Epic Gianthold

[SealedInSong]

I like this idea...
Replace Scrolls, Seals and Shards with Dragon, Giant and Elven Relics that can be used in a barter window, along with the base item, to upgrade an item to epic. Give monsters in the Epic GH zones a higher droprate on epic token fragments to make them worth killing.

That said, I actually wouldn't mind the old epic system of Scroll/Seal/Shard, but would like to see the best version of that system:
Scrolls: Monsters killed in any of the areas can drop scrolls for any item, but have a higher chance of dropping scrolls for the items in their quest.
Seals: Optional chests in all the quests (not the raid) have a chance of dropping seals for items in that quest. The epic chest for each quest has a higher chance of dropping seals for that quest. The warded raid chest has a chance of dropping seals for the raid items.
Shards: The epic chest for each quest has a chance to drop shards for the items from that quest. The epic raid chest has a chance of dropping shards for the raid items.

Shade, you and Sephiroth have some great ideas. I think I prefer all of his changes to your ideas but your base ideas were wonderful as well.

I particularly think that +9 items should be min lvl 25 probably. I particularly like all of the novel properties as I think everyone will agree that an item that opens up whole build options and flavors is better than one uber-consolidation item (hence why I liked the old red dragon armor over the new Cormyrian one).

My take on the upgrade system:
Scrolls are good because, as others said, it gives everyone from beginners to vets incentive to kill monsters as fast as possible, often cooperatively.

Shards give people a reason to run the pack's raid but with so many items, GH could suffer the loot dilution of Sands. Proposed solution: give epic hard chapter or side quests a chance to drop shards as well (lower than raid), and epic
elite a chance to drop the shards at almost the same rate as the raid but only for specific items (e.g. farm Trial by Fire for 3% chance to get the shard for Giantcraft Siberys Compass and Tortured Livewood).

Seals are the third tier of painful grind that I think we could all do without. Proposed solution: seals are NOT mandatory to upgrade all epic items, they are ONLY required to add epic slots to items with slots. Items too powerful to have a slot would be exempt from this and still require a seal.

[SealedInSong]

They should dump the current raid, make the Tor the actual raid, and put all 3 dragons, 3 giants, and the stormreaver into the same room. Now that would be epic.

I'd actually prefer it the other way around, but I like where you're going.

Reaver's Fate should spawn air elementals AND earth elementals AND water elementals.

And along with them? An epic blue, black, and white dragon.

Craziness ensues.

[sephiroth1084]

I'd like the air elementals to get reduced or removed in the main room, get dragons in there (that can fly) periodically, and include a fair number of giants.

The raid used to have earth and fire elementals in the puzzle room in addition to the air eles, and they got removed for some reason (not in theme?), which merely extended the unpleasant gameplay of having to deal with large numbers of air elementals.

[goodoldxelos]

We definitely need a more interesting raid... make the raid in the explorer area and "awaken" all the dragons.

[Ushurak]

/Signed

Good Job and +1 just for the shear effort and thought you placed into this.

[Seikojin]

I hope it comes out similar to this. Nice work Shade!

[azrael4h]

I'd like the air elementals to get reduced or removed in the main room, get dragons in there (that can fly) periodically, and include a fair number of giants.

The raid used to have earth and fire elementals in the puzzle room in addition to the air eles, and they got removed for some reason (not in theme?), which merely extended the unpleasant gameplay of having to deal with large numbers of air elementals.

When did this happen? I haven't run Reaver in a bit, no point, but I distinctly remember having all three types last I ran it. I think I stopped on my 20th on my FvS, so maybe a year or so?

[Shade]

When did this happen? I haven't run Reaver in a bit, no point, but I distinctly remember having all three types last I ran it. I think I stopped on my 20th on my FvS, so maybe a year or so?

Yea was around that time.

Think same time they made them all orange name with much higher saving throws.

I'd like to see all the types return, not only in the puzzly, but in all areas of the raid. Would add to the variety, challenge and overall fun. Plus make it less frusterating with less no-save air elemental abilities messing you up.

Have my doubts they will even epic the raid the way things have been going though.. We should know soon enough anyways.

[Aurora1979]

I'd love to see epic gianthold finally arrive.

Its such a DDO iconic area for me. I think the vast majority of the pack is really well done. Any extra reason to run it is good.

"our enemies mistake you for a black dragon! The ability takes effect automatically whenever enemy come within 5 feet of you."



Man wandering along- "oh, there's a little halfling walking along the path towards me, I'll just move over a bit so we can pass"....... Gets within 5ft "HOLY COW ITS A BLACK DRAGON!!!!"

[Artos_Fabril]

They should dump the current raid, make the Tor the actual raid, and put all 3 dragons, 3 giants, and the stormreaver into the same room. Now that would be epic.

What about using the Chronoscope "Technology" to travel back in time to the original doomsday device?

In the new raid, you would help defend the Stormreaver from attacking Quori while he casts The Reaver's Bane, and help to arm the doomsday device.

Attacking forces would include groups of Quori, groups of Ancient Quori Warforged, and one or more Quori Warforged Titans.

This would put you on the story path for a U18 fight against The Truthful One

[Daemoneyes]

NO to those darn scroll/shard/seals!
This system just sucks without trade in.