TOPIC: Mithral Chain or Ring of Focus

Modest correction.   Ring of focus does not effect scrolls (page 38 of the token guide) so it only adds 4 points of healing for the druid.  But it is still very useful.  I stopped wearing a +1 ring of protection to start using it. <br /><br />Since the ring of protection, armor amulet and bracers of defense have the same improvement as mithral chain, unless you already have 3 of them, buying the cheapest of them would have the same effect as mithral chain.   So mithral chain only has a purple class effect if you own the three red armor tokens.   

This becomes a case like the dragonscale shield vs 2-handed weapons, only more so. The shield is vastly overrated, and yet demand remains high compared to the blatantly obviously mathematical benefits of two-handed weapons as far as success goes. Despite this to be true, we all know the relative value people place. The mithril will be valued higher than the RoF, hands down, by the majority of individuals, just like the DS shield is valued as being more valuable than a two-handed weapon. Thus, if you only could choose one of the two items, mithril chain or RoF, take the chain. You'll command far better trade value.

But Henry, I like my DS shield and having an AC of 26. 

Ya, and you've seen the numbers more than a few times I'm sure. That just shows how pervasive this difference in perceived value is. You can talk until you're blue in the face about which item is actually more useful and back it up with hard numbers and people will still show the value skew.

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<br />The wizard would want the ring.<br />

<br /><br />The Wizard, Druid, and Cleric actually.<br /><br />

<br /><br />I know... I was just got lazy...  lol.

Well now that scrolls arent affected by RoF (although I was allowed to use it on scrolls) then it can only add 6 points of healing for the cleric per run.  While you can argue that switching Mithral Chain out for Elven Chain only adds 1 ac so a 5% chance that you will be missed.<br /><br />The real numbers come from the "free" upgrade of the armor since its the same slot and the ring forces you to replace another item.  So for 1 armor and an ability of your choice such as +1 armor, fire/frost resistance, feather fall, evasion, resistance (fort/will/ref) etc  VS.  6 points of healing.

<br />Well now that scrolls arent affected by RoF (although I was allowed to use it on scrolls) then it can only add 6 points of healing for the cleric per run.  While you can argue that switching Mithral Chain out for Elven Chain only adds 1 ac so a 5% chance that you will be missed.<br /><br />The real numbers come from the "free" upgrade of the armor since its the same slot and the ring forces you to replace another item.  So for 1 armor and an ability of your choice such as +1 armor, fire/frost resistance, feather fall, evasion, resistance (fort/will/ref) etc  VS.  6 points of healing.<br />

<br /><br />Except that you can still wear one of those other rings, and only put on the Ring of Focus when you are casting your healing spells (often at the end or beginning of a room).  So it's not an either/or situation. 

I thought the newest ruling was that you could only change rings at the beginning of the room?

<br />I thought the newest ruling was that you could only change rings at the beginning of the room?<br />

<br /><br />I've not heard that ruling - I know that the Cleric and I (the Druid) were freely passing the Ring of Focus back and forth when casting healing spells, and one DM even congratulated us on our teamwork. 

I don't think it can be passed during combat, or at least it would take a combat round for both players to pass it.  I don't see a problem with using it post combat as you described.<br /><br />Ring of Focus #1 all the way!<br />