Cloaks are a Neck Item?

[Plane Sailing]

Do you have any examples that aren't video games? D&D literature excepted.

The obvious one that comes to mind is Dr Strange (eye of agamoto and cloak of levitation or something wasn't it?)

He may be in the superhero genre, but he is certainly in the fantasy end of the superhero genre!

 

[Umbra Semita]

eye of agamoto and cloak of levitation or something wasn't it?

I think those would be artifacts. Artifacts have different rules and are found in the DMG.

In most mythology and folktales both cloaks and pendants are used for protection thus the absence of the benefit from both. Also, you would not know what there worn items do because they could be nonfunctional.

 

[The_Fan]

I remember playing a monk at high level who had a cloak of resistance, periapt of wisdom, ring on each finger, some magic hat I can't even remember...with every slot filled, we joked that he looked more like a pimp than an ascetic. Went on to found the Sacred Order of Bling. Good times.

But I think the question that everyone is ignoring here is this: What slot are magic pants?

 

[phloog]

The problem for me is simply the rule of slots.

Similar to what another poster stated, it seems like a lot of the issues I have with new editions of rules sets happen when they make a goofy decision last edition, another rule interacts with this first decision causing imbalance or issues, so in the new version they rework ONLY the second rule, leaving the goofiness intact.

For me specific slots make no sense, which is why I love the EoM rule of TOTAL NUMBER of usable items...if you want to wear eight rings, with two on one finger, and there are no unstackable benefits, all perform at full power.

Granted, a limit of twelve items is also arbitrary and not supported in fantasy literature, but for me it makes far more sense than any system that causes your second necklace to cancel out your first. And it's easier to handle in story terms - "The character just doesn't want it or is too overloaded with magical items" versus "I already have a necklace and can't have another item that close - - yes, my magic cloak is in constant contact with my magic armor, but two necklaces touching cancels out the magic."

My fear is that what will prevent me from buying in to 4E will be stuff like this - - that EoM is nicely balanced and cool, but incompatible with 4E...if they've done something where having multiple rings IS unbalanced, then you're kind of stuck unless you buy into their rules for slots - - hopefully this isn't the case.

EDIT: Also - - I'm a big fan of the Mandarin, so obviously this is a touchy subject with me.

 

[Plane Sailing]

The problem for me is simply the rule of slots.

It was one of the things which jarred with me when I first saw it in 3e (I don't know if D&D had the concept earlier). It reminded me at the time of computer based RPGs with slots for putting things in, and just didn't match up with all my earlier D&D experience (of which there is a lot) which had the limitation of "only one ring per hand" but apart from that - have what you want.

The only limitation in those days was that you couldn't benefit from two cloaks, two pairs of boots, a hat and a headband etc. No linking of "slots" to particular kinds of powers or ability either.

The open plains plus common sense made for a much greater sense of involvement for me; "slots" are distracting and jarring

(I want to play a hero, not a cut-out, dress-up doll dammit! )

Cheers

 

[kennew142]

It's easy enough to change. All the 'Body Slots' really do in DnD is marry some siloed magic ability types with fluff 'generic' descriptions. If you dont want that but want to keep the silos, it's no longer a Neck slot and a Foot slot, etc. It's Slot A and Slot B, or a Resistance Slot and a Movement slot, and you describe them how you want. Make em both rings if you want, and really confuse people.

I like this a lot. Magic item slots always bothered me, even when it was just no more than two rings in AD&D. I will seriously consider using this system.

Not that it matters IMC. Characters have very little magic bling (3e excepted due to design wonkiness) and the party is unlikely to ever find enough magic rings for everyone to have two. I look forward to not having christmas trees forced on my campaign in 4e.

 

[kennew142]

(I want to play a hero, not a cut-out, dress-up doll dammit! )

Cheers

Once again, another poster has expressed my ideas better than I did. I'm going to have to remember this one.

 

[hong]

They're not DOLLS!!! They're ACTION FIGURES!!1!