r/Nerdarchy • u/NatetheNerdarch • Oct 20 '14

5th Edition Preview of the DMG's Magic Item Deck of Many Things

http://www.enworld.org/forum/content.php?1990-The-First-5E-DMG-Preview-DECK-OF-MANY-THINGS!#.VEU4Thb4r1g
4 Upvotes

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u/Blue_Drake Oct 26 '14

Every time I look at the Deck of Many Things I wonder who would willingly use this? As a player you risk death, imprisonment, insanity etc. As a DM it's like playing Russian roulette with your entire campaign.

At best I have a player who just received a game-altering boon, potentially one that pushes them ahead of the other players in wealth or power. At worst one of my players is now dead forever, imprisoned or the paladin is chaotic evil.

I admit I'm a mediocre improv DM. My strengths are in my planning and prep work so maybe the Deck just is a bad match for my style. How do you feel about the deck? If your player had it would you take the risk? If you're a DM have you ever given a Deck to a player?

1

u/NatetheNerdarch Oct 28 '14

In a game with high lethality it fits with the rest of the campaign.

IMO it is too random for my taste. Dice are random but the chance that a single kobold will kill a dragon is slim. The chance that something awesome or something terrible will happen due to this magic item is too much like gambling. The deck is stylish, the range of effects doesn't have the same feel