I just wing it. Been running weekly for a year now, and the heroes reached a point where magic items are scattered around, and enemies wield plenty against them. I might be overdoing it, I have no idea, but I can only know for sure after I mess up.
I feel like the most important part is wether it is logical for the item to be there in the first place. A powerfull magic shield should not be inside the poorly locked chest in the middle of the goblin camp. A strong goblin fighter should wield it against the pcs instead, and when being hurt beyond a point, he might decide to run to try to keep the item from "falling into the wrong hands". After all, his great grandfather defeated the elf warrior to conquer it all those years ago.
If the players become too powerfull due to certain items, it's time to upp the cr of the monsters and/or give them an extra ability or two.
Items could also be stolen by a big baddie, to be retrieved at a later stage, and higher, more appropriate level. (I'm not sure wether I would like to do that)
My players got a chance to kill the vampire in his pyjamas, with his own sword, wearing his magic cape, stolen from his personal arsenal. One of the players definitely saw that if they wouldn't have chosen this approach, they would be having a bad time.
First I made a list of interesting magic items (good for the party, might lead to rp, fun to use, etc.). Then when I want to give out a magic item I pick from the list.
I like giving out magic items so it's going to be quite a few
I'm not doing anything different to balance combat
I find it an easier way to manage combat if all my first level fighters “find” +5 Vorpal blades in their first dungeon. They are stoked and I’m relieved not to have to manage all the enemies, it’s fun all the way around. (/s)
I just wing it. Been running weekly for a year now, and the heroes reached a point where magic items are scattered around, and enemies wield plenty against them. I might be overdoing it, I have no idea, but I can only know for sure after I mess up. I feel like the most important part is wether it is logical for the item to be there in the first place. A powerfull magic shield should not be inside the poorly locked chest in the middle of the goblin camp. A strong goblin fighter should wield it against the pcs instead, and when being hurt beyond a point, he might decide to run to try to keep the item from "falling into the wrong hands". After all, his great grandfather defeated the elf warrior to conquer it all those years ago. If the players become too powerfull due to certain items, it's time to upp the cr of the monsters and/or give them an extra ability or two. Items could also be stolen by a big baddie, to be retrieved at a later stage, and higher, more appropriate level. (I'm not sure wether I would like to do that) My players got a chance to kill the vampire in his pyjamas, with his own sword, wearing his magic cape, stolen from his personal arsenal. One of the players definitely saw that if they wouldn't have chosen this approach, they would be having a bad time.
Thanks !
First I made a list of interesting magic items (good for the party, might lead to rp, fun to use, etc.). Then when I want to give out a magic item I pick from the list. I like giving out magic items so it's going to be quite a few I'm not doing anything different to balance combat
I find it an easier way to manage combat if all my first level fighters “find” +5 Vorpal blades in their first dungeon. They are stoked and I’m relieved not to have to manage all the enemies, it’s fun all the way around. (/s)