How are we liking the starting equipment in 5.5e? I feel it's a bit random, like the fighter having a greatsword and flail, but no shield. I typically prefer the 115gp. How about you?
I think the idea is mostly for new players, so they don’t get overwhelmed by the equipment list. Personally, I usually just use the starting gear for most everything and swap out a weapon or two.
I think more options based on different builds would be nice, but overall I think they serve there purpose well for new players. If anything, they show what players NEED so that they can customize accordingly.
…it would be nice if it explained this somewhere on the page what items are “necessary.” I ran into this problem trying to make a fighter on a budget; I wanted to spend 200/205 gold on splint armor, leaving 5 gold for essentials. After some discussion, it was determined to not be enough gold sadly, but I wouldn't have known that without the community.
It goes without saying, but you really have to be open to communication in DnD, not just at the table but online as it has evolved. I really wonder how well they played by the rules while experimenting back when it was just the books. They must have had to make a lot of calls without all the information known or understood.
Then again, it’s about fair fun, and as they say: you learn the rules so you can break them properly. So whatever goes down at your table is the way it is. It’s just nice for everyone to be on the same page now being able to talk about it.
The internet is a great tool when used correctly. …as well as when it works correctly. I still get 403 forbidden messages when i use my main browser on my phone, so I have to either go private and keep logging in, or I use the app and backdoor my way in without a way to go backwards and forwards in the search history. Not all of the changes made on the apps’ browser save correctly either.
They serve their purpose and I prefer the 2024 version to the 2014. In 2014, you might take a less desirable equipment set because the alternative tended to be less valuable. Plus you had to give up your Background equipment which was sometimes unique.
…it would be nice if it explained this somewhere on the page what items are “necessary.” I ran into this problem trying to make a fighter on a budget; I wanted to spend 200/205 gold on splint armor, leaving 5 gold for essentials. After some discussion, it was determined to not be enough gold sadly, but I wouldn't have known that without the community.
One thing to note here is that the Wizard is a bit of a strange place with its Spellbook. It is listed as a piece of equipment so they get it as part of their starting equipment, and thus not get it if they choose to take the money instead. But as there is no Spellbook item in the 2024 rules (DDB links to the 2014 version) which means they cannot buy it separately (or buy one to have as a backup). Their spellcasting feature talks about them creating a book so it really should have been made clearer there that that's how they get their book (and possibly some rules for creating a backup) and then not have it be part of their starting equipment at all.
…it would be nice if it explained this somewhere on the page what items are “necessary.” I ran into this problem trying to make a fighter on a budget; I wanted to spend 200/205 gold on splint armor, leaving 5 gold for essentials. After some discussion, it was determined to not be enough gold sadly, but I wouldn't have known that without the community.
One thing to note here is that the Wizard is a bit of a strange place with its Spellbook. It is listed as a piece of equipment so they get it as part of their starting equipment, and thus not get it if they choose to take the money instead. But as there is no Spellbook item in the 2024 rules (DDB links to the 2014 version) which means they cannot buy it separately (or buy one to have as a backup). Their spellcasting feature talks about them creating a book so it really should have been made clearer there that that's how they get their book (and possibly some rules for creating a backup) and then not have it be part of their starting equipment at all.
Oh wow that is strange. I mean, you could easily pretend that you have one or spend money on an “imaginary” item or just buy a book and say that’s it, but it definitely doesn’t feel right.
…it would be nice if it explained this somewhere on the page what items are “necessary.” I ran into this problem trying to make a fighter on a budget; I wanted to spend 200/205 gold on splint armor, leaving 5 gold for essentials. After some discussion, it was determined to not be enough gold sadly, but I wouldn't have known that without the community.
One thing to note here is that the Wizard is a bit of a strange place with its Spellbook. It is listed as a piece of equipment so they get it as part of their starting equipment, and thus not get it if they choose to take the money instead. But as there is no Spellbook item in the 2024 rules (DDB links to the 2014 version) which means they cannot buy it separately (or buy one to have as a backup). Their spellcasting feature talks about them creating a book so it really should have been made clearer there that that's how they get their book (and possibly some rules for creating a backup) and then not have it be part of their starting equipment at all.
Oh wow that is strange. I mean, you could easily pretend that you have one or spend money on an “imaginary” item or just buy a book and say that’s it, but it definitely doesn’t feel right.
Spellbooks are a class feature -- if you take the class, you have a spellbook.
I think the idea is mostly for new players, so they don’t get overwhelmed by the equipment list. Personally, I usually just use the starting gear for most everything and swap out a weapon or two.
We've been creating some new characters recently for new players to DnD 2024, and they did that naturally:
- They happily accepted the background and class starting equipment, since it's fine for level 1 characters and they preferred not to overthink it. - Once the characters were done, one friend swapped a weapon to get the Weapon Mastery he wanted, and another did it because he thought it fit his character better.
Okay, looks like the spellbook is not part of the gold total- you get your 50 of 55 gp from the rest of the items. Would be nice if they were clear, but I think this confirms it's freely acquired as a class feature independent of starting gear.
Spellbooks are a class feature -- if you take the class, you have a spellbook.
Then they really shouldn't have written it as being a part of the starting equipment.
I disagree. They should've have written the starting gear as A - Spellbook and stuff, B - Spellbook and 50 GP. Either way, I don't believe Spellbook as an independent item has been updated to 2024 so one of the following is true about replacing or duplicating your spellbook:
the feature is useless without the 2014
it uses a book and not a spellbook
the "spellbook" cost is subsumed in the cost of transcribing the spells. This makes more sense for replacing one than making a backup.
Hey Peoples,
How are we liking the starting equipment in 5.5e? I feel it's a bit random, like the fighter having a greatsword and flail, but no shield. I typically prefer the 115gp. How about you?
Love to hear your thoughts!
"That is not dead which can eternal lie;
And with strange aeons even death may die"
-H.P. Lovecraft
I think the idea is mostly for new players, so they don’t get overwhelmed by the equipment list.
Personally, I usually just use the starting gear for most everything and swap out a weapon or two.
I think more options based on different builds would be nice, but overall I think they serve there purpose well for new players. If anything, they show what players NEED so that they can customize accordingly.
…it would be nice if it explained this somewhere on the page what items are “necessary.” I ran into this problem trying to make a fighter on a budget; I wanted to spend 200/205 gold on splint armor, leaving 5 gold for essentials. After some discussion, it was determined to not be enough gold sadly, but I wouldn't have known that without the community.
It goes without saying, but you really have to be open to communication in DnD, not just at the table but online as it has evolved. I really wonder how well they played by the rules while experimenting back when it was just the books. They must have had to make a lot of calls without all the information known or understood.
Then again, it’s about fair fun, and as they say: you learn the rules so you can break them properly. So whatever goes down at your table is the way it is. It’s just nice for everyone to be on the same page now being able to talk about it.
The internet is a great tool when used correctly. …as well as when it works correctly. I still get 403 forbidden messages when i use my main browser on my phone, so I have to either go private and keep logging in, or I use the app and backdoor my way in without a way to go backwards and forwards in the search history. Not all of the changes made on the apps’ browser save correctly either.
…what were we talking about again?
They serve their purpose and I prefer the 2024 version to the 2014. In 2014, you might take a less desirable equipment set because the alternative tended to be less valuable. Plus you had to give up your Background equipment which was sometimes unique.
How to add Tooltips.
My houserulings.
I think there good, they defiantly feel better now then in the 2014 version.
One thing to note here is that the Wizard is a bit of a strange place with its Spellbook. It is listed as a piece of equipment so they get it as part of their starting equipment, and thus not get it if they choose to take the money instead. But as there is no Spellbook item in the 2024 rules (DDB links to the 2014 version) which means they cannot buy it separately (or buy one to have as a backup). Their spellcasting feature talks about them creating a book so it really should have been made clearer there that that's how they get their book (and possibly some rules for creating a backup) and then not have it be part of their starting equipment at all.
Oh wow that is strange. I mean, you could easily pretend that you have one or spend money on an “imaginary” item or just buy a book and say that’s it, but it definitely doesn’t feel right.
Spellbooks are a class feature -- if you take the class, you have a spellbook.
Then they really shouldn't have written it as being a part of the starting equipment.
We've been creating some new characters recently for new players to DnD 2024, and they did that naturally:
- They happily accepted the background and class starting equipment, since it's fine for level 1 characters and they preferred not to overthink it.
- Once the characters were done, one friend swapped a weapon to get the Weapon Mastery he wanted, and another did it because he thought it fit his character better.
Quick check:
2 Daggers- 2 gp each for 4 gp total
Arcane Focus (Quarterstaff)- 5 gp, net of 9 gp
Robe: 1 gp, net of 10 gp
Scholar's Pack: 40 gp, net of 50 gp
Okay, looks like the spellbook is not part of the gold total- you get your 50 of 55 gp from the rest of the items. Would be nice if they were clear, but I think this confirms it's freely acquired as a class feature independent of starting gear.
I disagree. They should've have written the starting gear as A - Spellbook and stuff, B - Spellbook and 50 GP. Either way, I don't believe Spellbook as an independent item has been updated to 2024 so one of the following is true about replacing or duplicating your spellbook:
How to add Tooltips.
My houserulings.