TOPIC: 2019 Ultra Rare Token Images!

Phrash wrote: Thinking about this more, should the bonus to healing on the Lenses of Divine Sight be +3 or +4? I know I initially was asking for +1 or +2 healing, but am now thinking it could be higher.

It would be nice to keep this as the healer's choice for Ultra Rare lenses. If Lenses of Focus (+1 to your healing & damage spells) got an Ultra Rare version, I would expect it to say "+2 to your healing & damage spells", which would make the Lenses of Divine Sight look weak in comparison.

The ability to split healing on scrolls does not seem very desirable and could be removed, especially if the healing gets bumped up to +3 or +4.

*Edit:
I also think the Eternal Ice Crystal could easily be +4 damage. I don't typically play any of the classes that would use it, but I assume that the classes that would consider using it are likely using a Brawler’s Mug (Rare) (+2 damage in melee when held in off-hand) and the +2 when upgrading to an Ultra Rare would be the tipping point for many.

I'd very much like it to be +4, and possibly phrased so that it's +2 to each person being healed to keep the original flavor (although a straight +4 is also fine). At +4, I think I might keep it for my Druid & Cleric. At just +2, it's probably not worth the Druid outfitting it since the Druid has relatively few non-one point heal spells.

Raven wrote: Tokens which affect the party card are preferable to situational tokens where you have to remember you're wearing the earcuff, and how much reduction it gives you on this run, and then check with the DM that this is a reduce-able type of damage, and not some weird "Magic Fire" damage which can't be negated.

Totally agree with that sentiment.

Raven wrote: Think of it this way:
The Earcuff of the Phalanx is a great +2 AC for a new(er) player, in a slot with minimal competition.
And it has the potential to be even better than that.

I almost wonder if it makes it too good. It feels like we could wind up shrinking the AC gaps yet again. Yes, the heavy melee types might wear these, but it seems more likely that the classes with lower AC will be more likely to go for these. Especially if you combine this with the UR hat also being usable by anyone. A Wizard/Monk can potentially pick up +4 AC from these two slots over what they've been able to gain in the past. At least with Loki's cap the -2 to saves offsets the AC gain.

Raven wrote: am seriously considering it for my Paladin build where the AC is paramount.

As an aside: I find it amusing that the Paladin I run with most often has been actively cutting his AC for the last several years. His logic is that the best way to guard more people is to make himself a more attractive target for monsters to attack.

Raven wrote: Or, if you want to look at this a different way: It's like moving your Shield to an earcuff slot, so you can free up your hands to wield a 2-handed weapon, or hold a damage-bonus item in your offhand.

Or, it is like giving a shield to classes that can't usually use a shield...

Picc wrote:

Kirk Bauer wrote:

Picc wrote:

Kirk Bauer wrote: For everybody who wanted Gregor's Tome to auto-pass skill tests so you could play memorization classes: you can do that now. It really isn't a big deal to fail some skill tests in my opinion. I have a horrible memory but I still play them from time to time.

So your argument is suck it up because I do?

For some people the possibility of failing a test in public is a big enough deal to turn them off the class and the game entirely.

Yes, what Ed said. If you are nervous to attempt the skill test don't do it at all. If you just worry about getting it wrong but don't mind trying then try and don't sweat it.

I appreciate where you guys are coming from, but I suspect you've never dealt with someone with anxiety issues. They're not going to see it that way.

Also I can't believe I'm arguing from this angle (that's not a comment on anyone btw, its just out of character for me)

I agree with you, because I've seen people that wanted to play those classes refuse because of the skill tests. The thought of failing the tests, or not taking the tests and taking the reduced damage (seen by many as failure), was just too stressful for them. We have one party member who loves playing the Wizard, who was depressed for a good chunk of GENCON because she failed some of the tests on a run (despite all of us telling her that it wasn't a big deal at all).

Everyone is different. Just because many of us are OK with taking and failing tests or even just the stress of having to do the tests, doesn't mean others are. I really do hope that the auto-pass portion is added back in, maybe with wording making it clear it's optional, so those that enjoy the skill tests can still take them. And I think it makes it a much more unique token than just having "focus" bonuses. I'd actually be OK giving up the +2 and keeping just the auto-pass ability.

Harlax wrote:

Kirk Bauer wrote:

Picc wrote:

Kirk Bauer wrote: For everybody who wanted Gregor's Tome to auto-pass skill tests so you could play memorization classes: you can do that now. It really isn't a big deal to fail some skill tests in my opinion. I have a horrible memory but I still play them from time to time.

So your argument is suck it up because I do?

For some people the possibility of failing a test in public is a big enough deal to turn them off the class and the game entirely.

Yes, what Ed said. If you are nervous to attempt the skill test don't do it at all. If you just worry about getting it wrong but don't mind trying then try and don't sweat it.

And we got the shirt of Focus which is still available. You can go +1 while ignoring skill checks.

Skipping skill checks always puts you at -3 compared to a adding them.

At nightmare and epic it is often tactically beneficial to skip them in combat.

It is going to be ok if we can’t circumventing skillchecks, but attempting to characterize skipping skill checks as a net positive because there has been power creep in spell bonus (as there has been in both melee and ranged as well) doesn’t convince anyone.

Matthew Hayward wrote:

Mike Steele wrote:

Phrash wrote: Thinking about this more, should the bonus to healing on the Lenses of Divine Sight be +3 or +4? I know I initially was asking for +1 or +2 healing, but am now thinking it could be higher.

It would be nice to keep this as the healer's choice for Ultra Rare lenses. If Lenses of Focus (+1 to your healing & damage spells) got an Ultra Rare version, I would expect it to say "+2 to your healing & damage spells", which would make the Lenses of Divine Sight look weak in comparison.

The ability to split healing on scrolls does not seem very desirable and could be removed, especially if the healing gets bumped up to +3 or +4.

*Edit:
I also think the Eternal Ice Crystal could easily be +4 damage. I don't typically play any of the classes that would use it, but I assume that the classes that would consider using it are likely using a Brawler’s Mug (Rare) (+2 damage in melee when held in off-hand) and the +2 when upgrading to an Ultra Rare would be the tipping point for many.

I'd very much like it to be +4, and possibly phrased so that it's +2 to each person being healed to keep the original flavor (although a straight +4 is also fine). At +4, I think I might keep it for my Druid & Cleric. At just +2, it's probably not worth the Druid outfitting it since the Druid has relatively few non-one point heal spells.

Funny - I was going to write a post asking it to be removed entilrely.

TD has long given two handed weapons a slight edge.

This item mean no one but Barbarian needs to worry about 2 handers anymore - as a one handed weapon plus this is better than a two hander.

I was referring to the LoDS, were you referring to the Ice Crystal?

Matthew Hayward wrote:

Harlax wrote:

Kirk Bauer wrote:

Picc wrote:

Kirk Bauer wrote: For everybody who wanted Gregor's Tome to auto-pass skill tests so you could play memorization classes: you can do that now. It really isn't a big deal to fail some skill tests in my opinion. I have a horrible memory but I still play them from time to time.

So your argument is suck it up because I do?

For some people the possibility of failing a test in public is a big enough deal to turn them off the class and the game entirely.

Yes, what Ed said. If you are nervous to attempt the skill test don't do it at all. If you just worry about getting it wrong but don't mind trying then try and don't sweat it.

And we got the shirt of Focus which is still available. You can go +1 while ignoring skill checks.

Skipping skill checks always puts you at -3 compared to a adding them.

At nightmare and epic it is often tactically beneficial to skip them in combat.

It is going to be ok if we can’t circumventing skillchecks, but attempting to characterize skipping skill checks as a net positive because there has been power creep in spell bonus (as there has been in both melee and ranged as well) doesn’t convince anyone.

That's how I see it as well, and I think most will. No matter how much bonus damage you get, not taking or failing the skill test is always less damage than passing it.

Mike Steele wrote:

Matthew Hayward wrote:

Mike Steele wrote:

Phrash wrote: Thinking about this more, should the bonus to healing on the Lenses of Divine Sight be +3 or +4? I know I initially was asking for +1 or +2 healing, but am now thinking it could be higher.

It would be nice to keep this as the healer's choice for Ultra Rare lenses. If Lenses of Focus (+1 to your healing & damage spells) got an Ultra Rare version, I would expect it to say "+2 to your healing & damage spells", which would make the Lenses of Divine Sight look weak in comparison.

The ability to split healing on scrolls does not seem very desirable and could be removed, especially if the healing gets bumped up to +3 or +4.

*Edit:
I also think the Eternal Ice Crystal could easily be +4 damage. I don't typically play any of the classes that would use it, but I assume that the classes that would consider using it are likely using a Brawler’s Mug (Rare) (+2 damage in melee when held in off-hand) and the +2 when upgrading to an Ultra Rare would be the tipping point for many.

I'd very much like it to be +4, and possibly phrased so that it's +2 to each person being healed to keep the original flavor (although a straight +4 is also fine). At +4, I think I might keep it for my Druid & Cleric. At just +2, it's probably not worth the Druid outfitting it since the Druid has relatively few non-one point heal spells.

Funny - I was going to write a post asking it to be removed entilrely.

TD has long given two handed weapons a slight edge.

This item mean no one but Barbarian needs to worry about 2 handers anymore - as a one handed weapon plus this is better than a two hander.

I was referring to the LoDS, were you referring to the Ice Crystal?

Ice crystal - got my wires crossed

If it’s not too late, can we tone down Kilt of Barrelbane to:

5 str, -3 dex and -2 con

Or

4 str, -2 dex and con?

This would make the transmute much more appealing and besides - jumping 6 str in one slot at ur (even with substantial costs) is perhaps just too good at UR

Matthew Hayward wrote: If it’s not too late, can we tone down Kilt of Barrelbane to:

5 str, -3 dex and -2 con

Or

4 str, -2 dex and con?

This would make the transmute much more appealing and besides - jumping 6 str in one slot at ur (even with substantial costs) is perhaps just too good at UR

Regardless what gets printed I am keeping my Kilt ingredients and also making 1 Eldritch. There will just be some builds that I want the UR for and that is build diversity.

BTW - Since I am going to be keeping a set, anyone have any Onyx Kilts please let me know I will trade them for a gold and give you something extra.Thanks for the rapid response my Onyx desires are filled!

Ed

Kirk Bauer wrote:

Picc wrote:

Kirk Bauer wrote: For everybody who wanted Gregor's Tome to auto-pass skill tests so you could play memorization classes: you can do that now. It really isn't a big deal to fail some skill tests in my opinion. I have a horrible memory but I still play them from time to time.

So your argument is suck it up because I do?

For some people the possibility of failing a test in public is a big enough deal to turn them off the class and the game entirely.

Yes, what Ed said. If you are nervous to attempt the skill test don't do it at all. If you just worry about getting it wrong but don't mind trying then try and don't sweat it.

Yes - this. What we teach in TD 101 is that if you don’t succeed at the skill test - your spell works! If you DO succeed - it works better. I have played Wizard since my 1st TD. And I LOVE the test. But I’ve been there with folks who don’t know it cold and they have just as much fun if they miss. It takes an element away from the game to simply bypass the test altogether. If it is like the persuasion bar... and it involves a HP hit to bypass that’s ok and reasonably consistent with wizarding lore... and the Focus item should not be where you gain the bypass - that should be a separate token... unless it gets built in as a transmute...

Matthew Hayward wrote: If it’s not too late, can we tone down Kilt of Barrelbane to:

5 str, -3 dex and -2 con

Or

4 str, -2 dex and con?

This would make the transmute much more appealing and besides - jumping 6 str in one slot at ur (even with substantial costs) is perhaps just too good at UR

Wow if that's not an argument for making the eldritched better I dont know what is. Not enough takers on the transmute, let's make the components worse.

I'd argue that even if the str kilt were made substantially worse then its brothers the eldritched should still be 6. Several of the boots were only +3 damage but the tide still rose on the transmute to +5 because of the two handers just so there wasnt an aspect on which the transmute was worse then the sum of its parts.

James J Krot wrote: So my fear is if I get the dark disciple shirt that the power is duplicated in the story arc tooth item and I am going to feel that it is under powered then. @jeff can you confirm if this will be the only item that will ever let you use 2x psychic powers ?

What if it instead gave +1 use of psychic powers? That way, if another gets made they can stack, giving 3 total uses (and on up from there).