Flexible Treasure Hoards
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO RANDOM LOOT? GREAT DUNGEON masters are experts at conveying the illusion of control, while letting the die fall as they will. The Treasure Hoard tables in the Dungeon Master's Guide are targically overlooked both for being a difficult to grasp, and positively hostile towards any attempt at modification. Xanathar's Guide to Everything attmpted to remedy this, but unfortunately this revision is at the expense of rolling dice.
These tables are a gift! Used properly, the Treasure Hoard loot system infuses that moment of victory with the magic of possibility, the treasure within quite literally in the hands of the player as the Dice Gods intended.
Using the Treasure Hoard Tables
The Treasure Hoard tables in the Dungeon Master's Guide help you randomly determine the contents of a large cache of treasure, the accumulated wealth of a large group of creatures (such as an orc tribe or a hobgoblin army), the belongings of a single powerful creature that likes to hoard treasure (such as a dragon), or the reward bestowed upon a party after completing a quest for a benefactor. You can also split up a treasure hoard so that the adventurers don't find or receive it all at once.
When determining the contents of a hoard belonging to one monster, use the table that corresponds to that monster's challenge rating. When rolling to determine a treasure hoard belonging to a large group of monsters, use the challenge rating of the monster that leads the group. If the hoard belongs to no one, use the challenge rating of the monster that presides over the dungeon or lair you are stocking. If the hoard is a gift from a benefactor, use the challenge rating equal to the party's average level.
Every treasure hoard contains a random number of coins, as shown at the top of each table. Roll a d100 and consult the table to determine how many gemstones or art objects the hoard contains, if any. Use the same roll to determine whether the hoard contains magic items. As with the individual treasure tables, average values are given in parentheses. You can use an average value instead of rolling dice to save time.
If a treasure hoard seems too small, you can roll multiple times on the table. Use this approach for monsters that are particularly fond of amassing treasure. Legendary creatures that accumulate treasure are wealthier than normal. Always roll at least twice on the appropriate table and add the results together.
You can hand out as much or as little treasure as you want. Over the course of a typical campaign, a party finds treasure hoards amounting to seven rolls on the Challenge 0–4 table, eighteen rolls on the Challenge 5–10 table, twelve rolls on the Challenge 11–16 table, and eight rolls on the Challenge 17+ table.
Pro Tip!
What matters is achieving the recommended number of rolls on each table, not the number of treasure hoards discovered. If your campaign isn't well suited to so many discrete hoards you can instead roll multiple times at once to stay on track!
What the Heck is This?
This supplement is the result of detailed analysis of the Treasure Hoard system in the Dungeon Master's Guide, converting the Magic Item tables to an adaptive format the Dungeon Master can easily adjust to their needs while adhering to the intended item distribution curve and standard deviation envisioned and playtested by the designers. It is intended to be used in tandem with the Treasure Hoard tables found on pages 137–139 of the Dungeon Master's Guide, with the presented Magic Item table replacing those found on pages 144–149. The Magic Item lists are created by the Dungeon Master, referencing Appendix A as required.
Using This Supplement
This supplement recreates the Magic Item tables found on pages 144–149 of the Dungeon Master's Guide, enabling easy customization of the Treasure Hoard system. To achieve this magic items have been segregated into thirteen categories, and analyzed to determine the odds of receiving an item from each category when rolling on a given Magic Item table in the Dungeon Master's Guide.
By repackaging the Magic Item tables in this way, the Dungeon Master can quickly create their own Magic Item lists for each of the thirteen categories, only including they items they wish. The simplest method is selecting 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, or 20 potential items of a given category, and allowing the players to roll the appropriate die to determine the item recovered or received. In fact, with sufficient preparation (and if you're feeling bold!) there is no reason you can't allow the players to make the preceding roll or rolls on the appropriate Treasure Hoard table on-the-fly, providing an even greater sense of agency and ownership over any items received.
Published magic items are categorized and presented in Appendix A, to be used as a handy reference when creating a Magic Item list. You can also add homebrew items; simply designate each an appropriate categorization from the following:
Minor items
| Category | Type |
|---|---|
| A | Common |
| B | Uncommon |
| C | Rare |
| D | Very Rare |
| E | Legendary |
| Category | Type |
|---|---|
| F | Common |
| G | Uncommon |
| H | Rare |
| I | Very Rare |
Major items
| Category | Type |
|---|---|
| J | Uncommon |
| K | Rare |
| L | Very Rare |
| M | Legendary |
Magic Item Tables
When you use the Treasure Hoard tables to randomly determine the contents of a treasure hoard and your roll indicates the presence of one of more magic items, you can determine the specific magic items by rolling on the appropriate table(s) here.
Magic Item Table A
| d100 | Magic Item |
|---|---|
| 01–50 | Potion of healing |
| 51–70 | Roll once on Magic Item List A. |
| 71–80 | Roll once on Magic Item List B. |
| 81–98 | Roll once on Magic Item List F. |
| 99–00 | Roll once on Magic Item List G. |
Magic Item Table B
| d100 | Magic Item |
|---|---|
| 01–15 | Potion of greater healing |
| 16–80 | Roll once on Magic Item List B. |
| 81–00 | Roll once on Magic Item List G. |
Magic Item Table C
| d100 | Magic Item |
|---|---|
| 01–15 | Potion of superior healing |
| 16–80 | Roll once on Magic Item List C. |
| 81–85 | Roll once on Magic Item List G. |
| 86–00 | Roll once on Magic Item List H. |
Magic Item Table D
| d100 | Magic Item |
|---|---|
| 01–20 | Potion of supreme healing |
| 21–90 | Roll once on Magic Item List D. |
| 91–93 | Roll once on Magic Item List H. |
| 94–00 | Roll once on Magic Item List I. |
Magic Item Table E
| d100 | Magic Item |
|---|---|
| 01–50 | Roll once on Magic Item List D. |
| 51–00 | Roll once on Magic Item List E. |
Magic Item Table F
| d100 | Magic Item |
|---|---|
| 01–00 | Roll once on Magic Item List J. |
Magic Item Table G
| d100 | Magic Item |
|---|---|
| 01–05 | Roll once on Magic Item List J. |
| 06–00 | Roll once on Magic Item List K. |
Magic Item Table H
| d100 | Magic Item |
|---|---|
| 01–03 | Roll once on Magic Item List J. |
| 04–10 | Roll once on Magic Item List K. |
| 11–00 | Roll once on Magic Item List L. |
Magic Item Table I
| d100 | Magic Item |
|---|---|
| 01–08 | Roll once on Magic Item List K. |
| 09–15 | Roll once on Magic Item List L. |
| 16–00 | Roll once on Magic Item List M. |
Generating Magic Item Lists
Magic Item lists are created by you! Consult the reference material in Appendix A when creating your list. Consider soliciting input from your players – they'll be even more excited knowing their dream-item is but a roll away!
Appendix A: Magic Items by Category
Category A
| Potion of climbing |
| Spell scroll (1st level) |
| Spell scroll (cantrip) |
Category B
| Ammunition +1 |
| Dust of disappearance |
| Dust of dryness |
| Dust of sneezing and choking |
| Keoghtom’s ointment |
| Oil of slipperiness |
| Philter of love |
| Potion of animal friendship |
| Potion of fire breath |
| Potion of giant strength (hill giant) |
| Potion of growth |
| Potion of poison |
| Potion of resistance |
| Potion of water breathing |
| Spell scroll (2nd level) |
| Spell scroll (3rd level) |
Category C
| Ammunition +2 |
| Elixir of health |
| Oil of etherealness |
| Potion of clairvoyance |
| Potion of diminution |
| Potion of gaseous form |
| Potion of giant strength (fire giant) |
| Potion of giant strength (frost or stone giant) |
| Potion of heroism |
| Potion of invulnerability |
| Potion of mind reading |
| Spell scroll (4th level) |
| Spell scroll (5th level) |
Category D
| Ammunition +3 |
| Arrow of slaying |
| Oil of sharpness |
| Potion of flying |
| Potion of giant strength (cloud giant) |
| Potion of invisibility |
| Potion of longevity |
| Potion of speed |
| Potion of vitality |
| Spell scroll (6th level) |
| Spell scroll (7th level) |
| Spell scroll (8th level) |
Category E
| Potion of giant strength (storm giant) |
| Sovereign glue |
| Spell scroll (9th level) |
| Universal solvent |
Category F
| Armor of gleaming XGE |
| Bead of nourishment XGE |
| Bead of refreshment XGE |
| Boots of false tracks XGE |
| Candle of the deep XGE |
| Cast-off armor XGE |
| Charlatan’s die XGE |
| Cloak of billowing XGE |
| Cloak of many fashions XGE |
| Clockwork amulet XGE |
| Clothes of mending XGE |
| Dark shard amulet XGE |
| Dread helm XGE |
| Ear horn of hearing XGE |
| Enduring spellbook XGE |
| Ersatz eye XGE |
| Hat of vermin XGE |
| Hat of wizardry XGE |
| Heward’s handy spice pouch XGE |
| Horn of silent alarm XGE |
| Instrument of illusions XGE |
| Instrument of scribing XGE |
| Lock of trickery XGE |
| Moon-touched sword XGE |
| Mystery key XGE |
| Orb of direction XGE |
| Orb of time XGE |
| Perfume of bewitching XGE |
| Pipe of smoke monsters XGE |
| Pole of angling XGE |
| Pole of collapsing XGE |
| Pot of awakening XGE |
| Rope of mending XGE |
| Ruby of the war mage XGE |
| Shield of expression XGE |
| Smoldering armor XGE |
| Staff of adornment XGE |
| Staff of birdcalls XGE |
| Staff of flowers XGE |
| Talking doll XGE |
| Tankard of sobriety XGE |
| Unbreakable arrow XGE |
| Veteran’s cane XGE |
| Walloping ammunition XGE |
| Wand of pyrotechnics XGE |
| Wand of scowls XGE |
| Wand of smiles XGE |
Category G
| Alchemy jug |
| Bag of holding |
| Cap of water breathing |
| Cloak of the manta ray |
| Decanter of endless water |
| Driftglobe |
| Elemental gem |
| Eyes of minute seeing |
| Goggles of night |
| Helm of comprehending languages |
| Immovable rod |
| Lantern of revealing |
| Mariner’s armor |
| Mithral armor |
| Periapt of health |
| Ring of swimming |
| Robe of useful items |
| Rope of climbing |
| Saddle of the cavalier |
| Sending stones |
| Wand of magic detection |
| Wand of secrets |
Category H
| Bag of beans |
| Bead of force |
| Chime of opening |
| Folding boat |
| Heward’s handy haversack |
| Horseshoes of speed |
| Necklace of fireballs |
| Portable hole |
| Quaal’s feather token |
| Scroll of protection |
Category I
| Bag of devouring |
| Horseshoes of a zephyr |
| Nolzur’s marvelous pigments |
Category J
| Adamantine armor |
| Amulet of proof against detection and location |
| Bag of tricks |
| Boots of elvenkind |
| Boots of striding and springing |
| Boots of the winterlands |
| Bracers of archery |
| Brooch of shielding |
| Broom of flying |
| Circlet of blasting |
| Cloak of elvenkind |
| Cloak of protection |
| Deck of illusions |
| Eversmoking bottle |
| Eyes of charming |
| Eyes of the eagle |
| Figurine of wondrous power (raven) |
| Gauntlets of ogre power |
| Gem of brightness |
| Gloves of missile snaring |
| Gloves of swimming and climbing |
| Gloves of thievery |
| Hat of disguise |
| Headband of intellect |
| Helm of telepathy |
| Instrument of the bard (Doss lute) |
| Instrument of the bard (Fochlucan bandore) |
| Instrument of the bard (Mac-Fuirmidh cittern) |
| Javelin of lightning |
| Medallion of thoughts |
| Necklace of adaptation |
| Pearl of power |
| Periapt of wound closure |
| Pipes of haunting |
| Pipes of the sewers |
| Quiver of Ehlonna |
| Ring of jumping |
| Ring of mind shielding |
| Ring of warmth |
| Ring of water walking |
| Rod of the pact keeper +1 |
| Sentinel shield |
| Shield +1 |
| Slippers of spider climbing |
| Staff of the adder |
| Staff of the python |
| Stone of good luck (luckstone) |
| Sword of vengeance |
| Trident of fish command |
| Wand of magic missiles |
| Wand of the war mage +1 |
| Wand of web |
| Weapon +1 |
| Weapon of warning |
| Wind fan |
| Winged boots |
Category K
| Amulet of health |
| Armor +1 |
| Armor of resistance |
| Armor of vulnerability |
| Arrow-catching shield |
| Belt of dwarvenkind |
| Belt of giant strength (hill giant) |
| Berserker axe |
| Boots of levitation |
| Boots of speed |
| Bowl of commanding water elementals |
| Bracers of defense |
| Brazier of commanding fire elementals |
| Cape of the mountebank |
| Censer of controlling air elementals |
| Cloak of displacement |
| Cloak of the bat |
| Cube of force |
| Daern’s instant fortress |
| Dagger of venom |
| Dimensional shackles |
| Dragon slayer |
| Elven chain |
| Figurine of wondrous power (bronze griffon) |
| Figurine of wondrous power (ebony fly) |
| Figurine of wondrous power (golden lions) |
| Figurine of wondrous power (ivory goats) |
| Figurine of wondrous power (marble elephant) |
| Figurine of wondrous power (onyx dog) |
| Figurine of wondrous power (serpentine owl) |
| Flame tongue |
| Gem of seeing |
| Giant slayer |
| Glamoured studded leather |
| Helm of teleportation |
| Horn of blasting |
| Horn of valhalla (silver or brass) |
| Instrument of the bard (Canaith mandolin) |
| Instrument of the bard (Cli lyre) |
| Ioun stone (awareness) |
| Ioun stone (protection) |
| Ioun stone (reserve) |
| Ioun stone (sustenance) |
| Iron bands of Bilarro |
| Mace of disruption |
| Mace of smiting |
| Mace of terror |
| Mantle of spell resistance |
| Necklace of prayer beads |
| Periapt of proof against poison |
| Ring of animal influence |
| Ring of evasion |
| Ring of feather falling |
| Ring of free action |
| Ring of protection |
| Ring of resistance |
| Ring of spell storing |
| Ring of the ram |
| Ring of X-ray vision |
| Robe of eyes |
| Rod of rulership |
| Rod of the pact keeper +2 |
| Rope of entanglement |
| Shield +2 |
| Shield of missile attraction |
| Staff of charming |
| Staff of healing |
| Staff of swarming insects |
| Staff of the woodlands |
| Staff of withering |
| Stone of controlling earth elementals |
| Sun blade |
| Sword of life stealing |
| Sword of wounding |
| Tentacle rod |
| Vicious weapon |
| Wand of binding |
| Wand of enemy detection |
| Wand of fear |
| Wand of fireballs |
| Wand of lightning bolts |
| Wand of paralysis |
| Wand of the war mage +2 |
| Wand of wonder |
| Weapon +2 |
| Wings of flying |
Category L
| Amulet of the planes |
| Animated shield |
| Armor +2 |
| Belt of giant strength (fire giant) |
| Belt of giant strength (frost or stone giant) |
| Candle of invocation |
| Carpet of flying |
| Cloak of arachnida |
| Crystal ball (very rare) |
| Dancing sword |
| Demon armor |
| Dragon scale mail |
| Dwarven plate |
| Dwarven thrower |
| Efreeti bottle |
| Figurine of wondrous power (obsidian steed) |
| Frost brand |
| Helm of brilliance |
| Horn of valhalla (bronze) |
| Instrument of the bard (Anstruth harp) |
| Ioun stone (absorption) |
| Ioun stone (agility) |
| Ioun stone (fortitude) |
| Ioun stone (insight) |
| Ioun stone (intellect) |
| Ioun stone (leadership) |
| Ioun stone (strength) |
| Manual of bodily health |
| Manual of gainful exercise |
| Manual of golems |
| Manual of quickness of action |
| Mirror of life trapping |
| Nine lives stealer |
| Oathbow |
| Ring of regeneration |
| Ring of shooting stars |
| Ring of telekinesis |
| Robe of scintillating colors |
| Robe of stars |
| Rod of absorption |
| Rod of alertness |
| Rod of security |
| Rod of the pact keeper +3 |
| Scimitar of speed |
| Shield +3 |
| Spellguard shield |
| Staff of fire |
| Staff of frost |
| Staff of power |
| Staff of striking |
| Staff of thunder and lightning |
| Sword of sharpness |
| Tome of clear thought |
| Tome of leadership and influence |
| Tome of understanding |
| Wand of polymorph |
| Wand of the war mage +3 |
| Weapon +3 |
Category M
| Apparatus of Kwalish |
| Armor +3 |
| Armor of invulnerability |
| Belt of giant strength (cloud giant) |
| Belt of giant strength (storm giant) |
| Cloak of invisibility |
| Crystal ball (legendary) |
| Cubic gate |
| Deck of many things |
| Defender |
| Efreeti chain |
| Hammer of thunderbolts |
| Holy avenger |
| Horn of valhalla (iron) |
| Instrument of the bard (Ollamh harp) |
| Ioun stone (greater absorption) |
| Ioun stone (mastery) |
| Ioun stone (regeneration) |
| Iron flask |
| Luck blade |
| Plate armor of etherealness |
| Ring of djinni summoning |
| Ring of elemental command |
| Ring of invisibility |
| Ring of spell turning |
| Ring of three wishes |
| Robe of the archmagi |
| Rod of lordly might |
| Rod of resurrection |
| Scarab of protection |
| Sphere of annihilation |
| Staff of the magi |
| Sword of answering |
| Talisman of pure good |
| Talisman of the sphere |
| Talisman of ultimate evil |
| Tome of the stilled tongue |
| Vorpal sword |
| Well of many worlds |
