Great Character Gear (#RPGaDay2024.15)

When we talk about character gear in tabletop roleplaying, whether it's swords forged by ancient masters, sci-fi gadgets that defy the laws of physics, or magical items infused with the essence of elder gods, there's one thing that seems to always come up: game balance. Now, I’m going to go ahead and say it—game balance is a myth. That’s right, a well-intentioned but ultimately misguided concept that’s more fiction than the stories we tell around the table.

Let’s be real for a moment. You’ve got a group of players, each with a character that’s supposed to be unique, with their own abilities, skills, and yes, gear. And somehow, every item they pick up or create is supposed to be meticulously measured, weighed, and balanced against everything else in the game. Spoiler alert: it’s impossible. No amount of math or meticulous planning can account for the unpredictability of a roleplaying session. And frankly, trying to keep everything “balanced” is missing the point of roleplaying in the first place.

The Illusion of Balance

Game balance is often touted as the holy grail of good game design. We’re told that every weapon, gadget, and magic item needs to be perfectly calibrated so that no character is ever too powerful or too weak. But here’s the thing—balance is an illusion. No matter how many spreadsheets you create or how many modifiers you tweak, someone’s always going to end up with an item that breaks the game. And you know what? That’s okay.

Take magic items, for example. These are supposed to be rare, wondrous objects that can turn the tide of battle or change the course of a campaign. But if you’re too worried about balance, you’ll end up with magic items that are as exciting as a rusty spoon. Where’s the fun in that? Instead of worrying about whether one character’s +2 sword is “too powerful,” maybe we should focus on making sure the challenges they face are just as epic.

The Role of the Gamemaster

This brings us to the real crux of the issue: it’s not the gear that needs to be balanced, it’s the challenges. The gamemaster’s job isn’t to make sure every character’s gear is perfectly equal in power; it’s to create situations where every character can shine, regardless of what they’re carrying. If one character has an overpowered item, great! That just means you need to come up with challenges that push them to their limits.

Let’s say you’ve got a character with a legendary sword that can slice through anything. Instead of panicking about how that throws off your carefully balanced encounters, use it as an opportunity to craft challenges that play to that character’s strengths. Maybe they need to cut through an impenetrable barrier to save the day, or perhaps they face an enemy whose armor is nearly invincible. The point is, the sword doesn’t break the game—it gives you a chance to create memorable moments.

Embrace the Chaos

Roleplaying games are inherently chaotic. The best moments come from unexpected combinations of abilities, items, and creativity. When you try to balance everything, you strip away the potential for those moments. Instead of focusing on balance, embrace the chaos. Let your players come up with wild ideas and give them the tools to make those ideas happen. If they want to use their sci-fi gadget to hack an alien spaceship, let them! The real magic happens when players feel empowered to take risks and try new things.

And when things inevitably get out of hand, that’s where the real fun begins. Maybe the overpowered item causes unintended consequences. Maybe the magic sword draws the attention of a powerful enemy. Or maybe the sci-fi gadget malfunctions at the worst possible moment. These complications add depth and drama to the story, making the game more engaging for everyone involved.

The Myth of “Fairness”

Finally, let’s talk about fairness. There’s this idea that every character needs to have an equal share of the spotlight, that no one should feel left out or overshadowed. But the truth is, roleplaying isn’t about fairness. It’s about telling a story together, and sometimes that means one character will have a moment to shine while others take a backseat. That’s not a flaw—it’s a feature.

When a character has great gear, it’s not about giving them an unfair advantage. It’s about giving them the tools they need to tell their story. And when the Gamemaster responds by creating challenges tailored to that character’s abilities, it doesn’t make the game unbalanced—it makes it richer, more dynamic, and more fun.

Final Thoughts

So, the next time someone starts fretting about whether a particular piece of gear is “balanced,” just remember: balance is a myth. Roleplaying isn’t about keeping everything perfectly equal; it’s about creating a story that everyone can be a part of. Instead of focusing on whether the gear is fair, focus on making sure the challenges are engaging, the story is exciting, and that everyone is having a good time. Because at the end of the day, that’s what really matters. Now go forth, give your characters the gear they deserve, and let the chaos begin.