RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
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I'm a little concerned about the tables on pages 349+ listing both consumable and permanent items with wildly varying costs at the same level.
As an example, let's look at the 6th level treasure table. The cheapest item at that level is a True Darkvision Elixir, at 24gp. There are several items, such as the Eyes of the Eagle, that cost 250gp.
Why are some 6th level items worth 10x as much as others? That seems wildly imbalanced.
In normal play, I could see how this would be useful in some cases (e.g. when trying to decide what treasure to give out for an encounter). However, the GM would be very unwise to just pick a random 6th level item, since they could be worth such disparate amounts.
This is an even worse problem when rolling up a higher level character. For example, in Doomsday Dawn part 3, characters get one 6th level item, two 5th level items, one 4th level item, two 3rd level items, and some gold to spend on additional stuff. But a character who uses her 6th level slot to get a Potion of Quickness is going to be severely underpowered compared to one who bought, say, a Lesser Ring of Energy Resistance.
The item levels are based on effect and the cost is based on duration. The guidelines for character creation are that the static items are for permanent items and the extra coin for consumables. So RAW you cannot use your 6th level item slot to get a potion of quickness.
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
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Interesting. The "Purchasing Gear" sidebar in the adventure makes no mention of permanent vs. consumable items:
Each character begins with one 6th-level item, two 5th-level items, one 4th-level item, two 3rd-level items, and 125 gp to spend on any additional items. One character in the group also starts with one +2 magic armor of your choice. Allow characters who already know each other to pool their money to buy items.
Even so, I think it's confusing to have them all lumped together. It would probably make sense to have separate treasure tables for permanent items and consumable ones. Or else have the consumable items be lower level to account for their reduced cost.
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Yah its table 11-2 in the rulebook as well as the Treasure for New characters section both on p 348. They don't talk about it in Doomsday Dawn sidebar though.
I agree permanent and consumables should be separated. Personally id like high quality non-magic items listed with permanent and alchemical items listed with consumables as well I think that would aid character creation greatly.
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
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Yah its table 11-2 in the rulebook as well as the Treasure for New characters section both on p 348. They don't talk about it in Doomsday Dawn sidebar though.
I agree permanent and consumables should be separated. Personally id like high quality non-magic items listed with permanent and alchemical items listed with consumables as well I think that would aid character creation greatly.
Yes, both of those changes would make a lot of sense!
I concur. I'd like to see them almost treated as different things. Permanent items have so much more effect on the game that listing them together on the same list with a consumable that does a neat thing for a round and is gone doesn't make any sense.
Picking worthwhile permanent magic items for the higher level Doomsday Dawn characters has been like pulling teeth--having it all on a single table would make that a ton easier!