Current Events > Treasure in 5e D&D. How do I make low-level treasure interesting?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Magic items are supposed to be relatively rare level 1-10 and the odd horde of jewels and gold gets rather boring when there isn't much to spend it on. Any suggestions on how to go about treasure/rewards in a way that's fun and interesting for the party?

My DM used to do unique rewards. I remember one chapter for us ended with us saving a mine from bandits and we all got a 10% stake in the mine.

only our big events gave us magical items.

Charges.

The standard for magic items is permanent but low level wizards can actually create something like long sword +1 but only for 10 strikes after that it's just a regular long sword.

There are a ton of low level magic items that really won't break things. Doesn't have to be combat stuff.

Give them an orb that summons an imp, the imp isn't under your control and only insults the summoner

You can also give out functionally useless items as a joke. Like a Sword +1 vs Cloud Giants

Charges is a good idea.

Or just use a random table and let the gods decide, it's what I always do.

I really dislike 5e, but in my games the best things you can give out are seemingly useless items that the pcs will inevitably find some bullshit use for. Players love that kind of thing.

+1 Singing Sword.

The song it sings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlW7T0SUH0E

AldousIsDead posted...

I really dislike 5e, but in my games the best things you can give out are seemingly useless items that the pcs will inevitably find some bullshit use for. Players love that kind of thing.

This is also good just make up shit doesn't have to follow any specific rules.

Examples:

• Silver coin that when flipped always lands on its side.
• Feather quill pen that takes dictation. Writes in the handwriting of the person dictating.
• Music box that when wound up before going to sleep guarantees pleasant dreams / blocks any kind of nightmare curses / attacks.
• Sponge covered in ants. Put it in your bag. Any time someone tries to steal something out of your bag they will always grab the sponge covered in ants first.

Gravity testing rock. It's a rock that can tell you if gravity is functioning properly, just hold your arm out and release it.

Players WILL find a way to use it.

So I havent gotten far enough in DMG to see those loot lists but the trinket list in the Player Handbook had a bunch of random weird things in it

Could give them cool mundane items like alchemical oils, telescope, etc. Or weapons/armor that are normal but look super fancy. Describe how cool they look, have NPCs comment on their drip, they'll love it

AldousIsDead posted...

I really dislike 5e, but in my games the best things you can give out are seemingly useless items that the pcs will inevitably find some bullshit use for. Players love that kind of thing.

Pretty much this.

give them the "They Live" glasses. Whenever you put them on, everybody looks like some alien/zombie monstrosity.

One time use magic items can be a safe bet. Potions and scrolls might make a single encounter easier, but won't affect the overall adventure. And by having stuff like this on a semi-regular basis, hopefully the players won't end up with the "too good to use" hoarding mindset.

"The Monster Manual", which is just... handing over the Monster Manual.

Kim_Seong-a posted...

give them the "They Live" glasses. Whenever you put them on, everybody looks like some alien/zombie monstrosity.

Except for the previous wearer, so that way the first player is paranoid, and so is the second player because he thinks he's seeing what the first player sees

Kim_Seong-a posted...

give them the "They Live" glasses. Whenever you put them on, everybody looks like some alien/zombie monstrosity.

Get a couple of players involved with the gag, too.

Bump

Write lore for the rewards. Make it feel special.

Give them something that will lead into the next adventure, with a low monetary value. Like a brooch the Lady of the manor lost that will allow them to get in good graces with the Lord, or whatever.

In practice, a lot of consumables in 5e are absurdly expensive. As a result most players will avoid dumping cash on them, so finding the stuff will keep things moving.

As for permanent loot, some people go for silly stuff like Capes of Billowing, which is a cape that dramatically flutters on command. If you want something useful, then something with a recharge time(once per sunrise, once per week) lets you offer a buff without skewing all combat going forward. E.g. some of the totem animals. The party might enjoy being able to deploy a guard dog once per week when they find themselves resting in a rather hostile area, etc.

You could also go for quest hooks, like finding a treasure map or some sort of log book detailing a treasure-laden location that some NPC was about to plunder. If the players expend their time and energy in pursuit of it then any useful stuff they find should have a bit more meaning to them.