Cleaning up Potions

[Marshal_Lannes]

One of the biggest problems gamers run into is inventory management. DDO is not unique in this regard, virtually every RPG game I've ever played has this issue. And yet, due to the TR mechanic, it seems inventory overflow is exasperated in DDO. Perhaps one of the things that can be done, other than providing characters with a cosmetic bag, is streamlining potions. Currently, we have four levels of haste potions (guild, L5, L15, L20). Can't we simply have L20 haste potions? What is the reasoning behind having both long-lasting 12 Melee Power and 15 Melee Power potions? Is that 3 melee power going to be game-changing or is it simply an inventory headache? Numerous other examples abound (the many tiers to elixirs of healing). Further perplexing is many of these potions are acquired through VIP die rolls and since I assume DDO wants players to be VIP, shouldn't this be modified to actually help players versus giving them slot stress? A one slot bag that holds all potions would be an incredible quality of life upgrade as would eliminating redundant multi-tiered potions.

[Oxarhamar]

One of the biggest problems gamers run into is inventory management. DDO is not unique in this regard, virtually every RPG game I've ever played has this issue. And yet, due to the TR mechanic, it seems inventory overflow is exasperated in DDO. Perhaps one of the things that can be done, other than providing characters with a cosmetic bag, is streamlining potions. Currently, we have four levels of haste potions (guild, L5, L15, L20). Can't we simply have L20 haste potions? What is the reasoning behind having both long-lasting 12 Melee Power and 15 Melee Power potions? Is that 3 melee power going to be game-changing or is it simply an inventory headache? Numerous other examples abound (the many tiers to elixirs of healing). Further perplexing is many of these potions are acquired through VIP die rolls and since I assume DDO wants players to be VIP, shouldn't this be modified to actually help players versus giving them slot stress? A one slot bag that holds all potions would be an incredible quality of life upgrade as would eliminating redundant multi-tiered potions.

Indeed

I have a full bank tab that is different XP pots & Treasure pots (I rarely ever use so I have a pile)

Still a solution for potions would be a big boost to inventory and bank

Reducing the number of each type of pot like haste would be a start having a bag to throw them in would be even better being able to use them from the bag would be best.

Stable made mounts useable without the item being in the inventory so it’s definitely possible to store pots in an alternate potions pocket of the inventory and use them from it.

Same for casting ingredients

[Nugaot]

Reducing the number of each type of pot like haste would be a start having a bag to throw them in would be even better being able to use them from the bag would be best.

Stable made mounts useable without the item being in the inventory so it’s definitely possible to store pots in an alternate potions pocket of the inventory and use them from it.

I am unsure given past dev comments that making potions useable from a bag is possible. However even just having a storage bag for potions and other consumables where items need to be manually taken out to be used would relieve a great deal of space. I typically carry one of the house D quivers on my characters just so I can auto gather stacks of arrows to save space when looting chests. Having a similar option for potions, wands, and scrolls would be a major QoL boost.

This last life when I was clearing my TR cache I decided I would start using up all of my BTA/BTC store consumables, which were a massive chunk of my entire bank/cache. I would definitely recommend others to do the same. Most store potions I get from daily dice and lucky chest pulls aren’t particularly useful in the first place. Using up my melee power/PRR pots in the harbor and other lower level quests is the way to go to get the best mileage out of those, imo.

I’ve still got over 50 of those treasure potions from when they converted jewels of fortune over to the new system, I’ll probably be drinking those for a long time.

[Annex]

Every attack that causes physical damage should have a 1% chance to destroy each potion in a player character's inventory. Each attack that causes 100 points of physical damage should have a 10% chance to destroy each potion in an player character's inventory. Each attack that causes 1,000 points of physical damage should have a 99% chance to destroy each potion in an player character's inventory. If a potion gets destroyed, a shattered glass sound effect plays. The more potions that shatter, the louder the sound effect.

Every attack that causes acid, electricity, fire, or poison damage should have a 1% chance to destroy each scroll in a player character's inventory. Each attack that causes 100 points of acid, electricity, fire, or poison damage should have a 10% chance to destroy each scroll in an player character's inventory. Each attack that causes 1,000 points of acid, electricity, fire, or poison damage should have a 99% chance to destroy each scroll in an player character's inventory. If a scroll gets destroyed, a burning up sound effect plays. The more scrolls destroyed, the louder the sound effect.

Entering water should immediately destroy all scrolls in a player character's inventory with no saving throw. This is accompanied by a sound effect, Doh!".

Entering lava should immediately destroy all potions and scrolls in a player character's inventory with no saving throw. This is accompanied by a sizzling bacon sound effect.

The above will cause a severe spike in potion and scroll purchases as player characters replenish their consumables after each quest. Merchants, running low on supply, will respond with massive price hikes. All potion and scroll prices will be multiplied by 100.

"The developers at Standing Stone Games understand your difficulties storing so many potions and scrolls. In the interest of helping players and making a better game, we are instituting new, much more realistic and exciting rules for handling potions and scrolls. We are sure these new rules will greatly ease your problems storing consumables and that everyone will enjoy them! Thank you for supporting DDO and Standing Stone Games. You are the best. Hugs and Kisses."

After a few seconds of this, less time invested players will come to the forums in large numbers and complain because their player characters keep dying. High time and rich players will make fun of them and tell them to learn to play.

In response, you can launch a new series of Enduring Potions and Enduring Scrolls, only available in the DDO Game Shop for 10 DDO Points each. Subscribers will receive a monthly allotment of 100 Enduring Potions and Scrolls.

"The people at Standing Stone Games recognize the difficulties inherent in our new, much more realistic and exciting system for handling potions and scrolls. To improve player experience, we will now offer Enduring Potions and Enduring Scrolls in the DDO Store for 10 DDO Points each. These special potions and scrolls will allow you to mitigate the new, more realistic and exciting rules if you so choose. In order to provide the best possible service, these new Enduring Potions and Scrolls are Bound to Character on Acquire. Thank you for you continuing to support DDO and Standing Stone Games. We love you all."

If you are a developer reading this, you should totally drop everything you are doing and make this happen right now because it will be hilarious.

Sincerely,
Vexa, Pointy Maid of Win

[Ganak]

Solution: Make use of them when you get them; don't hang on to them.

[cdbd3rd]

Every attack that causes physical damage should have a 1% chance to destroy each potion in a player character's inventory.....

Wha?!?

But, but... I thought you was our friend?

*raises suspicious eyebrow*

Okay, which evil Dev are you and what have you done with our Annex???


( ... Gotta spread myself around some more.)

[Oxarhamar]

I am unsure given past dev comments that making potions useable from a bag is possible. However even just having a storage bag for potions and other consumables where items need to be manually taken out to be used would relieve a great deal of space. I typically carry one of the house D quivers on my characters just so I can auto gather stacks of arrows to save space when looting chests. Having a similar option for potions, wands, and scrolls would be a major QoL boost.

This last life when I was clearing my TR cache I decided I would start using up all of my BTA/BTC store consumables, which were a massive chunk of my entire bank/cache. I would definitely recommend others to do the same. Most store potions I get from daily dice and lucky chest pulls aren’t particularly useful in the first place. Using up my melee power/PRR pots in the harbor and other lower level quests is the way to go to get the best mileage out of those, imo.

I’ve still got over 50 of those treasure potions from when they converted jewels of fortune over to the new system, I’ll probably be drinking those for a long time.

Horse had to be in inventory & not in the horse bag before stable so it’s possible that they could add another potions tab that did the same.

I’d call it potions pouch or potions pocket.

[NemesisAlien]

Horse had to be in inventory & not in the horse bag before stable so it’s possible that they could add another potions tab that did the same.

I’d call it potions pouch or potions pocket.

Saddlebag? We got a horse, why cant we carry more stuff?

[NemesisAlien]

One of the biggest problems gamers run into is inventory management. DDO is not unique in this regard, virtually every RPG game I've ever played has this issue. And yet, due to the TR mechanic, it seems inventory overflow is exasperated in DDO. Perhaps one of the things that can be done, other than providing characters with a cosmetic bag, is streamlining potions. Currently, we have four levels of haste potions (guild, L5, L15, L20). Can't we simply have L20 haste potions? What is the reasoning behind having both long-lasting 12 Melee Power and 15 Melee Power potions? Is that 3 melee power going to be game-changing or is it simply an inventory headache? Numerous other examples abound (the many tiers to elixirs of healing). Further perplexing is many of these potions are acquired through VIP die rolls and since I assume DDO wants players to be VIP, shouldn't this be modified to actually help players versus giving them slot stress? A one slot bag that holds all potions would be an incredible quality of life upgrade as would eliminating redundant multi-tiered potions.

[fatherpirate]

The problem with potions (and most scrolls) is that with all the power creep
in the game, they have been made pretty much useless.

spells can be augmented by caster level or meta magic
potions are not
and
they are slow to use

To make potions and scrolls worth anything, they need to have
some advantage.

random example (just to illustrate the point)
scrolls could last twice as long based off a skill roll
potions could have a lasting effect (last longer or work better) based on your CON
or SOMETHING like that.
(the examples are not suggestions)

but scrolls and potions as they are now are vendor trash

[Wizard1406]

I am unsure given past dev comments that making potions useable from a bag is possible. However even just having a storage bag for potions and other consumables where items need to be manually taken out to be used would relieve a great deal of space. I typically carry one of the house D quivers on my characters just so I can auto gather stacks of arrows to save space when looting chests. Having a similar option for potions, wands, and scrolls would be a major QoL boost.

[...]

I’ve still got over 50 of those treasure potions from when they converted jewels of fortune over to the new system, I’ll probably be drinking those for a long time.

Yes, having enough space so you can just hit "loot all" is a big QoL. Potion belts and scroll cases would help a lot. I often end up having to throw away non-rare potions and scrolls between quests, before I get to a vendor. Concerning arrows and bolts, I think it would be good if they dropped less often (other items or more plat instead), but with returning. 100 bolts as drop are near useless they get used up so fast, people almost only use conjured bolts or house D returning or flame arrow wand.

For the treasure potions, do they increase the chance of getting special item material and augment slots? If not , when is the best time to use it? I guess at very low level, when a random drop could still be an upgrade. 5+ I almost exclusively use named items.

[Oxarhamar]

The problem with potions (and most scrolls) is that with all the power creep
in the game, they have been made pretty much useless.

spells can be augmented by caster level or meta magic
potions are not
and
they are slow to use

To make potions and scrolls worth anything, they need to have
some advantage.

random example (just to illustrate the point)
scrolls could last twice as long based off a skill roll
potions could have a lasting effect (last longer or work better) based on your CON
or SOMETHING like that.
(the examples are not suggestions)

but scrolls and potions as they are now are vendor trash

No the problem is inventory space as the thread OP stated you have a different problem with them start your own thread instead of going off on a tangent unrelated to the topic.


Artificer already gets increased Potion caster level & there are multiple scroll boosting enhancements.

[MacDubh]

Every attack that causes physical damage should have a 1% chance to destroy each potion in a player character's inventory. Each attack that causes 100 points of physical damage should have a 10% chance to destroy each potion in an player character's inventory. Each attack that causes 1,000 points of physical damage should have a 99% chance to destroy each potion in an player character's inventory. If a potion gets destroyed, a shattered glass sound effect plays. The more potions that shatter, the louder the sound effect.

Every attack that causes acid, electricity, fire, or poison damage should have a 1% chance to destroy each scroll in a player character's inventory. Each attack that causes 100 points of acid, electricity, fire, or poison damage should have a 10% chance to destroy each scroll in an player character's inventory. Each attack that causes 1,000 points of acid, electricity, fire, or poison damage should have a 99% chance to destroy each scroll in an player character's inventory. If a scroll gets destroyed, a burning up sound effect plays. The more scrolls destroyed, the louder the sound effect.

Entering water should immediately destroy all scrolls in a player character's inventory with no saving throw. This is accompanied by a sound effect, Doh!".

Entering lava should immediately destroy all potions and scrolls in a player character's inventory with no saving throw. This is accompanied by a sizzling bacon sound effect.

The above will cause a severe spike in potion and scroll purchases as player characters replenish their consumables after each quest. Merchants, running low on supply, will respond with massive price hikes. All potion and scroll prices will be multiplied by 100.

"The developers at Standing Stone Games understand your difficulties storing so many potions and scrolls. In the interest of helping players and making a better game, we are instituting new, much more realistic and exciting rules for handling potions and scrolls. We are sure these new rules will greatly ease your problems storing consumables and that everyone will enjoy them! Thank you for supporting DDO and Standing Stone Games. You are the best. Hugs and Kisses."

After a few seconds of this, less time invested players will come to the forums in large numbers and complain because their player characters keep dying. High time and rich players will make fun of them and tell them to learn to play.

In response, you can launch a new series of Enduring Potions and Enduring Scrolls, only available in the DDO Game Shop for 10 DDO Points each. Subscribers will receive a monthly allotment of 100 Enduring Potions and Scrolls.

"The people at Standing Stone Games recognize the difficulties inherent in our new, much more realistic and exciting system for handling potions and scrolls. To improve player experience, we will now offer Enduring Potions and Enduring Scrolls in the DDO Store for 10 DDO Points each. These special potions and scrolls will allow you to mitigate the new, more realistic and exciting rules if you so choose. In order to provide the best possible service, these new Enduring Potions and Scrolls are Bound to Character on Acquire. Thank you for you continuing to support DDO and Standing Stone Games. We love you all."

If you are a developer reading this, you should totally drop everything you are doing and make this happen right now because it will be hilarious.

Sincerely,
Vexa, Pointy Maid of Win

/signed

Also falling should destroy all pots.
If different types of potions carried, small chance of d666 acid damage from unexplained chemical admixture. (I love the way we can make our own unrealistic dice)

Should vials be affected in same way?

[MacDubh]

Tho, as a counterpoint, backpacks are now dimensional storage spaces and thus unaffected by the environmental effects in the current physical domain. ofc, if they make this argument, we should have a chance of looting portable holes from any vanquished enemies with a backpack.

[MacDubh]

No the problem is inventory space as the thread OP stated you have a different problem with them start your own thread instead of going off on a tangent unrelated to the topic.


Artificer already gets increased Potion caster level & there are multiple scroll boosting enhancements.

Make a max total of 100 potions that can be carried?
Would help with inventory space.
Would force some strategic choices . ..hmmm 10 curse removal, 10 disease removal, 10 blindness removal, 13 restoration, 22 cure serious wounds plus 35 tumble pots?

[Buddha5440]

Saddlebag? We got a horse, why cant we carry more stuff?

Carry more stuff??? With a relatively modest strength of just 30 you can already carry 1TON of stuff, not counting the 99 million platinum you have. Yes it's a fantasy game but there has to be a limit.

[Nugaot]

For the treasure potions, do they increase the chance of getting special item material and augment slots? If not , when is the best time to use it? I guess at very low level, when a random drop could still be an upgrade. 5+ I almost exclusively use named items.

Since they last as long as they do and I have so many saved up, I’m pretty much always running with one active. There’s not really a bad time to use them as they apparently increase your chances of getting rare drops like tomes and store items. They increase the odds of a masterful craftsmanship item being rolled as well, though I’m unsure if masterful craftsmanship has a higher chance of being a rare material or having augment slots. I do tend to loot minor store items fairly often, like hair dyes and omnispell dusts at least a couple times per life.

[DistantOceans]

Is there a technical reason why the storage bag system used for collectables/augments/gems/ingredients/hirelings couldn't be expanded to other item types?

Perhaps some solution could also address lag in that it's been theorized that overflowing TR catches/bank spaces may be a contributing factor.

TBH I'm really surprised the game has made it this far without having some sort of storage bag system. Even the original Everquest game had support for backpacks so you could move, store, and sort multiple items quickly.

Being able to also do this with gear would make it significantly easier to re-gear during TR runs, being able to grab a bag with all your lvl 5/10/15 gear etc. and put it back.

There may be some underlying conflict of interest with the current monetization model of DDO of selling backspace/backpacks, but that could probably easily be rolled over into being able to purchase 'movable backpacks' and might actually stimulate purchases among older legacy players who already own everything.

Seems like a win all around if it could be done, and an pretty clear QOL improvement players would appreciate.

Increasing the likelihood of potions/scrolls/wands being destroyed seems unnecessarily cruel and tedious, while also garnering very little goodwill from players. I don't think that would improve my game experience much.

[LightBear]

A bag of potions will have the same problem as a bag of scrolls or ingredients, the game can't figure out how to do a double reach.
(First into inventory to get the bag and then into the bag to get the potion or whatever, just like the hireling folder works.)

But still, would love to be able to have a few slots on my belt for consumables.

[Valerianus]

/signed

Also falling should destroy all pots.
If different types of potions carried, small chance of d666 acid damage from unexplained chemical admixture. (I love the way we can make our own unrealistic dice)

Should vials be affected in same way?

vials, sure.

also introduce roaming bands of kids in towns. thowing stones at alchemists to break their bottles. just for the fun to see what happens. "explode the alchemist", pretty popular game amongst kids. the one from yesterday burned green, look an alch is there! let's go! oooh i totally hope for some rainbow sparks today.