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AC Stats on New Master's and Expert Armor

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  • #1

    AC Stats on New Master's and Expert Armor

    Still catching up on things after being mostly gone for a year for Uncle Sam.

    Just finished looking at the stats for the new Master's cultural plate, and I have to say that my feelings are a bit . . . mixed.

    Many pieces are a slight upgrade over the old blue diamond cultural, but many are not. Bracers go from 25 AC in the old BD cultural to 17 AC in the new variety, and boots from 30 AC to 23. Overall there is a loss of 13 AC for the set, or 29 for the ogre masters armor (assuming that ogre armor matches the same mold - I intend to test that soon.) Granted, the effects help somewhat. (I admit to being a bit miffed, though, that the +1 Mana Regen Bracers bracers - which I would really like as a hybrid - suffer such a big hit in AC, from 25 to 17; being an ogre, it's a 10 point hit from 27 to 17)

    The part that really makes me think though, is not only is it far more of a hassle to get the ingredients for this compared to the blue diamonds (which more than makes up for the higher trivials on the BD armor), but this also has a far higher recommended level than the BD armor (60 vice 46), and a required level to boot.

    I haven't really looked at the Experts armor much, but from what I have seen so far, it would seem that if someone had the plat it would be far better to buy the old BD armor with the recommended level of 46 than it would be to get the new stuff with a recommended 40, required 35. It doesn't even look as if those armors have any effect on their symbols, either to help make up for the differences.

    It seems to me as if SOE's effort to make 'age appropriate' armors - which should be applauded - represents a real step back for the mid-level (40-55) crowd, particularly for tanks. And not really any real step forward until you get to the GM-class armors.

    It would be nice if they at least upgraded the AC a bit, particularly for the Expert's level. (Though I certainly wouldn't mind if they upgraded the Master's level plate to at least the same AC as the Darkscale armors for those that are below it.)

    I will confess, I drool over the Grand Master stuff, and assuming that I ever get back into the EQ grind again, I could see myself living in DoN to collect components. [Tempered by diasappointment, however, that I am not allowed to make the stuff as I don't have the levels to get the quest.]

    But it seems odd that for many pieces, the new armor represents a real step backwards for plate classes, particularly at the middle levels.

    Comments? Or am I plowing over old ground?
    Garshok
    95th Dreadlord, Povar-Quellious, 300 Ogre Grand Master Smith, 300 all skills
    (glad the climb to 300 is finally over)

    Zopharr
    95th Priest of Brell, Povar-Quellious, 300 Dwarven Grand Master Smith, 300 all skills
    (holds his 15% smithing trophy in his off hand and pretends to dual-wield - and hopes the Holy Dirt of Brell he's carried for twelve years will have a use in the new expansion)

    Rishathra
    95th Shaman of Inny, Povar-Quellious, 300 Troll Grand Master Smith
    (got so tired of looking for a troll smith for armor that I made one)

    Marzanna
    95th Necromancer, Povar-Quellious, 300 Tinker - Tailor
    (still working on Solder, Spy)
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Originally posted by Zopharr
    [Tempered by diasappointment, however, that I am not allowed to make the stuff as I don't have the levels to get the quest.]
    Realize, of course, that if you don't have the levels to get the quest, you can't use the armor yourself, anyway. Required 65, Recommended 69.

    Comment

    • #3
      Originally posted by Twistagain
      Realize, of course, that if you don't have the levels to get the quest, you can't use the armor yourself, anyway. Required 65, Recommended 69.
      My understanding from other posts was that I had to be 70 to get the quest to make the GM stuff, as I can definitely use it at 66. I'll have to talk to the ogre again - would definitely be a plus if i can make the GM armor.

      However IMHO the Expert's and to a lesser extent Master's armor is still a downgrade for the lower levels, especially if they eliminate the old blue diamond cultural like SOE was hinting at.
      Garshok
      95th Dreadlord, Povar-Quellious, 300 Ogre Grand Master Smith, 300 all skills
      (glad the climb to 300 is finally over)

      Zopharr
      95th Priest of Brell, Povar-Quellious, 300 Dwarven Grand Master Smith, 300 all skills
      (holds his 15% smithing trophy in his off hand and pretends to dual-wield - and hopes the Holy Dirt of Brell he's carried for twelve years will have a use in the new expansion)

      Rishathra
      95th Shaman of Inny, Povar-Quellious, 300 Troll Grand Master Smith
      (got so tired of looking for a troll smith for armor that I made one)

      Marzanna
      95th Necromancer, Povar-Quellious, 300 Tinker - Tailor
      (still working on Solder, Spy)

      Comment

      • #4
        When DoN was release, that was true. They have since relaxed the requirements. Now you can get it at 65.

        Comment

        • #5
          i find the expert armor very useful for the level you can get it at (35) and is decent armor considering how cheap it is for some races, comparable or better armor will most likely run 500% more in cost, at lv 45 yes, could upgrade to BD cultural, it does have far more AC, but expert also has the resists that the BD stuff does not. I have started a paly twink, my current plan is expert armor at 45 and fill in the blanks that the expert armor does not have with the blessed full mithril.

          At 55 choices are Ornate molds vs Master armor, not sure on other races, but for highelves, seems that its quite common and very cheap (and i can make it myself with my main) i feel that expert armor will be a solid armor at 35/40 and most folks will keep it till 55 and then upgrade to ornate or master

          keep in mind the market and that its not always about ac/stats/hp, its more about what folks can afford and what they can get via drops at appropriate levels. What can an untwinked lv 35 afford? what armor might he have acquired via drops during his leveling process? what does the Baz offer him in comparison? I have personaly sold tons of expert armor+ augs, however master armor has not moved much even with it slashed major leage in price, and i do not belive it is cause of BD armor, its more to do with Ornate molds which have seriously droped in price.

          sorry for the rambling

          wayshaper

          Comment

          • #6
            While I do agree that the AC on the Masters-level armour is lower than I'd like to see, I have always thought that the AC on the BD Cultural Bracers was an abberation.
            Angelsyn Whitewings, Cleric of Tunare for 66! Seasons.
            Grandmistress Smith - 300, Grandmistress Tailor - 300, Potter - 300, Jeweler - 300, Brewer - 200, Baker - 200, Fletcher - 200, Fisherwoman - 169
            Keyne Falconer, Paladin of Erollisi Marr for 66 Seasons.
            Grandmistress Baker - 300, Grandmistress Blacksmith - 300, Potter - 200, Brewer - 139, Tailor - 91

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