TOPIC: Thoughts on Rod Segments

I'd be opposed to a reprint in this case also, since Jeff made it clear up front that you'd get one segment per year, only to be available that year. In this case, I think the rules need to be consistent from how they started, one segment available per year, and all 7 needed for the complete Rod.

I don't have a problem with a less powerful Rod of 4 or 5 Parts being available also.

Having extra Rod Segments that can't be turned in for a complete Rod isn't a bad thing, because they are still slotless and they still each offer a nice bonus effect.

This is another one of those high powered items that very few are going to have. Rod of Seven Parts has always been an artifact in D&D. I understand the frustration of trying to find them, but I also think that many people who are holding all the pieces are going to be disappointed with the overall power of this item. WIll it be a token someone would pay $1500 for? Probably not, but that about what it takes to get a hold of the pieces. I have found fair prices to be along the lines of the age of the segment:
1- 8000GP
2-6000GP
3-4000GP
4- who knows- but probably 2000 or 3000

That is the trend I have noticed. Some people have segments to trade but I believe they are waiting for some fantastic offer or to see of the value goes up. I think once we see the completed rod, the value will adjust downward fairly rapidly.

Oh, and Mike. I understand you want the rules followed, but think of it from the perspective of some of us active newer members like Broasted or myself, who haven't been playing since the inception of the game. We still love TD and the people here, we are still willing to spend $ on tokens, but because of our timing we are out of luck. Maybe we should be offered a separate appreciation token other than the rod because we didn't sign up when it began? I am not trying to attack here, I am just pointing out some of the feelings of myself and, i believe, some of the newer players. Many TD forumites are extremely welcoming, but as with any tight knit and enthusiastic group of people, something of an (forgive me ladies) "Old Boys Network" can form ( I think that is an illuminati card too;) )

I do hear what you're saying, Ian, and I didn't want to make it sound like an insider's club. Maybe after the Rod of 7 Parts is done, Jeff will design the next one so it is more flexible in the turn-in. I just think that at this point, after many people have paid quite a bit for Segments 1 and 2 with the understanding that they were needed and wouldn't be reprinted, that it would upset a lot of people if things were changed now. That's why I think the 4-5 Segment Rod might solve some of the problem.

I think Jeff didn't anticipate token orders increasing so quickly, leading to shortages of the early tokens. Hopefully he'll take that into account next time.

From my perspective, I had somehow ended up with 3 part 1s, but only 2 part 2s, and since I only equip 2 people, the extra part 1 would never be used in a full rod. At the same time, I didn't properly plan my purchase this year to get enough of the Might items to get the two of us up to level 5 characters, so I needed some decent trade bait.

I'm content with the deal I made with Ian - I just hope he's able to get a part 2 to get the full item made one day!

Segment #4 will be the third "savings throw bonus" Segment. Maybe one way to address this issue is to increase the power a bit for Segments 5-7, knowing that most of them will remain stand-alone and not be part of a trade-in for a full Rod. That way, people will be happy to have the segments even if they are never part of a full Rod of Seven Parts.

Based on nothing more than what we've seen so far, I'm expecting the remaining segments to include a +1 AC segment, a +1 to hit segment, and a.... +1 to something else?

That is another really good idea, Mike.

I'm pretty sure Jeff and Co. have planned out what the others will be, but if it becomes obvious that there is an issue they'll work to make incentives for the rookie players.

I'm still not sure that this is an actual issue. As I said, I just observed activity in this area and know I struggled to get my Segments. While I'd love to see smaller combo rods or more powerful final segments, these are free appreciation tokens. So, I'm just glad the TD crew has come up with something cool enough to debate about.

As an FYI - Jeff said he was completely out of Rod Part 3 segments.

WaterSomePlants wrote: Based on nothing more than what we've seen so far, I'm expecting the remaining segments to include a +1 AC segment, a +1 to hit segment, and a.... +1 to something else?

I think your spot on. It is also highly likely that one part will be +1 damage(Melee,Ranged or both).

These are also more desirable and potent effects then the hp and saving throw bumps. So even if the market is saturated with them, potency will keep the demand and value high.

As for what the completed Rod will look like? The "some people may not turn them in" comment Jeff made could mean a few things:

1. The cost to combine may deter some players(even 1k buyers)from combining it.
2. It most likely will be a unique power that does not increase stats like its parts.
3. Future rules may lower its perceived value

I'm an old school gamer and I love stats. Just the possibility of losing the stat bumps makes me less likely to bring the rod to its full glory.

The Broasted wrote: I'm pretty sure Jeff and Co. have planned out what the others will be, but if it becomes obvious that there is an issue they'll work to make incentives for the rookie players.

No Co., Just Jeff. It is all in his head. The rods and eldritch items are all his secret scheming.

Dave

Thanks for the insight, Dave. Although, I'm still going to assume Jeff has a company working away up there.

Speaking of eldritch items, the fourth elemental ring comes out next year. Will people with all four rings be able to turn them in next year for the eldritch ring or will they have to wait a year?