TOPIC: Thoughts on the New Tokens....

So what do people think about the new 2007 tokens? Which ones will be the must-haves? Which ones are excessively bad? And which non-reprinted older tokens are going to soar in value? Here are my thoughts:<br /><br /><br />- Out of the non-reprinted tokens, I would say that the Dragonscale Shield and the Gearon's Heavy Mace + 2 are going to be the most sought after and will jump in value due to their scarcity<br /><br /><br />- Good riddance to dropping the Heavy Repeating Crossbows!<br /><br /><br />- I'd expect the Rings of Fire and Frost Resistance to jump in value since they were only printed in 2006.<br /><br /><br />- The Wand of Frost is much better than the Wands of Magic Missile or Melf's Acid Arrow. Not sure how it stacks up against the Wand of Lightning Bolts however. I'm also uncertain about how good the Wand of Slow will be. At first glance, the DC seems awfully low at 12.<br /><br /><br />- The Flaming Short Bow + 2 actually seems quite good and may actually make ranged weapons actually useable. Seems like an especially good choice for the Bard and the Rogue due to its high damage potential. This token may actually make the Bracers of Archery see play (I've never seen someone actually use those before!). With your natural Dex bonus, the +2 from the Bow, and maybe another +1 from Gloves of Dexterity, you have a good chance to hit, and you would deal either 7, 9, or 12 damage per hit! Hmmm...<br /><br /><br />- The Holy Great Sword seems to hold the most damage potential for the Paladin. The majority of monsters tend to be evil (animals and the blink dog from two years back may be exceptions) and since next year has something to do with fighting Iuz's followers, it's a good bet that we'll be encountering lots of eeeeeeevil critters. Unless you're really going for AC (Large Shield or Dragonscale Shield), this seems like a good choice.<br /><br /><br />- Dragonscale Armor is obviously best-in-class for the Druid. Initially I thought it would be a good choice for the Cleric, Fighter, and Paladin (it's like Full Plate but with anti-Fire capability). But I'm beginning to doubt whether it's better than Full Plate + 1 for the latter 3 classes. I would guess that the extra AC would be more useful than -1 damage against fire (seems unlikely that that the fire protection would come up all too often). What do others think? For C/F/P, would you rather don Full Plate + 1 or Dragonscale Armor?<br /><br /><br />- Horn of Plenty seems really good and is useable by all classes.<br /><br /><br />- Mithral Chain is now the best armor for Bards, Rangers, and Rogues and so should be reasonably popular.<br /><br /><br />- Besides the Flaming Short Bow, the new Short Sword is also amazingly good for the Rogue. 4 to 8 damage (even better than 3 to 8) with a good chance of extra sneak attack damage!<br /><br /><br />- Depending on the rulings, the Ring of Focus also seems to hold a lot of potential for the spellcasters.<br /><br /><br />- Among the reds, the Amulet of Thorns seems to offer interesting possibilities. Perhaps players will intentionally attempt to go for the *lowest* AC (foregoing armor) to maximize its use (and instead rely on lots of healing). It might also be a useful deterrent for players with low AC (like Wizards). Casually mention that you're wearing the Amulet and you're likely to get attacked less! In order to maximize damage potential, maybe Hard Core parties will play with zero AC-bonuses and everyone will use the Thorny Amulet. It's like hitting the opponent for 4 during his turn! Good way to quicken rounds and make sure that you defeat the monster in time.<br /><br /><br />- The new Scimitars and Scythe offer competitive weapon options (on par with the Masterwork Spear) for the Druid.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Feel free to add additional comments!

First thought:<br /><br />THEY SO TOTALLY ROCK!  The new look and feel are going to add a bunch to the game, people will really want them (even though they are optional to play the game...does anyone still say this??)<br /><br />Second thought:<br /><br />The Must haves...well ALL of them.  If I had to make a POWER NINE list of just the new CHIPPIES, here it is:<br /><br />+1 Plate (every tank needs this)<br />Horn (every player needs this)<br />Lavender IOUN (who you going to call - GHOSTBUSTERS)<br />Nightshade's blade (Rogue or Ranger - look out)<br />+2 flame bow (Giving ranged to Bards and Rogues everywhere!)<br />Girdle (all gamers need a girdle)<br />+2 Scimitar (nice new blood)<br />+2 Longsword (Ole reliable!)<br />Mithral chain (making tanks of everyone - except mr wizard)<br />HONORABLE MENTION - Cloak of the Mage (OK mr Wizard, you too can be a tank!)...<br /><br />Third thought:<br /><br />I'd have to pass on the flame retardant armor...I mean one point of fire damage vs one point of maybe getting hit or not...give me the one extra point (especially if I lose on for wearing the new amulet - Horn of GREED...) Oh - yes that amulet of thorns...very tempting indeed, but give us all more loot!  <br /><br />Fourth thought...<br /><br />Did I mention I had to have them all?<br /><br />Last thought...<br /><br />What about the introduction of PLAT backs?<br /><br />Is anyone else excited about the possibility of getting some RARES in both GOLD and PLATINUM versions...I can't wait to see how these look next to each other!<br /><br />G

  Maybe it's just me, but in my mind the most interesting are the:<br /><br />  - holy sword: makes paladin possibly the 'heaviest' hitter<br />  - nightshade's sword: great rogue & ranger off-hand weapon... really improves<br />                                those 2 classes hitting power.<br />  - dragonscale armor: only 1 pt. less than the best armor, and druids wearing it<br />                              (if they retain their high dex) are going to be looking at<br />                              very high AC: +3 Dex, +8 armor, +3 DS shield, etc...<br /><br />  In general I thought the druid class really gained alot (and since I was thinking of playing that class some time this year I'm more than pleased)... scimitars give the class a solid weapon, and the DS armor is a +4 AC upgrade.<br /><br />  I also like the horn of plenty... will make getting ingredients a lot easier.<br /><br /> 

The Druid has the best potential AC in the game now...DOH<br /><br />A sad/confusing day for the REAL TANKS in the game...<br />

I can almost see it now...<br /><br />The big and burley Barbarian hiding behind the Druid and the proud and pontif Paladin hiding behind the Cleric...<br /><br />OK - just a dream I have - and the way I look at it, maybe it is Character "job security."<br /><br />J/K

I need a Ring of Focus and a Cloak of the Mage!<br /><br />Mr. Wizard<br />

<br />I can almost see it now...<br /><br />The big and burley Barbarian hiding behind the Druid and the proud and pontif Paladin hiding behind the Cleric...<br /><br />OK - just a dream I have - and the way I look at it, maybe it is Character "job security."<br /><br />J/K<br />

<br />I believe on your golden ticket run the barbarian was hiding behind the cleric!

soo true - loved every minute of that run!

*giggles delightedly*

That run was pretty cool!<br /><br />Kim

i'm definately going to build sets from the gold and platinum series. now trying to build a set of ultra rares and ultra rare proofs, will be a problem.  =|

huh?<br /><br />You mean a SMAKload buy is not big enough to get one of each???<br /><br /> :O