How to Track Loot in D&D: A Beginner's Guide
You've just defeated your first goblin. The DM says, "You find 15 gold pieces, a rusty dagger, and a mysterious amulet." Your party looks at each other. Who writes this down? Where does it go? Welcome to one of D&D's most common questions: how do we actually track all this stuff?
Why Tracking Loot Matters
Loot tracking isn't just bookkeeping—it's part of the game's progression. Your gold buys better equipment, healing potions save lives, and that mysterious magic item might be the key to defeating the final boss. Losing track of your party's resources can mean the difference between success and a total party wipe.
The Basics: What You Need to Track
Currency
D&D uses five types of coins, each worth different amounts:
- Copper (cp): Basic coins (100 cp = 1 gp)
- Silver (sp): Common currency (10 sp = 1 gp)
- Electrum (ep): Rare coins (2 ep = 1 gp)
- Gold (gp): Standard currency
- Platinum (pp): High value (1 pp = 10 gp)
Items & Equipment
Track both regular items and special finds:
- Weapons and armor (especially magic items)
- Consumables (potions, scrolls, ammunition)
- Quest items and plot-relevant objects
- Trade goods and valuable materials
- Miscellaneous treasures (gems, art objects)
Common Tracking Methods
1. Paper Character Sheets (Traditional)
Most character sheets have an "Equipment" section. This works well for personal items but gets messy for party treasure.
Pros: No tech needed, tactile experience
Cons: Eraser smudges, limited space, hard to split loot
2. Shared Notes (Group Ledger)
One player keeps a dedicated notebook or digital doc for party treasure. Everyone trusts the "treasurer."
Pros: Centralized, clear party pool
Cons: Single point of failure, treasurer can't miss sessions
3. Digital Tools (Modern Solution)
Apps like D20 Loot Tracker let everyone see inventory in real-time, automatically split gold, and track transaction history.
Pros: Real-time sync, automatic calculations, accessible anywhere
Cons: Requires internet connection
Best Practices for New Players
Pro Tips from Experienced Players
✓ Decide on a System Early
Session Zero is perfect for agreeing how you'll track loot. Don't wait until you're drowning in treasure.
✓ Track Personal vs. Party Loot Separately
Your character's personal sword is different from the party's shared gold pool. Keep them separate to avoid confusion and arguments.
✓ Update Immediately, Not Later
Write down loot when you find it, not at session end. You WILL forget that mysterious potion the DM mentioned two hours ago.
✓ Know Your Encumbrance Rules
1,000 gold pieces weighs 20 pounds. You can't carry infinite loot. Track weight if your DM enforces encumbrance (and ask if they do!).
✓ Identify Magic Items Before Distributing
That glowing sword might be cursed. Use the Identify spell or pay a sage before deciding who gets it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
✗ "I'll Remember It"
No you won't. Write it down immediately. Every experienced player has lost items to "I'll remember."
✗ Ignoring Small Coins
Those 50 copper pieces seem trivial now, but they add up. 500 cp = 5 gold, enough for several potions.
✗ Hoarding Everything "Just in Case"
Rusty daggers and wooden clubs have minimal resale value. Loot what's valuable, leave the junk.
✗ Fighting Over Loot Distribution
Agree on distribution rules as a party. Common methods: need before greed, round-robin picks, or selling everything and splitting gold equally.
Quick Reference: Loot Splitting Methods
| Method | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Equal Split | Divide all gold equally among party members | Simple groups, new players |
| Need Before Greed | Priority to who can use the item effectively | Balanced parties, cooperative groups |
| Round Robin | Take turns picking items in rotation | Multiple similar items |
| Sell & Split | Sell everything, divide gold equally | Avoiding item arguments |
| Party Fund | Keep communal treasury for group purchases | Long campaigns, strategic groups |
Ready to Start Tracking?
Try D20 Loot Tracker for free—track gold, items, and party inventory in real-time. No spreadsheets, no arguments, just smooth looting.
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