Artificers and Essentials: What Things May Come? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Artificers and Essentials: What Things May Come?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Damon_Tor
Aug 23, 2010 4:24:26 Today's article detailing magic item rarity also drops this bombshell: characters are no longer restricted to one daily item power use per day per tier. "Under this scheme, such items are uncommon." they say, "Stockpiling a number of them is impossible... With our new rarity scheme in place, we no longer need such rules."

They seem to have forgotten that the Artificer is wrapped wrather intricately with the current magic item rules. Their Arcane Empowerment class feature is now substantially more powerful, especially in concert with Arcane Rejuvination. Some powers like Use Magic Item have become totally useless by contrast.

Further, there are several paragon paths features that deal with magic item use that will need a total rewrite as well.
#2
greatfrito
Aug 23, 2010 4:39:44 While yes, the Artificer will be more affected than other classes (and is more conceptualy tied to the magic item system in general)... it just doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Their features are slightly more powerful (maybe? it's in the hands of the DM now, really), and a few powers aren't going to work... but isn't that, like, it?

The only paragon path I'm aware of that's really tied to magic item daily uses is the Cannith Mastermaker. It's going to need to be revised.
#3
Marandahir
Aug 23, 2010 6:30:58
While yes, the Artificer will be more affected than other classes (and is more conceptualy tied to the magic item system in general)... it just doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Their features are slightly more powerful (maybe? it's in the hands of the DM now, really), and a few powers aren't going to work... but isn't that, like, it?

The only paragon path I'm aware of that's really tied to magic item daily uses is the Cannith Mastermaker. It's going to need to be revised.

Agreed. And I hope that WotC actually DOES revise the PPath, despite their oft-policy of ignoring old, unoptimal material. For many people, a PPath tied to one of the Houses is more important than other PPaths from thematic standpoints, so hopefully it'll get hit with the errata stick.
#4
Damon_Tor
Aug 23, 2010 12:29:15
While yes, the Artificer will be more affected than other classes (and is more conceptualy tied to the magic item system in general)... it just doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Their features are slightly more powerful (maybe? it's in the hands of the DM now, really), and a few powers aren't going to work... but isn't that, like, it?

The only paragon path I'm aware of that's really tied to magic item daily uses is the Cannith Mastermaker. It's going to need to be revised.

Well, they'll either turn out overpowered or underpowered, depending on the DM, with item daily powers totally out of the hands of the players. The fact that artificers also have bonus capability with the Enchant Magic Item ritual is also quite relevant, as that ritual has been nerfed quite hard.

It's just one more thing the DM has to weigh carefully when guiding an adventure. This appears to be turning into "Essentials: balance this for us, DMs!" Not looking forward to that.
#5
VaultDweller
Aug 23, 2010 15:46:14
Agreed. And I hope that WotC actually DOES revise the PPath, despite their oft-policy of ignoring old, unoptimal material.

I think they'll ignore it.
#6
Kaviyd3
Aug 23, 2010 16:36:35
While yes, the Artificer will be more affected than other classes (and is more conceptualy tied to the magic item system in general)... it just doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Their features are slightly more powerful (maybe? it's in the hands of the DM now, really), and a few powers aren't going to work... but isn't that, like, it?

The only paragon path I'm aware of that's really tied to magic item daily uses is the Cannith Mastermaker. It's going to need to be revised.

Agreed. And I hope that WotC actually DOES revise the PPath, despite their oft-policy of ignoring old, unoptimal material. For many people, a PPath tied to one of the Houses is more important than other PPaths from thematic standpoints, so hopefully it'll get hit with the errata stick.

I think they have to errata it. Most of this paragon path will still work fine as is, but it has a path feature and a utility power that become meaningless once the limit on daily item uses goes away.

#7
LordofKhyber
Aug 23, 2010 17:03:16
WoTC hates Eberron now. Why? Because the Player's Guide was the most pirated online book currently. The Paragon path nor the Artificer nor anything related to Eberron are getting any material due to Essentials changes.
#8
celticmutt
Aug 23, 2010 18:54:12

WoTC hates Eberron now. Why? Because the Player's Guide was the most pirated online book currently. The Paragon path nor the Artificer nor anything related to Eberron are getting any material due to Essentials changes.

That's a .... unique .... take on things.
#9
Tony_Vargas
Aug 23, 2010 19:42:14
It's just one more thing the DM has to weigh carefully when guiding an adventure. This appears to be turning into "Essentials: balance this for us, DMs!" Not looking forward to that.

That is a change in design philosophy, which is what Essentials and the accompanying changes were described as. They're changing their philosophy and 'opening up design space.' That space may be toxic, it's just up to the DM to close off any of it that "isn't right for his campaign" (ie: is broken).

This sounds like it'll be lovely for players who like having a more varied game that rewards system mastery.

Experienced DMs will be able to handle it ("No, you can't have that.. or that... or that.. no... no.. hell no... why are you even asking me.... no.... also no... not incombination with THAT, you can't.... you're kidding, right...").

But, less experienced or even just less cynical hard-bitten DMs may quickly find that their games 'just aren't as good as they used to be,' become discouraged, and give up. That, ultimately, will be very bad for the game. The limitting factor for most people in how often they play, is whether they can find a DM or not.

#10
JohnLynch
Aug 24, 2010 3:38:20
The only paragon path I'm aware of that's really tied to magic item daily uses is the Cannith Mastermaker. It's going to need to be revised.

No, no. Don't worry. Its all good. WotC has assured us this ISN'T a new edition and that everything is backwards compatible. Therefore it will be completely balanced for the Cannith Mastermaker paragon path to not need any errata it otherwise wouldn't.

Right? Isn't that the line WotC has been feeding us. All the errata is what they would have had anyway, without Essentials. Therefore Cannith Mastermaker doesn't need rebalancing.

WoTC hates Eberron now. Why? Because the Player's Guide was the most pirated online book currently.

No, no, no. Why on earth would you say that? We know for a fact the Eberron books weren't pirated at all. Because WotC stopped selling PDFs before the Eberron books were released. Therefore they weren't pirated. We know that, because WotC would surely never tell us one thing and then do another.

Right?

That said, I do think the claim that WotC hated Eberron due to the amount it was pirated is going out on a limb. I just couldn't resist the chance to point out WotC's folly in yet another of their new policies.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Damon_Tor Aug 23, 2010 4:24:26	Today's article detailing magic item rarity also drops this bombshell: characters are no longer restricted to one daily item power use per day per tier. "Under this scheme, such items are uncommon." they say, "Stockpiling a number of them is impossible... With our new rarity scheme in place, we no longer need such rules." They seem to have forgotten that the Artificer is wrapped wrather intricately with the current magic item rules. Their Arcane Empowerment class feature is now substantially more powerful, especially in concert with Arcane Rejuvination. Some powers like Use Magic Item have become totally useless by contrast. Further, there are several paragon paths features that deal with magic item use that will need a total rewrite as well.
#2 greatfrito Aug 23, 2010 4:39:44	While yes, the Artificer will be more affected than other classes (and is more conceptualy tied to the magic item system in general)... it just doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Their features are slightly more powerful (maybe? it's in the hands of the DM now, really), and a few powers aren't going to work... but isn't that, like, it? The only paragon path I'm aware of that's really tied to magic item daily uses is the Cannith Mastermaker. It's going to need to be revised.
#3 Marandahir Aug 23, 2010 6:30:58	While yes, the Artificer will be more affected than other classes (and is more conceptualy tied to the magic item system in general)... it just doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Their features are slightly more powerful (maybe? it's in the hands of the DM now, really), and a few powers aren't going to work... but isn't that, like, it? The only paragon path I'm aware of that's really tied to magic item daily uses is the Cannith Mastermaker. It's going to need to be revised. Agreed. And I hope that WotC actually DOES revise the PPath, despite their oft-policy of ignoring old, unoptimal material. For many people, a PPath tied to one of the Houses is more important than other PPaths from thematic standpoints, so hopefully it'll get hit with the errata stick.
#4 Damon_Tor Aug 23, 2010 12:29:15	While yes, the Artificer will be more affected than other classes (and is more conceptualy tied to the magic item system in general)... it just doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Their features are slightly more powerful (maybe? it's in the hands of the DM now, really), and a few powers aren't going to work... but isn't that, like, it? The only paragon path I'm aware of that's really tied to magic item daily uses is the Cannith Mastermaker. It's going to need to be revised. Well, they'll either turn out overpowered or underpowered, depending on the DM, with item daily powers totally out of the hands of the players. The fact that artificers also have bonus capability with the Enchant Magic Item ritual is also quite relevant, as that ritual has been nerfed quite hard. It's just one more thing the DM has to weigh carefully when guiding an adventure. This appears to be turning into "Essentials: balance this for us, DMs!" Not looking forward to that.
#5 VaultDweller Aug 23, 2010 15:46:14	Agreed. And I hope that WotC actually DOES revise the PPath, despite their oft-policy of ignoring old, unoptimal material. I think they'll ignore it.
#6 Kaviyd3 Aug 23, 2010 16:36:35	While yes, the Artificer will be more affected than other classes (and is more conceptualy tied to the magic item system in general)... it just doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Their features are slightly more powerful (maybe? it's in the hands of the DM now, really), and a few powers aren't going to work... but isn't that, like, it? The only paragon path I'm aware of that's really tied to magic item daily uses is the Cannith Mastermaker. It's going to need to be revised. Agreed. And I hope that WotC actually DOES revise the PPath, despite their oft-policy of ignoring old, unoptimal material. For many people, a PPath tied to one of the Houses is more important than other PPaths from thematic standpoints, so hopefully it'll get hit with the errata stick. I think they have to errata it. Most of this paragon path will still work fine as is, but it has a path feature and a utility power that become meaningless once the limit on daily item uses goes away.
#7 LordofKhyber Aug 23, 2010 17:03:16	WoTC hates Eberron now. Why? Because the Player's Guide was the most pirated online book currently. The Paragon path nor the Artificer nor anything related to Eberron are getting any material due to Essentials changes.
#8 celticmutt Aug 23, 2010 18:54:12	WoTC hates Eberron now. Why? Because the Player's Guide was the most pirated online book currently. The Paragon path nor the Artificer nor anything related to Eberron are getting any material due to Essentials changes. That's a .... unique .... take on things.
#9 Tony_Vargas Aug 23, 2010 19:42:14	It's just one more thing the DM has to weigh carefully when guiding an adventure. This appears to be turning into "Essentials: balance this for us, DMs!" Not looking forward to that. That is a change in design philosophy, which is what Essentials and the accompanying changes were described as. They're changing their philosophy and 'opening up design space.' That space may be toxic, it's just up to the DM to close off any of it that "isn't right for his campaign" (ie: is broken). This sounds like it'll be lovely for players who like having a more varied game that rewards system mastery. Experienced DMs will be able to handle it ("No, you can't have that.. or that... or that.. no... no.. hell no... why are you even asking me.... no.... also no... not incombination with THAT, you can't.... you're kidding, right..."). But, less experienced or even just less cynical hard-bitten DMs may quickly find that their games 'just aren't as good as they used to be,' become discouraged, and give up. That, ultimately, will be very bad for the game. The limitting factor for most people in how often they play, is whether they can find a DM or not.
#10 JohnLynch Aug 24, 2010 3:38:20	The only paragon path I'm aware of that's really tied to magic item daily uses is the Cannith Mastermaker. It's going to need to be revised. No, no. Don't worry. Its all good. WotC has assured us this ISN'T a new edition and that everything is backwards compatible. Therefore it will be completely balanced for the Cannith Mastermaker paragon path to not need any errata it otherwise wouldn't. Right? Isn't that the line WotC has been feeding us. All the errata is what they would have had anyway, without Essentials. Therefore Cannith Mastermaker doesn't need rebalancing. WoTC hates Eberron now. Why? Because the Player's Guide was the most pirated online book currently. No, no, no. Why on earth would you say that? We know for a fact the Eberron books weren't pirated at all. Because WotC stopped selling PDFs before the Eberron books were released. Therefore they weren't pirated. We know that, because WotC would surely never tell us one thing and then do another. Right? That said, I do think the claim that WotC hated Eberron due to the amount it was pirated is going out on a limb. I just couldn't resist the chance to point out WotC's folly in yet another of their new policies.