"Pathfinder WBL" Topic

One of the aspects of the Pathfinder rules that I never really grasped WHY (and admittedly never really looked too deep into the rule) is WBL. Wealth By Level.

My decades of experience DMing and playing AD&D2d (never moved to 3, 3.5 or 4) something like tracking or enforcing how much WBL a PC had would seem ridiculous on its face.

I have found now with Pathfinder, enforcing WBL is one of the factors that strikes the balance and prevents PC's from cakewalking every encounter at higher levels, or being so poor they are overwhelmed by not having enough resources to handle what should be level-appropriate enemies..

I had not thought about it, or enforced or even tracked it, and had started using DM fudge to up the challenge of encounters for a party of 14th level PC's in a published Adventure Path because there was no challenge.

I see my folly now -- had I enforced WBL, I would most likely not need to fudge anything to keep everyone entertained. Yes, allowing PC's to craft everything on their wish list is fun for them also, but in actual gameplay, it is not often they are in any real danger for their PC's life unless everything is save or suck.

I post this hoping that anyone else thinking about DMing PF will learn from my mistake and actually pay attention to WBL, lest they end up with uber PC's that you are struggling to locate appropriate-scaled enemies for… Or are too lean with gold and treasure and the PC's are chronically handicapped with the adventure or campaign.

There is an old saying that Mike Pondsmith (creator of Mekton and Cyberpunk) once told me in regards to players finding ways of getting a hold of too much money and way too cool gear: "Go ahead and give them what they want, and then choke them with it."

Now, that may not apply to the WBL conundrum, but then again it sort of does. If they pull off some crazy raid and end up with oodles of cash and then send it on splenderous armor and amazing shiny magical weapons and then go gallivaning around town they are bound to attract the attention of someone who would crave such things, and who might have the power to take it from them (polymorphed old dragon, anyone?) That crazy spell storing staff might be just what a Liche needs to get his army of undead moving. That +4 breast plate of Ogre strength might be a relic of some long gone diety, one that could be revived if a devoted follower/cult could get their hands on it…

Personally, I am a fan of keeping the PCs not destitute, but struggling financially. They never think about the upkeep…. Having to pay to repair your armor and weapons after an encounter, or stable the horses at the inn, entry fees at the cities. Most adventure for glory and money. Glory comes easily, so perhaps keep money a little tight to keep them moving?