End of the week with Major Malphunktion 9.23.11

[Cyr]

To answer at least some of the questions so far:

When Crystal Cove returns, any items that are upgraded through the barter box will become Bound to Character at the time they are upgraded. So, if you get basic Calvary Plate, it'll be Bound to Account up to and until you upgrade it, at which point it will become Bound to Character. This bind status will happen on all levels of the item; the level 16 Calvary Plate will become Bound to Character when upgraded, just as the level 20 plate does.

Consumables and other items from Crystal Cove that are not upgraded (or upgradable) will remain Bound to Account.

Augment slots: Clearing an augment slot, or slotting something into the augment slot, will not change the bind status of the item.

I must say I am even more confused by the logic of having the 'base' item BtA and then the upgrades BtC. That screams to me new player trap. It's not like people are going to be gushing over how great the base items are so they are leaving them BtA. Really this will just result in more confusion in the long run.

[Zenako]

thanks for stepping in quickly and answering some of the burning questions before the masses had a raging pitchfork rally all weekend...

Stuff we have already on mules etc is cool. good to know. Panic attacks going awy...

Ingredients staying BtA...very good...major attacks averted...

Upgrading items from base level...sigh

rapid damage control is appreciated, even if the subject matter is not....

[grodon9999]

The best thing we can be thankful for is we don't have to waste any more time running this nonsense.

[bhgiant]

Yes in 7 to 10 days.

Business or calendar?

[RobertVesco]

To answer at least some of the questions so far:

any items that are upgraded through the barter box will become Bound to Character at the time they are upgraded. So, if you get basic Calvary Plate, it'll be Bound to Account up to and until you upgrade it, at which point it will become Bound to Character. This bind status will happen on all levels of the item; the level 16 Calvary Plate will become Bound to Character when upgraded, just as the level 20 plate does.

Well now that makes sense. Any fresh items created will be BTA, but will be BTC when you go thru the upgrade process.
I don't remember, but can't you just build an item to a specific tier and not have to upgrade it at all?

[Produktion_Malphunktion]

My takeaway:
1. BTA cove items become BTC when upgraded after the hotfix in 7-10 days. Upgrading in the cove will make the item BTC on the character that upgrades the item.
2. BTA cove items not upgraded will remain BTA for the foreseeable future.

My questions:
3. BTA cove items with Epic slots remained BTA when a crystal was slotted in the past. Will they remain BTA if a crystal is slotted right now?
4. Will old BTA Epic items remain BTA if you slot a crystal after the hotfix?
5. Will old BTA Epic items remain BTA if you clear the slot right now?
6. Will old BTA Epic items remain BTA if you clear the slot after the hotfix?

Basically, should we all go slot our BTA epic cove items before the hotfix, or are we too late aready?

Too late already.
So:
3 yes
4.yes
5 yes
6 yes
Move them to the toon you want to own them before mucking with them.

Fixed because I was wrong.
it looks like adding a crystal to one of these items or clearing the slot should both leave the item still BTA.
The only time it will become BTC is if you put it in the barter box and upgrade it.

[Cyr]

Too late already.
So:
3 yes
4.no
5 no
6 no
Move them to the toon you want to own them before mucking with them.

? Your answers about augment slotting and clearing are the opposite of what Cordovan posted a little above you in thread. Can you guys check your facts on this one and whoever is wrong correct their post so no one gets the wrong impression here?

[Ganolyn]

Move them to the toon you want to own them before mucking with them.

Thanks for responding so quickly with all the clarifications. I am going to jump on the log in bandwagon and ask you guys to make a post about this on the log in screen (if not already in the works) so people who don't frequent the forums are not left holding BTC junk that they don't want on certain characters.

[Backley]

Too late already.
So:
3 yes
4.no
5 no
6 no
Move them to the toon you want to own them before mucking with them.

Vs.

Augment slots: Clearing an augment slot, or slotting something into the augment slot, will not change the bind status of the item.

Direct conflict here. Which is true now, and after the hotfix?

[NytCrawlr]

While I am sad that things in the Cove are becoming BtC when upgraded, I am not too surprised, since this is the way things are mostly across the board.

Overall I am glad for these types of threads, and hope they continue despite some of the negativity. I have monks that I can dust off now due to handwraps being resolved (once the patch is out) and am looking forward throwing more time into this game, despite some of the grind.

As for CC, it's obvious it's not going away and will be something that comes around once or twice a year, so the key will be to focus on one character while it is around for that time, that's my plan anyways. (Unless you've got all the time in the world to grind it out with your other toons of course.)

[Ganolyn]

Overall I am glad for these types of threads, and hope they continue despite some of the negativity.

Me too! They said they'd try and communicate more, not make us happy!

[rest]

I think it's hilarious that so many people see the switch from BtA to BtC as a nerfing. Every other epic item in the game is BtC.

That is incorrect. I know of at least 2 "regular" epic items that are BTA.

[sidgarret]

Good communication and good effort sorting stuff - but unless u sort out the lag none of the other things matters.

Just had to give up on a guild raid again. Tried epic chrono - couldnt get past banker cause no spells went off - no healing no cc and as a hitter u couldnt tell what u hit or when. Then we tried a normal TOD - lagged out in part 2 with shadows - no one could move - end of guild raid night.

This is how its been for a long time now - we havent completed several raids in three weeks - and lots of us been around since release of game and have done the raids lots and lots of times before.

And dont tell me again that about 20 different guildies in 15 different countries all have ISP problems - its an insult to our intelligence.

Been playing game since release - now its getting close to moving on - this is not playable atm. Raiding is stopped atm - no point trying.

But i still applaud this thread and the updates on what is going on and crossing my fingers that this band aid to lag will help.

[Produktion_Malphunktion]

too Late Already.
So:
3 Yes
4.yes
5 Yes
6 Yes
Move Them To The Toon You Want To Own Them Before Mucking With Them.

Fixed Because I Was Wrong.
It Looks Like Adding A Crystal To One Of These Items Or Clearing The Slot Should Both Leave The Item Still Bta.
The Only Time It Will Become Btc Is If You Put It In The Barter Box And Upgrade It.

12345

[NytCrawlr]

That is incorrect. I know of at least 2 "regular" epic items that are BTA.

I'm sure those will be changed in time as well.

Seriously, the BtA to BtC is really a non-issue and something that should have been seen with a little foresight.

[DeadRabbat]

Thanks for the update(s). +1..hell +2
Especially the Wraps.

[Bodic]

1. pilot light lit .... Check
2. gas is burning....Check
3 water boiling........Check

We are cooking with gas baby.

[IllOracle]

Thank you for starting this up MajMalphunktion and for all the others that help add clarity to our gaming. *shines the developer of the month award* For some reason knowing that the goodness/badness is coming makes it take better.

BTA/BTC - Well there were a lot of us that were super surprised that they were not initially BTC so not a huge hit. Like the previous poster.. grind for one toon at a time.

I am certainly glad to see there was some love to crafting wraps, but if there's a list to sign not to change the Mabar handwraps, put me on it. I loves them they way they was. Don't change me one wraps that were truly Epic unless unless it's getting something more awesome... like a bottle Opener.

[rest]

I'm sure those will be changed in time as well.

Seriously, the BtA to BtC is really a non-issue and something that should have been seen with a little foresight.

Probably. Currently I only have 1 of the BTA epics items, and it's on who I want it on so even if it were to become BTC I wouldn't be upset.

[rest]

Vs.


Direct conflict here. Which is true now, and after the hotfix?

They probably don't even know themselves.

I'd be more likely to side with the actual developer over a simple "community specialist" but who knows at this point. We'll find out on hotfix day!