Development Info Chaos Chronicles Developer Blog: Sound Design

[Grunker]

BTW HobGoblin42, one thing that I would really like to know is how you're handling magic items. Not how rare they are, but how you make them? In 3.5 and in most modern games, tiers are used where it's +1, +2, +3, +4 or something like that, and I really hate that system. I much prefer the olden days like BG2, Wizardry and so on where magic items where unique and had unique effects (like chance to stun, cleave, unique active abilities, unique bonuses to stats, that kind of stuff) so that each magic item feels special and has a history. Also, so choices between different items aren't binary questions of "hmm... do I want a bonus to armor or fortitude saves" but can become true choices between two items with very different capabilities.

 

[felipepepe]

Just to take this out of the way, Lilarcor Sword is the best magic item ever made.

 

[HobGoblin42]

BTW HobGoblin42, one thing that I would really like to know is how you're handling magic items. Not how rare they are, but how you make them? In 3.5 and in most modern games, tiers are used where it's +1, +2, +3, +4 or something like that, and I really hate that system. I much prefer the olden days like BG2, Wizardry and so on where magic items where unique and had unique effects (like chance to stun, cleave, unique active abilities, unique bonuses to stats, that kind of stuff) so that each magic item feels special and has a history. Also, so choices between different items aren't binary questions of "hmm... do I want a bonus to armor or fortitude saves" but can become true choices between two items with very different capabilities.

We haven't completed all magical items yet, but I can say that we have all kinds of abilities on those items. D&D doesn't offer the easy way as standard MMORPG/Diablo use to create special item abilities like +50 Armor or +30% Attack. So, we had to find different approaches to give all those items small but meaningful powers. Just two examples: "Ring of the Beast" gives your warrior a bonus on 'Charge', the "Warrior's Necklace of Agility" adds another AOO per turn.

 

[Grunker]

"Warrior's Necklace of Agility" adds another AOO per turn.

Yes! Exactly the kind of stuff I was refering too. Not just static boni, but interesting mechanics

 

[Grunker]

Just to take this out of the way, Lilarcor Sword is the best magic item ever made.

His brother was a +12 Hackmaster though, so he had stared in the face of tier-systems long before they became popular. Sort of a hipster-sword, really.