All this talk about Magic Shops and player expectations got me thinking about how I build characters.
I typically start with Race and then move on to Class. I get an array going and think about the type of PC I want (martial, mental, social, etc.) As I'm doing this I pinpoint whatever stat or "battery" I'm going to focus on. This leads me to looking stat pumps and magic items and what I plan to do in the future.
Here are two PC's I'm currently focusing on.
Aylia: Half-elf Rogue (Scout), has a 10 STR and will be dead-set on obtaining a pair of Agile Short Swords.
Cicero: Human Fighter, will be TWF'ing and is starting the game with a minimum 15 DEX. He'll be fully expecting to acquire a Belt of Dexterity +2 at his early convenience.
So what, am I doing it wrong or something? Am I completely out of line in wanting/needing these items?
Well, I don't think you're doing anything wrong. It's not how I build characters, but it's still perfectly ok.
When I build a character, I start with a concept and build the character for 1st level. Then level up one at a time until I reach the appropriate character level needed. After that, I look for magic items that could help. I don't even think about what magic items to equip until after the character is built.
Thinking about it, perhaps I do it wrong. Maybe I should be looking at magic items at each level to appropriately capture wealth-by-level as the character levels up.
Edit: rereading your post, I think we actually build fairly similarly.
Maybe I should be looking at magic items at each level to appropriately capture wealth-by-level as the character levels up.
It's not that I'm focusing on WBL, it's that I know I'm looking to obtain certain items, in order to fully realize mechanical aspects of my PC.
Edit: rereading your post, I think we actually build fairly similarly.
Cool, my friends laugh when I produce a 16-level matrix. heh :)
No, you're not out of line. As long as it's within your WBL range it's fair game when building your character IMO. Always easily explained that you picked it up on a previous adventure if you start at a higher level. You had to get those levels from somewhere after all.