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.

[WiseFreelancer]

Just ran the Storm Horns quests to see what the end rewards are like, and was pleasantly surprised. Now the gear isn't stellar, but for auto-granted end rewards some of it looks better than the Wheloon loot.

Examples:

Sage's Skullcap
Helmet
Fortification 110%
Radiance Lore 19%
Radiance 132
Yellow Slot

Guardian's Ring
Ring
Sheltering 24
Strength 8
Yellow Slot

Kind of makes up for the disappointment that none of the new items have spellpower on them.

[JOTMON]

It is sad when the random drop items are more exciting than any of the named items.

These current endgame items really need to have something uniquely desirable and 2 or 3 augment slots that come with new unique augments from this zone area.
These augments could then be used on the item or removed and traded to others who may have use for them.

The focal point will be the unique effect then augmented to personal flavor.

The permahaste boots are close... but just miss the mark for the level they are supposed to represent.

None of these items clearly replace any level 20 epic items or greensteels which makes them mostly insignificant.

Add some augments or crafting options to convert greensteel tiers to augments and you would have something desirable.

the higher the level I get the more I expect to be able to fit more effects on less gear.

I should be seeing items that make me want to throw greensteels away and never look back instead of looking at stuff and seeing how I can work it around my greensteels.

[Hendrik]

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

I only have 8 of 12;



















And for good measure;

[Hendrik]

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.

I have seen +5 to DC items.

Not hard to find if your playing on Llama.

[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.

[Qhualor]

That's the way it always is. There's always a bunch of meh or no thank you items and a handful of really good or must get items. I honestly won't be missing out on any of it.

[Wizza]

I have seen +5 to DC items.

Not hard to find if your playing on Llama.

What kind of items? I meant non-weapons/armors.

[Hendrik]

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.

One man's junk is another man's treasure and usefulness is in the eye's of the owner. Far be it from me to declare what someone else may find useful or fit into a slot. I can only judge what works for me.

Personally, I run EE content for the challenge, not the loot - that part is a byproduct for me. And yes, I want to get that Shuriken at some point.

Not everyone in DDO is wearing EE Dragon Helms, we have to remember that not everyone all is using the same items. These are just more choices we have in the loot we care to use.

On my Arty, I do plan to get the Repeater. A general guideline, feat and items stack. Until I can personally test, 14% Doubleshot sounds fun. Won't replace my Needle, but sounds like it could be a fun toy.

We all just have to remember, because some of this we personally may not use, some might. Let's not come down on them because they can or will find use in something we may not.

Not only that, isn't this +Mels first time at loot creation? Let's give the man some time to get his creation groove on. Personally, I think he has started off pretty well. Let's use this first time at creation to give him some feedback for his next go at it - it can only get better with our help.

[Hendrik]

What kind of items? I meant non-weapons/armors.

Personally seen Staves so far.

Last night, Necro Focus V, +5 DC to Necro spells.

Far as other items, cannot think of any off top of my head but that in no way means that they are not out there.

Hard to keep track of all the new loot and what one has seen or not seen and I have been using the re-roll feature to see more. You can only imagine all the stuff flying by...

[Cetus]

Melange, back to the drawing board.

Seriously...this is horrendous for level 28 epic loot. My level 21 dunrobar ring unfortunately isn't going anywhere.

[Carpone]

Is it too late to get a refund? These items are suboptimal and unexciting.

+5 Combat Mastery on an ML28 EE item is underpowered. If it was +7, it would be a desirable ring. C'mon Turbine, you can do better! When you add ML28 versions of the ES challenge items, the Cloak of the Bear will have +7 Combat Mastery. Choices are good.

[WiseFreelancer]

What kind of items? I meant non-weapons/armors.

Storm Horns end-rewards include a cloak with Enchantment V and Transmutation IV (or might be the other way round) and a pair of boots with Conjuration V. Unfortunately the items are otherwise pretty useless so I doubt they'll be used. No Necro V on named items that I've seen so far.

[patang01]

One man's junk is another man's treasure and usefulness is in the eye's of the owner. Far be it from me to declare what someone else may find useful or fit into a slot. I can only judge what works for me.

Personally, I run EE content for the challenge, not the loot - that part is a byproduct for me. And yes, I want to get that Shuriken at some point.

Not everyone in DDO is wearing EE Dragon Helms, we have to remember that not everyone all is using the same items. These are just more choices we have in the loot we care to use.

On my Arty, I do plan to get the Repeater. A general guideline, feat and items stack. Until I can personally test, 14% Doubleshot sounds fun. Won't replace my Needle, but sounds like it could be a fun toy.

We all just have to remember, because some of this we personally may not use, some might. Let's not come down on them because they can or will find use in something we may not.

Not only that, isn't this +Mels first time at loot creation? Let's give the man some time to get his creation groove on. Personally, I think he has started off pretty well. Let's use this first time at creation to give him some feedback for his next go at it - it can only get better with our help.

It's an EXPANSION pack. A pack even VIPs have to buy in order to play. This is just not the philosophical pack that is left gather dust in the arsenal of quests. These are raidless end quests.

I'm willing to give Melange a break - but Bound to Character on Equip items are a monumental waste of shelf space if they're never used. And if they're not at least half useful they can't be sold. That's the nature of the beast.

In regards to the hood. Dragon helms are one - but this also competes will all helmets before it - like Epic helmets from the old Epic system. Like Greensteel. The great irony of more levels and thus more power is that it gets easier to complete one of the most versatile raids in this game with finite but great options for gears.

Not all of these needs to be great.

But like First blood - B-Sword - +8, Bloodletter VII (5-90 slashing), Doublestrike 15%, Keen III (no augment).

This is a okay B-sword but it competes (for B-sword users) against Nightmare. So at best people might use it as off hand. Doublestrike IS nice, but Keen is redundant. Bloodletter is alright. +8 is good. It's a balance between adding good features that is worth equip it for, and not overpowered in the other stuff. This one I could imagine using for a sword and board build. BUT it will always compete against what came before it.

Glorious Dawn (ring). Deathblock 6 (18% neg energy absorb), Acid Guard 8 (8-32 acid damage when hit) and green augment.

We have two ring slots. Would you give up one when there's the necklace out of GH that even absorbs spells, the cloak out of GH plus all the other things in this game with deathblock, energy absorb and spell absorb.

I'm not saying that the item(s) have to be unique. But if you get a ML 27-28 item then it should feel like it replaces something in your inventory and not a temporary swap-in in case of X quest.

In regards to the X-bow.

Sure - flavor and all that. But across all the crossbows in this game today the bar should be on par with needle or at least a compelling reason to use instead of needle. Like it has that one extra that makes it worth to swap away from the MOTU bows or needle. If it doesn't then why would anyone run it on EE to get what we see?

The scimmi and B-sword have those little extra things that make them interesting. The Xbow adds stat damage and redundant keen feature. And that competes with dust epic items like doublecross bow, silver bow and then the slavers and needle. All which will be even easier to get with 3 more levels under your belt. And are far more compelling and useful.

Items don't need to be overpowered and great - but they need to fill a useful gap. If it just appeals to a horder mentality and without a useful niche it won't get much use.

That's not melanges of feather of suns fault. It's to fail to look at say 20+ quest items and see - what kind of interesting niche can I create now?

As of now I can't find one single toon that would use those rings. None that will use the hood other for the clicky, some that might use the googles for the stat, some that might use the scimmi and the bsword, but nothing else and I got about 10 or so level 25 toons. So a lot of toons with lots of gear slots.

And when you create a Maul that's a barely better ratkiller, won't replace a level 20 Fury or even the one out of Sub-t, then I think the Devs need to figure out how it fails to compel use.

Just my 2 cents. Note - it's good that you find so much use out of these items. That's a win win for you. I personally just don't want good quests and great wilderness to become another back no one squints at in the future. Whether we like it or not items are a big reason why we grind some content.