Let's edit all the common worthless equipment sold in blacksmiths and weaponsmiths across the game and make them actually worth something. You know, some of these items actually only hurt you. How dumb is that?
Limit character rare count to 7. That's right, you can only have 7 rares on your character when you quit or some will disappear completely.
Some rares should lose rare flag.
An alternative to the above is just get rid of rares completely. They do add a sense of wonder (when you get to the fancy ones) but they also sort of ruin the game and especially the balance.
The rare system was put in with the exclusive purpose to keep the strong, strong. After removing the rares, put them back. One at a time. Unique items first. No one should be able to get a full set, though a warrior wielding a mournblade with all common equipment would be pretty fun.
Let's edit all the common worthless equipment sold in blacksmiths and weaponsmiths across the game and make them actually worth something. You know, some of these items actually only hurt you. How dumb is that?
Limit character rare count to 7. That's right, you can only have 7 rares on your character when you quit or some will disappear completely.
Some rares should lose rare flag.
An alternative to the above is just get rid of rares completely. They do add a sense of wonder (when you get to the fancy ones) but they also sort of ruin the game and especially the balance.
The rare system was put in with the exclusive purpose to keep the strong, strong. After removing the rares, put them back. One at a time. Unique items first. No one should be able to get a full set, though a warrior wielding a mournblade with all common equipment would be pretty fun.
Getting rid of rare flags completely would be fail.
Half of the time knowing you have x piece means your enemy does not. Why don't we all just have adeptus face, or masks of discord. Unlimited rods of time. Worn Sleeves - the list is endless of the ultra elite equipment which is limited number for a reason.
Sorry but this idea does not work.
Why do you have such an issue with rares? I have no issue with rares. Sometimes things are in, sometimes things aren't. Find other rares.
Example: I died but I want to retrieve the glass bracelets that I lost with either replacements or cuffed. However after noticing they weren't in I found the djini bands. Sure they aren't exactly what I wanted... But hell they are in no way bad.
Adapt and learn. There is no "perfect" set of eq - so what exactly are you striving for?
Why don't the immortals take responsibility of those in ultra rare suits? (Let me be the first to admit I run around in a pretty nice suit - I don't die often, most of the time cause there are no fricken enemies when Im on ((its very boring)))
What I mean is if you know that character A has been running around with a ultra pimp suit - why don't the imms pull them up. Have some RP. Tell them they're awesome. Restring a tooth necklace for them and then strip them of x rare (Just an example for item placement) - But then reduce their rare limit by 1.
My argument is why the hell not? You're a badass. You know you're a badass. Be a badass while being less badass. If Thulgan was turned into a moderate character tomorrow - would he stop killing everyone? Perhaps 10% less then before. He'd still be badass - better yet. He'll look badass with all those RP perks and custom gear.
" I can't get the rares so I want the Staff to change the game to fit MY needs!! "
This adds nothing to either side of any discussion. Please keep things productive.
Aulian, I don't mind your approach. I think it's pretty cool in itself and I mostly agree. I would love if that happened to me. I'm just trying to think outside of the box, because...
Why not? I don't think the concept of rare or unique items really adds a whole lot of value to the game as a whole. It only serves to keep the strong stronger and the weak weaker. It is, however, much more fun to not focus on equipment and let player skill shine which you could say gives the weaker PKers even less chance to shine. I guess it doesn't matter in the end, just throwing ideas out there.
EDIT: This is still my favorite idea for long lasting decked characters.
Rares are an integral part of any game; go through any RPG, and you will encounter rares. Even MOBAs and FPS shooters have 'rares' in the sense of excellent items that are prohibitively costly to obtain. Obtaining a rare object give a sense of accomplishment, more tangible than completing a quest or story arc, and often as important as taking out your enemy. They are rewards, earned through effort, combat, time, and more. They are badges of honor, and prestige which makes the player holding them truly feel like a hero or villain of calibre and not just some upstart. In the right hands, they're RP tools, and in all cases lend to how people perceive your character in an RP sense.
Rares are more than just game toys that contribute to your ability to murder, and looking at them that way is exceedingly one-dimensional. Losing rares is thus like losing your rewards. It's a blow to the ego, your self-worth, your RP. But that's because we focus on the loss. What the staff has done and will continue to do is shepherd a shift in thinking. Rares are not the be-all-end-all of a character, and aren't necessary to win (despite loud protests to the contrary). We've introduced more and varied rares in to circulation, more comparable non-rare alternatives, a better system for obtaining oownered items (making them permanent to you, and removing them from the rare-count). The rare crumbling and the roll-back were all our way of trying to get rares out to everyone while still keeping their prestige alive.
The issue is not the rares. The issue is how much we dislike losing. It isn't just a game aspect, it's a perception aspect.
Rare availability, it's role in the world, their power, and permanence will always be a struggle for every game. They are important and integral aspects. In the case of FL it would be naive to think a single, 'simple' solution would 'correct' a system we've consistently adjusted over decades. To address the recent thoughts directly, removing rares would only inspire essays-worth of complaints and would damage the game. Adding a rot-death flag to high level items would intensely reduce interest in those rares, and the areas they're in (thus effectively reducing rares). Reducing rare count would likely also result in backlash from those like rares (everyone) and negatively impact some classes over others.
In essence, there is little to no reason to ad hominem against another players opinion on something that is little more than an ethical framework issue. This is a highly volatile issue because there is no simple solution. Even I would admit to getting bored if everyone had the same set of equipment based on their race and class with an extra set of whatever they wanted stuffed into a backpack for swaps.
Then again, each player can also come up with multiple viable alternatives that vary and provide excellent perspectives. Yet none can be quantified as being better than the system currently in play. Slight adjustments are a good approach and when all perspectives are seen together, it becomes clear there is no excellent solution except in the eye of the beholder.
Speaking of which, where is my Beholder pet, Volgathras?
Why not? I don't think the concept of rare or unique items really adds a whole lot of value to the game as a whole. It only serves to keep the strong stronger and the weak weaker. It is, however, much more fun to not focus on equipment and let player skill shine which you could say gives the weaker PKers even less chance to shine. I guess it doesn't matter in the end, just throwing ideas out there.
I mean... there is no real "player skill doesn't shine" through. I am repeatedly told I am well dressed and a strong combo and literally never win. Fact is that you guys who have devoted to this game will win... pretty much every single time. It doesn't matter about rares or uniques. I even have journeyman buffs and still literally have NEVER won a fight on my current. There is such a HUGE disparity between the god tier and everyone else, that it is laughable you think taking a rare from Thulgan will magically make things even vaguely competitive. In fact, the pursuit of one or two really "godly" rares is literally the primary objective for my characters because I simply am no good at PK. So... you are effectively aiming to eliminate the one tiny facet of the game I can feel good about so... you can kill me faster? I strongly vote against this. What isn't fun for you is literally the entire game for some people.
Do you post logs? Because PK skills can be learned just like any other.
Also some classes kill more often than others. Example Invoker vs Battlemage. DK vs Paladin.
Many classes you have to actually be losing to make them stay so you can win.
Definitely not the point of the message, but you are right I should log more. My point is that constant PK fights to see who is the best at that particular avenue isn't the entire game. I genuinely enjoy the PvE, treasure finding. It is factually the most challenging combat I can face with odds of winning. If the entire argument before this is: I don't like rares because sometimes I don't find them and that makes me mad... I feel like I don't need to construct a better counter-argument than: I like rares because sometimes I don't find them and it isn't a simple code knowledge contest and the mystery makes it fun.
I will save this post somewhere and use it again (probably multiple times too) in the future, do you mind?
[edit] And KRins'.
It's good to see some people finally understanding that rares (or lack of such) are not the root of their lack of PK success. When one admits to himself what he is, only then can he improve.
Heck I have less start to finish PK's than I have years invested in this game. And a couple of those were luck or smart positioning on my part.
I see both sides of the rare argument, I have taken hundreds of trips (that took hours in real time) over the years to aid this character or that gain this special thing they need. I NEVER take any of the rare things. Why? Because I know character A, played by that guy, only wants to hand it to me so he can return later and kill me with his alt. No seriously, because I play here for fun. I do not rate myself based on win vs loss, I rate myself based on how did I do in round one, round two, round three. I do not quit. And I have managed a few wins in non rare suits. Most important, I enjoy the game.
Its a game people. Play it. Enjoy it. Bring your suggestions and Ideas here, and let us all remember to agree or disagree without making it personal.
I will save this post somewhere and use it again (probably multiple times too) in the future, do you mind?
[edit] And KRins'.
It's good to see some people finally understanding that rares (or lack of such) are not the root of their lack of PK success. When one admits to himself what he is, only then can he improve.
Its true! That comes down to nymph hearts..... (loling to myself at work about the can of worms I'm opening).
I NEVER take any of the rare things. Why? Because I know character A, played by that guy, only wants to hand it to me so he can return later and kill me with his alt.
Next time take the rare. If you suspect such a thing sac the rare before you die.
If you don't want it, give it to someone else. Drop at your halls. Drop at the commons (not maelbrim, stuff drops into arena.).
Or if you are in a cabal, owner the item. You can keep a single item ownered all of your character life if you are careful.
"I should log more" KRins
You should log everything. And always review the log after a PK. While it's fresh.
I even review logs during PK, but this will get you killed. If you quit for 5 min, you can check why you are losing and think how to counter it.
And you never know when you will face that Qcombo 2 years latter and can't recall stuff.