[dev 1065]Beyond Stage 2 - Spells/Pets/Abilities

[Insaniac]

Additional planned features, such as equipment-specific magic spells and pets, have been postponed to allow for more thorough testing concerning attributes, the number of potential users and the process by which to obtain them. One consideration is whether to implement such features as another stage of the above upgrades, or to apply them to a different set of equipment. Also under deliberation is whether to limit the availability of such equipment or make it relatively simple to obtain.

Please please please do not add these enhancements to a "stage 3" that requires Stage 2 to be completed. Stage 2 is fine as a prestige trial with no huge benefit. The trials are completely unrealistic but also truly optional. If you add the proposed exclusive pets spells and abilities to a 3rd stage then you take that away.

Any major functionality of ultimate weapons should be obtained from reasonable trials that a majority of PCs who have put in the work to get up to level 99 weapons will be able to obtain.

I believe a good option for these trials would be to require an objective that can only be completed with the 99 weapon but instead of changing the stats on the weapon once the trial was completed the player would then have access to the new pet, spell, ability. That way you don't run into the problem of reorganizing magian trials or having to create a split path.

An Example would be:

Required Item: Guttler
Defeat Nidhogg 10 times with Guttler equipped.
Reward Item: (Key item) Wyrm Trap - Allows the master of Guttler to Call it's favorite familiar. - Uses Bloodthirsty Broth to Call Flimblepim Flappidyfling or something with a less ridiculous name

or

Required Item: Mandau
Perform Mercy Stroke 2000 times in Dynamis
Reward Item: (Key item) Assassins codex - Instructions for targeting your foes most vulnerable points using your Mandau. - Increases critical hit rate by 5% with mandau equipped.

[SpankWustler]

If more than a deranged few tried and broke themselves upon the second trial to get to a third trial, that would also make it even harder for the handful of truly mad individuals to actually complete that second trial. The only thing even close to a silver lining for the second trial is that the stuff can be bought and sold, but the number of people selling is going to be pretty damn small.

Required Item: Mandau
Perform Mercy Stroke 2000 times in Dynamis
Reward Item: (Key item) Assassins codex - Instructions for targeting your foes most vulnerable points using your Mandau. - Increases critical hit rate by 5% with mandau equipped.

The Assassin's Codex is two pages long. The first page has only picture of a heavy armor-type Goblin parading about with his Goblin codpiece circled. The second page has a picture of presumably the same Goblin, cradling a crushed codpiece and mourning the dire fate of his Goblin goober-bits.

[Coldbrand]

Maybe my Wyvern can finally show a sign of growth after 8 years.