Some new items - and hit and miss

[patang01]

Nothing seems to have changed with the first set of named gear. The longsword is still a worthless +1 that can come with useless things like axiomatic. Same with the morningstar. These are just not worth it. Either Turbine decided that they didn't have time to change them or figured they were adding so many new items - but they still remains for most part useless. Unless you pull the gloves that comes with +5 illusion and 11 Int (EE). And the boots remain passable. Oddly enough with a +8 ability.

But when it comes to the new stuff some of it is okay, most of the other stuff is not.

Maul, Impact, Sundering and Dazing 9 - +4. Yeah - damage wise it's just a better chance to stun then Ratkiller but not much more damage.

Hand wraps, +7, Shock and shrieking 8, impact. Okay, but it's missing something that makes it stand out.

Frostbite (scimitar) is actually interesting +7, Cold 8 and Frostbite. It's a stacking vulnerability that stacks up to 20 and provide 1% more damage per stack. It doesn't say elemental specific like cold so it seems to be all type of damage. It also comes with a red and a purple augment. The stacking ability also slows down none bosses on a vorpal hit. Now this is actually a good item. It's unique and might fit into a nice 2 weapon fighting setup. And with 2 augment slots it feels like you can customize it to your needs.

Elemental Fury (short sword) falls really short (no pun intended). It's a +5 shortsword with 4 elements damage 5 - meaning 5-20 fire, acid, cold and shock.

Again - that's an EE short sword, +5 - no augment. Honestly - this is not even niche enough to be worth giving anything up for. To me this feels like it's the Heroic Elite version, not EE - but it's ML 28.

The nether Orb (EE) provides a +8 resist in everything including elements when blocking, it comes with a red augment slot (wish it was purple), A random +5 focus (not bad if you get a good one) and Spell Lore 9 (so 10% crit on all spells). This is again a good orb. It can single-handedly replace 2-3 items.

Edit: The nether orb also comes with energy siphon, a 60 temp SP proc on hit that can only proc once a minute.
Honestly - I wish they skipped the temp Sp procs but this might actually be semi useful. Ontop of spell lore and +5 focus this is just an added bonus. And I wish all of the named items would follow Frostbite and the Nether Orb. Functionally not overpowered, but specialized.

So far - some of the items are worth investing some time grinding, the original named stuff remains meh, and some of the new won't rival items you have now.

I can't for the life of me understand why they kept the original named stuff as is. It was our lamenting that caused them to add more named item so you'd think that also would inspire them to spiff them up.

[patang01]

Consuming Darkness - ring. Seeker 12, Combat Mastery +5, green augment slot.

I don't know - if it had +6 or +7 Combat Mastery it would tickle me to change the rings I use - but the Eveningstar Challenge cloak provides +6, level 20 spare hands +5 and level 21 Drow ring +5 with other added features.

It's okay but I don't see that many who will change their rings unless they happen to have slot open. The Seeker is simply not enticing enough.

[patang01]

The Maul as I see it needs some kind of proc. Or more augments.

The short sword seems to be the HE version - if that really is the EE version it needs some serious work. More elemental damage - make a proc called elemental surge where it stacks so many times and each time it procs (vorpal?) it increase the elemental damage dice. And of course 1-2 augments.

Redo or remove the old named stuff except the boots. They're just that bad. The gloves are okay.

The handwraps need 2 augments and something like a random tactical feat. Like Vertigo +15. It would make it desired. Sure, it would only add shock and sonic damage, but it would have a real serious tactical advantage. And maybe say 10% more damage on helpless targets.

[Grizzt14]

Anyone have screenshots of these items to look at? Would be much appreciated.

[patang01]

For anyone that can upload pictures - frostbite is one cool looking scimmi.

[Wizza]

Oh my god. Such a horrendous list of Named Items. Those melee items..lol

An Orb without Spellpower?

I really hope we can find Spell focus DC on items. Looks like Twilight is still best in slot.

[Cetus]

Yepp....more terrible gear.

I won't even bother elaborating right now, its just bad.

[SiliconShadow]

For anyone that can upload pictures - frostbite is one cool looking scimmi.

LMAO COOL omg I can't stop laughing Frostbite cool LMAO Seriously I'm wetting myself in laughter

[Hendrik]

Anyone have screenshots of these items to look at? Would be much appreciated.

I only have 8 of 12;



















And for good measure;

[patang01]

I only have 8 of 12;



















And for good measure;

I saw a similar random pull Shuriken - sure it had one less thing but if you can get something similar from random stuff then I'm not entirely sure someone would like to waste time running a tough quest on elite just for that.

The hood is not worth giving up a Dragon helm for. It has stuff - but not you're most likely going to have it in your inventory for the clicky and nothing else.

The crossbow is useless - sure - its 3 diff poisons - but you're once again wasting 1 feature on keen - when most people already use improved critical. And doubleshoot? I bet most ranged already pick the Epic feat anyways. Why would I pick this over Needle? And no augment slot?

Goggles - Max wiz is okay - most people already have an ethereal item, accuracy? I see oodles of accuracy items.

The sad part is that these are BoEq - when most of these should be temporary swaps and seldom used.

These are not bad, but since there's no raid we're left with an assortment of items that won't replace what you got right now. Or at least be worth a swap in - like those cloaks.

[Systern]

Base comparison to Needle vs this repeater:

Needle:                                                Trapsmith
2.5[1d12] = 16.25 avg +7/8                     3[1d10] = 16.5 + 0 (+6 if Pure Artificer)
Speed Modifiers:  20% alacrity (*1.14)         9% doubleshot  (~4.5% since repeaters are less affected than bows)
Spellcasting Implement = 21/24                 0
Additonal Effects:  
    Hemm/Phlebot +2/3d8                         Stat damage

An Artificer's conjured bolts take care of the weapon not having a +enhancement on it, but they lose the spell casting implement.
Rogue Mechanics won't care about the Spellcasting Implement, but won't be able to get better than +3 bolts from House D.

My biggest quibble with this repeater is that it's the 5th named epic repeater. Epic Silver Slinger is niche and purpose built. Needle is pure damage. These three, Epic Doublecross, Slaver's Hand crossbow, and Trapsmith's all share a poison/stat damage theme. Stat damage is completely trivialized by Epic Ward in difficulties above Epic Normal.

So, basically, this new crossbow will clear up slayers the best, but Needle, even un-upgraded is still a better all-arounder (which maybe raid loot should be).

[TPICKRELL]

Was the Power +200 pre-slotted in the green slot? If so that needs to be moved to the yellow slot.