Very unpleasant, to say the least
There goes my unpleasant game now: I've decided to prove that using the spellbook all game long (maybe except for the boss battles) is viable. So I did a game in which I found 2 Novice's Dresses (now upgraded). So far so good. I also found Amulet of Death, Usurer's Ring, Novice's Staff (Archmage Staff FTW) and I was feeling really, really well, expecting a big Int value when I get the Pain Skull.
I just scanned my save file. Well, guess what - the most common item around, that spawns in (almost) every game, is not here! BB, Pain Skull, BB Death Skull, BB +5 Atk/+5 Int... And BB +2 Morale to Undead.