[RPG] What would be the effects of giving out ten times the expected gold

dnd-5eeconomytreasure

Given the treasure tables and advice in the Dungeon Master's Guide and Xanathar's Guide to Everything, characters have an implied wealth per level. An approximation of this is shown below, copied from this thread on D&D Beyond.

In converting a number of modules from BECMI/OD&D to 5e I've noticed a need to reward approximately 1/10th the gold amount awarded in the original module.

My question is: what would be the effects of handing out ten times the "expected" gold.

Level PC Wealth Level PC Wealth
1 Starting Gear 11 21,000 gp
2 100 gp 12 30,000 gp
3 200 gp 13 39,000 gp
4 400 gp 14 57,000 gp
5 700 gp 15 75,000 gp
6 3,000 gp 16 103,000 gp
7 5,400 gp 17 130,000 gp
8 8,600 gp 18 214,000 gp
9 12,000 gp 19 383,000 gp
10 17,000 gp 20 552,000 gp

Best Answer

Armored characters could afford plate armor faster

A step in an armored character's career is the purchase of a plate armor, which costs 1500gp. If you were handing out 10x the money, this would happen faster.

Potions of healing would be more common

Unlike most consumables, potions of healing can be bought for a listed price of 50gp. If money is very common then potions of healing will be too.

Spell components would be more available

Some spells require expensive material components. For example raise dead requires a diamond worth 500gp. If money were more available then these spells would be easier to cast.

Most other details depend on the DM's worldbuilding

There are no rules for buying magic items. If the DM is using the Sane Magic Item Prices pdf and allowing buying magic items, the group will soon have lots of magic items. If the DM doesn't allow buying magic items then the group won't be able to do this.

There are rules in Xanathar's for magic item crafting, but the rules expect you to go on quests to gather the components, and to spend weeks of time crafting the item. The rules include suggested gp costs, but the gp seems to be a small part of the total effort that goes into the item, and the DM could just charge more for the item if they wish.

The group might be able to live a lavish lifestyle, hiring servants to manage tasks for them. On the other hand, the DM might rule that everything costs 10x more in this world due to the higher availability of money, and in that case the group's lifestyle wouldn't change.

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