Predictions over MotU items/equipment

[Zonixx]

So I am not trying to start any gloom or doom, but I am just wondering based on some peoples opinions what you think is going to go on with the new items/equpment with the expansion.

Some things that I think could happen:

1) Turbine releases a bunch of new equipment, loot, and items that will redefine character builds completely. Essentially all loot that we use now will be not comparible to the new loot and we will have to rebuild characters keeping in mind that the new level 25 loot is where its at.

2) Fewer new items are released, similar to what we saw in the Challenges (perhaps on a bit larger scale though). 10-20 or so good new epics that are nice and comparible to our pre-exisiting equipment. This keeps level 20 epic epic loot still viable for many builds and the new items are not ''overpowered'' compared to our current equipment.

I am more leaning towards #2. Anyone else have any predictions or doubts over the new equipment/items? Any other ideas of what could happen?

[Zirun]

There's an ever-present content when it comes to new things: If it's not just as good or better than the old things, what's the point of it? Sure, you can have some niche items like more Dex-based Quarterstaves, some Int/Wis/Cha-based weapons like Midnight Greetings or Dynastic Falcata, but there's only so many of those you can make. There have to be things to get veteran power-gamers to run the content, which means there essentially has to be something that's "better" than what we have in some way. Unfortunately, that causes power creep, but it's hard to avoid in an MMO where people can choose to either buy or not buy your new content.

I hope they make lots of niche gear, but there's inevitably going to be some things in there that are new best-in-slot items, if only because they consolidate effects or put a good effect in a slot you couldn't get it before.

[Zonixx]

There's an ever-present content when it comes to new things: If it's not just as good or better than the old things, what's the point of it? Sure, you can have some niche items like more Dex-based Quarterstaves, some Int/Wis/Cha-based weapons like Midnight Greetings or Dynastic Falcata, but there's only so many of those you can make. There have to be things to get veteran power-gamers to run the content, which means there essentially has to be something that's "better" than what we have in some way. Unfortunately, that causes power creep, but it's hard to avoid in an MMO where people can choose to either buy or not buy your new content.

I hope they make lots of niche gear, but there's inevitably going to be some things in there that are new best-in-slot items, if only because they consolidate effects or put a good effect in a slot you couldn't get it before.

Honestly I have never really seen the ''power creep'' to be too big of an issue when it has to DDO. One of the reasons I like it so much, is the fact that you design how you want your character to be geared with the choices of gear that are out there and how they suit your needs best, not because X gear has 10 power more then Y gear. Sure people dont run Titan as much, but that is not to say that all titan loot is vastly inferior to all challenge loot.

I really dont know how it will play out with the new expansion. If Turbine is going to go in the direction of the power creep like all new MMO's seem to do, or stay with their traditional way of expanding the game.

[Nummesis]

Personally if i had to guess... (and thats what this is... just guessing)

Since the new expansion is for epic lvls i would assume that you would have to be at least lvl 21 to use the new items. So existing gear sets will still be absolutley viable.

[Gremmlynn]

#1, they are in the business of selling content. Not much point in trying to sell something that isn't an upgrade. Though I don't understand how better items make our current stuff gimp. Harder content could do that but better items wouldn't.

[Azonalanthious]

Though I don't understand how better items make our current stuff gimp.

^ This. Greensteel is the banner child in this case. It predates both the last raise of the level cap and epic mode along with EVERY epic item. Yet greensteel weapons, and some accessories like the 45 hp are still going strong and common/favored items. Epic Sword of Shadows will still hit like a ton of bricks. The fact that a new Super-epic Sword of Shadows has come out that hits like a ton and a quarter of bricks doesn't change that at all, it just gives you something new to work towards.

[Zonixx]

^ This. Greensteel is the banner child in this case. It predates both the last raise of the level cap and epic mode along with EVERY epic item. Yet greensteel weapons, and some accessories like the 45 hp are still going strong and common/favored items. Epic Sword of Shadows will still hit like a ton of bricks. The fact that a new Super-epic Sword of Shadows has come out that hits like a ton and a quarter of bricks doesn't change that at all, it just gives you something new to work towards.

Gimped was the wrong word choice. I changed it to ''not comparible too''. I would say greensteel still is comparible to the epic sos. Sure the epic sos is better, but I would not say that because you do not have the epic sos you are doing ''bad damage''. My fear is if they impliment new weapons/equipment with.. example.. 15d6 base damage 16-20 x4 crit etc... Completely bringing a new realm to of power that makes all other equipment ''trash''.

[sirgog]

I expect we will see:

- A change away from '1 good effect, 2-3 OK effect items' like the Epic Bracers of the Claw, towards items with one effect that is top-notch. Think '+9 Str gloves' or similar. Does that blow the old gear out of the water? Maybe, maybe not. What will blow out current gear out of the water is level 25 items with a top-notch effect and 2-3 'OK effects'.

- Higher base damage on weapons, including random lootgen. Think a random lootgen Falchion that is ML 24, does 6d4 base damage and has 'Epic Shocking Burst: +4d6 hit, +4d10 crit', but that just has a standard crit profile.

- Higher player HP pools, possibly by a lot.

Look to the present CR 25 challenges (compared to CR 20 ones) to get an idea as to how much mob HP is likely to increase - then expect player DPS to increase comparably.

[Azonalanthious]

Gimped was the wrong word choice. I changed it to ''not comparible too''. I would say greensteel still is comparible to the epic sos. Sure the epic sos is better, but I would not say that because you do not have the epic sos you are doing ''bad damage''. My fear is if they impliment new weapons/equipment with.. example.. 15d6 base damage 16-20 x4 crit etc... Completely bringing a new realm to of power that makes all other equipment ''trash''.

Again, I look at greensteel to lay such worries to rest. Was introduced in module 6 (Jan '08) if memory serves. 4 years, and 3 modules, 12 updates ago. And as you just said, they don't do bad damage, just because they aren't eSoS. If you look at the improvements of the very best gear over slightly lower tier, its not the 35+ damage per swing before critical increase in something like you example. Its 2 or 3 or 4 damage. Enough that, yeah, its nice to grab the new shinny stuff. But doesn't mean that the old stuff sucks. They have the potential to "not comparable too" stuff with every single adventure pack they release, since they ALL contain new loot -- that's a large part of the fun after all. The fact that this one happens to include a level cap increase doesn't change that basic fact, and given that they haven't screwed that aspect of things up to badly so far, I've no reason to expect them to do so this time.

[Grenada]

I expect:

-a couple crazy, if not really useful, new effects (maybe like polymorphing effects on the wearer). At least one won't work properly.
-mostly some gear for specific builds, but nothing spectacular
-1 item totally OP and nerfed quickly by the devs
-1 item on the line of being OP, possibly best in slot for many builds. Also only seen on Lammania and that one guy's achievement thread for finding one.

[Urjak]

i guess it will be more like #2 => some new items ... maybe even a new crafting system which will produce slightly more powerful items ... i dont think that this new update will bring a whole new set of items rendering all existing loot useless ... however i think these new items WILL be more powerful than already existing stuff (maybe with the exception of eSOS^^), since they need to give players a reason to farm for them ;) ... but i think the powerlevel difference will be something like <new loot> vs. t3 alchemical = t3 alchemical vs. gs ;)

[quijenoth]

Bring on the Sphere of Annihilation (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Sphere_of_Annihilation), Talisman of the Sphere (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Talisman_of_the_Sphere), and Artifacts! (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Category:Artifact) :)

Ok alot of people would probably say no to artifacts but I recon if you limit 1 artifact per character the overall effect on existing equipment would be minimal.

[Razcar]

Well, since the quest and raids will be "Epic" (from the Gamebanshee interview), the loot will be as well.

And regardless how powerful/weak the new loot will be, one thing is for certain. There will be a new crafting system coming along with the new gear. Gotta sell more ingredient bags... :mad:

[Thrudh]

Personally if i had to guess... (and thats what this is... just guessing)

Since the new expansion is for epic lvls i would assume that you would have to be at least lvl 21 to use the new items. So existing gear sets will still be absolutley viable.

Completely viable from level 20 to 21? I'm not sure I get your point.

[Cyr]

I think it will be 2 for one simple reason. It takes less time for the developers. Items have been on the low priority list for the devs for a long time.

I think that if items are given proper MLs based upon the quality of the item then it is okay to do it this way. More items will filter in as more higher ML raids are released.

Of course, this requires that the developers make sure that existing epic items have MLs assigned that are logical compared to each other. In other words, the eSoS should not be ML 20 if the eFlint is also ML 20 as one is clearly better then the other. I am thinking that almost all existing epic items should not be higher then ML 23 to give room for upper growth and because most are really mediocre.

[Darkrok]

I have 2 answers here:

For people level 1-20: No effect
For people level 21+: Game-changer. Regearing everything.

The distinction is important because many people will still be doing the TR-cycle where the level 21+ game won't affect them.

[FranOhmsford]

I think it will be 2 for one simple reason. It takes less time for the developers. Items have been on the low priority list for the devs for a long time.

I think that if items are given proper MLs based upon the quality of the item then it is okay to do it this way. More items will filter in as more higher ML raids are released.

Of course, this requires that the developers make sure that existing epic items have MLs assigned that are logical compared to each other. In other words, the eSoS should not be ML 20 if the eFlint is also ML 20 as one is clearly better then the other. I am thinking that almost all existing epic items should not be higher then ML 23 to give room for upper growth and because most are really mediocre.

I really don't think they're gonna up the min lvl on ESoS or ERoSS etc. That would really seriously annoy people.

It would be nice if they allowed certain epic items to be wielded earlier on a TR life - Say lvl 16-18 dependant on the item. Or if they went through all the current epic items and boosted the power levels of some of the lesser ones.

I would like to see them go for the niche myself over simply creating more and more powerful items - Definitely create epic weapons of types we don't have enough of currently:

D-Axes, B-Swords {Something other than Chimera's Fang}, Mauls {Are there any out there atm?} etc.

Perhaps they could provide epic ingredients to upgrade old items from non-epic quests - Carnifex, Maelstrom, Retribution, Bronkarz Cloak {this last one is one of the most useless named items in the game currently} etc.

Would an Epic Carni beat the EAntique? or would it be pretty similar dependant on what they gave it? If it would beat the EAntique then all they'd need to do is put a Min Lvl say 22 on the Carni and Bob's your Uncle.

[Zzevel]

Hmmm what do I think? Time to buy bigger bags again.. some new crafting system with WAY to many pieces (bleh), new collectibls that dont do much and probably some sort of Mithral weapon base you need to rub dryder guts on to be worth wild.. Who knows?

[Zonixx]

Hmmm what do I think? Time to buy bigger bags again.. some new crafting system with WAY to many pieces (bleh), new collectibls that dont do much and probably some sort of Mithral weapon base you need to rub dryder guts on to be worth wild.. Who knows?

Really? New crafting system? Wonder if it will be weapons or other types of equipment.