How to Place Treasure and Loot in D&D

Part 1: Loot Placement Theory

1. Don’t Place All the Loot in One Spot

Placing all the loot in a single location—like a treasure chest near the boss or on the boss themselves—can discourage players from fully engaging with the adventure. Instead, spread loot across different areas to encourage exploration and completion.

• Encourage Exploration
  Not all players will want to poke into every nook and cranny, but many love the challenge of uncovering hidden treasures. Scattering loot across various areas taps into that sense of mystery and reward, making exploration worthwhile.
• Encourage Completing the Adventure
  If players know the best loot is always with the boss, they might bypass everything else just to get to the treasure. Spreading loot throughout the adventure motivates players to engage with the entire experience rather than rushing to the end.

Bonus Tip

Reward players who explore with unique or flavorful items that feel meaningful to the setting, even if they’re not powerful. This reinforces the value of thorough exploration.

2. It’s Okay if Characters Don’t Find Everything

The Dungeon Master’s Guide (DMG) assumes players won’t discover every piece of treasure, and pre-made adventures follow the same principle.

• Don’t Stress Over Missed Loot
  D&D 5e doesn’t require characters to have tons of magic items or gold to keep up with challenges, so missing a treasure hoard won’t derail the game.
• Keep the Mystery Alive
  Never tell players what they missed or where it was hidden. The “what if” factor adds an exciting layer of mystery and fuels speculation.
• Repurpose Missed Loot
  If players miss an important item, you can always place it in a future adventure. Or don’t—it’s perfectly fine to let it remain lost.

Part 2: Where to Place Loot

Strategically placing loot in different locations enhances immersion and creates a balanced sense of reward. Here’s where you can place treasure in your adventure:

1. NPC Quest-Giver

The quest-giver often provides a promised reward for completing the mission. This can be a set amount of gold, a minor magic item, or even a favor with significant narrative implications.

2. On Monsters Throughout the Adventure

Distribute coins, gems, and minor magic items among the monsters your players encounter. This keeps the loot flowing and adds a touch of realism—many creatures hoard valuables they’ve taken from past victims.

3. In Plain View

Some items, especially those of low to moderate value, can be placed in plain sight to reward players for simply observing their surroundings.

Examples

• Books, alchemical equipment, and herbs hung to dry
• Weapons or shields mounted on walls
• Trinkets or coins scattered in a room

4. Concealed Areas

These areas require players to search but aren’t exactly “hidden.” Drawers, dressers, cabinets, and chests are great places to store moderately valuable items that may not be portable, like heirlooms or household treasures.

5. Secret Areas

The best loot is often hidden in secret compartments, false bottoms, or hidden rooms. This is where you can place your platinum pieces, expensive gems, and powerful magic items—unless the Big Bad is actively using them.

Examples

• A hidden door leading to a treasure vault
• A false bottom in a chest concealing a rare gem
• A hollowed-out book holding a spell scroll

6. On the Big Bad

The boss of the adventure is likely to have some of the most valuable treasures. This could include items they’re actively using, treasures stored in their quarters, or valuables in a nearby vault.

Tip for Major Magic Items

If the Big Bad isn’t using a powerful magic item, ensure it’s secured nearby in a way that makes sense—hidden, trapped, or guarded.