Simple (and realistic?) equipment list

When I wrote Dark Fantasy Basic, I was enamored with Delta's silver standard, and I remember doing tons of research to reach vaguely realistic prices, while keeping things very simple (later, I've written about the advantages of using gold; overall, I still think I like silver better).

I don't remember any of the actual research (one source, I think, was related to Runequest), but anyway, here are the results. I think they are simpler and more sensible than most OSR lists (e.g., in B/X plate armor costs twelve times as much as... garlic). If I rewrite this list, there is little I'd change, but I'd add more services, including magical stuff (identifying potions, magic items, etc.)

If you want an extensive and detailed list, however, the Equipment Emporium might be your best bet.

Anyway, here is an excerpt from DFB:

This games uses silver coins (represented by a $) as a

standard. Each silver coin is enough to feed someone for

a day with cheap food, or rent a bed in a collective room

for one night. One thousand coins weigh one unit of

encumbrance. Copper coins are worth ten times less, and

a gold coin is worth ten times more, but they all weigh

the same. Prices will vary according to supply, demand,

location and quality. See the “encumbrance” section for

more information on weights.

[In short, 1 unit weights about 3-5 pounds; a STR 12 PC can carry 12 units before slowing down, for example].

About items and weapon detail

Most items are simplified because the game doesn’t focus

on cost and weight. Weapons (see next page), armor and

shields received more attention to make combat more

diverse and interesting.

Armor

Armor comes in three types: light (+2 AC, $40, weight 6),

medium (+4 AC, $160, weight 12), and heavy (+6 AC, $360,

weight 18). Unarmored characters have AC 10. The Dexterity

modifier is always added to AC.

Shields

Shields may be light (AC +1, $10, weight 2) or heavy (AC

+2, $24, weight 4; AC +4 against missile weapons). If used

offensively, they deal 1d2 damage.

Reinforced shields, made mostly of iron or heavy wood, add

50% to weight and cost; they are somewhat tougher but

grant no extra bonuses to AC.

Food

Fresh food for one [day] ($1, weight 1) must be eaten within a

week. Preserved food ($3, weight 1/3) lasts for one month.

A hot meal or cold beer in a tavern cost $1.

Miscellanea

Light tools ($5, weight 1): arrows (30), board games, simple

clothing (winter clothing: $10, weight 2), backpacks (holds 10

weight), bedrolls (winter bedrolls: $10, weight 2), blank books,

cooking tools, block and tackle, winter blankets, candles (10),

climbing gear (for trees or similar surfaces; stone climbing

gear is $10, weight 2), chain (10 feet), crowbars, hammers,

healing kits (10 uses), lock picks (10), poison (10 uses), fishing

tools, hunting traps, grappling hook, basic camping gear

(flint, small blade and hammer), hooded oil lantern, rope (20

feet), small musical instruments (drums, horns, trumpets

– larger and more complex instruments cost $10 or more),

steel mirrors, shackles, merchant’s scale, holy symbols.

Heavy tools ($5, weight 3): caltrops (enough for 10 square

feet), shovel, pick, tent (1 person).

Cheap wood ($1, weight 3): 10 torches, 10’ pole.

Liquids: water for one day (usually free, weight 1, weight 2

under very hot weather), pint of oil ($1, weight 1/3, can be

lit with a bonus action and thrown 20’ for 1d6 fire damage),

holy water ($25, weight 1/3, can be thrown 20’ for 1d8

damage against undead, demons, etc.).

Skill & tools

Skills will often require tools such as a healing kit, climbing

gear, lock picks, etc. Improvised tools will often cause

disadvantage. Some tasks will be impossible without tools

(GM’s call).

Weapons are basically this:

Notes: some weapons can be used in the off-hand (OH),

some require the main hand (1H), and others require two

hands (2H). Large weapons (1½H) should be used with two

hands, but can be used with one hand for less damage (1d8

instead of 1d10, etc.). Weapons with the “thrown” property

can be hurled against enemies (20’). Expensive weapons

(swords, pole weapons) double the cost.

The character must choose a specific weapon from the list

below. Each weapon has a few perks and can be found in

one or more sizes.

Swords (s, m, l, g) are expensive but fast (get an additional

attack if a natural 19 is rolled). They cannot be thrown

effectively. Daggers (t) get the same perk, but can be thrown.

Spears (m, l, g) can attack from the second row (5’ extra

reach) and do double damage when charging or set up

against a charge (use a ready action). Short spears ($5,

thrown 30’) don’t get these perks. Large and great spears

have disadvantage when attacking nearby enemies (within

5’).

Axes and maces (m, l, g) gain +1 “to hit” against opponents

with shields, medium or heavy armor (and also dragons,

skeletons, creatures made of stone or other hard materials,

etc.), and are very useful for breaking down doors (add 1d6,

1d8 or 1d10 to the attack roll).

Pole weapons (l, g) are expensive but have all the features

of a spear and get +1 against shields, heavy armor, etc.

(or some other perk, depending on the type – bill, glaive,

halberd, naginata, etc.).

Clubs (s, $0) have no special features.

Quarterstaffs (g, $1, 1d8 damage) are very versatile. They

have extra reach (like spears) and +1 to AC (treat as small

shield).

Exotic weapons are hard to master. The specific exotic

weapons available are up to the GM. Some examples are

flails and other chained implements (as mace, but ignore

shields) and double weapons (a combination of two identical

or different weapons). They always have some unique

drawback (hitting yourself on a fumble is the usual effect).

Unarmed attacks deal a single point of damage (plus

Strength modifier, as usual). Kicks (on a natural 1, make a

DC 20 dexterity save or fall prone) and brass knuckles (t)

deal 1d2 damage.

Missile weapons require two hands to shoot, with the

exception of the very expensive ($40) pistol crossbow (s).

Crossbows (s, m, l) can shoot up to 40’, 60’, or 100’, depending

on size. Bows (s, m) have better reach (80’, 150’) and twice

the cost. Slings (t) can shoot up to 30’. Bows and crossbows

use arrows (30, $5, weight 1), while slings use bullets (10, $1,

weight 1).

Optional: Great weapons require Strength 15 to use

effectively (otherwise, the damage is limited to 1d10 instead

of 1d12), and short weapons require Dexterity 15 to use in

the off-hand. Both large and great weapons deal +1 damage

against opponents that are bigger than human, but -1 to hit

opponents that are smaller than human. Attacking with two

weapons at once lets you roll for damage twice and pick the

best result.