1.5x to 2x if I remember correctly.
If I recall, one is NPC wealth and one is PC wealth.
The reason there are different tables is because PC's would get too much treasure for killing leveled NPC's if each NPC had the same amount of gear as a PC.
e.g., suppose that a 4th level party only fights 4th level NPC's. They'd have 13x as much treasure going into 5th level as they had for 4th level. I don't have the tables in front of me, but the jump from 4th level to 5th level is in the neighborhood of 1.5x to 2x if I remember correctly.
I don't think this is it. There is an NPC gear value table on p. 127 of the DMG though its not that disimilier from the PC wealth by level table found on p. 54. Mainly low level NPCs seem to have a fair bit less in terms of wealth by level as opposed to high level NPCs which have almost as much wealth by level as high level players according to the table on p. 54. Though nowhere near their wealth for the table on page 135.
p.54 shows how much treasure a PC is expected to gain while going through one specific level. So for example, while going from 13th to 14th level, a PC will gain around 40 000 gp.
p. 135 shows the cumulative amount of treasure a PC has when he/she is at a specific level. So for example, if you add all the numbers on p.54 from 1rst to 13th level, you get approximately the same number as what p.135 indicates for 14th level.
135 is what a single character should have at a particular level. 54 what a character should gain per level and per encounter. It's a little bizzare but so are the wealth by level quidelines in general.
Ahh...my poor PCs ... they are currently very poor. Hopefully they won't clue into this ... I'll just ride that 'I'm being a nice DM' gravey train for all its worth as long as possible. Hopefully by the time they figure this out it will be long in the past and I can deny any such thing ever happened or blame it on their choices in the dungeon or something. "Yes of course there was vast sums of loot - not my fault you always choose to beat up on the cash starved monsters".
That does make the wage tables for humans seem rather odd. Why are Goblins and primitive Orcs filthy rich when compared to say the common folk of Waterdeep?
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Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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That does make the wage tables for humans seem rather odd. Why are Goblins and primitive Orcs filthy rich when compared to say the common folk of Waterdeep?
There was a thread a while back that touched on this idea. The problem is the substantial disconnect between wages earned and the prices of adventuring equipment. Just about any martial weapon represents several months worth of work for the common peon.
My take on the problem is to deflate everything except wages. I convert all non-wage prices into one coin lower than normal (so, if a longsword is listed as 8 gp, it actually costs 8 sp.) This brings the wealth of goblins into line (somewhat) with the unwashed masses. The other cool thing about the system is that my players get excited whenever they actually receive gold coins.
And you should see them dance for platinum...
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Actually, the criminal minded can and often do end up with vast sums of wealth sitting around the house. Additionally, orcs and goblins have little upkeep (no taxes, no rent, no place to buy nick nacks and gew gaws...)
The downside is the old adage...live by the sword, die by the sword as many orcs and goblins meeting a horrible end to their crime sprees; enter the pesky adventurer.
The problem I have with these two tables is that they don't mesh well if you consider that your PCs are going to use a part of the wealth they gain during one level on consummables (potions, scrolls, upkeep, etc.) that disappear once used and thus reduce their absolute wealth.
The figures on the first table add up perfectly so the PCs reach the suggested wealth per level, but if you want it to work well on the long term you need to give a bit more than what is indicated on the first table (to prevent errosion).
The best is to track their actual wealth (e.g. take snapshots of where they are every three levels) and use corrective measures as needed.
Bocklin
I never use these tables and prefer to play things by ear. If the PCs seem to be struggling financially I add a couple of flush monsters. If they have too much, then my monsters will be found away from their lairs and treasure will be difficult to find.
I think if you stick to tables and the like it acts like a constaint on your campaign. If you just let it flow it will work out for the best.