The Mad lute

[TreknaQudane]

The Mad Lute gets a revamp in Update 17, along with a couple hundred of other named items from Module 9 and previous updates to the game.

The only raid with items that will be changed is Tempest's Spine, so don't feel like you need to stop playing raids until then. Some specific favorites that we felt people would be sensitive to changing are also not being altered- Carnifex, Docent of Defiance, Spell Storing Ring, Planar Gird, and similar.

Expect more details in a few weeks. Merry Chrismahannukwanzisolstifestivus.

It would be nice to see it's base attributes modified to be a like a higher level Moonhowl Axe (instead of it being a great club...)

[Dolphious]

The Mad Lute gets a revamp in Update 17, along with a couple hundred of other named items from Module 9 and previous updates to the game.

The only raid with items that will be changed is Tempest's Spine, so don't feel like you need to stop playing raids until then. Some specific favorites that we felt people would be sensitive to changing are also not being altered- Carnifex, Docent of Defiance, Spell Storing Ring, Planar Gird, and similar.

Expect more details in a few weeks. Merry Chrismahannukwanzisolstifestivus.

Awesome! Can't wait to see them!

Wow, between that and a new augment system you must have been one busy little dev!

While I'm at it I can't help but make one unrelated suggestion: Revamp ToD loot to coincide with the enhancement pass (I tried to stop myself, really).

Keep up the good work

[Shade]

Not changing the gear people are actually using because it's already good sounds like a plan

To me it sounds more like:
We are so afraid and unconfident of our loot design upgrades, we will only play it safe.

It's really not hard to revamp/upgrade loot without nerfing and upsetting players, many other mmos and constantly updated rpgs do it fine.

Quite simple really:
If the carnifex for example was felt to be too powerful for its level (theoretically, i'm not saying it is, i think its fine):

Grandfather the existing carnifex. (EG stats would not change, but new ones would). Set them to unequipped from all players, and bound on to character on equip. (They are already bta, but this would set it up for future characters to enjoy the new version)

New version:
ML goes up to 7
Loses keen, but gains +3 enhancement and Slicing (1d4) (Retains its double threat)

Potentially offer a free upgrade from old to new (place in stone of change). Though this is optional given carnifexs relatively good drop rate. Very rare items should always have this option.

This would make it so there is actual competition in the best THF dps weapon from lvl4-7, without upsetting the current player base, nor the game balance. Plus martial melee players who have IC: Slash anyways, actaully gain some much needed power at levels where they tend to be vastly inferior to casters (9 to ~14)

Not advocating the above change btw, just showing one example where you can heavily modify a popular item, not alienate your playerbase, and improve the game balance all at the same time.

The way tubine has done in the past is some extremely upsetting and poor design though. (Either directly nerf existing items, or make them crumble to dust by setting there hardness to unaccepatably low values)

[Jaid314]

kinda confusing for my intellect feather would you mind restating that in simpler terms ?

gear from older packs that nobody uses anymore due to being so bad is getting changed.

apart from tempest spine, none of those items will be from raids.

it is expected that these changes will be part of update 17, and we'll hear more details when U17 is closer.

edit: @ shade:

it sounds more like there are items which are still being used consistently, and can therefore be presumed to be not in need of a buff. those items, being as how they're apparently working just fine as is, will not be getting changed, because why would you fix what isn't broken?

[OldCoaly]

... why would you fix what isn't broken?

It happens often.

Things that nobody was complaining about get changed "while they were in there".

As to "why" it happens... Because the person doing it felt it was more important than doing something else.

[Silverleafeon]

because why would you fix what isn't broken?

Aye, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

After all, the enhancement update is underway as well.

Some of those items Feather named are standard gear for my completionist toon.
Bound to character to prevent permanent damage.
Knowing what they are, when I want them, ect, is important to me.

As far as the Carnifax being top dog at level 4, I have a level 4 and a level 6
two handed weapons that actually are comparable/better imho...

Please don't suggest Devs mess with favorite leveling up gear in the game,
especially since some people are already suggesting that people that level up alot
are hoarding items.

Can you see what I am saying.
We have major space problems already.
We don't need things made worse.

New gems out of junk ~~ woot!
I am all for that.

If it aint broke don't fix it!

[dejafu]

And Titan for U18? Please?

[sirgog]

Best forum post this week.

[Eighnuss]

This thread pleases me.

[sirgog]

Posted a few thoughts on the item update here: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=403093

Should be interesting.

[maddmatt70]

The Mad Lute gets a revamp in Update 17, along with a couple hundred of other named items from Module 9 and previous updates to the game.

The only raid with items that will be changed is Tempest's Spine, so don't feel like you need to stop playing raids until then. Some specific favorites that we felt people would be sensitive to changing are also not being altered- Carnifex, Docent of Defiance, Spell Storing Ring, Planar Gird, and similar.

Expect more details in a few weeks. Merry Chrismahannukwanzisolstifestivus.

Module 9? These are all loot that are level 16 and below. Seems like a waste of dev resources. There are a gadzillion different lowby loot options on the auction house, crafting, shroud, etc. Revamping the level 16 and below items when it does not take a long time to get to 16 when compared to 20+ is a strange usage of resources. Unless your making the whole game epic which I would also question because we need new quests not old ones.

[Vordax]

Module 9? These are all loot that are level 16 and below. Seems like a waste of dev resources. There are a gadzillion different lowby loot options on the auction house, crafting, shroud, etc. Revamping the level 16 and below items when it does not take a long time to get to 16 when compared to 20+ is a strange usage of resources. Unless your making the whole game epic which I would also question because we need new quests not old ones.

I would disagree here. I think the old loot needs to be relevant again, mostly so it makes sense to a new player. If someone pulls Rhakmels dagger (+1 dagger) they would assume it is better than a regular +2 dagger they pulled out of the same chest, and be wrong.

All this old loot needs something to make it special, they need to add a reason to run Threnal, Co6, and other chains again. Would be nice to have some new twink gear options for TR'ing too.

[Eighnuss]

There are plenty of games on the market that constantly add new items and keep raising the bar of power while making old items useless. I for one would appreciate nothing more than to have all named items retain relevance. A game where all items are useful depending on the build is far more entertaining than trying to get the 'new standard gearset' released with each update. Nothing is more cookie cutter and boring than constant pursuit of the new 'in'. Updating older named items to keep them as top tier for their intended term of usage is a wonderful idea intended to keep all parts of the game interesting, be they intended for vets or brand new players. I must disagree- in my opinion this is not a waste of resources but instead is a necessary step toward maintaining and prolonging the life of this game.

[QuantumFX]

The Mad Lute gets a revamp in Update 17, along with a couple hundred of other named items from Module 9 and previous updates to the game.

The only raid with items that will be changed is Tempest's Spine, so don't feel like you need to stop playing raids until then. Some specific favorites that we felt people would be sensitive to changing are also not being altered- Carnifex, Docent of Defiance, Spell Storing Ring, Planar Gird, and similar.

Expect more details in a few weeks. Merry Chrismahannukwanzisolstifestivus.

Are there any plans to adjust the old epic items as well? You guys (The loot peoples) can save *a lot* of epic level content with a simple balancing pass.

[maddmatt70]

I would disagree here. I think the old loot needs to be relevant again, mostly so it makes sense to a new player. If someone pulls Rhakmels dagger (+1 dagger) they would assume it is better than a regular +2 dagger they pulled out of the same chest, and be wrong.

All this old loot needs something to make it special, they need to add a reason to run Threnal, Co6, and other chains again. Would be nice to have some new twink gear options for TR'ing too.

If it gains new players or retains newer players I am much more for it. Level 16 is too high level for that type of player. I would suggest they revamp the level 6 and below items if those items new revamping. That would have a greater impact on newer players then level 7 through 16 which seems like a waste of dev resources. Of course the work is already done. I am just pretty frutstrated with the end game gear. I imagine the Epic Gianthold will have things to go for, but new content would be great.

[Feralthyrtiaq]

The Mad Lute gets a revamp in Update 17, along with a couple hundred of other named items from Module 9 and previous updates to the game.

The only raid with items that will be changed is Tempest's Spine, so don't feel like you need to stop playing raids until then. Some specific favorites that we felt people would be sensitive to changing are also not being altered- Carnifex, Docent of Defiance, Spell Storing Ring, Planar Gird, and similar.

Expect more details in a few weeks. Merry Chrismahannukwanzisolstifestivus.

Changes to old gear is in my top 10 developer decsions I absolutely hate.

You WILL break something I already enjoy using and am happy with.

Wraps of Endless light.---One pair of wraps that worked great in all situations and you Elf them all up. Especially considering the buggy nature of wraps in general.

Triple Negative Greensteel Immunity Item (HUGE stick in the eye with the poison/disease changes)

The Cannith Crafted Holy vs <20 Lootgen Holy vs >20 Lootgen Holy + Holyburst ToD DEBACLE.

Can't yall just leave well enough alone and work on something useful besides breaking more old elfing gear.

Or maybe if you HOPE REALLY REALLY HARD AND THINK HAPPY THOUGHTS the s you are coming up with won't break too much.

OMFG

[Battlehawke]

With the exception of SOS, all of the Von6 gear needs to be upgraded. Scales are still very nice, but no one uses that gear.

[Vordax]

Changes to old gear is in my top 10 developer decsions I absolutely hate.

You WILL break something I already enjoy using and am happy with.

Wraps of Endless light.---One pair of wraps that worked great in all situations and you Elf them all up. Especially considering the buggy nature of wraps in general.

Triple Negative Greensteel Immunity Item (HUGE stick in the eye with the poison/disease changes)

The Cannith Crafted Holy vs <20 Lootgen Holy vs >20 Lootgen Holy + Holyburst ToD DEBACLE.

Can't yall just leave well enough alone and work on something useful besides breaking more old elfing gear.

Or maybe if you HOPE REALLY REALLY HARD AND THINK HAPPY THOUGHTS the s you are coming up with won't break too much.

OMFG

This is update 9 and earlier, non-raid gear. How much of this do you actually use right now? How often do you equip a named item from Co6, WW, STK? 99% of the named items from back then are useless, and typically worse than loot-gen of the same level.

[Ganak]

along with a couple hundred of other named items

Bolded is my emphasis...


Will the updates affect epic level loot? (a.k.a. DQ, VoN, etc loot)?

[CheeseMilk]

A Dev in the suggestions forum!

Fly on, brave soul!