Commendation rewards are subpar now, can we get updates?

[Urklore]

Now that the old epic level 20 gear has had a revamp (no more shards, scrolls, etc) can we tackle the rewards for turning in commendations? They are not up to spec with the current game. For example, the Staff of the Woodlands provides 90 positive and electric spellpower for a level 20 item where must level 20 items are giving higher values.

[Firebreed]

I thought this was gonna be about Commendations of Valor rewards, and wanted to chime in and say that the Insightful Ability potion could use a bump to +4 instead of +2.

[ned_ellis]

Now that the old epic level 20 gear has had a revamp (no more shards, scrolls, etc) can we tackle the rewards for turning in commendations? They are not up to spec with the current game. For example, the Staff of the Woodlands provides 90 positive and electric spellpower for a level 20 item where must level 20 items are giving higher values.


I thought this was gonna be about Commendations of Valor rewards, and wanted to chime in and say that the Insightful Ability potion could use a bump to +4 instead of +2.

I think both your points have validity! Whilst (some of) the rewards stand the test of time, the loot is sadly just nostalgia, so would favour their upgrade first.

[Wahnsinnig]

Now that the old epic level 20 gear has had a revamp (no more shards, scrolls, etc) can we tackle the rewards for turning in commendations? They are not up to spec with the current game. For example, the Staff of the Woodlands provides 90 positive and electric spellpower for a level 20 item where must level 20 items are giving higher values.

20 minute GH potions are still as awesome as ever. Gear is easy to get a lot of other places, those potions are best in game.

[Stoner81]

20 minute GH potions are still as awesome as ever. Gear is easy to get a lot of other places, those potions are best in game.

The Deathward pots are also crazy good for 1 commendation :)

But I do heartily agree that the main gear items have not stood the test of time at all. Heck even crafted items via Cannith Crafting are better :eek:

Stoner81.

[Wahnsinnig]

It is not wrong that the gear is very bad now.

But anyone that does not use all their Eveningstar commendations to trade for GH potions is making a mistake. The DW potions are good too, that is true, but in the current Night Revels event you can easily get more DW potions than you can shake a stick at. GH potions are nowhere else in game.

[thegreatcthulhu]

It is not wrong that the gear is very bad now.

But anyone that does not use all their Eveningstar commendations to trade for GH potions is making a mistake. The DW potions are good too, that is true, but in the current Night Revels event you can easily get more DW potions than you can shake a stick at. GH potions are nowhere else in game.

Heh, I noticed this as well early on and that is exactly what I use my Eveningstar commendations for as well. Still, I do agree that ES/Wheloon/etc content needs some kind of love. About the only thing I can think of off the top of my head from ES/Shadowfell that I use is T-Forged weapons during epic leveling. Well, besides the GH potions.

[helpfulguy1234]

It is not wrong that the gear is very bad now.

But anyone that does not use all their Eveningstar commendations to trade for GH potions is making a mistake. The DW potions are good too, that is true, but in the current Night Revels event you can easily get more DW potions than you can shake a stick at. GH potions are nowhere else in game.

https://ddowiki.com/page/Verisgante

He has GH pots I think.

DW pots, Restoration, GH pots are all good choices. They also have those SP regen ciders or whatever which are semi useful.

[Eantarus]

I would rather see them tackle the fact that there is no good BtA gear between lvl 20 and 29. I really hate wearing my sharn set from 15 to 29, it gets very stanky.

[helpfulguy1234]

I would rather see them tackle the fact that there is no good BtA gear between lvl 20 and 29. I really hate wearing my sharn set from 15 to 29, it gets very stanky.

Epic Saltmarsh, some borderlands pieces, maybe a 2 piece epic fens/sands set, viola......21 -29 is covered.

[Wahnsinnig]

https://ddowiki.com/page/Verisgante

He has GH pots I think.

Lvl 10 potions, so 10 min duration. Not as good as lvl 20 potions. And you really want to keep your collectables for crafting.

[krimsonrane]

I would rather see them tackle the fact that there is no good BtA gear between lvl 20 and 29. I really hate wearing my sharn set from 15 to 29, it gets very stanky.

The level 21 gear from borderlands is decent. So are some of the old epics like the chrono set and sands items.

The gap actually needs to be filled around level 25. That's when the level 20/1 stuff is no longer enough and there's nothing else available until 28/29. 28 with a few slavers items.

[eightspoons]

The level 21 gear from borderlands is decent. So are some of the old epics like the chrono set and sands items.

The gap actually needs to be filled around level 25. That's when the level 20/1 stuff is no longer enough and there's nothing else available until 28/29. 28 with a few slavers items.

I've griped about this very issue before. Shadowfell would be perfect for filling out items in the level 25 range, but practically everything is completely and totally useless for anything but sentience grub. I'm always taken aback by how far behind even lower level Cannith Crafting items this stuff is. How can this be right for something that can still be purchased for real money?

Completely overhaul every Wheloon and Storm Horns item, make it all minimum level 25 for epic, get rid of the silly Normal/Hard/Elite variations - including that named rubbish in the quest rewards lists that is good for nothing but vendor trash. These should be taken out of said lists and placed in the chest loot for their respective quests.

The only thing going for this stuff is it's BtCoE, but I'd happily accept it being BtA if any of it was worth actually equipping - except perhaps the belt with the exceptional skills on it.

Menace all needs doing as well of course, but it's not quite as bad as Shadowfell.

And, on topic, agree on items from commendations being updated too. I've never really used them, but that doesn't mean I don't think they need attention.

[helpfulguy1234]

Lvl 10 potions, so 10 min duration. Not as good as lvl 20 potions. And you really want to keep your collectables for crafting.

I have to get those pots just to stay under the 1000 limit on my bag, so that's not really an issue! Super common collectible.

Just pointing out that the comms are NOT the only place to get them.

[Tyrande]

[...]
Menace all needs doing as well of course, but it's not quite as bad as Shadowfell.

And, on topic, agree on items from commendations being updated too. I've never really used them, but that doesn't mean I don't think they need attention.

Shadowfell wasn't quite as bad as now, it had that pseudo named item that can be fed to a sentient gem but random. Example: +10 Constitution +10 wisdom +10 dodge items that are only ML13...(or was it 14?)

The Eveningstar commendations items like the Alaphorn Staff should be upgraded. The spells AFAIK does no damage.

[Aelonwy]

I've griped about this very issue before. Shadowfell would be perfect for filling out items in the level 25 range, but practically everything is completely and totally useless for anything but sentience grub. I'm always taken aback by how far behind even lower level Cannith Crafting items this stuff is. How can this be right for something that can still be purchased for real money?

Completely overhaul every Wheloon and Storm Horns item, make it all minimum level 25 for epic, get rid of the silly Normal/Hard/Elite variations - including that named rubbish in the quest rewards lists that is good for nothing but vendor trash. These should be taken out of said lists and placed in the chest loot for their respective quests.

Agreed. AND EGH too. Make it all epic level 25 BTA, bring it up to today's DDO standards.

Let's do away with N/H/E loot and put that in rearview mirror of DDO.

[KoobTheProud]

The primary issue that I have with going back to fix aged mid 20's gear is that level 21-29 are the equivalent of fly-over country for DDO vets at this point. An Epic life takes hours to get in an XP-train group.

I'd rather the effort was expended to truly modernize certain packs that are staples but that have been passed by with the move to Legendary. One example would be a Legendary version of Demon Sands, maybe scaled for the next level cap raise to 34 or 35. Another would be a Legendary version of the Inspired Quarter series which is flown over most of the time because it's at 18 and most people don't do 18-20 content. Similarly a Legendary upgrade for the Amrath quests would be great.

[Firebreed]

The primary issue that I have with going back to fix aged mid 20's gear is that level 21-29 are the equivalent of fly-over country for DDO vets at this point. An Epic life takes hours to get in an XP-train group.

Thank god not everyone is like that then.

[Tyrande]

The primary issue that I have with going back to fix aged mid 20's gear is that level 21-29 are the equivalent of fly-over country for DDO vets at this point. An Epic life takes hours to get in an XP-train group.

I'd rather the effort was expended to truly modernize certain packs that are staples but that have been passed by with the move to Legendary. One example would be a Legendary version of Demon Sands, maybe scaled for the next level cap raise to 34 or 35. Another would be a Legendary version of the Inspired Quarter series which is flown over most of the time because it's at 18 and most people don't do 18-20 content. Similarly a Legendary upgrade for the Amrath quests would be great.

Did they said a while ago there's going to be an expansion based on Auauroch? Maybe they can expand levels 33, 34, 35 there. Amrath upgrade? The loot and story better be beyond legendary!! :p
Yeah, Don't they have more Yugoloth stories to tell? More Yugoloth favor grants better potions? Maybe +4 stats instead of +2.

[adamkatt]

Epic Saltmarsh, some borderlands pieces, maybe a 2 piece epic fens/sands set, viola......21 -29 is covered.

yup i just wear mostly borderlands until 29 works fine.

[eightspoons]

yup i just wear mostly borderlands until 29 works fine.

Yes, the gear available from Borderlands, Fens and Desert is fine to carry people through the 20s, but that's not a good enough reason to neglect all the other loot available at these levels, particular that from things like expansions. Options are good, more is better, and having such a glaring set of item throwbacks from such content doesn't strike me as a great thing.

I'm still using Shadowfell as the prime example because it's just so bad. But Gianthold and others apply here too.

[Tyrande]

Yes, [...], but that's not a good enough reason to neglect all the other loot available at these levels, particular that from things like expansions. Options are good, more is better, and having such a glaring set of item throwbacks from such content doesn't strike me as a great thing.

I'm still using Shadowfell as the prime example because it's just so bad. But Gianthold and others apply here too.

I guess that's why they were given away last 2 years for 99 DDO points each? i.e. Shadowfell & Menace of the Underdark? Good stories but subpar loot. Ran once per epic life and done.

[Wizard1406]

The problem with lvl (21)/22-28 gear is that you need YET another set to store, keep track off etc.

With the current banking system I highly prefer less item sets that last a longer time.

Ideally named items should scale with levels. Then you could introduce different sets and have lots of options for each level. But still have to store less items.

[eightspoons]

^^ Although I do agree that much more storage is certainly required before more (useable) items are added to the system.

This also makes me think of future expansions. Presumably, they would continue to provide both heroic and legendary levels - but at this point what heroic level needs covering? Heroic has all the items it could possibly need at levels 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15. I kind of wish they'd make a truly legendary/endgame only expansion with the sorts of encounters demigods like our level 32+ characters should be engaging in. But I know that's unlikely because many people insist on just running heroic over and over and over and would make a fuss if there's content they can't take part in.

But I still think those old expansions and mid-level epics warrant some attention. I said that so this isn't totally off topic. Trying not to derail the thread here :)

[PaddyMaxson]

Would love to see a pass on old gear to bring it in-line with current gear...and also a pass on old quests to give them competitive XP.

I've done 10 racial lives in 6 weeks and there's a wide variety of undertuned gear and quest XP in the game.

Would be really nice to have an alternative to Stealthy/ringleader > TBC > saltmarsh > more TBC> Feywild > Sentinels > shadow crypt > Ravenloft > lordsmarch > Gianthold > Sharn > Repeat the cogs saga for xp.

At least night revels challenges have changed it up a bit lately but there's a bunch of old quests that had a lot of effort put into them that just aren't worth running if you're grinding, how much of the game sits forgotten and unloved at this point?

(and no, I'm not wanting some of the overtuned gear/xp to be nerfed) Just weird that a level 5 quest gives more XP than many similar length level 15 quests, and a specific level 9 quest gives more XP when ransacked than many level 15 quests.

[Wizard1406]

^^ Although I do agree that much more storage is certainly required before more (useable) items are added to the system.

This also makes me think of future expansions. Presumably, they would continue to provide both heroic and legendary levels - but at this point what heroic level needs covering? Heroic has all the items it could possibly need at levels 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15. I kind of wish they'd make a truly legendary/endgame only expansion with the sorts of encounters demigods like our level 32+ characters should be engaging in. But I know that's unlikely because many people insist on just running heroic over and over and over and would make a fuss if there's content they can't take part in.



I think heroic / legendary is good. Heroic will always be played because there are so many racials, class and now even new archetype PLs.

Heroic has good gear for all ranges now, so I'd like them to think more about quest levels to offer alternatives for old quests.

I think levels ~10-13 are missing good quests other than Ravenloft and Gianthold. (a lot of old quests are poor, low xp or annoying to solo like Sands). Some other level ranges have too much content by comparison, ex. 3 and 5. Those are also shorter levels.

[Talon_Moonshadow]

I would rather see them tackle the fact that there is no good BtA gear between lvl 20 and 29. I really hate wearing my sharn set from 15 to 29, it gets very stanky.

Yep.

Although, the epic upgrades (lvl20) on some are good.
and the level 21 gear from Borderlands is also good.

Slave lords and few lvl 28s maybe orchard at vl 27

But....most others is horribly out of date.

:(

[festasha]

Evening star coms are only worth sentient xp from melting the items brought. There are plenty of other quests where the items are just not worth keeping either because they were never upgraded, also some quests where items were crafted are no longer worth collecting like the reavers refuge or even Thunderforged items which would have made a good filler before level 29 if the stats and min level were upgraded and the weapons had sentient slots added. I believe Gianthold was also mentioned in the thread and could have had set bonuses and raid gear upgraded. As a result of gear not being upgraded many quests are ignored and even some really nice raids which some newer players will never experience. To top everything though until storage space is fixed there is no real point in needing any more loot to hoard.

[Gljosh]

I would rather see them tackle the fact that there is no good BtA gear between lvl 20 and 29. I really hate wearing my sharn set from 15 to 29, it gets very stanky.

I keep a few Feywild Pieces on until level 29.

I think some of that gear has already gained sentience.

[Annex]

The last 5 years have brought many good and useful updates to equipment. While many pieces of equipment would yet benefit from modernization, I am satisfied with progress in this regard. If the equipment from Eveningstar is updated, I very probably will not use any of it.

Two things would greatly benefit me and my characters.

First, add two or even three Saltmarsh style expansions in the level 14 to 18 range. By Saltmarsh style expansion, I really mean 8 things:
1) All quests are located in a relatively small, easy to navigate wilderness region. The ride from one quest entrance to the next is short. Rare encounters are in fixed locations and drop useful items making a 10 to 15 minute rare circuit possible and beneficial.
2) All quests are straight forward with obvious objectives, designed for ease of access by solo players. In this way, solo players can actually complete the saga. Gianthold is a good example of a terrible wilderness area with terrible quests and an impossible to complete saga. I know that statement will upset some players, but that is the reality for me.
3) The expansion includes 10 quests, all tied together in a saga.
4) The base version of each expansion costs $20 US as per Saltmarsh.
5) All quests have Legendary versions. I do not need to see another Level 21 to 29 quest ever again.
6) The expansion does not take place in the Feywild or Sharn.
7) The story is serious but does not involve direct intervention by a deity or similar super being.
8) The expansion tells a story from beginning to end. The forces of good are triumphant and all villains are vanquished. The day is saved. Villains do not disappear into raids, never to be seen again, the story forever unresolved. No 'to be continued' nonsense.

I highly dislike many quests in the level 13 to 20 range and will not play them. This makes it very difficult for me to level characters from 14 to 20. If fun quests are added in that range, it will _greatly_ improve my enjoyment of DDO.

Second, add freely accessible wilderness guides to all regions adjacent to Eveningstar. This would allow me to run Menace of the Underdark and Shadowfell Conspiracy quests without the need to lose vast amounts of time getting lost in the King's Forest, the Underdark, the Demon Web, Wheloon Prison, and the Storm Horns. It would also ease my problems in the level 14 to 20 range. Please note, I do not expect this to ever happen and will continue to skip all those quests.

If the developers add free wilderness guides to the regions around Eveningstar while updating equipment from those expansions, I accept that as a reasonable compromise. :)

Anyway, please have mercy and put a Saltmarsh style expansion in the level 15 to 20 range as soon as possible. Those levels are just terrible (for me).