A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Expanded Options #06 – Items of Quality – Weapon and Armor Charms

Expanded Options #06 – Items of Quality – Weapon and Armor Charms by Ismael Alvarez is a role playing game supplement published by Fat Goblin Games for use with Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. As such, it is covered by the Open Game License and some parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result.

This is a six-page PDF that is available from DriveThruRPG for $1.50 but was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. One page is the front cover and one the Open Game License.

The Introduction reiterates a point from earlier supplements in the series, that magical items in 5th Edition are rare and there is a gap between mundane and magical equipment. The included charms are not a replacement for magical gear and are not that powerful, but they can augment ordinary equipment.

Weapon and Armor Charms states that these are not as powerful but they have benefits. They could be ordered by armies in numbers for officers and special forces, are not as easy for thieves to spot and are versatile.

Using Charms covers how they are added to equipment and, like items of quality, can be spontaneously formed through heroism or emotion, or could be created using a blueprint, the blueprint being a good item to add to a treasure.

Armor Charms starts with a simple list, and some can be also used with weapons. They can guard against specific elements, make equipment look worn or broken and improve defence.

Weapon Charms is laid in the same way, with more martial benefits.

Finally, Magic Items has three new wondrous items that can work with charms.

Expanded Options #06 – Items of Quality – Weapon and Armor Charms in Review

The PDF lacks bookmarks and is short enough that these are not needed. Navigation is okay. The text maintains a two-column format and a couple of formatting errors were noticed. Also, splitting the charms into weapons and armour when some work for both seems a bit odd. The sole illustration is on the cover; presentation is okay.

This supplement does add a number of useful, yet low value, ways of enhancing equipment, ones that provide a benefit without being unbalancing. As stated in the supplements, these will become less useful at higher levels, but they do provide a flexible means of making ordinary equipment more powerful. Expanded Options #06 – Items of Quality – Weapon and Armor Charms is a decent little supplement and it can be found by clicking here.