TOPIC: Latest 2009 Ultra Rares

Now why would anyone want the +2 Dagger of Venom over the +2 Sling of Doom.  Realize that Undead, Elementals, Constructs, Plants,  AND Oozes are immune to Poison.  And most year there is at least 1 of these (2007 in combat had 3: the shambler, the wraith, and the stone golem.  2008 had none, unless Iuz was classified as an undead outsider)<br /><br />Admittedly it is easier to buff the physical damage with a Dagger, but with the preponderance of sling ammo, the existence of bracers of archery why oh why would anyone take it?  <br /><br />Sure, only melee weapons can be used in sneak attacks, but still it requires a 20 to slide so, yes a rogue with the poison dagger on a sneak attack who hits a 20 can do 6x2 (12) +10 (poison), +10 sneak attack, +2 for bullstrength, +1 for gauntlets of ogre power  for a probable total of 35 points of damage, unless you happen to be one of those 5 types noted above then you do 9, thank you very much.   And if you are not a rogue you are doing max 9 points  (because also all the above monsters are also immune to crits)<br /><br />Compared to a sling of doom which let's say you slide a 20 =  6x2(12) +10 (doom) +2 bracers of archery + 2 for ammo. = 26, 20 if you are one of the above monster types (because they are immune to crits).  Still I am sure there will be rogues desperate to get something like the Dagger of Venom until you remember the halfling rogue is a better shot with ranged than with melee, thanks to a decent DEX.<br /><br />Just my 2gp.<br /><br />P.S. This recent set of changes really changes the wish list of PYP, so I take that as a good sign.

<br />My group did insta-kill Iuz with a MoD on our Nightmare run.<br />

<br /><br />I don't suppose you were the cleric or paladin in question? Was the MoD random or a PyP? Would you still take it over a Gearon's?<br /><br />As for the sling vs the dagger, ya. What sort of damage is 'of doom' anyway?

I see Doom as the super element behind all other elements. <br /><br />But my next question re: the Circlet of elemental mastery - does the person need to make 2 tests to do the energy switch or just the one to cast the spell?

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<br />My group did insta-kill Iuz with a MoD on our Nightmare run.<br />

<br /><br />I don't suppose you were the cleric or paladin in question? Was the MoD random or a PyP? Would you still take it over a Gearon's?<br /><br />As for the sling vs the dagger, ya. What sort of damage is 'of doom' anyway?<br />

<br /><br />The story goes like this... I pulled the MoD out of the treasure box in the first room (I was the rogue in the group) and gave it to our priest... who used it throughout the dungeon. The priest actually slid about an inch and a half short of the 20 and I slid to knock it in (ala shuffleboard).  It wasn't on our first combat round with Iuz, it was the third or so, if I remember correctly.<br /><br />And even though I get the point of Nate's "with the sling, why bother making the dagger", are we then reduced to only printing the one, most powerful weapon instead of providing some variety? As a rogue, I would be *happy* to have a Dagger of Venom if I couldn't have a Nightshade's. :-D (and I am currently making do with a +1 Short Sword).<br />  

It'd make sense to have two. One to see if the spell flops and one to see if the transformation flops.

I still think it would be a good idea to make the circlet of the arch druid usable once per adventure rather than have three charges.<br />By the way, who were the winners of the ultra rare contest?<br /><br />Kim

<br />It'd make sense to have two. One to see if the spell flops and one to see if the transformation flops.<br />

<br />Talk about a time sink. Bleh!<br /><br />As for the lucky charm - I know there was much bemoaning  about the HoP being in such high demand and in many cases became the must have item for any true token-holic, but won't the charm make the situation worse (5 pulls instead of 3) if everyone is carrying one.  Yes it will drive token sales through the roof to ensure that most parties will have some on their low AC party members, in the hopes they will take some damage.<br /><br />I can imagine it now, parties running though with just the HoP and the lucky charms and no armor in hopes of taking damage to get tokens while bringing their heaviest guns to burn the foes down faster.  Or better yet, asking, how wounded does the monster look at the end of each turn.  The DM replying nearly dead.  The players then not attacking (if time permits) to ensure a few more of them who didn't get whacked yet to get some damage to pull more tokens.  Definately burn intensive in re: to healing items but with 2 more chances to pull one of the hard to get dungeon only items like more segments of the rod of many parts, I can see some groups doing this very tactic.<br />

The spells don't flop if you don't pass the challenge - they just do less damage.  The transformation would flop if failed, I expect.<br />

Good point on the charm. When dealing with the public you have to foresee even the most extraordinary turns of events. Some people probably would try what you are suggesting. Maybe it does need more tweaking.

<br />The spells don't flop if you don't pass the challenge - they just do less damage.  The transformation would flop if failed, I expect.<br /><br />

<br />So my hope is the transformation is declared  before the challenge and it all happens in the one test, otherwise its two challenges to do one spell.  I think it should be an all or nothing kind of thing.  But I can see the flip side of the arguement, so if you fail the first test, you still have a chance of making do the other energy damage anyway.  While I know seasoned mages have the wall chart pretty well down pat, I can see some who take time pondering the wall and thus eating critical combat seconds doing this.    Hence my hope its all in one test instead.

The DM doesn't need to supervise the challenge - just like a rogue's chest, the dm can keep an eye on the challenge but still deal with other party members.<br />

I am assuming the Circlet of Elemental Mastery is for wizards only. I would love it if bards were included in that though because it is one of the few pieces of headgear that I would really like to have. <br /><br />When I first went through the list yesterday I wasn't too keen on anything and now looking over it there are at least five items I want, maybe more. hehehe aah greed what fools doth you make of us all! Hmm that would make a cool poem....<br /><br />Don't worry Henwy I'll post it in the poetry section!<br /><br />Lady Myke