TOPIC: rod of seven parts

lazlo_hollyfeld1985 wrote:

Mike Steele wrote:

lazlo_hollyfeld1985 wrote: I would not be opposed to a reprint of seg 1 and 2...as long as it was 6+ years down the road.

I don't see any value in ever reprinting the Rod Segments, and it sounds like it would cause more trouble than it is worth. I guess it's possible to start reprinting them as reward tokens again once the next 7 year cycle is over, but it seems better to just go with something new.

Like Frank said earlier, Jeff wisely created the segments so they have a nice value on their own, and are slotless, so they should always be nice to have even if they are never turned into Eldritch Rods of Seven Parts. I do still like the idea of a Rod of Five Parts, less powerful and non-Eldritch but still worthwhile. And that was only a suggestion I had to do a Rod of Five Parts, Jeff certainly has never said he'd do one (although I think he did think the idea was intriguing). It would be kind of like the Relic/Legendary progression, it would be Relic/Eldritch).

I said 6 years because by that time something better would be out there.

Laz, you may be right, the way the power levels are progressing it might be outclassed in 6 years. Although it's impossible to guess at this point, since we don't know yet how powerful the Rod of Seven Parts will be.

We also don't know what the 3 item and 4 item Eldritch Set Abilities are. If they aren't that powerful, people will be able to get the two item set ability pretty easily eventually, as there will likely be more Eldritch Boots than Rings, and there will almost certainly be a LOT more of the next 7 item Eldritch Item than the Rod.

Of course, if the four item Eldritch Set ability is irresistably awesome the Rod value (and Supreme Ring value) could go up even further.

I completely understand the desire--especially for new players--to get older, highly prized tokens like Ro7P,S1. When I first started playing Magic: The Gathering I desperately wanted a Black Lotus and a set of Moxes.

However, I am not in favor of reprinting any of the rod parts. I think Jeff is on the right track by introducing new multi-year items like the Boots of the Four Winds and Teeth of Cavadar. I think it's nice to have new toys to play with rather than recycling the old ones. I also think it's healthier for TD in the long run.

On the other hand, RoSP2 is not worth its price on its own, but only because it's part of the set. Once all the RoSP1s are gone and people realize theyll never get a set its value will plummet, unless there is some sort of Lesser Rod option. Which would not be out of line with the original D&D books - there was the option of combing as few as two segments for augmented power, but then it required the owner to start building from Seg 1.

But I blew my chance to get one, so what do I know...

I like the way things are. NO reprints of the RoSPs. It makes the big spenders feel special... as it should.

PLUS! It's like a mini-quest trying to get all the pieces for that final big prize.

When I think of the True Dungeon version of the Magic "No Reprint" Reserve List, the Horn of Plenty is on it, and to me the Rod Segments are on it. I guess the Artifacts fall on it just by their nature. I'm not sure if any Combo/Transmuted Tokens fall on it. I don't recall Jeff ever saying that they would never be reprinted. I don't really have a problem with UR/Rare/Uncommon/Common reprints, they have been a part of True Dungeon from the very beginning.

A potpourri of my thoughts:

I highly suspect the recipe for the combined rod will consist of the 7 ultra rare pieces, plus one of each trade item other than Golden Fleece. I would be very surprised if this doesn't turn out to be the basic formula for all Eldrich items.

Few people have said so far what they think the completed rod's powers might be, and in D&D the powers of the Rod of Seven Parts are quite varied depending on which rulebook or supplement you read. My gut says it will likely provide double the bonuses of the single parts (+2 max HP, +2 saves, +2 to STR/DEX/CON...so actually a total of +3 or +4 max HP depending on your level, and +3 to Reflex and Fort), plus some sort of Eldrich damage ability. It could be as simple as automatic Eldrich damage if an enemy hits you (like the Ring or Boots), but I'd think it was cool if you could aslo use it as a 1-hand weapon that does Eldrich damage.

Although I really really really want a combined rod, and have pretty much zip chance of making one, I don't want any reprints of rod parts. That doesn't matter much though, because I'm certain they will NOT be reprinted.

But remember! It doesn't necessarily have to be reprinted for you to have a chance! What do you think Jeff is going to do with all the rod segments that get turned in? Put them in a shoebox in his closet for all of eternity? I bet we'll see some turn up in treasure boxes , and/or as special prizes for future events.

On reprints in general, I suggest a policy whereby nothing will be reprinted for at least 3 years, in order to provide an adequate time to determine how popular the token is, whether it is overpowered, ways people might find to abuse it, etc. An announcement will then be made every year, to declare which (if any) of the tokens from the set 3 years prior have been deemed "never to be reprinted". Most of the tokens won't be and then will become susceptible to reprint in the next set. When a token is announced to be "never reprinted", we must keep in mind that there may still be a bunch of back-stock. Such tokens might still show up in special events, contests, etc. It would be nice too, if Jeff would say how big the back-supply is.

I think the overall tactic of giving a rod segment with each $1k order isn't the best system for large multi-part items such as the Rod and the Cadaver Teeth. Yeah, in one way it promotes repeat customer larger orders, but it screws over anyone who starts such orders in an off-year, and screws them for several years until they have another chance to get into it from the first piece. I suggest either keeping such items to a smaller number of parts (like 4 or 5), and/or allowing the option to just an extra random ultra rare instead of a part.

So, then...what are the $1k bonus tokens going to be for 2014 and 2015? If the rod ends this year, and the teeth don't start until 2016...?

Garrison wrote: I highly suspect the recipe for the combined rod will consist of the 7 ultra rare pieces, plus one of each trade item other than Golden Fleece. I would be very surprised if this doesn't turn out to be the basic formula for all Eldrich items.

Ha! I have suspected this as well.

Garrison wrote: Few people have said so far what they think the completed rod's powers might be, and in D&D the powers of the Rod of Seven Parts are quite varied depending on which rulebook or supplement you read...

I guess I've got some pretty high expectations for the Rod. It will take alot of valuable segment to craft, and I'm hoping the outcome will be something special.

Garrison wrote: But remember! It doesn't necessarily have to be reprinted for you to have a chance! What do you think Jeff is going to do with all the rod segments that get turned in?

Good point. I hadn't considered remembered it. A few segments in a very limited number would make a awesome prize seeded in 2015 treasure boxes. Course, who wouldn't want to pull a HoP out of there either, so it might not be too likely.

Garrison wrote: So, then...what are the $1k bonus tokens going to be for 2014 and 2015? If the rod ends this year, and the teeth don't start until 2016...?

A great question. I had been expecting the Cadaver Teeth to start in 2015, after segment seven next year (and this might still be the case).

I also have no chance of getting all seven segments, but also agree that Rod Seg 1 (or any of the rod segs) should not be reprinted. I think it is good for TD to have something equivalent to the Black Lotus.

Garrison wrote: It doesn't necessarily have to be reprinted for you to have a chance! What do you think Jeff is going to do with all the rod segments that get turned in? Put them in a shoebox in his closet for all of eternity? I bet we'll see some turn up in treasure boxes , and/or as special prizes for future events.

I thought he destroyed tokens like this to remove them permanently once they were cashed in.

He definitely doesn't do that with all tokens. Some of the turn in become treasure pulls.

Brad wrote:

Garrison wrote: It doesn't necessarily have to be reprinted for you to have a chance! What do you think Jeff is going to do with all the rod segments that get turned in? Put them in a shoebox in his closet for all of eternity? I bet we'll see some turn up in treasure boxes , and/or as special prizes for future events.

I thought he destroyed tokens like this to remove them permanently once they were cashed in.

I guess the term "reprint" is ambiguous. If the ones traded in are released slowly back into the wild it shouldn't drag down prices the same as tossing more out there now. By not doing so, the price of an RoSP1 will just keep climbing, and I'm not sure that's fair to people who sell theirs early.

Bottom line is you'll never make everyone happy

Brad Mortensen wrote:
...and I'm not sure that's fair to people who sell theirs early.

WTFBBQ? I have to hear the reasoning on this one. We don't know anything more than what we knew about the rod when the first part was printed in 07. Jeff always said it would be a 7 year deal and has stayed mum about its powers. How the heck would it be 'unfair' to people who sold early? If anything it's the reverse since at least a few more have entered the market through the coin of fate that couldn't be predicted. So maybe you could argue it'd be unfair for people who bought early, but sold? Eh?