TOPIC: Super Final Token Artwork...PLEASE PROOF

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<br />i hope this new amulet does not replace future special ??? tokens. dont get me wrong though, i will still get an amulet and try it at least once per con, i can always loan out the horn<br />

<br /><br /><br />I agree. To be honest, the Amulet of Wonder just seems like a permanent version of the Special ??? token. I mean, couldn't we just keep the old Special ??? token or is this another example of power creep (but introducing a permanent variety)?<br /><br /><br />

<br /><br />The Special token only happens once every two years or so.  It is more special that way.  Also, it is a "secret" while the Amulet of Wonder's effect will be made public whtn the tokens go on sale.<br /><br />The Specail should be back in 2009.

<br />I'm not neccessarily advocating the reprinting of Gearon's Mace, but a cleric can use Gearon's while they cannot use the +2 longsword so it's not really a choice for them for which to use.  I also have a question about the broadsword of life stealing.  The way it was stated before if you managed to hit a 20 with it, it healed you 6 pts and you did not do crit damage.  Is it still that way or do you get to do crit damage now?<br /><br />Kim<br />

<br /><br />Mace of Disruption:  Since we allow the swapping of weapons as a free action, a cleric could carry both the MOD and Gearon's and decide which tack they want to take with any undead encountered.  Do they want to go for the bigger average damage -- or go for the instant kill.  Should be fun to see what they decide to do -- and how confident they are with their sliding skills.  <br /><br />Broadsword of Life Stealing -- It still does double damage on a "20" like any other weapon.  The healing is an extra ability.

Jeff - does the wand of life-stealing only do damage if the monster fails their save, or does it do auto-damage and only heals if the save is failed?<br />

<br />Jeff - does the wand of life-stealing only do damage if the monster fails their save, or does it do auto-damage and only heals if the save is failed?<br /><br />

<br /><br />If the save is made, NOTHING happens.  No damage -- no healing.<br /><br />I will capitalize the word "AND" to hopefully make that more clear.<br /><br />Thanks.<br />

<br />Mace of Disruption:  Since we allow the swapping of weapons as a free action, a cleric could carry both the MOD and Gearon's and decide which tack they want to take with any undead encountered.  Do they want to go for the bigger average damage -- or go for the instant kill.  Should be fun to see what they decide to do -- and how confident they are with their sliding skills.  <br />

<br /><br />We just don't need two undead fighting maces to choose between...that's just not really variety. Will the next cleric weapon of 2009+ also be an undead fighting weapon that kills undead by yet another means? We could just put 'em all on a swiss army keychain of corpse combat!  :|<br /><br />Alright Jeff, I can see there's no talking you out of it. The MOD is just your baby I guess so I'll just have to suck it up...<br /><br />I don't suppose I could convince you to take a poll on which people would want more, the MOD or Gearons reproduction and go with that? I'm just not sure the MOD is developing any sort of significant enthusiasm. If URs are the selling point to entice players to by $250 packs, my gut tells me that a Gearons reproduction would be very successful, whereas the MOD may have all the popularity of the scepter of the dead.<br /><br />Other than that final argument and request, I'm outta ammo and will have to resign myself to hoping for next year.

Thanx for clarifying the wand, Jeff.  I assume the charge is used up no matter if the save is made or not.<br />

Turnip has got a point.  I really enjoy playing a cleric but when I look at all of the UR token choices for next year and contemplate which I might get if the PYP program still goes on, I can't see myself getting it.  There is no reason for me to bust my hump trying to get it when I would be putting it on the back burner for a rare (+1 mace)?  I don't have Gearon's so the idea that if I really wanted to switch between them I could is a luxury that I don't have.  On the other hand, if Gearon's were reprinted, I would probably be enticed to get one.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, given all of the tokens that came out in 2007 and the stuff that is going to come out for 2008 I sincerely expect to see more undead than I can shake a stick at.  Hmm, now that I think about it having the Amulet of Wonder that allows your character to go up a level this coming year also means that a person could be level drained.  Ow.<br /><br />Never the less, I can't see myself trying very hard to get one (though I would love to get one in an '00 bag but that goes with nearly all the UR's.)

With the new Nightmare setting it should probably be stressed not to try and talk groups into doing it when they are not really prepared for it.<br /><br />Kim

<br />With the new Nightmare setting it should probably be stressed not to try and talk groups into doing it when they are not really prepared for it.<br /><br />Kim<br />

<br /><br /><br />And at the same time, there should be a better system to ensure those that do want to play Nightmare are able to. (Specially reserved time slots as just one example. Or maybe a Golden Ticket Run! Will those be held next year?).

I guess I'm in the minority in thinking that there was nothing wrong in concept with Hardcore, it's just that the monsters/traps/etc. weren't ramped up enough to account for the increased power of the groups.  I really hope Nightmare isn't something like lots of "instant death" stuff, or magic fields that make all of your tokens inoperative.  It seems to me the best approach was that of Hardcore, only ramped up even more so that it's a challenge to the token-affluent.  For instance, I could easily see that Beholder modified so that it would be a challenge for anyone to face in Hardcore.<br /><br />But - I'll keep an open mind and look forward to hearing the details about Nightmare. 

<br /> I really hope Nightmare isn't something like lots of "instant death" stuff, or magic fields that make all of your tokens inoperative.  It seems to me the best approach was that of Hardcore, only ramped up even more so that it's a challenge to the token-affluent.  For instance, I could easily see that Beholder modified so that it would be a challenge for anyone to face in Hardcore.<br />

<br /><br />Agreed

The problem with HARDCORE was there were really two kinds of HARDCORE players:  1)token light players looking for a real challenge  2) token heavy players looking for a challenge.  I was forced to cater to the token-light players because I did not want to make it a "must have tokens to survive" thing.  However, after the event was over it was clear that HARCORE was really not that fun for the majority of the people playing it -- the token collector.<br /><br />So, I am killing HARDCORE and replacing it with a new setting called "Nightmare!" which will be specifically designed for token collectors -- who make up most of the players who want a high-demand version.  While it is possible to survive without a lot of tokens, your chances will be slim.  Your risks will be greater, but so will your rewards -- both in terms of XP and treasure.  And it won't be just tougher stats -- I am also tinkering around with some very simple mechanics that will make Nightmare! combat require more skill.<br /><br />Stay tuned.  I will need your feedback!