Magic item shops can be a divisive topic in tabletop RPGs, with strong opinions on both sides. Should our campaigns feature a shop where adventurers can exchange their hard-earned gold for magical gear, or should magic items be treasures found only in the wilds of our worlds? Let’s weigh the pros and cons before diving into some practical tips for inclusing magic item shops in our campaigns.
The case for magic item shops
Player expectations: Some players, particularly those coming from video games, might expect shopping for magic items in a tabletop RPG. It’s an easy way for them to plan upgrades and feel a sense of agency over their gear.
Recurring NPCs: A magic shop provides a great opportunity for a memorable and recurring NPC, like the fabulous magic item shop keeper Gilmore from Critical Role. A charming, quirky, or even sinister shopkeeper can become an endearing NPC for the characters to return to over the course of the campaign.
Custom magic items: Shops make it simple to introduce custom magic items tailored to your campaign or characters without relying solely on treasure.
Coin sink: Characters often amass substantial amounts of gold, especially at higher levels. Magic shops can provide a way to spend that wealth, preventing characters from hoarding coin without purpose.
The case against magic item shops
Shopping takes time: Prolonged and repeated episodes of shopping can be time-consuming and may disrupt the pacing of our game.
Incentive for adventure: If magic items can be bought, adventurers might question why they’re delving into dungeons and risking their lives for treasure.
Too many magic items: Allowing easy access to magic items can lead to characters becoming overpowered or players becoming overwhelmed with too many options on their character sheets.
Preparation time: Coming up with unique and interesting inventory lists takes valuable prep time that could be spent elsewhere.
Tips for magic item shops
If we do decide to include magic item shops in a campaign, here are some thoughts on how to alleviate some of the downsides mentioned above:
Impermanent shops: Consider making the shop temporary or mobile. For example, a young bronze dragon might travel the realm to sell treasures. This lets us control when players can shop and when they need to earn items through adventuring.
Randomize inventories: Use random generators (like Donjon’s Magic Item Shop Generator) to save prep time and keep things fresh. Generating inventory randomly might surprise the players and us with unforeseen magic items.
Side quests: Turn shopping into gameplay. For instance, a shopkeeper or enchanter might need rare components to craft specific items, sending the characters on a mini-adventure.
Session Zero: Establish in a session zero whether magic item shops exist in this campaign. That way, players can set their expectations for magic items in the campaign.
Magic item shops to fit your game
Magic item shops are neither inherently good nor bad. Like most things in tabletop RPGs, their value depends on how well they fit our campaign and our players’ expectations. I don’t tend to use them in my campaigns because of the reasons outlined above, but I have included that bronze dragon magic item trader. As a mobile magic item shop and recurring friendly NPC, it was a great success. Think about what kind of magic item shops (if any) fit your game!
