Pathfinder 2e Gold Economy: Treasure by Level Complete Guide
Pathfinder 2nd Edition has a tightly balanced treasure economy. Each level has a specific gold budget, and magic items are priced to fit within it. Understanding this system is essential for GMs running balanced campaigns and for players who want to know what gear they can afford.
Treasure by Level
The GM Core treasure tables specify total treasure value per encounter. The rough guideline is:
| Level | Treasure/Encounter | Gold per Session |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~200 gp | ~800 gp |
| 5 | ~1,000 gp | ~4,000 gp |
| 10 | ~6,000 gp | ~24,000 gp |
| 15 | ~30,000 gp | ~120,000 gp |
| 20 | ~150,000 gp | ~600,000 gp |
Magic Item Budget by Level
The expected spending per level is roughly:
- Level 1: 2 items (basic equipment)
- Level 5: 4-5 items including one +1 weapon/armor
- Level 10: 6-8 items including +2 items
- Level 15: 8-10 items including +3 items
- Level 20: 10-12 items including +4 and wonder items
GM tip: If players are significantly above the gold budget for their level, they're over-powered. Scale encounters upward or reduce treasure. If they're below, increase treasure or reduce difficulty. Use the gold calculator to check.
Damage and Combat at Each Level
Our PF2e damage calculator helps you understand expected damage output at each level, which complements the gold budget for balanced encounters.
Calculate PF2e Damage →
Related: When to refinance on MortgageAfford — because managing your gold (or mortgage rate) is all about timing.
Bottom Line
PF2e's economy is designed so that characters can afford the items appropriate for their level. Use our gold calculator to verify treasure awards and keep your campaign balanced.