Item design in 5th is most comparable to 2nd ed philosophies. If you can get your hands on any of the four Encyclopedia Magica volumes from that time, you'll have a nearly endless supply of old magic items that are rather easy to convert.
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"The mongoose blew out its candle and was asleep in bed before the room went dark." —Llanowar fable
Yeah, but a vast majority of magical items from the 2nd ed era either didn't interact with THAC0 in a mechanical way, or could just be used in 5th Ed as-is with only a small editing of any +X bonus that they may give. Like...as an example....*grabs Encylopedia Vol 1 off my shelf and opens to a random page*
Mantle of Mists (page 305)
This is a voluminous cloak made of valuable white fur; it radiates an aura of alteration magic. Three times per day the mantle can transform itself in a dense Fog Cloud with dimensions of 20 by 20 by 10 feet. The fog lasts for one turn, or until the wearer chooses to terminate it, whichever comes first. It is useful in making a quick escape or diversion.
That is word for word what is in the book. Honesty, it would likely require no change unless you wanted to regulate the usage to maybe once per short rest.
EDIT: Here's another random offering:
Deceptor's Boots (page194)
Deceptor's Boots allow the wearer to turn ethereal (as the potion) twice a day; grant the powers of invisibility (as the ring or spell), and climbing (as the potion) each usable three times daily.
Again, all word for word from the book and likely only need to be adjusted slightly by limiting usage.
It's D&D, most items would be compatible regardless of edition I would think.
3rd and 4th ed era items would be harder as they were build under a different sort of philosophy where the items were functionally required and an item treadmill of sorts was established. Both 2nd and 5th ed had a much more relaxed design philosophy towards magic items where they are not really accounted for as much in the game math and so the items were/are a bit more free-form.
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"The mongoose blew out its candle and was asleep in bed before the room went dark." —Llanowar fable
Thanks everybody! Y'all have given me some good leads! If you think of any other specific titles, It's definitely appreciated. I'll see if I can't track down an Encyclopedia Magic Volume to start.
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Hello, I'm a relatively green DM, only having a couple months under my belt.
I've only ever played 5e, and I want to run a campaign with some non-official magic items.
My first question is which editions would you suggest as being most mechanically-compatible for converting items to 5e?
Secondly, do you remember any particular old books you'd recommend for a solid section of magic items?
I'm hoping to get inspiration from older editions books to adapt to a custom magic item in my game.
Thanks in advance!
Item design in 5th is most comparable to 2nd ed philosophies. If you can get your hands on any of the four Encyclopedia Magica volumes from that time, you'll have a nearly endless supply of old magic items that are rather easy to convert.
Interesting! I didn't play 2nd edition, but I was about to say 1st edition. That said the action economy is new as is the removal of THACO etc.
Yeah, but a vast majority of magical items from the 2nd ed era either didn't interact with THAC0 in a mechanical way, or could just be used in 5th Ed as-is with only a small editing of any +X bonus that they may give. Like...as an example....*grabs Encylopedia Vol 1 off my shelf and opens to a random page*
That is word for word what is in the book. Honesty, it would likely require no change unless you wanted to regulate the usage to maybe once per short rest.
EDIT: Here's another random offering:
Again, all word for word from the book and likely only need to be adjusted slightly by limiting usage.
It's D&D, most items would be compatible regardless of edition I would think.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
3rd and 4th ed era items would be harder as they were build under a different sort of philosophy where the items were functionally required and an item treadmill of sorts was established. Both 2nd and 5th ed had a much more relaxed design philosophy towards magic items where they are not really accounted for as much in the game math and so the items were/are a bit more free-form.
Thanks everybody! Y'all have given me some good leads! If you think of any other specific titles, It's definitely appreciated. I'll see if I can't track down an Encyclopedia Magic Volume to start.