Give players magic items only after extremely difficult encounters, or when they are expl0ring challenging areas, such as lairs of high CR monsters or ancient temples or castles. Uncommon-Lengendary magical items should not be available for purchase in common shops.
When should players get +2 magic items?
As a general rule of thumb, I tend to give my PCs magic weapons somewhere between levels 3 and 5. Magic armor tends to come a bit later, between 7 and 10. But various magic items can happen at any point. I like giving my players little gadgets all throughout the campaign, because it gives them something else to do.
How many magic items should a 10th level character have?
There is this table (DMG p.135): In addition, there is the table on Starting Equipment on p. 38. which suggests a 10th level character should have no magic items in a Low and Standard Campaign and one uncommon item in a High Magic Campaign.
How does the group decide who gets the magic item?
When the adventure is complete, the group decides who gets the item based on the following procedure, in the order listed: If everyone decides that a certain character should receive the magic item, then that character gets it.
Can you trade a magic item with gold?
You cannot trade a magic item unless you have a certificate for the item, and the trade is on a one-for-one basis with another magic item of like rarity The first rule is relatively simple. There will be some rare opportunities to buy magic items with gold, but never to sell them.
What are the rules for Magic Item Creation?
In particular, the rules for magic item creation, which Gygax had envisioned as an activity solely for high-level characters (ideally as a hobby picked up in retirement), were expanded to the point that characters would constantly be dumping the wealth of a small city into crafting some new sword or wand.
