Consumable Items : Get RPG Players to Use Them!

[@thor7af3]

Awesome advice! I think the reason that GMs might resist some of these suggestions is to avoid "overdesigning". For example in the case of telegraphing that a specific consumable will help with a specific situation. To some, this technique will read as "the GM is providing us with the solution" and breaking the illusion or verisimilitude of a world that is apathetic or hostile to the party. One way to navigate this pitfall is in how the resource is presented to the party: If the party is exploring an underwater cavern, for example, they may stumble across the corpse of a former adventurer. In their pouch, they carry potions of water breathing; a useful resource in the underwater environment. This makes the appearance of the resource plausible to the players (someone else before us came down here prepared to explore underwater), while also creating unease and uncertainty: "If this adventurer didn't die by drowning, what killed them? Why wasn't the body looted? Is whatever killed this person still nearby? Waiting in ambush?"

[@ZipperonDisney]

This is an awesome comment - thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really like the example you gave too :)

[@demetrinight5924]

For some reason my players still hoard potions of healing. I even give maximum healing if used as an action or roll for it if used as a bonus action. They still rely on spell slots or wait for a long rest to heal. On the rare occasions where they use a potion of healing they will go out of the way to replace it. Especially if they use a greater or superior potion. By the end of the last campaign I looked at everyone's character inventory to see at least a dozen potions of healing with greater and superior potions as well. This doesn't even count the other consumables like other potions, scrolls, or 1 time use items.

[@nathanex4851]

In my homebrew system I created a special creature that loves mixtures, tonics, oils and other stuff. It was hilarious when one of my players was attacked by it and this creature drunk two potions from his backpack and nearly killed him.

[@ZipperonDisney]

YES!!!! LOVE IT!!!

[@matthewquan9083]

Oh that’s cool. I’d like to see one of those. Is there a D&D stat block for it?

[@hibiki54]

It's hard to justify using a Potion of Speed (Haste for 10 mins) when the combat will end in 2 rounds and you basically lose a turn consuming it.

[@ZipperonDisney]

Maybe before a big fight, the DM should remind the players to go over their potions?

[@DaftDirt]

@@ZipperonDisney Or give them an encounter where the party is aware danger is coming and they have a free round to prep before it officially starts.

[@tsifj]

Most of the times you can tell about how long the battle will be. Even if that's not the case you can still roleplay about it and have fun.

[@LuizCesarFariaLC]

Bonus action to activate the item seems to be a bit of encouragement to some items usage. Sometimes I homebrew itens to be usable as parts of other actions when it makes sense

[@Roont3]

Fun ideas! I like to give supernatural gifts that have a cost to carry. Draw aggro from spooky sources, take certain checks with disadvantage, or a non-mechanical thing like growing old supernaturally fast. Think the One Ring.

[@ZipperonDisney]

ooo I like that!

[@denniscastello504]

Wow! Brilliant! I have the same problem with my players hoarding their scrolls and potions. I'm definitely using these methods -- thanks!

[@ZipperonDisney]

Thanks man! Let me know how it goes!

[@WhisperVTube]

I think there's another reason why players often don't use their consumables; they forget about them. I can't count the number of times I've watched my players struggle to take down a flesh golem all while forgetting that around their belt was a potion of fire breathing, or situations like that. Now forgetting about the stuff you can use is something that extends to all magic items and even stuff like class abilities and spell slots, but I think it crops up a lot in potions consumables because they're less valuable then normal magic items, and thus get put further down on the player's mental list. This is also mostly just a problem with newer players, as more experienced players are probably better with tracking their resources, but it crops up time and again with everyone.

[@CalciumSoda]

I think in that case with that potion of fire breathing, the DM can definitely remind the player (the character themself got that item not nearly as long ago as the actual player did, and if it's on their belt, they would 100% remember them)

[@ZipperonDisney]

I agree that players tend to forget about items - they have a whole lot to keep track of!

[@James-hj5ov]

I don't know about the experienced players being better about this. I've been playing for over 30 years, and I still catch myself hoarding potions and scrolls.

[@joesgotmore]

You can also make consumables fragile. Like make a roll behind the DM screen every time they are hit with a blunt weapon to see if a random potion is broken, or fireball burns that scroll to a point that it loses it's magic. When the threat of losing the consumable can happen at any encounter they will be taking a chance each time they don't use it. I did like all of the suggestions you gave too with the acceptation of Recoverable. All that does is extends the time to reuse the same item. Great video though just my opinion.

[@ZipperonDisney]

I think consumables and mundane gear is the most I'd ever take away from PCs so I like your suggestion a lot! Glad I gave you something to think about :)

[@JordanNiks]

Hey man! Found your vids through your high level one-shot piece! I love this type of mechanical changes to add substance and interaction into the game! Keep up the awesome work!

[@ZipperonDisney]

Thanks a bunch! You might also want to check out monarchs factory's video on potions and medicines. She gives a lot of good story focused advice that would pair nicely

[@Tier15]

@@ZipperonDisney You're like a... genuinely good person! I dig that

[@utoesc6241]

Short video, but great advice for any game designer on how to get out the trappings of an all too common problem.

[@MannyBrum]

Once you use it you don't have it but if you're stockpiling potions I'm probably not going to keep giving them.

[@ZipperonDisney]

I'm pretty bad about remember what treasure I've given out. Def something I need to improve on!

[@MannyBrum]

@@ZipperonDisney D&D Beyond makes it easier because I can see the sheets on there. I add the items to their sheet from there.

[@TalkativeHands]

I like your ideas and I'll be sure to use them. I have two main rules for consumables. One. I make it easier for PCs to make them. The whole 4 days to make a potion that 2d4+2 hp is ridiculous. Two. Starting off all PCs have three slots they can fill with consumables. It takes a bonus action to use them. Once they use their three slots it then becomes an action to use any other consumables; this prevents them from using spell scrolls every turn. As they level up they can unlock more slots up to the DM.

[@ZipperonDisney]

Almost like a bandolier or belt pouches?

[@TalkativeHands]

@@ZipperonDisney Yes, thats the main idea. Your choice in allowing the PCs to buy more slots or to reward them for leveling up. And since they are out in the open you could have them be targeted with your sunder action.

[@Gijy2539]

this si some great advice. I am running a campaign and I intend to put a lot of consumable items. I see following these tactics will help.

[@ZipperonDisney]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nonya9120]

We always used some form of setting how much Ugh can carry. Drag, papper work a drag. You post some fine ideas. But in the long term, stashing consumables makes perfect sense. Going to need them someday for the henchmen, almost always easier to carry than gold value they represent. Soooooo many plot hooks horders give us. However word gets out, it usually does. Makes characters a target. Also they will need to have a place to keep it safe. Had a character once with 100s of potions, real pain. But did not dump them down the drain. Used them to gain favor. With npcs mostly, rarely prickish enough to charge other pcs. Well mostly. We all chargef Ugh a premium.

[@ZipperonDisney]

I tried to do a henchmen/torch bearer mechanic once. Didn't pan out too well...I used earring slots in one game that went pretty well. Check it out: drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw4_sxykbTWcM3JrMDRlbFdUSW8/view?usp=sharing

[@thechaotimagnet]

If you have not done so yet, check the cypher system RPG. In my opinion, this RPG solves the issue flawlessly.

[@ZipperonDisney]

Will check it out!

[@purevessle2641]

You example with the water torch really seems like a plot convenience.

[@Maninawig]

One thing that I was considering with consumables is how much more rewarding they can be for those with the proficiency to make them, if they were treated more like the Ritual Caster feat and spell scrolls... For instance, instead of your herbalist knowing how to make all the potions but never having the time to craft them, limit their selection to 3 bottom tier potions, then increase the potency of their concoctions as the story progresses. (I.E. the Monk's Healing Potion becomes so refined over time that it replaces the Greater Healing Potion, allowing them to make 5 GHP in the time an NPC might make one.) Such a herbalist in your party could also learn to make new potions by studying them as a wizard studies a spell scroll.

[@ZipperonDisney]

That's a really good idea 💡 👍

[@Maninawig]

@@ZipperonDisney thanks. I was worried that it would be taboo... but seriously, I've always tried to consider ways to add a stronger roll in my character's tool proficiency choice. But it seems the forums I go to (like Reddit) seem to consider these throw aways.

[@matthewquan9083]

As a player, I use consumable items as currency more than actually using them. Wizards pay good money for spell scrolls, potions also tend to fetch a good price. It’s the combat specific potions that are the hard to liquidate ones.

[@ZipperonDisney]

Begs the question why not give gold/jewelry/treasure if it's only going to be sold

[@matthewquan9083]

@@ZipperonDisney Because spell scrolls are lighter and easier to carry. Why do hundred dollar bills or large value cheques exist? Same reason

[@Marty-im8qb]

I see myself horting items with these tips too. Even if you are against the perfect enemy to use it, maybe there will be a boss to use it at some other point.

[@ZipperonDisney]

You can lead a horse to water...

[@HowtoRPG]

Very good idea as usual :)

[@ZipperonDisney]

Honestly, I thought so too ;)

[@studentofsmith]

Another way to encourage players to use consumable items is to limit how many they can carry. If the player can only carry 'x' number of something and they've reached that limit they will look for opportunities to use one of them rather than risk leaving the next one they find behind. Also, items becoming useless as the players advance in level is another way of making them ephemeral but admittedly requires some forward thinking players who can balance waiting for an opportune moment with the awareness that the relative value of the item will decrease as they grow more powerful.

[@ZipperonDisney]

I really like your limit-the-number suggestion! Like, if you have too much magic on your person it becomes unstable!

[@mr7oclock346]

I have a use it or lose it policy. For example, I ban the luck feat in my games, but I award plenty of inspiration dice for good roleplaying. I have them start each session with zero, and award them during game play. I usually even go as so far as to only allow them to have one or two at a time, but give them back if they are roleplaying well

[@ZipperonDisney]

good policy 👍

[@EclipsisTenebris]

Best way to make player's use consumables? Have them run a Kobold one-shot from Volo's... why? -2 strenght... a 6 in Str + Encumberance rule will teach them REAL quick to not stuff their inventory with unneccessary items/ammo.... and they will get a new appreciation for slings.

[@ZipperonDisney]

@dracul_JOSHI that's genius!!

[@EclipsisTenebris]

@@ZipperonDisney thank you.

[@Kineteken]

Yeah, I gave a group a consumables and kept reminding them to check their inventory. Only 2 out of the 5 listened and only 2 out of the 5 where the only ones left alive, it was a one shot. As a player one of the things I do is see if my fellow players have anything in their background where they could study items and see if it's possible to reproduce it. My character specialize in poisons, So I'm going to go into the black network to find things, but more than the poison itself I want the formula. having the formula, that tends to be better than just buying it outright. I do know things take time and money. So work with your party. I have a poisoner's kit my fellow party member has a healer kit we both work on a anti dote and the poison, but help each other out and sometimes us working on stuff together get us working on things a bit faster.

[@matthewquan9083]

I’ve never used a healing potion except for one time. Generally, we can’t replace them without a trip back to town, and we may never have an opportunity to go there and back.

[@pandoratheclay]

So for scrolls (if you use the recovery thing) when you use a scroll it’s magic will fade,but with an arcana check you can faintly see the inscriptions it had before and will be able to reinsert it’s magic after some time

[@Trashloot]

I think the issue is inventory space. If you limit how much of these items players can carry they need to use them or leave them in the dungeon. Kinda like your solution with the spoiling items. There is a great computer game called "S.t.a.l.k.e.r" in which ammo has weight. If you don't use your good weapons your inventory will be filled with nothing but ammunition.

[@ZipperonDisney]

I used a slot system for a while, worked pretty well

[@DemiImp]

This only works with some people. Take breath of the wild as an example. Having limited storage space for consumable weapons worked for some people, meanwhile for people like me I still don't want to waste my rare and hard to replace ice spear on an enemy that probably doesn't need it (and all enemies don't need it). The only thing a limited inventory does is make managing my inventory harder. Coming across a new item suddenly makes me deliberate and plan needlessly. The key to making me use consumables is my ability to replace them. If I can replace something easily, I will absolutely use it. If replacing something is hard or impossible, I will keep it until I feel like I absolutely need to use it.

[@andrewkimball1856]

I have house ruled drinking a potion is a bonus action (feeding to another is still an action) and this spiked their use up.

[@MagicPlayaFTW]

The best way to get them to use a consumable is by not telling them what it does. Instead of saying “You found a healing potion!” say, “You find a small vial filled with a bubbling dark red viscous liquid.” That’s what I do anyways.

[@ZipperonDisney]

Same here!

[@mifigor1935]

Well tbh if I encountered that I would probably avoid using it even more until I get a chance to identify it

[@DemiImp]

@@mifigor1935 I absolutely agree. The number of times drinking a random potion has helped me is incredibly close to 0.

[@chromegaman]

Currently making a Celestial Warlock Pact of the Tome who makes scrolls of Cure Wounds to make up for his lack of spell slots, which hopefully means the party will agree to allow some intermittent downtime for me to refill my stock before adventuring.

[@BrandonGiordano]

The problem is it takes up a full action, plus there are so many more efficient ways to heal yourself and buff yourself

[@lonigaming5880]

Great vid!

[@ZipperonDisney]

Glad you liked it! You might also like the 'Hate Villains' video. It's also short and to the point with some actionable advice

[@vinimagus]

I really liked your video: how you defined the problem and how you went on to propose solutions. However, I did not understand the 4th solution. Can you please clarify for dummies? Thanks so much, V

[@fhuber7507]

DMs tend t look at me funny when I give them a list of equipment I desire to buy, including consumable like flour, bacon, peanuts... Oh, you mean magic stuff that players hoard rather than using them t prevent TPK. If the party is dumb enough not to use the stuff and I TPK them... their fault.

[@tylerian4648]

To be fair, in the time between a player's turns a situation can go from 'We don't need it' to 'this consumable isn't enough to save the party'. And if a consumable item is enough to save a party that close to the brink of death, it would only be natural to wait until then to use it. But then again, odds are the one carrying it will go down first.

[@tasoganedude]

1) Ephemeral 2:59 2) Situational 3:27 3) Recoverable 4:05 4) Scalable 4:45

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

Well done

[@ZipperonDisney]

Glad you liked it! This one is one of my favorites :)

[@TheQueerLeaf]

nice

[@BigCowProductions]

My players still don't use them.... even with bribing via inspiration after using 3 or something "iTs TeW StEpE". They hoard or sell. That's it.

[@losthope6935]

Ephemeral items may actually make things worse for the items. If you use it or not, you lose it, leading to people believing it to not be useful no matter what happens, so they may never even take the items.

[@ZipperonDisney]

That's not a bad point!