New Equipment: Shields

[DarnYak]

1.13e will have a new batch of shield items available. However their scaling will work a bit differently than other items.

First, there will be fewer upgrade ranks of shields, something along the lines of +0, +3, and +5 only.

Second, all shields will have a self targetted active ability. This will not scale with item level.

Third, costs will scale differently because of the unscaling ability. The result is shields will have a fairly high initial cost, but their final cost will be a bit lower than normal equipment. Technically these items will be more cost efficient for stats with more upgrades, but that's only because a portion of the cost goes to the non-upgrading active ability.

DarnYak

[DarnYak]

Currently Shields upgrade as +0, +3, +5. I'm wondering, are people ok with that naming convention, or is it confusing ("wtf why did it skip 3 levels this is a bug")

DarnYak

[Zdig25]

Might be better if they're just +1 +2 +3

[SuIIy]

Currently Shields upgrade as +0, +3, +5. I'm wondering, are people ok with that naming convention, or is it confusing ("wtf why did it skip 3 levels this is a bug")

Might be better if they're just +1 +2 +3

This could be confusing to some players. Probably scale it like Zdig suggested.

[watermelon]

It was confusing at first, but it does let the player know that the shield can't be upgraded beyond +5 like with the other items.
If you did change it, I would still start with +0 though.

[Zdig25]

you could also just make the initial item as +3 then the upgrades +4 and +5

[DarnYak]

The current 0/3/5 levels is because that's their equivalent power levels. I was hoping to avoid people thinking a +2 shield caps out much lower than a +5 anything else.

DarnYak

[Dekar]

They can see from the stats how good it is.

[Tehw00tz]

The current 0/3/5 levels is because that's their equivalent power levels. I was hoping to avoid people thinking a +2 shield caps out much lower than a +5 anything else.

DarnYak

I would like it if the phrase 'power levels' was used more frequently in EotA.

[Zdig25]

The current 0/3/5 levels is because that's their equivalent power levels. I was hoping to avoid people thinking a +2 shield caps out much lower than a +5 anything else.

DarnYak

^ thats why I was suggesting that the items could just be bought at +3, then you can upgrade twice, +4, +5 so no confusion on power levels

[DarnYak]

How isn't that confusing when the +3 would be equivalent to other +0's?

DarnYak

[jamn455]

Maybe put something in the tooltip in a different color saying that it can only be upgraded a certain number of times.

[Zdig25]

How isn't that confusing when the +3 would be equivalent to other +0's?

DarnYak

but they're not equivalent, even at the base level the passives are very strong, and im sure once all the actives work they'll be even better.

[SuIIy]

Keep in mind they are proportionally more expensive per upgrade, as well as the initial cost being higher. That, and you can only buy one of each.

[Dekar]

How about adding 5 upgrade levels to them if everything else is so confusing.

[DarnYak]

How about adding 5 upgrade levels to them if everything else is so confusing.

Well in an ideal world i would spend a week stripping out the existing intermediate upgrades so everything only has 3 levels.

On a related note, are there any major complaints with only having 3 levels?

DarnYak

[SuIIy]

Honestly, people will figure it out quick enough when they go to temper it. It shouldn't be a huge issue. I'd say leave the 3 tier upgrade scale.

[Zdig25]

Will shields be fully functional in the next version?

[DarnYak]

Well, yea. Orbs have been upgraded similarly as well. Helms are next in line but thier getting a different setup completely.

DarnYak

[SuIIy]

Are all the items getting active/passive skills?

[DarnYak]

No. Helms are going to vary widely (some active, most not), gloves might follow the same. Armor definitely not.

DarnYak

[jamn455]

Are artifacts going to get a buff now that a ton of other items are getting active abilities as well?

[DarnYak]

The ones that need it, yea. Probably 2-3 new artifacts too.

DarnYak

[SuIIy]

The ones that need it, yea. Probably 2-3 new artifacts too.

You scrapped the fury orb