Why should we track Magic Items?
Magic items are one of the easiest ways to make players feel powerful, invested, and excited about the game. But as DMs, we’re juggling so many details that it’s easy to lose track of who has what. That’s where a simple Magic Item Tracker comes in.
We’ve put together a lightweight tracker you can integrate into your campaign notes — whether you use Notion, Google Docs, or a physical folder. It helps you quickly check:
- Who has a magic weapon or focus
- Who’s due for something new
- What kind of items each player wants
A few Assumptions this Tracker uses:
- Every character should have a magic weapon or spellcasting focus by level 4 (end of Tier 1). Magic items are a core part of the game, and every player should have one early in their career.
- Magic items should suit the character. Ask during Session Zero what kinds of items players imagine — not specific ones, but themes like “big swords” or “teleportation tricks.”
- Characters should get better magic items as the campaign progresses. We can hand out better items or let items grow alongside the characters. A basic +1 dagger might become a shadow-stepping blade at level 8. Track those upgrades here too.
- Magic armor and shields cap at +1. Higher bonuses break bounded accuracy and make combat tedious, and less fun for everyone.
- Only track combat items. Non-combat potions, wondrous items, and utility tools are great rewards but don’t need rigid distribution.
Download the spreadsheet attached to this post and start keeping your loot distribution fair, fun, and stress-free.
