So im curious, how other groups do it. I have joined a new gaming group a while back and there way is different of the way I have always been use to. Still works, just maybe not as efficient and takes alot more book work to keep things equal. I just wanted to see what is the norm.
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We typically divide up items based on who needs them most or can use them best or who hasn't gotten anything good in a while. The cash we divide up equally, frequently leaving an extra share as party treasury. Items we don't want or can't use, we usually sell and divide up as part of the cash.
We generally don't care much about equally divided wealth by level, rather, we just keep an eye to who hasn't gotten much lately or where the gear might have started to concentrate.
My group splits liquid assests (gold, gems etc) evenly either before or after sale, and then assigns magic items by consensus to characters based on who can make best use of them and who already has what.
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Our group splits everything equally. If you get an item whose worth is more than your share, you run a deficit and do not get any more treasure until the deficit is paid off. It is bookkeeping intensive, but makes sure that everyone has items or money to buy items.
I have a few groups, and the loot divvying actually depends on the alignments of the group. The good aligned groups usually do it based off of best party benefit, much like Bill Dunn said. In the evil aligned group there is usually a mad grab for anything that looks valuable (that's when those appraise checks of a treasure hoard become useful), and subsequent bickering, diplomacy checks, and sometimes downright intimidation for loot dispersal. The latter can be fun if the group has the right mentality about it. Luckily the one evil aligned campaign group I have has a lot of fun with the selfishness, and many times loot dispersal ends up bringing hilarity to the table, as characters try and bluff and talk their way into treasure.
We typically divide up items based on who needs them most or can use them best or who hasn't gotten anything good in a while. The cash we divide up equally, frequently leaving an extra share as party treasury. Items we don't want or can't use, we usually sell and divide up as part of the cash.
That's how my players have decided to split up the loot in my current campaign.
My last group was fair-to-a-fault. They kept track of the gp sale value of every magic item, and always tried to divvy up the loot in fully-equal shares. So, if you got a +1 sword, it counted as 1150 gp of your share.
This got tricky when they found, say, a single item that was worth more than the rest of the recovered loot combined.
They usually ended up selling an item like that and splitting the proceeds evenly. Unfortunately, they ended up selling an artifact-level "quest item" that they later needed for plot reasons, and had to go on a long side-quest to get it back.
My last group was fair-to-a-fault. They kept track of the gp sale value of every magic item, and always tried to divvy up the loot in fully-equal shares. So, if you got a +1 sword, it counted as 1150 gp of your share.This got tricky when they found, say, a single item that was worth more than the rest of the recovered loot combined.
They usually ended up selling an item like that and splitting the proceeds evenly. Unfortunately, they ended up selling an artifact-level "quest item" that they later needed for plot reasons, and had to go on a long side-quest to get it back.
Aside from the headaches of the paperwork, I do see the possibility of selling quest items as a significant danger of that method. I think it could be ameliorated somewhat by assigning temporary "custodians" of the gear until treasure values are high enough in a single loot pot to account for it, but I doubt most groups would consider it worth the headache.
I would also highlight that major quest items aren't the other items at risk of being sold in the interests of balancing cash. Other specialty items that make later encounters easier could end up on the chopping block as well. PCs are probably less likely to want to "pay" for items that might seem marginal under most circumstances but useful under specific conditions later whereas if they weren't so concerned about balancing the cash values, they might be willing to hang on to them "just in case".
One thing I noticed about the Paizo AP I just finished running (Council of Thieves) is that the writers were very good about including many of the tools PCs will need later in the campaign as treasure drops earlier. And I'm not talking about the artifact mcguffin that makes an appearance, but other lower value items that PCs might be otherwise inclined to sell. Fortunately, in one particularly important case, they did not sell the item and it saved them from a potential TPK.
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We evenly split up the monetary worth of each item across the characters and then let characters "buy back" desired items at cost. It's similar to PFS with the restriction that two characters cannot each purchase a "copy" of one physical item. Example:
Party of four characters defeat the BBEG and take his stuff consisting of a +1 rapier, a golden trophy worth 100 gp, and 1,000 gp in coins. The rapier sells for 1,160 gp and the trophy and coins are worth their full value. 1,160 + 100 + 1,000 = 2,260 gp. Split that four ways and you get 565 gp. Each character adds that to their character sheet. Let's say the rogue wants that rapier and already has 800 gp saved up from previous encounters. 800 + 565 = 1,365 gp. She subtracts the sell price of the rapier to get 1,365 - 1,160 = 205 gp, commits that new value to her character sheet, and takes the +1 rapier.
Effectively, she's paid the party compensation for the rapier that is equal to their share if the weapon were sold. Whenever she gets her next weapon upgrade, she simply sells the rapier and keeps the entire 1,160 gp from that sale.
If an especially expensive and desirable item drops that someone needs, like say a nice suit of magical full plate, players lend gold to one another and simply keep track of the IOUs. Some consumable items like arrows, healing potions, etc. are simply divided amongst characters for expediency sake as they often end up being traded around anyways.
One thing I noticed about the Paizo AP I just finished running (Council of Thieves) is that the writers were very good about including many of the tools PCs will need later in the campaign as treasure drops earlier. And I'm not talking about the artifact mcguffin that makes an appearance, but other lower value items that PCs might be otherwise inclined to sell. Fortunately, in one particularly important case, they did not sell the item and it saved them from a potential TPK.
I'm running that AP for my players and I make it a point to gently hint what what items should be kept around for future use either overtly ("Hmm... Scroll of remove curse? Could be useeefuuullll...") or covertly (by throwing more skeleton dogs at them until they start picking up bludgeoning weapons).
We evenly split up the monetary worth of each item across the characters and then let characters "buy back" desired items at cost. It's similar to PFS with the restriction that two characters cannot each purchase a "copy" of one physical item. Example:
Party of four characters defeat the BBEG and take his stuff consisting of a +1 rapier, a golden trophy worth 100 gp, and 1,000 gp in coins. The rapier sells for 1,160 gp and the trophy and coins are worth their full value. 1,160 + 100 + 1,000 = 2,260 gp. Split that four ways and you get 565 gp. Each character adds that to their character sheet. Let's say the rogue wants that rapier and already has 800 gp saved up from previous encounters. 800 + 565 = 1,365 gp. She subtracts the sell price of the rapier to get 1,365 - 1,160 = 205 gp, commits that new value to her character sheet, and takes the +1 rapier.
Effectively, she's paid the party compensation for the rapier that is equal to their share if the weapon were sold. Whenever she gets her next weapon upgrade, she simply sells the rapier and keeps the entire 1,160 gp from that sale.
If an especially expensive and desirable item drops that someone needs, like say a nice suit of magical full plate, players lend gold to one another and simply keep track of the IOUs. Some consumable items like arrows, healing potions, etc. are simply divided amongst characters for expediency sake as they often end up being traded around anyways.
My group also does that.
*Fizzboy way*My group also does that.
This is the way I have always done it. The group I am in does it more like Bill Dunn and Kolokotroni, its not wrong but the ways above the loot is completely equal. All these ways work. I was just curious.
We have a 5 character party. All coin treasure (including sold items) is split 6 ways: 1 share for each character, and 1 share to the party funds. The party fund is used to buy things the entire party needs, like wands of cure light wounds or bribe funds (and sometimes, if the party fund is getting low, characters will pitch in to help). Items go to whichever character it makes the most sense or needs it the most - based on group consensus. If we can't figure out who it goes to, it either gets sold or simply goes to the player who wants to carry it around. And sometimes, instead of selling an item, we gift them out to NPCs for various reasons.
For example, on one adventure, we found a nice Tien chest, which we gifted to Ameiko in Sandpoint. The GM ruled that the gift gave us free room and board at her inn anytime we wanted it. I also like to have a covered wagon where ever we go (to carry treasure, injured party members, etc..), and because we can't always take a covered wagon into caves or marshes or whatnot, I also hire NPCs to guard the wagon while we're gone. So sometimes we'll gift them with an item we find. I also like to hire NPCs as torchbearers, weapon carriers, cooks, etc.. The ones who face more danger get more pay, but also get gifted items more often. The idea of 4-5 heroes walking around the countryside without any camp followers always seemed odd to me.
This is the way I have always done it. The group I am in does it more like Bill Dunn and Kolokotroni, its not wrong but the ways above the loot is completely equal. All these ways work. I was just curious.
*Fizzboy way*My group also does that.
Yes but in some cases it might create really big differences in players, for example in Kingmaker the arcane casters (and maybe the divine) are left SO behind using this method because from what i remember the AP gives very little caster gear (and when it does it's mostly not worth it), on the other hand in RotRL the trasure is much more geared for casters (especially wizards) that it's not fun.
I think in all three games I am involved in we do it the same way. If the item is better than the gear a player currently has and he has use of it, he basically gets first dibbs on it. So a good 2-Hand weapon is found then the barbarian gets first shot, a good 1-hand weapon is found the fighter has first shot at it ect. If the person who could use it the most doesn't need it then everyone else can have it if they want it, if no one wants it then it gets sold and shared amongst the party. If it's something that is good for everyone, like an amulet of natural armor or something then there is discussion on who should get it. Like should the caster so he doesn't have such low AC, or should the guy with the highest AC get it to be even better or should we give it to this guy to even out the ACs ect. Greed and item hogging are very VERY rarely an issue in our group which is very nice, especially knowing how some groups are.
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We just give it to whoever it benefits the most.
+2 longsword? Fighter got dibbs on it!
Headband of Int +4? That goes to the wizard.
+1 Adaptive longbow? A gift to the archery-focused Ranger.
Ring of Invisibility? Mr.Rogue can have it.
If two characters want the same item, it goes to whoever needs it the most. If both have about the same need, it goes to whoever has less loot.
If nobody wants it, we sell it and split the cash.
Gold and all other stuff that only has monetary value, we split equally, but we occasionally lend money to each other. e.g.: Mr.Wizard has 2000gp, but no real need for it right now. He could buy a Ring of Protection, but chipping in to give the Barbarian a better Cloak of Resistance might be a better idea in the long run.
So far, we never had any problem.
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Cash is split evenly between 1 share for each party member and 1 share for party treasure.
Cash equivalents (gems, art objects) also split evenly at time of sale.
Mundane gear sold and proceeds split evenly. If somebody wants some mundane item, they can generally claim it without contention.
Magic items divvied out by consensus on a need/greed basis. Sometimes we will give certain items to players who often find themselves with a standard action and nothing pressing to do with it. That's your chance to use an alchemist's fire that you've been carrying around for 3 levels, or punch down a door with a ring of the ram, or something. We try not to give those kinds of things to martials, who generally have more important things to do with their actions.
My players try to put group utility items like a decanter of endless water in party treasure as well, but I force them to tell me who's carrying it. Party treasure isn't some invisible floating bank account. Somebody's carrying all that crap, and if it's in the wagon, you can't just whip it out and use it on the fourth sublevel of the dungeon.
The option that has worked best for us is to total up the sell value of all the loot, then divide that into a number of shares equal to the number of pcs + 1. Each pc receives one share, with the extra share going into a community pool, used for expenses such as healing pots/wands, scrolls of xxx, rezes, etc.
If a party member wishes to keep any of the items, they pay the sell value of the item back into the total pot. If they do not have enough for the item in question, more often than not party members will front them the gold until the next haul, especially if it benefits the party.
Any items that are quest related, artifacts, etc. are given to the most appropriate character, and do not count against their loot.
No issues with this so far.
I think in all three games I am involved in we do it the same way. If the item is better than the gear a player currently has and he has use of it, he basically gets first dibbs on it. So a good 2-Hand weapon is found then the barbarian gets first shot, a good 1-hand weapon is found the fighter has first shot at it ect. If the person who could use it the most doesn't need it then everyone else can have it if they want it, if no one wants it then it gets sold and shared amongst the party. If it's something that is good for everyone, like an amulet of natural armor or something then there is discussion on who should get it. Like should the caster so he doesn't have such low AC, or should the guy with the highest AC get it to be even better or should we give it to this guy to even out the ACs ect. Greed and item hogging are very VERY rarely an issue in our group which is very nice, especially knowing how some groups are.
I whole heartily believe in this, my group does this for the msot part. Items during an adventure go to who can make the most of it to benifit the group.
My issue is if not the same amount of gear drops that everyone can use. An example of this: One of the members in our group didnt pick up a single item in the last adventure we had. The rest of us got about 3 each. I dont think its fair to split the remaining gold. I think this guy should get a share of the gold to bring his estimated wealth up in line with ours (rest of the group).
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We typically divide up items based on who needs them most or can use them best or who hasn't gotten anything good in a while. The cash we divide up equally, frequently leaving an extra share as party treasury. Items we don't want or can't use, we usually sell and divide up as part of the cash.
This is pretty much us. In my Jade Regent game, though, one of my players tracks everything by spreadsheet and really tries to balance stuff out to literally the last GP.
He likes doing it -- he's just one of those micro-manage guys -- but I can tell by looking at WBL that it doesn't actually work out any better than just eye-balling things, primarily because he has fudge-factors in there like, "Well, Valen is holding on to this 10,000 gp item, and using it on a daily basis, but it actually belongs to the group."
So I personally don't think it's worth the effort -- although keeping a list of loot just for general purposes is a good idea -- but it's no skin off anybody's nose, so whatever wafts his banner.
If there's something nice in the treasure, anyone can claim it, and if there are multiples, they decide among themselves who should get it (e.g. "you got X last time", or "I'd like that, but you need it more, so you can have it, and I'm gonna buy Y anyway"). Then someone might say, "don't sell X, we might need it later," and everything else is sold, and the proceeds are evenly distributed, no matter who is present or absent (the penalty for being absent is you miss out on the game and hanging out, which is punishment enough, we all agree). One person generally volunteers to track loot, and undistributed gold. This can occasionally result in the sale of an item that someone wanted. In which case, usually the GM permits "unselling it" as if it hadn't been sold (if it was a recent thing, not 2 months ago, for example), which affects previously-distributed sale proceeds, but it's usually not enough to warrant recalculating everything. The group pays for anything healing-related, including fixing negative levels and resurrection (unless there was some exceptional circumstance). Usually there's enough undistributed coinage/loot to be able to afford group needs, but someone mentioned using a "group share" for such things, and I like that idea, so I might pitch that to the group next time I'm a player. As GM, I'm not involved in the present system (I communicate what was found with the "quartermaster", but that's all), but that's basically how we do it no matter who is GMing.
Liquid assets we divide evenly, sometimes taking a bit from all the other players and giving it to someone saving up for something expensive, especially at lower levels.
Wonderous Items, Magic Weapons and Armor, and so forth we generally sell and use that as gold my Forgemaster Cleric uses to craft, or if it's useful we keep it.
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We definitely do the n+1 thing for all of our games (Pathfinder or D&D). We try and divide out the magic items equitably... which usually means that until we get a break, we just assign stuff out.
Then, between adventures (when we would have time to sell stuff), we list out all of the items, and people just state what they want. If there are conflicts, we try to go for consensus, but failing that, will resort to a random die roll.
Usually works out ok... mostly because we are all adults, and want everyone to have a good time, and also want the group to succeed as a whole. Occasionally, someone will feel left out, but we're usually pretty good about redressing grievances as they come up.
We have decided that expendable items, such as potions, scrolls, and wands, do not count against an individual's items. They are assigned to people, but effectively are "party treasure" until used.
If nobody wants an item (or it is so valuable that we'd be better off selling and buying multiple things), we sell it off, and it goes into the n+1 split.
we do it with comen sense giving items to whome they can use them best and sometimes one character gets alot for like 2 lvls and then has to wait a while...
Equal share + 1 for the party.
However I have to confess that as I don't tend to play characters that create items or need expensive spell components, I do begrudge the 'party share' component, 'Expensive hobbies' is how one character of mine (a rogue) views it.
Why would you begrudge the party share component based on those criteria? Are those the only things you use the party share on? We usually use it for healing items, curse removal, raise dead...
We just give it to whoever it benefits the most.
+2 longsword? Fighter got dibbs on it!
Headband of Int +4? That goes to the wizard.
+1 Adaptive longbow? A gift to the archery-focused Ranger.
Ring of Invisibility? Mr.Rogue can have it.If two characters want the same item, it goes to whoever needs it the most. If both have about the same need, it goes to whoever has less loot.
If nobody wants it, we sell it and split the cash.
So if a Fighter and Bard both want the +2 longsword, does the Batd get it? He has lower hit bonus and therefore needs it more.
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One for me, one for Bob; one for me, one for Joe; one for me, one for Mary; one for me, one for party use...
That's fair right?
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Well, uh, we can sell loot at market price, so we usually just do that, split the gold evenly and buy what we want. ~.~
Yeah, I know; we're doing it wrong/loot is never exciting/we broke the game/whatever. It's worked for our group. The GM doesn't need to carefully plan out magic items according to the players' needs, so that's one less burden for the GM to carry. We also never have any disputes on who gets what. We just divide it evenly and shamelessly spend our GP on whatever items we'd like to have.
I am the bookkeeper, by the way. So no running tabs, but I still have to valuate all the loot. Oh, we also don't really appraise or use identify. We're just given the value of all loot. (Unless it's directly related to plot; like we could sell this rare item to one of two different buyers who desperately want it.)
Finally, our items don't need a story; we're the story. If we want to make some big deal about a magical item, I guess we could and it has happened before. (Acquired an intelligent item in the very first campaign we played) But generally speaking, it's beside the point and only occasionally needs to be a point of focus. Let's get our characters leveled up, slap on our big six, and get back to enjoying the story and each other.
Interestingly enough, because of how my party dynamic is our employer (the party wizard/warlock from 3.5/theurge) pays us. Previously we had all the loot split fairly evenly like The Chort does.
We're currently on the search for forbidden knowledge which ended up with me getting a baby owlbear (which I awakened) to raise and the dwarf sold the other two before they could hatch.
My own group also divides into equal shares, calculated by a persnickety wizard that worships Abadar.
One question: what do you generally use the "party share" for?
Hiring spellcasters to cast spells that the PCs can't. Or to buy potions that everyone will need for an adventure.
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we use the party share for things like raise dead and resto components, CLW wands, resto wands. Sometimes we'll use some it for a base, or other things like that.
It has gone to purchase spells for the wizard that he wouldn't have otherwise bought, or things like that.
Generally, it is used to keep the party alive (or to return to life). Scrolls of Breathe of Life would probably be a good idea, too!
So if a Fighter and Bard both want the +2 longsword, does the Batd get it? He has lower hit bonus and therefore needs it more.
I need more information. Does either already have a magic weapon they can use? Does the fighter have one but it's a +1 hand axe and his feats are geared around the long sword? Is either hampered by a penalty that they want to try to overcome? And so on...
But if, in a simple case, both already had a +1 long sword and were looking to upgrade? I'd consider throwing my vote behind the bard on the basis that he needs the magical bonus more than the fighter does. The +2 long sword is likely to be a top weapon of his for some time, allowing us to focus on other PCs when more weapons come up.
Step 1. Determine value of treasure, and shares into which the party is to split that treasure.
Step 2. Claim magic items that are going to be used by a party member. Every party member puts a claim on every item they might use, in the order that they want them. Do not put a claim on an item you do not intend to use.
Step 3. Claim non-magic items that intrigue your character as trophies. Every party member puts a claim on every such item, in the order that they want them. For instance, a necklace to give Lavinia might intrigue Heinrick. A bottle of rare wine might intrigue Tycho. A set of ancient Olman burial garb and jewelry might intrigue Aucaman. A text on Shade for Rath. So on and so forth.
Step 4. Decide among yourselves who is going to get what magic items if there are competing claims. Base it on need, usefulness, share of treasure, etc. If someone is down 20,000 gp from the last horde, they probably ought to get first dibs on the first magical item they want. If someone has already gotten two magical items because no one else claimed them to use, they should give up a contested item to a person who hasn't gotten anything.
Step 5. Decide among yourselves who is going to get what trophy treasure if there are competing claims. Same way.
Step 6. Split up the remaining money treasure as evenly as possible, in shares determined by step one. Remember that half of the treasure that you are selling for cash is non-combat wealth. Your trophies also count as non-combat.
Step 7. Rank those who came out behind and those who came out ahead. They get first and last claim on the next round of treasure, respectively.
With my groups it usually depends on the characters. We work alot of stuff out in game so it varies from different groupings of characters, and not always on alignment. though we'll usually do the norm of equally splitting gold and the like then split magic items. We generally ignore the idea of who can use what better and just split the items. After everything is split the characters then haggle and trade with each other for magic items, more gold, gems, and such.
This is done for two main reasons; 1. we all tend to make frequent use of the use magic device skill, so every generally is decent with magic items. and 2. we usually are more likely to have an arcane caster then a divine so what is useful and valueable greatly depends on the character.
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Establish before the first session one of two methods: handle it fairly, or handle it in-character.
My groups do the following:
Note: Until we hit town everything is 'communal property' and it goes to whoever needs it most.
When we finally divide treasure:
Sell everything anyone doesn't want.
Add up the purchase price of all that remains. Divide by the number of players+1 (group expenses share). This is the amount of treasure each person gets.
Each player can purchase items out of that share. If he wants to purchase an item that is over his budget he has to borrow the funds from others.
Example:
A 4 player group finds 6700gp worth of items (after being sold) and a +2 Weapon that is not sold. Total value: 15,000gp. Dividing by (4+1) gives each player (and the party share) 3,000gp.
The Player that wants the 8,300gp weapon now needs to borrow 5300gp from the group in order to keep the sword.
Over the years I have found that while handling it in-character works, consistent uneven splits can also result in hard feelings between players. As a result I stick with the handle it fairly method.
Note: The party share portion is what purchases healing and various toolbox items. My group's bag of holding is usually bought out of this.
- Gauss
my barbarrian actualy took some loot while nobody was watching. after a while he sacreficed himself for the party unintentionaly and died lolz i dont think they realy wanted to save him.
oh well now i can play a magus !!
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Can't speak for my group. I'm the GM, but they seem to work off of some strange distributivist system.
They mostly keep the assets in a protected location (bag of holding / ship's hold), and distribute or utilize as necessary, but the party is more or less responsible, save for a Barbarian who the party plans on informing needs to put an end to his caddy-bag magical weapon situation (He has three magical two handed weapons), since the party needs funding for gear.
The party's major loot issue is they're packrats, to the consternation of the loot tracker (the monk) and the party's merchant.
This includes not wanting to part with things like creepy broken birdcages, piles of martial arts instruction manuals, and the like.
We split gold and items with no purpose other than gold value between the party, and magic items, ect. are given to the party member who would make best use of it. Amy disputes are solved with a dice roll.
My groups whether I'm in them or GMing them just seem to work it out...UNLESS a Caviler: Order of the Cockatrice is in the party. Then it becomes a nightmare b/c of their edict:
Edicts: The cavalier must keep his own interests and aims above those of all others. He must always accept payment when it is due, rewards when earned, and an even (or greater) share of loot. The cavalier must take every opportunity to increase his own stature, prestige, and power.
So if a Fighter and Bard both want the +2 longsword, does the Batd get it? He has lower hit bonus and therefore needs it more.We just give it to whoever it benefits the most.
+2 longsword? Fighter got dibbs on it!
Headband of Int +4? That goes to the wizard.
+1 Adaptive longbow? A gift to the archery-focused Ranger.
Ring of Invisibility? Mr.Rogue can have it.If two characters want the same item, it goes to whoever needs it the most. If both have about the same need, it goes to whoever has less loot.
If nobody wants it, we sell it and split the cash.
Never had such problem, actually... It'd depend on different factors, but supposing both of them are melee-focused characters who use longswords, we'd probably give it to the Fighter.
Fighters would make better use of the sword. And Bards have lots of different stuff to do, other than hitting things, so they don't need better weapons as much as martial characters do.Just like that Ring of Invisibility went to the Rogue, even if he has the best Stealth score in the party. He might let the Fighter use it if they want to go scouting together, though.
So far, we never had any problem splitting our loot.
As above.
Everything gets 'cashed in', the notional value is divided up, and if you wanted something we found you buy it from your share (paying us the same 50% retail the vendor would have).
CLW sticks, utility potions etc do not count, as they are party consumables and are just kept as a 'party asset'.
If you want something you cant afford, you are going to have to work out how to borrow funds. If we as a party decide X needs Y item, we might feel inclined to gift funds towards it etc.
The party I am DMing at the moment - share out items as they arrive, normally on an 'Ohh, I could use that' type basis - except for the bard who wants to collect souvenirs from everywhere he goes.
The latest one was a ring they didn't know what it was - so the fighter chose to wear it just in case. Crucially it was a most fortunate choice for he was the one who was grappled in the middle of a trap - and would have died horribly - except for the ring of free action he was wearing. :)
The magical silver statue went straight into the sorcerers backpack for further investigation - along with the other bits they are not sure how to use.
When they get 'home' and spend time working out what things are - there might be some redistribution of Items half-claimed on adventure.
Gold, mundane treasure and surplus magic items are sold off, en mass, when they get 'home' and are then used to balance out share - normally by commissioning suitable magical items for people.
It all works out fairly amicably - BUT, that is in line with the personalities of the players. They don't want to play in-party conflict so they find a way they don't have to.
My group splits liquid assests (gold, gems etc) evenly either before or after sale, and then assigns magic items by consensus to characters based on who can make best use of them and who already has what.
We more or less do the same.
But players who get a magic item are not free to seel it if someone else can/wants to use it as well. Only stuff nobody wants is sold and the money, again, split evenly.Example: Bob the front line martial has a ring of protection +1 while Sue the witch doesn't have one. Now the party finds a ring of protection +2. It could happen that Bob gets the +2, his old +1 goes to the party treasure and from there is handed out to Sue.
If, later, the party finds another ring of protection +2 and Sue gets it the old +1 goes to the party treasure and if nobody needs it it is sold and the money split up.