Power Creep and an opportunity for change (rework eternals and mirrors).

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ScrotieMcB wrote:

Is it?

I believe the currency design for Alchs, Chaos, Regals and Exalts is pretty close to perfect, with the sole (but signficant) exception of granularity. If by "save up" you mean using orbs for crafting, then I disagree with you, because I believe the appropriate function for currency is to simulate additional (random) loot drops within a particular, narrowed focus. Which means: "saving up" currency should be capable of the same outcomes as trying to loot the desired item directly, otherwise it isn't really simulating additional drops.

If by "save up" you mean hoard currency/items for trade and acquire it that way, then my earlier criticism regarding Mirrors applies. However, outside of that, the purpose of trade is as a "catch-up" mechanic wherein those at the top of a ladder are incentivized to gear those below them with hand-me-downs, in exchange for currency which allows them a chance to craft not-yet-existent items. Since the impact of the hand-me-downs is normally far greater than the impact of the currency, this system helps keep gaps between top and bottom on the ladder tight and more competitive. (Admittedly, this function is somewhat corrupted in permanent leagues where ladders are irrelevant in terms of competition.)

So with the caveat that Mirrors do feel kind of wonky, the premise you're basing everything around couldn't really be labeled as true.

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DeviantLightning wrote:

I'm more likely to point to Cloak of Defiances, Lightning Coil, Belly of the Beast, etcetera.

Rare items aren't ignored in temporary leagues but they definitely take a back seat to uniques which achieve certain builds more cheaply and effectively and are easier to find.

People are so used to Cloak of Defiance that if I were to challenge them to build an armor or an evasion Acrobatics caster, I bet 75% or more of players would simply tell me that it cannot be done.

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DeviantLightning wrote:

I am doubtful. A mod above "Tyrannical" won't change the coming of the Fortify/Lightning Coil/Acrobatics master race.

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NeroNoah wrote:

Crafting is not bad per se. Neither trading. But if people just ignore rare items beyond some point something is fishy.

• existence of Mirrors, as you mentioned
• design tendency towards "build-around-me" BiS uniques vs rare design, as mentioned by others:
  • raw affix power
  • affix variety/scope (how "unique" can a rare item feel? Or always boring?)
  • storage space for gear slot vs available uniques for same slot (chests take 6 squares and compete against unique chests, rings take 1 square and compete against unique rings, etc)
• lack of mass-identify function
• unidentified rare set formula vs identified rare set formula

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Erak wrote:

10 pages already of same 2-3 people arguing...

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ScrotieMcB wrote:

Okay, but it's not right to jump straight from a proper symptom to a flawed treatment.

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Exsmigol wrote:

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Erak wrote:

10 pages already of same 2-3 people arguing...

haha true...

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ScrotieMcB wrote:

If the topic is "what causes the devaluation of gear," it's not mirrors or Eternals or master crafting. It is farming. Inflation caused by continual farming without sinks to compensate is such a well-known issue that I'm shocked no one has mentioned it yet.