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Locked: Item Rarity Changes
8 months ago  ::  Oct 11, 2011 - 10:21AM #1
WotC_Trevor
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When the item rarity system went into place, many of the items that came out before essentials were rolled up into the uncommon category. Recently, we’ve gone back through and taken a look at all those uncommons to see what category they really belong in. A few of us have taken a stab at it and compiled a list of possible changes, which I’ve included in the second post.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to use the same criteria that we did and go through the magic items you’re familiar with to see if there’s anything we should add or remove from the proposed changes. On the 21st, we’ll turn over the list of suggestions (updated with your feedback) to the R&D team for them to pick over and finalize which changes will be made.

I know from previous conversations that there are some great ideas and opinions out there about changing item rarity—now’s your chance to make sure we get those ideas in front of R&D.

_________________________


Item Rarity Guidelines


Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Emporium


This book is the benchmark for assigning rarity.


Rare Items


Rare items are meant to be character-defining, powerful objects that help forge the character’s identity in the world. If you find a flame-tongue weapon, you’ve uncovered an important, powerful blade. Since the characters won’t have many of these items, they can be more complicated in terms of type and number of powers.


A rare item . . .

  • Should be more powerful than an uncommon or a common item of the same level
  • Should have a combination of elements (properties and powers), unless its single property or power is exceptionally powerful
  • Should have the potential to affect every combat encounter (typically accomplished with a property, an at-will power, an encounter power, or a combination of these elements)

Few items published before Heroes of the Fallen Lands qualify as rare.


Common Items


Common items typically lack activated powers. They usually confer a simple bonus or a static effect that you note on your character sheet and forget about. For example, a pair of gloves that grants a +2 bonus to Thievery checks makes a fine common item. You note the modifier to your skill check, adjust the total bonus as necessary, and never think of the gloves again until you find new ones to replace them.


The intent behind common items is to keep the game’s complexity load manageable. Common items are useful, but they don’t create a distraction or an extra layer of choice within an encounter.


A common item . . .

  • Should have a single simple effect, which might be expressed by a property or, more rarely, a utility power
  • Should have an effect that is easy to interpret and that is not situational
  • Should be less powerful than an uncommon or a rare item of the same level

Because a common item can be crafted and purchased by a player character, the item should not provide an effect that is easy to abuse if the character acquires multiple copies of the item.


Uncommon Items


Uncommon items occupy the middle ground between rare and common items. They have powers, but these powers are typically daily abilities. They have static effects, but they are rarely character-defining or critical to a hero’s identity.


Most items fall into this category. Basically, if an item does not qualify to be common or rare, it’s uncommon.


Story Rarity vs. Item Rarity


Story rarity (“the world has never seen more than one sword such as this one&rdquo is divorced from item rarity. In other words, story claims have no effect on whether an item is common, uncommon, or rare. The item must meet the game guidelines for its rarity.

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8 months ago  ::  Oct 11, 2011 - 10:22AM #2
WotC_Trevor
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1 Alchemical Launcher Dragon Magazine 385 Arms C
2 Bracers of the Perfect Shot Player's Handbook Arms C
3 Cold Iron Bracers Adventurer's Vault Arms C
4 Crowd Killer Shield Dragon Magazine 381 Arms C
5 Iron Armbands of Power Adventurer's Vault Arms C
6 Razordark Bracers Adventurer's Vault 2 Arms C
7 Friend's Gift Adventurer's Vault Companion C
8 Guardian's Collar Adventurer's Vault Companion C
9 Familiar's Baldric Dragon Magazine 377 Familiar C
10 Boots of Equilibrium Adventurer's Vault Feet C
11 Butterfly Sandals Adventurer's Vault Feet C
12 Fleetrunner Boots Dragon Magazine 369 Feet C
13 Riding Boots Adventurer's Vault 2 Feet C
14 Tumbler's Shoes Adventurer's Vault Feet C
15 Zephyr Boots Adventurer's Vault Feet C
16 Alchemy Gloves Adventurer's Vault 2 Hands C
17 Cat Paws Adventurer's Vault Hands C
18 Climbing Claws Adventurer's Vault Hands C
19 Dwarven Throwers Adventurer's Vault Hands C
20 Far Hand Gloves Dragon Magazine 365 Hands C
21 Feinting Gloves Adventurer's Vault 2 Hands C
22 Gauntlets of Arcane Might Adventurer's Vault 2 Hands C
23 Gauntlets of Brutality Adventurer's Vault 2 Hands C
24 Gauntlets of Destruction Player's Handbook Hands C
25 Gauntlets of blinding strikes Adventurer's Vault Hands C
26 Gauntlets of the Ram Player's Handbook Hands C
27 Gloves of Accuracy Adventurer's Vault Hands C
28 Gloves of the Bounty Hunter Adventurer's Vault Hands C
29 Greatreach Gauntlets Adventurer's Vault Hands C
30 Grizzly Gauntlets Adventurer's Vault 2 Hands C
31 Knifethrower's Gloves Adventurer's Vault Hands C
32 Lancing Gloves Adventurer's Vault Hands C
33 Many-Fingered Gloves Adventurer's Vault 2 Hands C
34 Shadowdancer's Gloves Adventurer's Vault 2 Hands C
35 Sure Shot Gloves Adventurer's Vault Hands C
36 Wrestler's Gloves Adventurer's Vault Hands C
37 Cap of Water Breathing Adventurer's Vault Head C
38 Cat's-Eye Headband Adventurer's Vault 2 Head C
39 Crown of Eyes Adventurer's Vault Head C
40 Crown of the World Tree Adventurer's Vault Head C
41 Eagle Eye Goggles Adventurer's Vault Head C
42 Eyes of the Deep Dwarf Psionic Power Head C
43 Helm of Opportunity Adventurer's Vault Head C
44 Phylactery of Divinity Adventurer's Vault Head C
45 Savage Mask Adventurer's Vault 2 Head C
46 Starlight Goggles Adventurer's Vault Head C
47 Jarlaxle's Eye patch Dragon Magazine 386 Head R
48 Horseshoes of Speed Adventurer's Vault Mount C
49 Impenetrable Barding Adventurer's Vault Mount C
50 Saddle of Strength Adventurer's Vault Mount C
51 Absence Amulet Adventurer's Vault Neck C
52 Badge of the Berserker Adventurer's Vault 2 Neck C
53 Brooch of Vitality Adventurer's Vault Neck C
54 Healer's Brooch Adventurer's Vault Neck C
55 Life Charm Adventurer's Vault Neck C
56 Lifesaving Brooch Adventurer's Vault 2 Neck C
57 Periapt of Recovery Adventurer's Vault Neck C
58 Regis's Ruby Pendant Dragon Magazine 386 Neck R
59 Foe Binder Ring Dragon Magazine 381 Ring C
60 Ring of Aquatic Ability Adventurer's Vault Ring C
61 Acrobat's Harness Adventurer's Vault 2 Waist C
62 Baldric of Shielding Adventurer's Vault 2 Waist C
63 Barbed Baldric Adventurer's Vault Waist C
64 Belt of Feral Might Dragon Magazine 380 Waist C
65 Belt of Nourishment Adventurer's Vault 2 Waist C
66 Belt of Resilience Adventurer's Vault Waist C
67 Cincture of the Dragon Spirit Adventurer's Vault Waist C
68 Contortionist's Cord Adventurer's Vault Waist C
69 Goliath's Belt Adventurer's Vault Waist C
70 Muleback Harness Adventurer's Vault Waist C
71 Potion Bandolier Adventurer's Vault 2 Waist C
72 Reinforcing Belt Adventurer's Vault Waist C
73 Rogue's Belt Adventurer's Vault Waist C
74 Swimtide Harness Adventurer's Vault Waist C
75 Antivenom Adventurer's Vault Alchemical Item C
76 Herbal Poultice Adventurer's Vault Alchemical Item C
77 Keen Oil Eberron Player's Guide Alchemical Item C
78 Lodret Leaf Eberron Player's Guide Alchemical Item C
79 Panther Tears Eberron Player's Guide Alchemical Item C
80 Insight of the Vault Dragon Magazine 389 Alternative Reward C
81 Firestorm Arrow Adventurer's Vault 2, Dragon Magazine 373 Ammunition C
82 Freezing Arrow Adventurer's Vault 2 Ammunition C
83 Lightning Arrow Adventurer's Vault 2 Ammunition C
84 Spider Bolt Adventurer's Vault 2, Dragon Magazine 373 Ammunition C
85 Surprise Bullet Adventurer's Vault 2 Ammunition C
86 Armor of Enduring Health Adventurer's Vault 2 Armor C
87 Armor of Resistance Adventurer's Vault Armor C
88 Darkleaf Armor Player's Handbook Armor C
89 Kemstone Armor Adventurer's Vault 2 Armor C
90 Mithral Plating Eberron Player's Guide Armor C
91 Moon Armor Adventurer's Vault 2 Armor C
92 Pelaurum Armor Adventurer's Vault Armor C
93 Robe of Eyes Adventurer's Vault Armor C
94 Slick Armor Adventurer's Vault Armor C
95 Tactician's Armor Adventurer's Vault Armor C
96 Wildleaf Armor Adventurer's Vault Armor C
97 Cognizance Crystal Player's Handbook 3 Consumable C
98 Dune Runner's Fruit Dark Sun Campaign Setting Consumable C
99 Elixir of Fortitude Adventurer's Vault Consumable C
100 Elixir of Reflexes Adventurer's Vault Consumable C
101 Elixir of Speed Adventurer's Vault Consumable C
102 Elixir of Will Adventurer's Vault Consumable C
103 Feybread Biscuit Adventurer's Vault Consumable C
104 Lesser Elixir of Invisibility Seekers of the Ashen Crown Consumable C
105 Life Shroud Adventurer's Vault Consumable C
106 Nail of Sealing Adventurer's Vault Consumable C
107 Potion of Resistance Adventurer's Vault Consumable C
108 Potion of Spirit Adventurer's Vault Consumable C
109 Potion of Vigor Adventurer's Vault Consumable C
110 Sliver of Salvation Dragon Magazine 382 Consumable C
111 Stonemeal Biscuit Adventurer's Vault Consumable C
112 Talent Shard Player's Handbook 3 Consumable C
113 Unguent of Darkvision Adventurer's Vault Consumable C
114 Vision Sand Adventurer's Vault Consumable C
115 Adamantine Rod Adventurer's Vault Implement C
116 Bloodcurse Rod Adventurer's Vault Implement C
117 Bloodhunter Totem Adventurer's Vault 2 Implement C
118 Demise's Staff of Ruin Seekers of the Ashen Crown Implement C
119 Ghost Strike Ki Focus Player's Handbook 3 Implement C
120 Ioun-Blessed Symbol Adventurer's Vault 2 Implement C
121 Psalter of Aureon Eberron Player's Guide Implement C
122 Razor Talon Totem Adventurer's Vault 2 Implement C
123 Rod of Brutality Adventurer's Vault Implement C
124 Rod of Corruption Player's Handbook Implement C
125 Rod of First Blood Player's Handbook Implement C
126 Rod of Reaving Player's Handbook Implement C
127 Staff of Divinity Adventurer's Vault 2 Implement C
128 Staff of Ruin Adventurer's Vault Implement C
129 Staff of Sleep and Charm Adventurer's Vault 2 Implement C
130 Verdant Staff Adventurer's Vault 2 Implement C
131 Vicious Rod Adventurer's Vault Implement C
132 Magic Ki Focus DM 382, PH3, HoS Implement C
133 Endless Canteen Adventurer's Vault Wondrous C
134 Everlasting Provisions Player's Handbook Wondrous C
135 Exchequer's Ledger Dragon Magazine 383 Wondrous C
136 Feast Table Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
137 Flagon of Ale Procurement Dragon Magazine 369 Wondrous C
138 Gilded Cage Dragon Magazine 383 Wondrous C
139 Gorgonblood Mortar Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
140 Invulnerable Case Adventurer's Vault Wondrous C
141 Ioun's Parchment Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
142 Lamp of Discerning Adventurer's Vault Wondrous C
143 Lens of Reading Adventurer's Vault Wondrous C
144 Loadstone Vault Dragon Magazine 383 Wondrous C
145 Magic Drawbridge Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
146 Magnificent Tapestry Dragon Magazine 383 Wondrous C
147 Monocle of Comprehension Dragon Magazine 387 Wondrous C
148 Phantom Bridle Dragon Magazine 387 Wondrous C
149 Polyglot Gem Adventurer's Vault Wondrous C
150 Portable Hole Player's Handbook Wondrous C
151 Pouch of Platinum Adventurer's Vault Wondrous C
152 Rope of Climbing Player's Handbook Wondrous C
153 Sail of Winds Adventurer's Vault Wondrous C
154 Shiftstone Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
155 Shroud of Protection Adventurer's Vault Wondrous C
156 Silence-Warded Room Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
157 Silent Tool Adventurer's Vault Wondrous C
158 Aldron's Firebox Dragon Magazine 383 Wondrous C
159 Bed of Rapid Rest Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
160 Blessed Book Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
161 Bowl of Purity Adventurer's Vault Wondrous C
162 Bridle of Conjuration Adventurer's Vault Wondrous C
163 Brilliant Scrying Basin Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
164 Cask of Liquid Gold Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
165 Crystal Ball of Spying Adventurer's Vault Wondrous C
166 Deepfarer's Pouch Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
167 Diplomat's Table Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
168 Door of Alarm Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
169 Spying Mirrors (pair) Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
170 Stylus of the Translator Adventurer's Vault Wondrous C
171 Sun Globe Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
172 Unseen Servant's Hand Dragon Magazine 387 Wondrous C
173 Voran's Eternal Chalk Dungeon Magazine 173 Wondrous C
174 Voran's Floating Lantern Dungeon Magazine 173 Wondrous C
175 Watcher's Horn Player's Handbook 2 Wondrous C
176 Watchful Ruby Eye Adventurer's Vault Wondrous C
177 Window of Escape Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
178 Woundstitch Powder Adventurer's Vault 2 Wondrous C
179 Demonbound Dragon Magazine 389 Alternative Reward R
180 Immurement of Arcane Suspension Adventurer's Vault 2 Consumable R
181 Immurement of Baleful Gossamer Adventurer's Vault 2 Consumable R
182 Immurement of Seething Scoria Adventurer's Vault 2 Consumable R
183 Immurement of the Abandoned Throne Adventurer's Vault 2 Consumable R
184 Immurement of the Blood Vine Adventurer's Vault 2 Consumable R
185 Immurement of the Dragon Boneyard Adventurer's Vault 2 Consumable R
186 Immurement of the Jealous Keeper Dragon Magazine 383 Consumable R
187 Immurement of the Mordant Hideaway Adventurer's Vault 2 Consumable R
188 Immurement of the Vengeful River Adventurer's Vault 2 Consumable R
189 Philter of the Fading Dream Dungeon Magazine 181 Consumable R
190 Sliver of Knowledge Dragon Magazine 382 Consumable R 
191 Aegis Fang Dragon Magazine 386 Weapon R
192 Aftershock Weapon Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
193 Armblade Eberron Player's Guide Weapon C
194 Avalanche Hammer Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
195 Bard's Songblade Dragon Magazine 390 Weapon C
196 Bard's Songbow Dragon Magazine 390 Weapon C
197 Battle Spirit Weapon Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
198 Bloodiron Weapon Adventurer's Vault Weapon C
199 Bloodthirsty Weapon Adventurer's Vault Weapon C
200 Bloody Maul of Kord Dungeon Delve Weapon R
201 Challenge-Seeking Weapon Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
202 Cloaked Weapon Adventurer's Vault Weapon C
203 Dancing Weapon Player's Handbook Weapon R  
204 Dynamic Weapon Adventurer's Vault Weapon C
205 Earth-Wrought Hammer Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
206 Eberron Shard of Animosity Eberron Player's Guide Weapon C
207 Eberron Shard of Bleeding Wounds Eberron Player's Guide Weapon C
208 Eberron Shard of Lightning Eberron Player's Guide Weapon C
209 Eberron Shard of Ruin Eberron Player's Guide Weapon C
210 Entrapping Weapon Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
211 Entreri's Jeweled Dagger Dragon Magazine 386 Weapon R
212 Farbond Spellblade Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
213 Forceful Weapon Adventurer's Vault Weapon C
214 Frightful Weapon Player's Handbook Races: Dragonborn Weapon C
215 Frost Fury Weapon Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
216 Hidden Weapon Dark Sun Campaign Setting Weapon C
217 Icingdeath Dragon Magazine 386 Weapon R
218 Impaling Weapon Adventurer's Vault Weapon C
219 Ki Weapon Player's Handbook 3 Weapon c
220 Lightning Strike Bow Dragon Magazine 386 Weapon c
221 Maw of the Guardian Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
222 Moonbow Dragon Magazine 386 Weapon C
223 Overreaching Weapon Adventurer's Vault Weapon C
224 Pact Hammer Adventurer's Vault Weapon C
225 Paired Weapon Adventurer's Vault Weapon C
226 Phasing Weapon Player's Handbook Weapon C
227 Prime Shot Weapon Adventurer's Vault Weapon C
228 Radiant Weapon Adventurer's Vault Weapon C
229 Ravenclaw Warblade Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
230 Rending Weapon Adventurer's Vault Weapon C
231 Rhythm Blade Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
232 Rousing Hammer Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
233 Runic Weapon Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
234 Shepherd's Arms Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
235 Siberys Shard of Merciless Cold Eberron Player's Guide Weapon C
236 Siberys Shard of Radiance Eberron Player's Guide Weapon C
237 Siberys Shard of the Mage Eberron Player's Guide Weapon C
238 Skull Totem Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide Weapon C
239 Supremely Vicious Weapon Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
240 Totemic Spear Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
241 Totemic Warclub Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
242 Warding Blade Adventurer's Vault 2 Weapon C
243 Weapon of Healing Adventurer's Vault Weapon C
244 White Kingdom Boneclaw E2 Kingdom of the Ghouls Weapon R
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8 months ago  ::  Oct 11, 2011 - 10:41AM #3
kilpatds
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I'd add another note specific to consuables.  Common consumables have to be extra-double-checked for scaling issues, because they become really really really cheap at higher levels.

Example: potion of invulnerability should probably cost a surge.
Example: Cognizance Crystals should cost something more than a free action.  Miss once, spend 8 level 4 crystals?  If they cost a surge, it might work better.  Or maybe a minor action, or ...
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8 months ago  ::  Oct 11, 2011 - 10:49AM #4
AlphatheGreat
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Some of these criteria are contradictory.

 E.g.:

"Should have a single simple effect"
and
"Should be less powerful than an uncommon or a rare item of the same level"

But passive effects > item powers in the vast majority of cases.

Common items can be less complex or less powerful, but if you require both you'll find the list absurdly small.
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8 months ago  ::  Oct 11, 2011 - 10:53AM #5
AlphaAnt
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Why would Radiant Weapon be on the list, when Sunblade, Frost, Flaming, and Lightning (plus any others in that vein) are not? It's just as character defining as any of these others. SELF EDIT: This is not to say that the others should be common, more that Radiant should remain uncommon. Others mentioned Staff of Ruin, but I disagree, as Staff of Ruin is just the boost to damage, whereas Radiant also changes the damage type, which is really the bigger offender.

Same with Iron Armbands of Power and Bracers of Archery. The ability to ignore cover is already worthless to crossbow users, and not that great for bow users either. If you're going to have Iron Armbands, it would be silly to leave off Bracers of Archery. SELF EDIT: My bigger concern is that Bracers of Mighty Striking and Bracers of the Perfect Shot NEED to have the same rarity, as they do the same thing, with the same logic applying to Iron Armbands of Power and Bracers of Archery. I'm not sure why they ended up with different levels, let alone different rarity.

Defensive Weapon would make a good Common.
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8 months ago  ::  Oct 11, 2011 - 10:54AM #6
GelatinousOctahedron
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Its good that you added ones like ioun blessed symbol and staff of divinity   With the revised multiclass implement rules all it does is boost your crit damage to 1d8 so it needs to be given something more anyways to even really be worth more than a regular +1 symbol/staff/wand. 

Symbol of the first spirits main purpose was also for mc implement users, it doesn't have a power and is not on your list.
  
With holy symbols a lot of the more powerful ones are the simplest, especially at lower levels.  I would consider symbol of divine reach and symbol of the holy nimbus, but those might be too powerful.  Almost all holy symbols either have a very good property, have a power, or were totally obsoleted by the aforementioned mc implement rules revision.
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8 months ago  ::  Oct 11, 2011 - 11:10AM #7
excalainen
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Oct 11, 2011 -- 10:49AM, AlphatheGreat wrote:

Some of these criteria are contradictory.

 E.g.:

"Should have a single simple effect"
and
"Should be less powerful than an uncommon or a rare item of the same level"

But passive effects > item powers in the vast majority of cases.

Common items can be less complex or less powerful, but if you require both you'll find the list absurdly small.




I think this is an important point. I'd like to participate and draft a list of common and rare items myself for submission to WotC but I find it difficult because of this contradiction. E.g. Iron Armbands of Power should be common because of its simplicity but on the other hand it should be rare because it's so powerful.

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8 months ago  ::  Oct 11, 2011 - 11:19AM #8
WotC_Trevor
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I get that the "common items should be simple" and should be "less powerful than than an uncommon or rare item of the same level" can contradict, specifically when an item has riders on a property or power that generally make that property/power harder to use. That kind of thing tends to make an item weaker while adding complexity to it.

When we were putting our suggestions together we did our best skirt that grey as well as we could. For the most part, if it's weaker but had some riders - we left it uncommon. We erred on the side of trying to keep the commons as simple as possible. If this struggle in guidelines is going to keep you from adding some suggestions, I'm sorry - it's not something can change at this point. (I'll also be removing any further comments about this contradiction to keep the conversation focused)

As to all the basic suggestions of changing the item rarity - while I definiteily appreciate feedback, please keep this conversation to specific items (I've removed all the posts that weren't on that topic). Basically, which ones should be changed in rarity with possibly a brief description of why based on the criteria.
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8 months ago  ::  Oct 11, 2011 - 11:19AM #9
AH_Iceman
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Oct 11, 2011 -- 10:53AM, AlphaAnt wrote:

Why would Radiant Weapon be on the list, when Sunblade, Frost, Flaming, and Lightning (plus any others in that vein) are not? It's just as character defining as any of these others.

Same with Iron Armbands of Power and Bracers of Archery. The ability to ignore cover is already worthless to crossbow users, and not that great for bow users either. If you're going to have Iron Armbands, it would be silly to leave off Bracers of Archery.



I agree with the first question, but maybe not its intent.  I'd say the Radiant should not be on the common list.  Having the ability to change your damage type isn't really a "simple effect."
Similarly, while it is just a property, BloodIron's crit damage and re-damage easily makes it as good as (if not better) than a lot of other same-level weapons.  So it too should stay uncommon.

I'd love to see Bracers of Archery as a common.  It falls into that category of items that are not character-defining, but more heavily role-supporting.  Every archer should have access if they desire it, in other words.  It's almost regretable that it has a weak power holding it back.

Lastly, I don't understand why ammunition would be common, since their properties are applied to other actions (rather than being always-on properties like the Armbands).  I certainly wouldn't think that anything applying a condition (freezing arrows) or effecting multiple targets (firestorm) would qualify for common status. 
Of course, as a player, I don't mind this idea at all.  As a DM, I know I would change it without hesitation. 

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8 months ago  ::  Oct 11, 2011 - 11:20AM #10
AbdulAlhazred
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Right off the bat Iron Armbands of Power, Bracers of Archery, and the Bracers of Mighty Striking (from HotFL) need to be removed from Common (there may be others). These items are SO far beyond the value of any other items in this slot that if they are common 100% of all players will opt to buy/craft a pair for their character. There's no point in even having an arms slot with these items being common, just give everyone a free damage bonus. The only other option would be to move these items to a much higher level, but that really doesn't solve the problem, just staves it off for a while.

Frankly permanent always-on bonuses shouldn't exist in items, but obviously that isn't something that will be addressed here.

Edit: Certain consumables also present a rather interesting issue. Magical ammunition for instance can be QUITE advantageous, even when using ammo of a lower level than the PC. These items also may need to be uncommon. There can certainly be common ones, such as simple +N ammo, although the economics rarely justify it.
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