RoK, Procs, Set Bonuses, Itemization and You

Thorren · 09-27-2007, 06:55 AM

First and foremost, I’d like to say I think the EQ2 devs have done a great job in creating useful items as the expansions have gone by, and we’ve reached a point where every almost every class can equip great items, and know that said equipment will have meaningful procs and abilities that'll make a difference (hopefully). That being said, my greatest concerns I’ve shared with guild mates is that EQ2 has reached a saturation point with item abilities and procs. Set bonuses still hold a lot of potential, but really, can we get “better” proc/ability items?

I’ll elaborate with a bit of history. The original EQ2 out of the box had very linear, almost silly procs and abilities, that had (and still have) little to no effect when used, apart from a few exceptional items (Robe of the Invoker, Battlement of the Mind anyone?). When DoF came out, there was quite a bit of hoop-la over the revised combat system, but of importance was that item procs involving melee received a huge and noticeable boost, especially on weapons. Finally, procs off spell-attacks were still few and far between, and for the most part, non-existent. That all changed when KoS came out, and the advent of items that gave mages the power to truly ramp up their parse were wide-spread (Breath of the Destroyer, Ring of Supremacy, Orb of the Invoker, Grizzfazzle’s, ect.). Items received more and more specialized procs, and now it was very conceivable to have a substantial portion of your gear outfitted with special, blue letter type under their lame ass names.

EoF boosted it even more, with very specialized procs and item abilities, allowing you to proc effects on others (Mayong Healer ring, Avatar of Growth Staff), summon items (Crystal gifts), built-in DPS modifiers on countless items, as well as the all-important (or completely gimped) set-bonuses.

So, here’s my question: Is it possible to create even more intricate procs and abilities, or is this the best we’ll get, and it’s all a matter of scale? Will RoK simply introduce bigger numbers, but nothing innovative? Better yet, ~should~ more complex procs be introduced? Have the devs laid down a good framework in your opinion to expand on, or is it too limited, thus forcing more and more unique kinds of procs and abilities to be created?

Imagine procs based on raid variables, or particular group-setups or even HO connected procs? Good, bad?

Secondly, I also want to discuss a disturbing possibility with set-bonuses. Really, one bonus comes to mind out of all the classes in a raid, but it’s one of the most powerful temp buffs in the game: Cacophony of Blades. As it stands, there’s a 25 second reduction in its reuse timer if you have three pieces of the dirge Requiem set on. Would you ask your dirges, or if you are one, to keep three of the old set pieces on just to keep the bonus, even at level 80? Of course, this is provided that CoB is not upgraded. I don’t’ know if it will, or will not, but at Fanfaire, it was mentioned some Ancient Teachings would, and others would stay the same. There might be other set bonuses as well, or even focus abilities on certain items (Ice Nova Re-cast on Wiz Leggings) that might collide with what the devs have in mind for RoK. I could go on, but I imagine everyone understands the potential problems that could come up by now, so share your thoughts.

osibia · 09-27-2007, 08:08 AM

i think what will happen will be a simple scaling...

i dont think they can introduce even better procs without making players even more overpowered...

to be able to introduce even better procs i think they would have to make equip "bound" to what you fight.. translate that as different equips for soloing, grouping and raiding.

just my 2 cents though.

Pylon · 09-27-2007, 12:05 PM

RoK will be a lagging piece of shit if they go proc-happy again.

Antrig · 09-27-2007, 12:19 PM

Specifically on CoB - excluding the interrupt part, its doesn't scale (ie its not a percentage based effect), so odds are it will be upgraded, as its getting a bit stale now.

It might pay to check if the templar 3 set bonus works on lower tier reactives - that would be some indication as to whether the set bonues are more likely to be on spells, or spell lines.

I think not upgrading Ancients etc that are scaleable or percent based is a mistake - it means they become virtually impossible to get. Yeah, yeah, level lock an alt and do the same instances a few thousand times ....
(I think I've run Poet's Palace upwards of 50 times and that is getting VERY painful).

I'd be happy if the lines continued with replacement spells available in level ranges that people inhabit, even if they were identical in every respect to the lower tier masters. They could always level-cap the lower ones anyway, as has happened for various spells (with no rhyme or reason I can see).

gte386v · 09-27-2007, 12:57 PM

I know the coercer BP add 2 triggers to auspex but does not effect the lower level versions, thus I am lead to believe that when the wizards get an upgrade to ice comet it won't be effected by their legs etc.

Phrozen · 09-27-2007, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antrig

It might pay to check if the templar 3 set bonus works on lower tier reactives - that would be some indication as to whether the set bonues are more likely to be on spells, or spell lines.

It only affects the spell stated. All others in the Intercession line, apart from Glorious have 5 triggers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antrig

I think not upgrading Ancients etc that are scaleable or percent based is a mistake - it means they become virtually impossible to get. Yeah, yeah, level lock an alt and do the same instances a few thousand times ....
(I think I've run Poet's Palace upwards of 50 times and that is getting VERY painful).

How would Sanctury, Divine Arbitration and Reverence get upgraded then?

Longer Duration? Can already increase Sanctury via AA's, Reverence @ M1 converts 240% of power used into HP, and Divine Arbitration splits groups health "evenly".

Pinski · 09-27-2007, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gte386v

I know the coercer BP add 2 triggers to auspex but does not effect the lower level versions, thus I am lead to believe that when the wizards get an upgrade to ice comet it won't be effected by their legs etc.

Good thing Ice Nova isn't due to be upgraded until Level 90.

Helspeth · 09-27-2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinski

Good thing Ice Nova isn't due to be upgraded until Level 90.

So they gave up on spell condolidation and upgrading them eveyr 10lvls? Nvm I just realised Ice nova was 70

Slippery · 09-27-2007, 02:17 PM

The special 50/70 spell isn't being upgraded at 80 like the rest of your spells. Spells that scale (ie percent based) aren't being upgraded.

aeeron · 09-27-2007, 03:47 PM

Lets hope they make set bonuses equally useful for all classes this time around, Conjuror is complete crap as well as a few other classes. I believe they are trying to phase out DMG procs but re vamping the BoE system so people arent using all these mage items in tier 8 ( like how some mages use items from courts and gates cause they have dmg procs in a slot like helmet or necklace)