Adamantine Access [Archive] - Wizards Community

Adamantine Access [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
awroe
10-09-06, 11:03 AM I've just received access to an Adamantine Longspear (3005gp) for my second level mounted character, and I'm trying to decide whether to save up for it. I can *just* afford it before I loose access, but I can't decide whether it is worth it compared to the other things I could buy.

My main issue is that as a piercing weapon it isn't any use for sundering objects (e.g. doors, walls), so it's (only?) benefit would be against golems.

How common is access to an adamantine weapon? Am I likely to encounter another access that would be more useful?
Calinon
10-09-06, 11:07 AM Common. Very common.
UMiskatonic
10-09-06, 11:58 AM Ok, look at it this way. You're second level, you probably have less than 10 ARs, and you've already got access.

Chances are, you'll get access again. Most of my high level characters have mithril and adamantine access that they will NEVER use, because how many adamantine weapons do you need?

As a 2nd level fighter-type, you should be more worried about a magic weapon and better armor than splint mail.
qstor
10-09-06, 02:08 PM If you're monted a lot wait for access to a non-specific adamantine weapon and get a lance rather than a longspear. Just my two coppers...

Mike
Arvagor
10-09-06, 02:49 PM Common. Very common.I disagree -- I think it's very situational, possibly regional. In 70+ ARs spread across a few PCs, I have seen access to adamantine three times -- once in a regional, once in a core, and once in a core special. I don't consider once/25 mods to be "common"...

And as far as that core mod goes (COR4-17 Real Hero Blues), IMO, a lot of people have access to the "Sword of Gerardann" when they shouldn't (the mod specifically states "A single PC who is a paladin and/or a worshiper of Heironeous is also allowed to claim the sword of Gerardann as a token of Janna’s esteem") -- I've seen a lot of people running around with that sword that are neither paladins (and never were), nor worshippers of Heironeous (and never were).

Thankfully, the core special access was, in effect, "Any" access, and that is my most martial PC that has that access...
kjenks
10-09-06, 03:01 PM One of the best uses for an adamantine weapon is sundering objects, and you can't sunder with a piercing weapon. And as a mounted character, you probably want to invest your money in your lance. (Well, some of it.)

Wait for a better weapon.
KShaver
10-09-06, 03:45 PM I disagree -- I think it's very situational, possibly regional. In 70+ ARs spread across a few PCs, I have seen access to adamantine three times -- once in a regional, once in a core, and once in a core special. I don't consider once/25 mods to be "common"...

Definately vairies, I've only got around 10 ARs under my belt and I've ran into to adamantine twice (20% vs 4%). One was regional and the other a BBS special (which was loaded).
Bogjob
10-09-06, 04:49 PM Here in sunny Onnwal I am on 70+ AR's with my characters and have yet to be given adamantine access to armour or weapons other than very specific bits. I had to use an 'access to any item under 20000gp from the DMG' to get my adamantine weapon and its been bloody useful especially when some npc tries to sunder it :)
solbergb
10-10-06, 03:47 PM Don't assume adamantine access is common. It's pretty random, and regions/metaregions without mountains nearby for mines tend to be especially poor in it. I don't think I've ever seen access from a core module, but I've seen a bit in core specials (especially, you know, the kind that take place in dwarven mines....)

My archer didn't see any till level 8. My sorceress till about level 9, and she had to choose between a 150% cost weapon of her choice, or a dagger+1 with a unique enchantment on it (preventing upgrades).

My monk has always had a fair amount of access..he got his adamantine kama around level 4 (he's often the party "rogue" and that was his "lockpick") and he could buy several more weapons now if he wanted to.

My L6 dwarf has seen no access, nor have any of my various L3 characters.-
Itsa_Trika
10-10-06, 07:09 PM Common. Very common.

Depending on the region. I know of one particular region that has only granted access to adamantine 3 times in six years. Those three instances required you to cover up a crime, commit murder, or get hit by a meteorite.

Some regions still respect the fact that rare materials should be rare.
Itsa_Trika
10-10-06, 07:12 PM Don't assume adamantine access is common. It's pretty random, and regions/metaregions without mountains nearby for mines tend to be especially poor in it. I don't think I've ever seen access from a core module, but I've seen a bit in core specials (especially, you know, the kind that take place in dwarven mines....)

This is particularly ironic considering adamantine comes from meteorites. The presence of mountains and/or mines is irrelevent to retrieving the metal.
SgtHulka
10-10-06, 08:32 PM There was a time here in Nyrond when some local players were grumbling about invading The Pale because we were mithril-poor. The recent coup changed that since, for some reason, the civil war appears to have presented many opportunities to take mithril from the bodies of slain enemies.
Arvagor
10-10-06, 10:16 PM This is particularly ironic considering adamantine comes from meteorites. The presence of mountains and/or mines is irrelevent to retrieving the metal.DMG, page 283: "Found only in meteorites and the rarest of veins in magical areas, ..." So not limited to meteorites in any way... Starmetal, OTOH, only comes from meteorites...
Asaris
10-11-06, 02:01 AM I feel your pain, itsa trika. I've played about 30 mods so far, and the only time I got adamantine access was from a meteor strike.
paigeoliver
10-11-06, 08:21 AM I got hit by a certain meteor in the slot zero from the meteor striking module in that certain region, I think I was only second level at the time.

The character is 4th level now, carrying the weapon made from that meteor and now has 6 or 7 other adamantine accesses. Of course half that characters stack of ARs are specials and interactives.
Lupo
10-11-06, 09:06 AM I got hit by a certain meteor in the slot zero from the meteor striking module in that certain region, I think I was only second level at the time.

The character is 4th level now, carrying the weapon made from that meteor and now has 6 or 7 other adamantine accesses. Of course half that characters stack of ARs are specials and interactives.

six characters level 13, level 9, level 4, level 3, level 2, level 1.

around 150 ARs

exact number of accesses to adamantine :eek: TWO :eek:

one was an "adventure only" limted selection of three weapons (dagger, mace, longsword)
one was an "adventure only" access to a hammer (and some nails, when a character was a little loose about ethics) that is explicitely a tool, and recieves a minus 2 penalty when used as a weapon.

playing in generally in two regions, visits to some other two regions, obviously played the wrong modules witth the wrong characters at the wrong APL.

so as you see, access varies widely

ciao

martin m.
jokem
10-11-06, 05:56 PM I have a sixth level character with access on one AR only, although it is
Regional, so it can be used later on. I took advantage immediately though.
Shieldhart91
10-16-06, 01:43 AM All in all, it really depends on where you're at and how lucky you are. I have one AR granting access to any type of adamantine weapon or armor, and several adamantine weapon-specific accesses dotted across my nineteen ARs. Really, travel around if at all possible. Go to out-of-state conventions, and try to play as many core modules as you can.

That's only my opinion. I think I'm set with adamantine...yep. Only need one.
The_Jester
10-16-06, 01:01 PM Thanks to a core mod I have three ignots of mithril, adamantine and starmetal. More than I will ever use (gnome bard who already has a mithril chain shirt).

It was a Core special though, so anyone should be able to play it if you can find a party that hasn't run through it by now.
jstorrie
10-16-06, 05:51 PM There is a certain Core special floating around whose description explicitly suggests that it will provide access to a number of rare metals. With that in mind I would say that the odds of an intelligent player getting adamantine access this year is somewhere near 100%, as long as he or she can read...
Arvagor
10-16-06, 05:53 PM Only if you succeed at certain tasks... And I know many parties who did not (it is a Core Special, after all...)
jstorrie
10-16-06, 10:59 PM I feel for any party that did not receive the super prize of that Core special. Seeing a slash mark drawn across that favour could drive a man to tears.
solbergb
10-17-06, 02:22 PM Given that at one tier you only get that reward if you work for the right faction....*shrug*

Easy come, easy go. I don't get too worked up about access in LG anymore. Every character I have has always had far more access than he's had cash. I just buy something else cool.
Lightblade
10-17-06, 02:32 PM Given that at one tier you only get that reward if you work for the right faction....*shrug*

I'd be careful about that. I had it crossed out after a slot 0 before a convention. I then read the mod to prep it, and found out that the choice of faction should not have impacted that particular reward. Of course, you could be right, and i played the generous tier or something. I doubt it, though.
solbergb
10-17-06, 04:26 PM No, I read it carefully, as I was slated to run it at that tier.

The first half of the reward is faction independent. The second half (which is the metal access) is faction dependent.
Drezden
10-17-06, 06:46 PM I don't believe that is correct. The metal part is faction independent. There is some item access (from the same faction) which is offered only if the PCs had no other patron, but the metals part is offered to all PCs who are successful, regardless if they had other patrons or not. I just re-read the mod to confirm this.

Daren
No, I read it carefully, as I was slated to run it at that tier.

The first half of the reward is faction independent. The second half (which is the metal access) is faction dependent.
solbergb
10-17-06, 10:25 PM All I can say is the tiers must be different.

At my tier, you had to choose one of 3 factions. Only one gave the metal access, and only if you chose it. The item access was for anyone who helped and was successful.

I suppose it is also possible we have different versions of the module. I saw at least two versions between the time we zeroed it and the time I ran it.
Drezden
10-17-06, 10:34 PM I guess different versions is the most probable explanation. Because in the version I have both tiers have that favor (and the metal access) worded exactly the same. That is, party is successful gets favor and metal access and then go to other group party helped out to see what they give. If party only helped the first group, then they got access to 2 or 3 items.

Oh well. Whatever. Back to the original topic - I wouldn't assume access to anything. My wizard has like 5 or 6 general adamantine access favors and my BDF (now 11th level) has none.

Daren
jstorrie
10-18-06, 03:55 PM The confusion is probably because if you strictly pursue only one of the two other factions' goals, you can miss earning the rewards from the third faction. The third faction are the ones who are officially sending you on the adventure, though, so they do have rewards for non-affiliated adventurers to hand out. You just have to make sure you don't forget to do what they've asked you to while you're sneakily out doing whatever for your true patron.
Rerednaw
10-20-06, 11:50 AM I've just received access to an Adamantine Longspear (3005gp) for my second level mounted character, and I'm trying to decide whether to save up for it. I can *just* afford it before I loose access, but I can't decide whether it is worth it compared to the other things I could buy.

My main issue is that as a piercing weapon it isn't any use for sundering objects (e.g. doors, walls), so it's (only?) benefit would be against golems.

How common is access to an adamantine weapon? Am I likely to encounter another access that would be more useful?
Las Vegas, Theocracy of the Pale.
Myself: 2 characters, 20 ARs. Adamantine access: 0.
My LG group: dozens of characters, 100's of AR's, levels 1-14. I know of exactly 1 character with access.

Still as you said, as a piercing weapon I probably would pass on it. If all you are going to use it on is golems, then a scarab of golembane (2,500 gp to buy; 1,250 gp L10 to craft with no access, L8 with) is a better deal. Of course I've never run into access for that item either. Except one guy at a con had a character (L7 druid) with the scarab.

What is your region?
Mommy was an Orc
10-22-06, 07:11 PM Las Vegas, Theocracy of the Pale.
Myself: 2 characters, 20 ARs. Adamantine access: 0.
My LG group: dozens of characters, 100's of AR's, levels 1-14. I know of exactly 1 character with access.

If you play with the SinCityOgres, you might want to doublecheck your favors.
clannagh
10-22-06, 07:44 PM our region is crazy with starmetal thinaum adamantium .. if its metal we got access to it

but as for dragon-hide .. not a skerric :)

it seems to depend a lot on where you play
Rerednaw
10-23-06, 09:21 AM If you play with the SinCityOgres, you might want to doublecheck your favors.

Been there done that. :) No adamantine access.

I did get access to a mithril chain shirt three times though!

Kinda moot access for my wizard. He's going to blow all his gold on a wand of cure mod probably before he loses access to that.
solbergb
10-23-06, 01:59 PM I would point out that 20 AR's is only about a single L6 character or a couple L4ish characters.

My "average" for useful adamantine access (ie, not an adamantine kama on a dwarf fullplate tank character) is usually around level 8 (35-40 AR's) on each character, but it has varied quite a bit.
Mommy was an Orc
10-23-06, 05:40 PM Been there done that. :) No adamantine access.

I think you know more people with Adamantine access than you realize then. I've played once with the SinCityOgres, I got Adamantine access(for a character who didn't want it)
Japangirl
10-23-06, 06:34 PM My 6 wizard has about 4 accesses. My 13 rogue (who actually wants adamantine access) has one, and that one is at +50% cost. /cry.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
awroe 10-09-06, 11:03 AM	I've just received access to an Adamantine Longspear (3005gp) for my second level mounted character, and I'm trying to decide whether to save up for it. I can just afford it before I loose access, but I can't decide whether it is worth it compared to the other things I could buy. My main issue is that as a piercing weapon it isn't any use for sundering objects (e.g. doors, walls), so it's (only?) benefit would be against golems. How common is access to an adamantine weapon? Am I likely to encounter another access that would be more useful?
Calinon 10-09-06, 11:07 AM	Common. Very common.
UMiskatonic 10-09-06, 11:58 AM	Ok, look at it this way. You're second level, you probably have less than 10 ARs, and you've already got access. Chances are, you'll get access again. Most of my high level characters have mithril and adamantine access that they will NEVER use, because how many adamantine weapons do you need? As a 2nd level fighter-type, you should be more worried about a magic weapon and better armor than splint mail.
qstor 10-09-06, 02:08 PM	If you're monted a lot wait for access to a non-specific adamantine weapon and get a lance rather than a longspear. Just my two coppers... Mike
Arvagor 10-09-06, 02:49 PM	Common. Very common.I disagree -- I think it's very situational, possibly regional. In 70+ ARs spread across a few PCs, I have seen access to adamantine three times -- once in a regional, once in a core, and once in a core special. I don't consider once/25 mods to be "common"... And as far as that core mod goes (COR4-17 Real Hero Blues), IMO, a lot of people have access to the "Sword of Gerardann" when they shouldn't (the mod specifically states "A single PC who is a paladin and/or a worshiper of Heironeous is also allowed to claim the sword of Gerardann as a token of Janna’s esteem") -- I've seen a lot of people running around with that sword that are neither paladins (and never were), nor worshippers of Heironeous (and never were). Thankfully, the core special access was, in effect, "Any" access, and that is my most martial PC that has that access...
kjenks 10-09-06, 03:01 PM	One of the best uses for an adamantine weapon is sundering objects, and you can't sunder with a piercing weapon. And as a mounted character, you probably want to invest your money in your lance. (Well, some of it.) Wait for a better weapon.
KShaver 10-09-06, 03:45 PM	I disagree -- I think it's very situational, possibly regional. In 70+ ARs spread across a few PCs, I have seen access to adamantine three times -- once in a regional, once in a core, and once in a core special. I don't consider once/25 mods to be "common"... Definately vairies, I've only got around 10 ARs under my belt and I've ran into to adamantine twice (20% vs 4%). One was regional and the other a BBS special (which was loaded).
Bogjob 10-09-06, 04:49 PM	Here in sunny Onnwal I am on 70+ AR's with my characters and have yet to be given adamantine access to armour or weapons other than very specific bits. I had to use an 'access to any item under 20000gp from the DMG' to get my adamantine weapon and its been bloody useful especially when some npc tries to sunder it :)
solbergb 10-10-06, 03:47 PM	Don't assume adamantine access is common. It's pretty random, and regions/metaregions without mountains nearby for mines tend to be especially poor in it. I don't think I've ever seen access from a core module, but I've seen a bit in core specials (especially, you know, the kind that take place in dwarven mines....) My archer didn't see any till level 8. My sorceress till about level 9, and she had to choose between a 150% cost weapon of her choice, or a dagger+1 with a unique enchantment on it (preventing upgrades). My monk has always had a fair amount of access..he got his adamantine kama around level 4 (he's often the party "rogue" and that was his "lockpick") and he could buy several more weapons now if he wanted to. My L6 dwarf has seen no access, nor have any of my various L3 characters.-
Itsa_Trika 10-10-06, 07:09 PM	Common. Very common. Depending on the region. I know of one particular region that has only granted access to adamantine 3 times in six years. Those three instances required you to cover up a crime, commit murder, or get hit by a meteorite. Some regions still respect the fact that rare materials should be rare.
Itsa_Trika 10-10-06, 07:12 PM	Don't assume adamantine access is common. It's pretty random, and regions/metaregions without mountains nearby for mines tend to be especially poor in it. I don't think I've ever seen access from a core module, but I've seen a bit in core specials (especially, you know, the kind that take place in dwarven mines....) This is particularly ironic considering adamantine comes from meteorites. The presence of mountains and/or mines is irrelevent to retrieving the metal.
SgtHulka 10-10-06, 08:32 PM	There was a time here in Nyrond when some local players were grumbling about invading The Pale because we were mithril-poor. The recent coup changed that since, for some reason, the civil war appears to have presented many opportunities to take mithril from the bodies of slain enemies.
Arvagor 10-10-06, 10:16 PM	This is particularly ironic considering adamantine comes from meteorites. The presence of mountains and/or mines is irrelevent to retrieving the metal.DMG, page 283: "Found only in meteorites and the rarest of veins in magical areas, ..." So not limited to meteorites in any way... Starmetal, OTOH, only comes from meteorites...
Asaris 10-11-06, 02:01 AM	I feel your pain, itsa trika. I've played about 30 mods so far, and the only time I got adamantine access was from a meteor strike.
paigeoliver 10-11-06, 08:21 AM	I got hit by a certain meteor in the slot zero from the meteor striking module in that certain region, I think I was only second level at the time. The character is 4th level now, carrying the weapon made from that meteor and now has 6 or 7 other adamantine accesses. Of course half that characters stack of ARs are specials and interactives.
Lupo 10-11-06, 09:06 AM	I got hit by a certain meteor in the slot zero from the meteor striking module in that certain region, I think I was only second level at the time. The character is 4th level now, carrying the weapon made from that meteor and now has 6 or 7 other adamantine accesses. Of course half that characters stack of ARs are specials and interactives. six characters level 13, level 9, level 4, level 3, level 2, level 1. around 150 ARs exact number of accesses to adamantine :eek: TWO :eek: one was an "adventure only" limted selection of three weapons (dagger, mace, longsword) one was an "adventure only" access to a hammer (and some nails, when a character was a little loose about ethics) that is explicitely a tool, and recieves a minus 2 penalty when used as a weapon. playing in generally in two regions, visits to some other two regions, obviously played the wrong modules witth the wrong characters at the wrong APL. so as you see, access varies widely ciao martin m.
jokem 10-11-06, 05:56 PM	I have a sixth level character with access on one AR only, although it is Regional, so it can be used later on. I took advantage immediately though.
Shieldhart91 10-16-06, 01:43 AM	All in all, it really depends on where you're at and how lucky you are. I have one AR granting access to any type of adamantine weapon or armor, and several adamantine weapon-specific accesses dotted across my nineteen ARs. Really, travel around if at all possible. Go to out-of-state conventions, and try to play as many core modules as you can. That's only my opinion. I think I'm set with adamantine...yep. Only need one.
The_Jester 10-16-06, 01:01 PM	Thanks to a core mod I have three ignots of mithril, adamantine and starmetal. More than I will ever use (gnome bard who already has a mithril chain shirt). It was a Core special though, so anyone should be able to play it if you can find a party that hasn't run through it by now.
jstorrie 10-16-06, 05:51 PM	There is a certain Core special floating around whose description explicitly suggests that it will provide access to a number of rare metals. With that in mind I would say that the odds of an intelligent player getting adamantine access this year is somewhere near 100%, as long as he or she can read...
Arvagor 10-16-06, 05:53 PM	Only if you succeed at certain tasks... And I know many parties who did not (it is a Core Special, after all...)
jstorrie 10-16-06, 10:59 PM	I feel for any party that did not receive the super prize of that Core special. Seeing a slash mark drawn across that favour could drive a man to tears.
solbergb 10-17-06, 02:22 PM	Given that at one tier you only get that reward if you work for the right faction....shrug Easy come, easy go. I don't get too worked up about access in LG anymore. Every character I have has always had far more access than he's had cash. I just buy something else cool.
Lightblade 10-17-06, 02:32 PM	Given that at one tier you only get that reward if you work for the right faction....shrug I'd be careful about that. I had it crossed out after a slot 0 before a convention. I then read the mod to prep it, and found out that the choice of faction should not have impacted that particular reward. Of course, you could be right, and i played the generous tier or something. I doubt it, though.
solbergb 10-17-06, 04:26 PM	No, I read it carefully, as I was slated to run it at that tier. The first half of the reward is faction independent. The second half (which is the metal access) is faction dependent.
Drezden 10-17-06, 06:46 PM	I don't believe that is correct. The metal part is faction independent. There is some item access (from the same faction) which is offered only if the PCs had no other patron, but the metals part is offered to all PCs who are successful, regardless if they had other patrons or not. I just re-read the mod to confirm this. Daren No, I read it carefully, as I was slated to run it at that tier. The first half of the reward is faction independent. The second half (which is the metal access) is faction dependent.
solbergb 10-17-06, 10:25 PM	All I can say is the tiers must be different. At my tier, you had to choose one of 3 factions. Only one gave the metal access, and only if you chose it. The item access was for anyone who helped and was successful. I suppose it is also possible we have different versions of the module. I saw at least two versions between the time we zeroed it and the time I ran it.
Drezden 10-17-06, 10:34 PM	I guess different versions is the most probable explanation. Because in the version I have both tiers have that favor (and the metal access) worded exactly the same. That is, party is successful gets favor and metal access and then go to other group party helped out to see what they give. If party only helped the first group, then they got access to 2 or 3 items. Oh well. Whatever. Back to the original topic - I wouldn't assume access to anything. My wizard has like 5 or 6 general adamantine access favors and my BDF (now 11th level) has none. Daren
jstorrie 10-18-06, 03:55 PM	The confusion is probably because if you strictly pursue only one of the two other factions' goals, you can miss earning the rewards from the third faction. The third faction are the ones who are officially sending you on the adventure, though, so they do have rewards for non-affiliated adventurers to hand out. You just have to make sure you don't forget to do what they've asked you to while you're sneakily out doing whatever for your true patron.
Rerednaw 10-20-06, 11:50 AM	I've just received access to an Adamantine Longspear (3005gp) for my second level mounted character, and I'm trying to decide whether to save up for it. I can just afford it before I loose access, but I can't decide whether it is worth it compared to the other things I could buy. My main issue is that as a piercing weapon it isn't any use for sundering objects (e.g. doors, walls), so it's (only?) benefit would be against golems. How common is access to an adamantine weapon? Am I likely to encounter another access that would be more useful? Las Vegas, Theocracy of the Pale. Myself: 2 characters, 20 ARs. Adamantine access: 0. My LG group: dozens of characters, 100's of AR's, levels 1-14. I know of exactly 1 character with access. Still as you said, as a piercing weapon I probably would pass on it. If all you are going to use it on is golems, then a scarab of golembane (2,500 gp to buy; 1,250 gp L10 to craft with no access, L8 with) is a better deal. Of course I've never run into access for that item either. Except one guy at a con had a character (L7 druid) with the scarab. What is your region?
Mommy was an Orc 10-22-06, 07:11 PM	Las Vegas, Theocracy of the Pale. Myself: 2 characters, 20 ARs. Adamantine access: 0. My LG group: dozens of characters, 100's of AR's, levels 1-14. I know of exactly 1 character with access. If you play with the SinCityOgres, you might want to doublecheck your favors.
clannagh 10-22-06, 07:44 PM	our region is crazy with starmetal thinaum adamantium .. if its metal we got access to it but as for dragon-hide .. not a skerric :) it seems to depend a lot on where you play
Rerednaw 10-23-06, 09:21 AM	If you play with the SinCityOgres, you might want to doublecheck your favors. Been there done that. :) No adamantine access. I did get access to a mithril chain shirt three times though! Kinda moot access for my wizard. He's going to blow all his gold on a wand of cure mod probably before he loses access to that.
solbergb 10-23-06, 01:59 PM	I would point out that 20 AR's is only about a single L6 character or a couple L4ish characters. My "average" for useful adamantine access (ie, not an adamantine kama on a dwarf fullplate tank character) is usually around level 8 (35-40 AR's) on each character, but it has varied quite a bit.
Mommy was an Orc 10-23-06, 05:40 PM	Been there done that. :) No adamantine access. I think you know more people with Adamantine access than you realize then. I've played once with the SinCityOgres, I got Adamantine access(for a character who didn't want it)
Japangirl 10-23-06, 06:34 PM	My 6 wizard has about 4 accesses. My 13 rogue (who actually wants adamantine access) has one, and that one is at +50% cost. /cry.