-	-	Notes	-	-
Dragon	-	-	-	Dragon 45

In the Dungeon Musters Guide, on pages 175-176, there appears a
set of tables for outfitting an encountered party with magic items. The
general idea behind them is that higher-level characters will have
more magic items than lower-level characters, and that they will have
more powerful items than lower-level characters will. This is of course
true to the Dungeons & Dragons axiom that one must kill big monsters to get big treasures.

I have found this set of tables highly useful, though not for their
stated purpose. After all, it is a lot of trouble to roil up an entire party
for an encounter, only to have the players decide not to bother them.
The real usefulness of these tables is that they provide a reasonable
estimate of how many and what kind of magic items a high-level party
should have. Most of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons modules
on the market today call for parties of 8-10 characters, 7th to 12th
level. However, if you play the game honestly, it may take as long as
several years of steady play to work a character up to that level range.
In short, your own character may not be strong enough to take on
Gygax’s seven-part underworld or Jaquay’s Dark Tower, It might also
be that you would rather not risk your own characters in commercial
modules, for some of them are very dangerous. The answer to such
problems is to roil up a high-level party out of thin air and use them instead. This way you can gain experience playing high-level characters,
use powerful spells, and enjoy the current modules before they disappear from hobby store shelves. An occasional upper-level adventure is
an amusing change of pace.

If you should decide to do what I have recommended, it will occur
to you that pre-fab upper-level characters ought to come equipped
with magic items appropriate to their level. This is where the DMG
tables come in. The first table will determine how many items the character will have, and what “level” they should be. The tables on page
176 then classify a certain number of magic items by their relative
strengths, and from these lists you can more or less choose what you
want, or roll for it. In either case your choices are very limited, for
these tables include only a small fraction of the magic items listed in
the DMG. Also, it is hard. to use them for the purpose of outfitting a
character or party of your own. You cannot simply choose at random,
or your Magic-User will end up with a + 5 shield and your fighter will
be wearing the Robe of Scintillating Colors. On the other hand, you
may feel a bit guilty about simply taking what you want; a real character takes his magic items as he finds them, and will usually have a few
bogus items as well as a few good ones. For this reason, random selection is really the more appropriate way to outfit a high-level party.

Since the DMG tables do not really allow for random selection and
do not include very many magic items in their listings, an expanded
version of these tables is given below. To outfit an upper-level party,
start with the table on page 175 of the DMG to determine how many
and what level of items each character should have. You may need to
consult the extension of this table that appears as Table I below. When
you are finished, go to the magic item tables and roll. The listings are
divided into four different classes: armor and shields, swords and miscellaneous weapons, scrolls and wands, and all other items. By this
classification, a party can be outfitted randomly without having to
worry about ending up with a ridiculous selection of items for a given
character. For instance, to outfit a 10th-level Fighter, roll once or twice
on the Swords and Weapons table of your choice, once or twice on an
Armor and Shield table, and any remaining rolls on an Other Items
table. Doing this will not guarantee that the Fighter will have everything he needs, or that he will not have items he cannot use, but at
least he will have the basic items a Fighter needs (armor and
weapons), and most of the other items selected will be of use to him.
Similarly, a Magic-User or Cleric would take one or two rolls on a
Scrolls and Wands table, one on the M-U column of the Swords and
Weapons table, and the rest on Other Items tables.

It is up to you, the player, to decide where the character in
question’s priorities lie. For instance, a 10th-level Fighter that rolls well
will get 3 level-1 items, 2 level-2 items, and one level-3 item. Since he
has only one level-3 choice, he must decide whether he wants the
highest possible quality sword he can get or whether that choice
would be better spent on armor. A 10th-level Magic-User would
probably be well advised to go for something off the level-3 Scrolls
and Wands table, if he were fortunate enough to get a choice at level
3. With a little good judgment, the tables below should yield a good
selection of magic items for any made-up party, whether for an encounter or as player-characters for a high-level adventure.

Table 1  (continuation of DMG table at pp. 175-6.)

Individual is 14th level	3 from level 1 magic items
-	2 from level 2;
-	1 from level 3;
-	80% chance: 1 from level 4.
Individual is 15th level	3 items from level 1;
-	2 items from level 2;
-	1 item from level 3;
-	1 item from level 4;
-	10% chance: 1 item from level 5.
Individual is 16th level	3 items from level 1;
-	2 items from level 2;
-	1 item from level 3;
-	1 item from level 4;
-	20% chance; 1 item from level 5.
Individual is 17th level	3 items from level 1;
-	2 items from level 2;
-	2 items from level 3;
-	1 item from level 4;
-	20% chance: 1 item from level 5.
Individual is 18th level	3 items from level 1;
-	2 items from level 2;
-	2 items from level 3
-	1 item from level 4;
-	60% chance: 1 item from level 5.

Table II  — Level One Magic Items
A. Armor and Shields
 

d20	Result
1-9	Shield +1
10-11	Chain Mail +1
12-13	Leather Armor +1
14-15	Scale Mail +1
16-17	Chain Mail +2
18	Scale Mail +2
19	Plate Mail +1
20	Shield +2

B. Swords and Weapons

d20	Result
1-8	Sword +1
9	Sword +1, roll for intelligence
10	Sword +2
11	Dagger +1
12	10 Arrows +1
13	4 Bolts +2
14	Mace +1
15	Spear +1
16	Hammer +1
17	Axe +1
18	Flail +1
19	Javelin +2
20	Axe +2, Throwing

d20	(M-U's) Result
1-20	Dagger +1

C. Scrolls and Wands

d20	Result
1-6	Scroll of 1 spell, level 1-6 (as per DMG p.121. Table III.B)
7-10	Scroll of 2 spells, level 1-4
11	Scroll of 3 spells, level 1-4
12-14	Scroll of Protection (Roll on DMG Table III.B., p. 121. until a protection scroll is selected.
15	Wand of Magic Detection
16	Wand of Metal and Mineral Detection
17	Wand of Negation
18	Rod of Cancellation
19	Wand of Enemy Detection
20	Wand of Magic Missiles (75%), or Wand of Wonder (25%)

D. Other Magic Items

d30	Result
1	2 Potions: Climbing, Flying
2	2 Potions: Extra-Healing, Polymorph (self)
3	2 Potions: Fire Resistance, Speed
4	2 Potions: Healing, Giant Strength
5	2 Potions: Heroism, Invulnerability
6	2 Potions: Human Control, Levitation
7	2 Potions: Super-Heroism, Animal Control
8	2 Potions: Clairvoyance, Levitation
9	2 Potions: Clairaudience, Diminution
10	2 Potions: Growth, ESP
11	2 Potions: Invisibility, Plant Control
12	2 Potions: Treasure Finding, Water Breathing
13	2 Potions: Sweet Water, Undead Control
14	2 Potions: Gaseous Form, Giant Control
15	2 Potions: Oil of Slipperiness, Dragon Control
16	Ring of Mammal Control
17	Ring of Protection +1
18	Ring of Swimming (50%) or Ring of Warmth (50%)
19	Ring of Feather Falling
20	Ring of Water Walking
21	Alchemy Jug
22	Bag of Holding
23	Boots of Elvenkind
24	Bracers of Defense, AC 6
25	Brooch of Shielding
26	Decanter of Endless Water
27	Gauntlets of Swimming and Climbing
28	Horseshoes of Speed
29	Rope of Climbing
30	1 Periapt: Health (25%) or Proof Against Poison

Table III -- Level 2 Magic Items
A. Armor and Shields

d20	Result
1-5	Shield +2
6	Shield +1, +4 vs. missiles
8	Shield +3
9-12	1 set: Plate Mail +1, Shield +1
13	Splint Mail +3
14-15	1 set: Chain Mail +3, Shield +1
16-20	Plate Mail +2

B. Swords and Weapons

d20	Result
1-5	Sword +2
6	Sword +2, has Int. of d6+12
7	Sword +1, Flame Tongue, +2, +3, +4; as in DMG, p. 124, III. G
8	Sword +1, +4 vs. reptiles (50%), or Sword +1, Luck Blade (50%)
9	Sword +2, Dragon (50%) or Giant (50%) SLAYER
10	Sword +3
11	Dagger +1, +2 vs. creatures smaller than man-sized
12	Dagger +2
13	2 weapons: Spear +2, Crossbow of Distance
14	Mace +2
15	Hammer +2
16	6 Arrows +3
17	2 weapons: Scimitar +1, Sling of Seeking +2
18	1 set: Bow +1, 10 Arrows +2
19	2 weapons: Axe +2, Dagger +1
20	1 set: Crossbow of Speed, 8 Bolts +2

 

d20 (M-U's)	Result
1-15	Dagger +1, +2 vs. creatures smaller than man-sized
16-20	Dagger +2

C. Scrolls and Wands

d20	Result
1-5	Scroll of 3 spells, level 2-9 or 2-7 (50% chance of each)
6-9	Scroll of 4 spells, level 1-6
10	Scroll of 5 spells, level 1-6
11	2 scrolls: One of 2 spells, level 1-8 or 1-6, and one of Protection (as noted in Table II.C.)
12	2 Scrolls of Protection (as noted in Table II.C.)
13-15	Wand of Magic Missiles
16-17	Wand of Illusion
18	Staff of Striking
19-20	Wand of Secret Door and Trap Detection

D. Other Magic Items

d30	Result
1	2 potions: Philter of Persuasiveness, Oil of Etherealness
2	Ring of Invisibility
3	Ring of Protection +3
4	2 rings: Protection +1, Shooting Stars
5	2 rings: Fire Resistance, Free Action
6	Amulet of Proof Against Detection and Location
7	Arrow of Direction
8-10	Bracers of Defense, AC 4
11-13	Cloak of Protection +2
14	Cloak of Protection +3
15-16	1 set: Bracers of Defense, AC 5, and Cloak of Protection + 1
17	Bucknard's Everfull Purse
18	Cloak of Elvenkind
19	Dust of Appearance
20	Eversmoking Bottle
21	Eyes of Minute Seeing
22	1 Figurine of Wondrous Power: Serpentine Owl
23	Gauntlets of Dexterity
24	Helm of Comprehending Languages & Reading Magic
25	3 Javelins of Piercing
26	2 Javelins of Lightning
27	Phylactery of Faithfulness
28	Periapt of Wound Closure
29-30	Scarab of Protection

Table IV --Level 3 Magic Items

A. Armor and Shields

d20	Result
1-5	Shield +4
6-8	Plate Mail +4
9-11	1 set: Plate Mail + 2, Shield + 3
12-14	1 set: Plate Mail + 3, Shield + 2
15-18	Shield +1
19-20	Plate Mail +5

B. Swords and Weapons

d20	Result
1-5	Sword +3, roll for Int.
6	Sword + 2, Nine Lives Stealer, has Int.of d 6 + 1 2
7	Sword + 3, Frost Brand, + 6 vs. fire using/ dwelling creatures
8	Sword +4, roll for Int.
9	Sword +4, Defender
10	Dagger +2, +3 vs. creatuires larger than man-sized
11	Dagger +3
12	Mace +3
13	Spear +3
14	Battle Axe +3
15	1 set: Axe +2, Dagger +1
16-17	Scimitar +2, roll for Int.
18-19	Scimitar +3
20	Trident +3

 

d20	(M-U's) Rsult
1-15	Dagger +2, +3 vs. creatures larger than man-sized
16-20	Dagger +3

C. Scrolls and Wands

d20	Result
1-4	2 Scrolls: One of 7 spells, level 2-9 or 2-7, one of Protection (as noted in Table II.C.)
5-8	1 Scroll: 7 spells, level 4-9 or 4-7
9-11	Wand of Fear
12-13	1 Staff: Serpent, Python or Adder (33% chance for each)
14-15	Wand of Paralyzation
16-17	Wand of Illumination
18-19	Staff of Curing
20	Staff of Withering

D. Other Magic Items
 

d30	Result
1	Ring of Spell Turning
2	Ring of Spell Storing
3	Ring of Telekinesis
4	Amulet of Life Protection
5	Bag of Tricks
6	Beaker of Plentiful Potions
7	1 pair of boots: Levitation (50%) or Speed (50%)
8	Boots of Striding and Springing
9	1 set: Bracers of Defense AC 2, Ring of Protection + 2
10	1 cloak: Protection +4 (50%), or Displacement (50%)
11	Crystal Ball
12	Cube of Frost Resistance
13	Eyes of the Eagle
14	Deck of Many Things
15	1 Figurine of Wondrous Power: Onyx Dog (50%), or Marble Elephant (50%)
16	Gauntlets of Ogre Power
17	Gem of Seeing
18	Horn of Valhalla, Silver
19	Medallion of ESP, 3" range
20	Lyre of Building
21	1 necklace: Adaptation (75%), or Prayer Beads (25%)
22	1 net: Entrapment (33%), or Snaring (67%)
23	1 pearl: Power (50%), or Wisdom (50%)
24	Pipes of the Sewers
25	Robe of Useful Items
26	Rope of Entanglement
27	Trident of Submission
28	1 trident: Warning (50%), or Fish Command (50%)
29	Stone of Good Luck
30	Wings of Flying

Table V - Level 4 Magic items

A. Armor and Shields

d20	Result
1-7	1set: Plate Mail +4, Shield +3
8-14	1 set: Plate Mail +5, Shield +2
15-20	1 set: Plate Mail + 4, Shield + 4

B. Swords and Weapons (No M-U column at this level)

d20	Result
1-5	Sword +4, roll for Int.
6	Sword + 4, with Int. of d6 + 12
7-8	Sword +4, Defender, roll for Int.
9	Sword +5
10	Sword of Dancing
11	Sword of Life Stealing
12	Sword of Wounding
13	Sword of Sharpness
14	Sword +5, Defender
15	3 Arrows of Slaying, random levels
16	Mace of Disruption
17	Hammer +3, Dwarven Thrower
18	Scimitar +4, roll for Int.
19	1 set: Bow + 2, 8 Arrows + 2, 4 Arrows + 3
20	1 set: Crossbow of Accuracy, + 3, 10 Bolts + 2

C. Scrolls and Wands

d20	Result
1-3	Rod of Absorption
4	Rod of Beguiling
5-6	Staff of Command
9-11	Wand of Polymorph
12-14	Wand of Fire
15-18	Wand of Frost
18-20

D. Other Magic Items

d20	Result
1	Ring of Djinni Summoning
2	Ring of Wizardry
3	Ring of X-Ray Vision
4	Ring of Regeneration
5	Folding Boat
6	Book of Infinite Spells
7	Bowl Commanding Water Elementals (50%) or Brazier Commanding Fire Elementals (50%)
8	Candle of Invocation
9	Carpet of Flying
10	Censer Controlling Air Elementals (50%) or Stone Commanding Earth Elementals (50%)
11	Chime of Opening
12	Daern's Instant Fortress
13	Drums of Panic
14	Efreet Bottle
15	1 set: Dust of Disappearance, Crystal Ball with ESP
16	Eyes of Charming
17	1 set, Figurines of Wondrous Power: 2 Golden Lions (50%) or 3 Ivory Goats (50%)
18	Gem of Brightness
19	Helm of Teleportation
20	1 horn: Blasting (33%), or Valhalla, Iron (67%)
21	Incense of Meditation
22	Iron Flask
23	2 jars, Keoghtom's Ointment
24	Manual of Golems (or golem built thereby)
25	Necklace of Missiles
26	Portable Hole
27	Robe of Blending
28	1 robe: Eyes (50%), or Scintillating Colors (50%)
29	Rug of Welcome
30	Scarab of Enraging Enemies

Table VI - Level 5 Magic items
A. Armor and Shields
There’s only one: Plate Mail of Etherealness

B. Swords and Weapons

d10	Result
1-5	Sword, Vorpal Weapon
6-10	Sword +5, Holy Avenger
10	Hammer of Thunderbolts

C. Scrolls and Wands

d10	Result
1-2	1 rod: Rulership or Lordly Might (choose)
3-6	Staff of Power or Rod of Resurrection (choose)
7-10	Staff of the Magi or Rod of Rulership (choose)

D. Other Magic Items

d12	Result
1	Amulet of the Planes
2	Apparatus of Kwalish
3	Cubic Gate
4-5	Girdle of Giant Strength
6	Helm of Brilliance
7	Helm of Telepathy
8	1 group: Ioun Stones
9	Instrument of the Bards or Ring of Elemental Command (choose)
10	Robe of the Archmagi
11	Talisman of Zagy (good reaction)
12	An artifact or relic (or re-roll)

Notes:
1. If you do not wish to see a character stuck with an item he or she
cannot use, re-roll on the same table until a usable item comes up.

2. Cursed items have been omitted from the above listings, as have
items usable only by evil types, for the sake of simplicity. Although
some cursed items are not without usefulness, most are kept at
home or gotten rid of when their nature becomes known.

3. Note the implications of Table I. It is not possible for a character of
less than 15th level to have a Staff of Power or a Ring of Elemental
Command. If your dungeon makes such items available to middle level types, it is most likely unbalanced. The same goes for all the
items listed above; if on Table I or the DMG table at p. 175 it says
that a character would not have any chance of having an item, it
does not behoove you as DM to give the character the item,
whether or not he or she “earned” it in your opinion.