TOPIC: Factory Sealed

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<br />Kim, yes that is a question on the feedback sheet.<br /><br />Mike, I started to do some analysis based on the XP numbers from year to year but realized that there is danger with this.  It is equally important to know "why" a person didn't come back which like you mentioned could be caused by a number of factors, not the least of which is just the fact that the person couldn't get tickets for that year.  Still it would be interesting to analyze anyway, especially as a function of token sales.  <br /><br />I would guess though that veterans spend more per year on tokens than new players, even if they do have more currently.  Its just up to us to keep the token mixes interesting and fresh to keep the players buying the crack tokens.<br />

<br /><br />I couldn't agree more that it is essential to keep the token mixes fresh with a large turnover each year.  I think the commons could stay the same with a few changes, the uncommons should have at least 30% - 50% turnover, I think the Rares should have more like 75% turnover, and each year I think the PURPs should have about a 90% turnover (maybe only a couple holdovers per year).  <br />

<br /><br />I think I've said this before, but if heavy turnover remains, I'm probably out of the whole token buying thing. Whether it's perception or reality, I don't feel like I can keep up with the current degree of turnover and I can't keep chasing the dragon. Given that my purchase level is not insignificant, ecspecially compared to the average TD-ite, it makes me wonder how many others have already reached that conclusion. If things don't stabilize a bit and power creep remains an issue, it starts to feel like I'm trying to empty a lake one spoonful at a time in the middle of a downpour. There's a fine line between providing a challenge and simply overwhelming people.<br />

<br /><br />For me, what the heavy turnover consists of will determine how many more tokens I buy.  If it's cool stuff like the Ioun Stones, Rings, boots of Free Action, etc. that add new stuff to the game, then I'll happily buy them.  But, if Power Creep comes in and makes all my tokens obsolete (like if something comes out better than +1 Plate, or +2 Longsword, or Girdle of Hill Giant Strength, etc.) then I'll likely slow or stop my buying, as I don't want to keep spending tons of money with the knowledge that my tokens will be superceded by something better in a year or two.  <br /><br />So, for me, if a bunch of new tokens means a lot of new cool stuff that gives me lots of choices on what to use (for instance hopefully there will eventually be 20 or 30 different Rings to choose from, hopefully all of a similar power level), and additional stuff to use, then I'm all for it.  If it's just making everything more powerful then I'm not in so much. 

It's hard to have a turnover rate of up to the proposed 90% without power creep becoming an issue. Each time you add something new, you run the risk of it either being so weak it's worthless or better than the other options. It's very rare that you can hit the sweet spot, and most of that is just 'color' changes. Like having a ring of fire resistance vs shock resistance vs acid resistance, etc.

More slots??  <br /><br />More Class specific items??

<br />More slots??  <br /><br />More Class specific items??<br />

<br /><br />All of that just causes power creep, though indirectly. More slots means that whatever existed prior is less valuable by comparrison and raises the overall power level. If we open up a new category like, say, earrings and made a +1 AC item for it, not only does average AC increase but it also drags down prior AC items because of the equivalence factor.<br /><br />Class specifics are almost as bad since by restricting an item to a particular class, it almost necessitates the tradeoff that it be better than anything that was avaliable before it. After all, what would be the point of making it class restrictive if the item itself was the same as or worse than what was already avaliable to a wider set.

Well, we could just abolish tokens all together.

April Fools!  (so I'm a tad late)

Power creep shouldn't become a major issue with future sets.

One easy way to deal with power creep is just to recycle. Bring back tokens in waves. Hell, roll dice if you want, but figure out a random way for tokens to cycle in and out. Maybe add a few new ones a year, but then they get tossed into the random mix. Nothing is ever discontinued for good, except those few items that are ruled as completely broken.

I don't see it being an issue myself...It is like with everything else FUN FUN FUN <br /><br /><br />But I am a new Tokenholic so I may be biased

That's the whole point. After a while, it dosen't seem to be as much fun as frustration if things don't go the right way. You never want to feel like you're running a race in one of these sort of things.

<br />That's the whole point. After a while, it dosen't seem to be as much fun as frustration if things don't go the right way.

<br /><br />I just thing you need another Token order!!! That will releave the fustration!<br />

I must admit the recycling of tokens does sound like a neat idea. Especially for consumables. The only problem I see with it is that  people will get bored with the recycled tokens because they already have them or don't want them. They will complain that nothing new and exciting comes out each year. So it becomes a trade-off on how to figure out what new things to come out with and yet keep the recycled tokens in play. I would have to say Henwy if you are worried about power creep wait until next year. You won't really be able to tell until then if your fears are correct or not. I would say you have stated your concerns admirably and have opened up some interesting solutions to the problem of power creep. Now it is up to Jeff and co. to work towards next years crop.<br /><br />Lady Myke