TOPIC: "Power" or "Cool Factor"

My buddy and I were discussing why we buy certain tokens over others.  I was just wondering what others felt on this subject.  Given the choice between a powerful token and cool token, which would you chose?  <br /><br />As an example:<br /><br />You are a fighter for your party.  Someone offers to give you a shield of your choice.  Do you chose the more powerful +1 Tower Shield, or less powerful but brazillion times cooler Dragonscale Shield?  Don't take "dollar value" or rarity into consideration, since you aren't ever going to resell it.<br /><br />Personally, I buy for power so I would take the Tower Shield.<br /><br />Go!

Dragonscale.<br /><br />Then again, who said that it isn't buying for power?  We've been told that, one day, it'll be part of a Set that provides extra bonuses once completed.

<br />Dragonscale.<br /><br />Then again, who said that it isn't buying for power?  We've been told that, one day, it'll be part of a Set that provides extra bonuses once completed.<br />

<br /><br />Ok, maybe that's a bad example, but it was the specific one I was arguing with my friend...let's negate any of the effects the "set" will give.

i would go mostly for power, but coolness does have some influence...the problem that i have is that most items havent had a big enough coolness effect to outshine all counterparts (no no no, a better way to say it is that they are ALL cool enough that no single one item stands out as being that much cooler), and often the more cool item is indeed better anyway.<br />the one time so far that coolness has won out is when i traded my +2 longsword for a +2 keen scimitar.<br /><br />as for your question, if i was a fighter and only borrowing the token, i would take the +1 tower shield.  but since i play ranger and would like having a more versatile token (usable by more classes) in case i pick up a secondary class, i would prefer the dragonscale shield...espceciall since druid is the direction im looking <br /><br />now, as for my back-up/ranged weapon, the +2 flaming short bow is really cool and the +1 mighty longbow seems really good...not sure where my preference is here...probably the flaming short bow, but that is because it isnt my primary weapon so i am not as worried about getting the most damage out of it.<br /><br />im just waiting for TD to print a token that is just too cool to pass up, like a vorpal blade (maybe only hits on a crit, but no damage wheel, if it hits, monster must save or die).  i think a vorpal blade will win on coolness no matter what

If you look at it as a single token value (no sets, maxed out AC etc)<br /><br />Being cool does not save you from the monster thumping you ( AC vs looks argument )<br /><br />Being cool does not help you defeat the monster ( + to hit vs looks argument )<br /><br />Being cool does not let you draw more tokens ( Horn of Plenty vs Amulet of Wonder )<br /><br />On the flip side, being cool can draw you more oohs and ahhs from your teammates.<br /><br />YMMV

For me, it's all about the shiny.

For me, it's all about the shiny.

<br /><br />Yes, my precious.<br /><br />Of course, being a bard, what can I say?  Stage presence is bling influenced.  That critter may gnaw on me but I'll look good while he does.  I do like that shiny sword though and wow on the Elvish chain--not to mention my heart skips a beat when I seek Mithral chain.  Oh my gloves of dex--they just help me strum a little faster.  And all these rings--it is hard to choose sometimes.<br /><br /><br />Widseth

On that note, the main reason I want the Mitrhal Chain is for the coolness factor.  I really don't care that it's 1 point better than the Elven Chain.  The reason I want it is because it is Mithral Chain.  That being said, it would simply be a "cool rare" if it's AC value was the same as the Elven Chain and it had no other special effects.<br />

if i'm in a spot to have to pick one item over another, i go for the one that will be hardest to aquire down the road. this is strictly from a collector point of view.

Ditto - and I try to pick something I can use as a Cleric - or loan to someone that I typically run with.

I go definitely for the kewlness factor.<br />

<br />if i'm in a spot to have to pick one item over another, i go for the one that will be hardest to aquire down the road. this is strictly from a collector point of view.<br />

<br /><br />True enough.  That's another reason I liked the MChain when it came out.  Figured it wouldn't be around.  Good of you to point out the scarcity issue.