TOPIC: Thoughts on the New Tokens....

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<br /> I was thinking of coming up with a "power" sheet to ranking in game influence of tokens.  Hmm... thoughts?<br />

<br /><br />I don't know about ranking all the tokens, but I think it would be neat to get people's opinions on the "Power 9" of the token world.<br />

<br /><br />Perhaps the Gem of Healing is high on that list?  Healing is key, and the Gem of Healing can heal up to 35 points of damage (40 if the group has the Barbarian as an 8th member).  <br />

<br /><br />The Gem of Healing is decent but then again its a consumable.  I think you would need to give more weight to permenants than consumables saying for example that it would be used in three dungeons and not just one.  <br /><br />Also, I could see this coming into play in say the final room and during combat.  Don't get me wrong, its good but in certain situations.  Everyone needs to be 5 points below their max and alive to get the most effectiveness.  I think I might opt for the Elixir of Life over the Gem of Healing.

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<br /> I was thinking of coming up with a "power" sheet to ranking in game influence of tokens.  Hmm... thoughts?<br />

<br /><br />I don't know about ranking all the tokens, but I think it would be neat to get people's opinions on the "Power 9" of the token world.<br />

<br /><br />Perhaps the Gem of Healing is high on that list?  Healing is key, and the Gem of Healing can heal up to 35 points of damage (40 if the group has the Barbarian as an 8th member).  <br />

<br /><br />The Gem of Healing is decent but then again its a consumable.  I think you would need to give more weight to permenants than consumables saying for example that it would be used in three dungeons and not just one.  <br /><br />Also, I could see this coming into play in say the final room and during combat.  Don't get me wrong, its good but in certain situations.  Everyone needs to be 5 points below their max and alive to get the most effectiveness.  I think I might opt for the Elixir of Life over the Gem of Healing.<br />

<br /><br />I've had plenty of dungeons where everyone took 6 damage from traps where the Gem of Healing would be handy.  That said - I'd NEVER use it, I value my token collection FAR too much to use a PURP consumable! <br /><br />On the sword vs. shield argument, I come down firmly personally on the shield side.  I want to make it as hard for that monster to hit me as possible, when he does decide to take a swing at me!  As nice as the +2 Holy Great Sword is, I don't think I'll set aside the Dragonscale Shield to use it  =)

<br />On the sword vs. shield argument, I come down firmly personally on the shield side.  I want to make it as hard for that monster to hit me as possible, when he does decide to take a swing at me!  As nice as the +2 Holy Great Sword is, I don't think I'll set aside the Dragonscale Shield to use it   =)<br />

<br /><br />My take on the Damage vs. Defense arguement:<br /><br />It's not the monster that kills you - it's running out of time.<br /> <br />I've seen more players die from damage doled out by the DM when the 12 minutes expired, than by any monster (give or take the odd fireball ). Of course, it's even worse when players are first softened up by a monster but unable to actually kill it, so they take damage from both monster and the push penalty. The party might have plenty of healing spells/potions available, but unless you kill the monster, you won't have the time to use them.<br /><br />So, that's my strategy: take the higher damage potential over the AC bonus, and kill the sucker dead, fast. When it's over, get your cleric to heal you up. Then you have time to regroup and prepare for the next room, so you can get the most out of each 12 minutes.<br /><br />

<br />My take on the Damage vs. Defense arguement:<br />It's not the monster that kills you - it's running out of time.<br />I've seen more players die from damage doled out by the DM when the 12 minutes expired, than by any monster (give or take the odd fireball ). Of course, it's even worse when players are first softened up by a monster but unable to actually kill it, so they take damage from both monster and the push penalty. The party might have plenty of healing spells/potions available, but unless you kill the monster, you won't have the time to use them.<br />So, that's my strategy: take the higher damage potential over the AC bonus, and kill the sucker dead, fast. When it's over, get your cleric to heal you up. Then you have time to regroup and prepare for the next room, so you can get the most out of each 12 minutes.<br />

<br /><br />Excellent point.  Yup, running out of time is a "killer".<br /><br />

<br />On the sword vs. shield argument, I come down firmly personally on the shield side.  I want to make it as hard for that monster to hit me as possible, when he does decide to take a swing at me!  As nice as the +2 Holy Great Sword is, I don't think I'll set aside the Dragonscale Shield to use it   =)<br />

<br /><br />Mike, you're the one guy in the group that would wear the Cloak of Elvenkind, wouldn't you!  =P

Those are some good points indeed!<br /><br />Good thing the Cleric does not have a two handed weapon...so I pretty much have few choices open.<br /><br />But I see some good on both sides of the debate.<br /><br />G

What are these armors and weapons you speak of?<br /><br />Mr. Wizard<br />

  Raven beat me to the gist of what I was thinking, and that was that at the level of equipment that our group (and I'm assuming most people on the message boards equal, or likely, exceed, our equipment in quality) is at, time & instant death (poison/stone/fireballs/etc) are our biggest threat in combat... that's why I try to get the best weapon I can, then the best armor, and then my 'add ons' are less AC based and more saving throw based... ie: Ring of Evasion & Ring of Feather fall, vs. Ring +1, or Periapt of Prot from Poison instead of Amulet of Armor...<br /><br /> 

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<br />On the sword vs. shield argument, I come down firmly personally on the shield side.  I want to make it as hard for that monster to hit me as possible, when he does decide to take a swing at me!  As nice as the +2 Holy Great Sword is, I don't think I'll set aside the Dragonscale Shield to use it   =)<br />

<br /><br />Mike, you're the one guy in the group that would wear the Cloak of Elvenkind, wouldn't you!  =P<br />

<br /><br />Hi Douglas,<br /><br />I'd never wear the Cloak of Elvenkind - I don't even bring one with me (although I may loan one to our Wizard in the future).  I want to be front and center swinging at that monster, I enjoy the combat in TD far more than the puzzles.  I always play a fighter type (Ranger for the first few years, now Fighter or Paladin).  I'd rather go with the one-handed weapon - and frankly when you add in the Gauntlets of Might, Girdle of Hill Giant Strength, and a +2 One-Handed Weapon (which I'll have starting this year) - I'm doing plenty of damage as is without moving to a two-handed weapon.  I like the 3 point AC bonus from the Dragonscale Shield more than I do the extra point or two of damage a 2-handed weapon would do.  <br /><br />I can't believe you thought I'd use the Elven Cloak - didn't you see my avatar photo??  =D<br /><br />Now - if they come out with a Ring of Invisibility - that I might use!  (especially if it is the ONE Ring!).  <br /><br />Mike

Now THAT's a tank!<br /><br />Brian<br />