Would you play a game with no combat items? There would still be items to bolster social interactions, stealth, and other out-of-combat activities.
Would this impede your sense of advancement, or are character feats and non-combat items enough?
I am working on a game with a magic system for combat. It is already complex enough that I prefer not to have combat items. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Nothing in an RPG is a required mechanic.
Would I play a game with no combat items? Yes. I would also play a game with no rules for items at all, combat or otherwise. I would also play a game with no rules for combat, or even hit points. And I have purchased a game with no rules for advancement at all (apparently, it’s good for one-shots).
I have a rather fun TTRPG on my shelf called Fiasco. It has no item mechanics, no combat mechanics, no feats, no advancements, no magic… Not even a GM. You have mechanics for character creation and scene resolution, and that’s it. And since you roleplay at a table, it’s a TTRPG.
Don’t wonder if a game can work without a mechanic. Instead, default to it not being there, and wonder if the mechanic would improve the game if you added it.