Magic Item Dependence

[jmucchiello]

Can someone point out to me where they eliminated the so-called big 6 magic items? About all they did was change it to the big 3 of 6**. Everyone is going to want a +Max implement/weapon, a +Max Armor (especially now that wizards can wear +x cloth armor), and a +Max amulet or cloak. There's a lot more diversity now but an 11th level character will want to have the "same" 3 +3 items: one for AC bonus, one for Def bonus and one for attack/damage bonus.

And now, each of those item will most like have additional powers. So even with slots, there will be more powers floating around the party thanks to magic items.

** weapon, holy symbol, orb, rod, staff, wand. This list will expand with each power source I'm sure. Psionics will add power crystals.

 

[Yaezakura]

Well, yes, Everyone will want 3 things: Armor, Necklace/Cloak, and Weapon/Implement.

How this is NOT an improvement over: Armor, weapon, cloak, ring of protection, amulet of natural armor, boots of somehow-keeps-the-rest-of-me-safe, gloves of not-hurting-me-today-buddy, and everything else under the sun...

Before, if you didn't dedicate every item slot on your body to something that helps your AC or Saves, you started to suffer because monsters were overcoming your defenses too easily. It left absolutely no room for FUN magic items. Now, only 3 of your item slots are important in a fight. The rest are just nifty to have.

Plus, since the game is much clearer about what it expects characters to have at certain levels, it's easier to eliminate +s on equipment and give it to the characters as an innate bonus if you'd prefer a low-magic game.

 

[Blackeagle]

Plus, since the game is much clearer about what it expects characters to have at certain levels, it's easier to eliminate +s on equipment and give it to the characters as an innate bonus if you'd prefer a low-magic game.

This.

 

[Zsig]

Remember also that there's a limit to the number of daily powers you can use out of magic items before you need to take an extended rest (or 2 milestones are achieved)

So it doesn't matter if you got one magic item that grants a daily power on each item slot.

 

[brehobit]

Remember also that there's a limit to the number of daily powers you can use out of magic items before you need to take an extended rest (or 2 milestones are achieved)

So it doesn't matter if you got one magic item that grants a daily power on each item slot.

But there are lots of items that grant significant non-daily abilities. When building a character of level 8+ I suspect you'll end up with all the slots filled...

Mark

 

[Doug McCrae]

Can someone point out to me where they eliminated the so-called big 6 magic items? About all they did was change it to the big 3 of 6**.

You answered your own question.

 

[Shroomy]

While 4e keeps weapons/implements, armor, and defense boosting items integrated within the system (while making it relatively easy to remove if you'd like), I think the biggest change is that they removed the necessity for stat-boosting items just so you'd stay effective in your class.

 

[Hejdun]

I believe the justification for leaving in some must-have slots was to allow some customization without it being overburdening. If you wanted to boost up your attacks at the expense of your defenses, you can spend your money on a bigger sword rather than better armor.

 

[malraux]

For me, my problem with the 3e magic items was that the system rewarded always getting items that only boosted stats (AC, abilities, attacks, saves, etc) over interesting items. 4e is eliminating many of the boosts (no ability boosts, natural armor, defection, etc) and requiring items to be more interesting as well.

 

[Thasmodious]

While 4e keeps weapons/implements, armor, and defense boosting items integrated within the system (while making it relatively easy to remove if you'd like), I think the biggest change is that they removed the necessity for stat-boosting items just so you'd stay effective in your class.

And thats a big one. The designers never claimed they were doing away with magic items, only making them more interesting/fun and less integral to the character overall. Three "necessary" slots, with 7+ left open and not filled with +stat necessity leaves a lot of room. And even those necessary items often have some pretty interesting 'extras'.