The HoD Sword

Nater

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

Illusion Of Skill

W/

Why is it fair to the rest of us that some people can have the HoD sword and others can't? I want one, yet now I can't craft it at Denravi like everyone else did.

Much like the 20/20 Enchant Axe, I vote for the HoD either being wiped entirely, or reinstated at Denravi.

Valerius

Valerius

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2005

Canada

R/

if u want one sooo bad then save up 300K and get one for urself :P

X of Thulcandra

X of Thulcandra

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2005

Sector 001

N/A

W/

I find it odd as well. If Anet wants this game as balanced as possible but still leaves the item in, what's the point? Why not just put a 300k price tag on it at the Henge if they are going to allow a certain group of people to keep it and sell it for alot more than it's worth? If you don't want an item to exist in the game anymore, you shouldn't do a half-assed job of "removing" it.

Jade

Jade

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

Canada...... Eh!

I suppose it's one saving grace is the fact that it's a one anded weapon that can be upgraded. But then again so is every sword in the game. The part I don't get is the "whoopie!" over the +5 energy bonus that it has. Honestly, I have never been in a situation where 5 energy meant the difference between life and death.

audioaxes

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

i agree but i say just remove the +5 energy because it makes a disbalance between staves vs wand + offhand

JR

JR

Re:tired

Join Date: Nov 2005

W/

If you remove the +5 energy, you may aswell just remove the sword entirely.

However, I agree. Henge swords and axes, 20% rockmoulders... They need to be taken out of the game if Anet wants to keep that "Skill over grind" motto.

Carinae

Carinae

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2005

Inside

Fifteen Over Fifty [Rare]

Don't Cry Over Spilt Milk.

These items don't unbalance the game. If they were going to remove them, they would have already. Move Along.

fgarvin

fgarvin

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Sep 2005

You guys want balance?

Here we go...give everyone the same weapon, the same armor, the same skills and the same health/energy...create only one monster type and let the players have at it. Weeeee, what fun.

No system is going to be perfect.

The 20/20 Axe was a bug, the 20% Rockmolder and the HoD sword were flawed creations that have since been fixed. See the difference?

You want a pre-update HoD or Rockmolder? Do what's been suggested before...buy one. It may take farming Griffins for three weeks straight, but you WILL earn the money eventually. And now you’re asking, “Why should I have to farm to get rich?” The answer…Because that’s the way it is…nothing is given freely in real life, so why should it be any different in a game you CHOOSE to play.

JR

JR

Re:tired

Join Date: Nov 2005

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carinae Dragonblood
Don't Cry Over Spilt Milk.

These items don't unbalance the game. If they were going to remove them, they would have already. Move Along.
To quote Ensign in another thread:

Quote:
Did you watch the World Championship playoffs at all? Did you notice that the Warriors on the winning teams were exclusively PvE characters? Did you notice that they all had their helms hidden? Care to guess what percentage of them had hex helms in their inventories to put on if the other team was foolish enough to run anti-Warrior hexes?

I don't understand this 'oh, it seems ok to me, but they might look into it if it becomes a problem' attitude. It *is* a problem. They *know* it's a problem. They almost certainly already know how they're going to fix it, and just haven't rolled out the change yet because of the World Championships.
So if most decent players are using an item, is that a sign of imbalance? Yes, I think so. Admittedly as Ensign also points out the LT's helm is considerably more imbalanced than the other henge items, but that does not change the fact that they ARE imbalanced.

Anets motto is "Skill over time spent". So if I want my monk to be as good as everyone elses in PvP, do I have to grind and farm untill I can afford a Henge Sword? Yes, I do. If I want a completely up to scratch PvP warrior, do I have to create a PvP character and get him kitted out with perfect weapons and a LT's helm? Yes, I do.

There is no real argument for keeping the Henge items (and other simmilar items) in the game. There is a very strong argument for taking them out.

X of Thulcandra

X of Thulcandra

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2005

Sector 001

N/A

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by fgarvin
No system is going to be perfect.

The 20/20 Axe was a bug, the 20% Rockmolder and the HoD sword were flawed creations that have since been fixed. See the difference?
They have been ''fixed"? Then why are people still selling them?


Quote:
Originally Posted by Carinae Dragonblood
Don't Cry Over Spilt Milk.

These items don't unbalance the game. If they were going to remove them, they would have already. Move Along.
Number one: There is a bold line between ''crying'' and voicing your opinion. Number two: Why put a large population of players at a disadvantage by allowing a certain population of players to possess an item that is only obtainable by having to shell out 200-300k to their grubby hands? Why do you think they removed the sword in the first place? I'm pretty sure they didn't "remove" it without a valid reason. Oh, and before you go mouth off about "crying" to people that have an opinion that makes sense, how about you stop acting like YOU are the authority on ArenaNet's logic and actually contribute an opinion instead of acting like everything you say is a fact?

Ghull Ka

Ghull Ka

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

Seattle, WA

Grenths Helpdesk

N/

Tell the monk not to use his rez on that horse, we're not done punishing it yet! :P

I'm sad that my HoD sword never sold for my asking price of 250 rubies. Aww well. I still have it and with it's amazing cosmic power, I can imbalance the game and use its unfair overpowered leetness to... uh... wait a sec... um... to.... to do a bunch of stuff that I wouldn't otherwise be able to do if I didn't have this incredibly superior, game-unbalancing UBER HOD SWORD OF PWNAGE!!! YES!! PHEAR the HoD sword and the necromancer who wields it! Lament that you cannot get one! It's that amazing!

Either that, or it's a non-max sword with no built-in damage mod, which makes it hit much less hard than other swords in the game. It carries 5 energy, which can be matched by the Nolani wand. If its owner chooses to "grind" for enough gold to buy a 20% enchanting pommel, then a monk wearing it and a +12 energy offhand has...

...wait for it...

2 more energy than a monk wearing a Yakslapper. And they both have the 20% enchanting mod.

Imbalance? Pfft.

Cool sword? You BET! Gogo GW antiques! =)

Kate Bloodspirit

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

New York, NY

Idiot Savants [iQ]

Since the beggining of the game, the developers said there would be exquisite items, unique enough such that just a few would enjoy of them and that there would be few that will really get to enjoy them.

Just as a +15% perfect req 7 max gold crystaline sword. You don't need it, however, it is nice to have. HoD sword is not an exception. As someone said already, move along, like most of us.

generik

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by X of Thulcandra
Number one: There is a bold line between ''crying'' and voicing your opinion. Number two: Why put a large population of players at a disadvantage by allowing a certain population of players to possess an item that is only obtainable by having to shell out 200-300k to their grubby hands? Why do you think they removed the sword in the first place? I'm pretty sure they didn't "remove" it without a valid reason. Oh, and before you go mouth off about "crying" to people that have an opinion that makes sense, how about you stop acting like YOU are the authority on ArenaNet's logic and actually contribute an opinion instead of acting like everything you say is a fact?
They legally paid for it.
It is theirs.
Unlike the 20/20 axe it is not a hacked item.

And lastly, deleting an item would erode player confidence in the game economy, why bother playing a game if the results of your hard labour can be wiped out arbitarily in a second for NO GOOD REASON?

JR

JR

Re:tired

Join Date: Nov 2005

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghull Ka
Tell the monk not to use his rez on that horse, we're not done punishing it yet! :P

I'm sad that my HoD sword never sold for my asking price of 250 rubies. Aww well. I still have it and with it's amazing cosmic power, I can imbalance the game and use its unfair overpowered leetness to... uh... wait a sec... um... to.... to do a bunch of stuff that I wouldn't otherwise be able to do if I didn't have this incredibly superior, game-unbalancing UBER HOD SWORD OF PWNAGE!!! YES!! PHEAR the HoD sword and the necromancer who wields it! Lament that you cannot get one! It's that amazing!
Sigh.

It has a clear advantage over anything else, which equals imbalance. That is a fact. Therefore, something should eventually be done about it. It certainly isn't urgent at all, but eventually it needs to be looked at.

X of Thulcandra

X of Thulcandra

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2005

Sector 001

N/A

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by generik
They legally paid for it.
It is theirs.
Unlike the 20/20 axe it is not a hacked item.

And lastly, deleting an item would erode player confidence in the game economy, why bother playing a game if the results of your hard labour can be wiped out arbitarily in a second for NO GOOD REASON?
And the people the people that shelled out 100k+ on the now EXTINCT 20/20 axe DIDN'T legally pay for it? The people that handed over some iron/steel and a fairly small amount of gold aren't losing much compared to the people that spent loads of hopefully hard-earned money on those 20/20 axes that Anet DID eradicate.

generik

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by X of Thulcandra
And the people the people that shelled out 100k+ on the now EXTINCT 20/20 axe DIDN'T legally pay for it? The people that handed over some iron/steel and a fairly small amount of gold aren't losing much compared to the people that spent loads of hopefully hard-earned money on those 20/20 axes that Anet DID eradicate.
Fact:

The HoD sword has its "desirable" qualities from the go-get, you do not have to apply specific mods to it to gain that desirable effect.

Fact:

People who buy the axe know full well that it is an exploit

Fact:

The HoD sword sat there innocently for MONTHS before it got removed. Can't blame you for not noticing, isn't it?

The principal difference in these is, people who bought the HoD sword for a "relatively small amount of gold" did so in good faith, they paid for the item as advertised, they got the item, they are happy. It is like you going to the nearest Macers and plonking down 2 dollars for a cheese burger.

Those who bought the SOE axe on the other hand, let's just say they are like people who... "What's this? Latest Apple Powerbook for only $1000? Hey! Where is the documentation and paperwork? Nevermind it is cheap, I will take it", and subsequently when they get arrested for possessing stolen goods they go "Wah Wah!" and cry like babies.

King's Spectre

King's Spectre

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2005

Syracuse, NY, USA

The Amazon Basin (AB)

W/

I'd be happy with a compromise:

Remove all the HOD swords from the game but replace them with a unique-skinned sword. This way you get them out of the game, but wouldn’t mess over the people saved up and purchased one to stay competitive.

The “limited edition” swords would still sell very well, but would no longer imbalance the PvP part of the game.

At the very least, give me my 10k back (steel was going for crazy high prices when I crafted mine).

generik

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

At the core of this debate is the same PvE vs PvP argument all over again.

"Wah! This weapon is so imbal in the arenas!"

"Why should PvP balance trump PvE gameplay?!"

My recommendation, introduce the idea of PvP certified weapons. Before you can equip anything in the arenas you have to go to a NPC and have them certified. Changing any mods on the weapon removes certification.

Darned simple solution isn't it. Just a new column in a SQL table. Not even going to take a wink of an eye.

Nater

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

Illusion Of Skill

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carinae Dragonblood
Don't Cry Over Spilt Milk.

These items don't unbalance the game. If they were going to remove them, they would have already. Move Along.
Why can't I get a HoD sword then for 15 Iron, 1 Steel, and 1 Plat at Denravi then?

If they're balanced and fine, PUT THE DAMN THING BACK.

4runner

4runner

Banned

Join Date: Oct 2005

Cali!!!

cdxx/the420th.com

Mo/N

I dont see the problem with uber weapons, i have played Gw for 750hrs over i dont know 4months(lol), anyway Iguess you could call me a noob, but let me say this I have over 1.2plat slpit between 3 toons and have acquired some awesome weapons in this short time!! The trick is to buy low and sell high, basic capitalism!! I dont see why you cant achieve the same results with disiclpline, desire and committment its alot of hard work but, nothing is free why remove something from the game, just because you dont have it, or cant afford it, but want one, so you hate on all those who have it, typical arrogant spoiled rich kids who think they deserve everything!!!!!

A little hard work would be good for you, "GET OFF YOUR ARSE AND DO SOMETHING POSITIVE WITH YOUR TIME"

2 crystalline in 4months not to friggin bad for A NEwb!!! LOL

Nater

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

Illusion Of Skill

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghull Ka
Tell the monk not to use his rez on that horse, we're not done punishing it yet! :P

I'm sad that my HoD sword never sold for my asking price of 250 rubies. Aww well. I still have it and with it's amazing cosmic power, I can imbalance the game and use its unfair overpowered leetness to... uh... wait a sec... um... to.... to do a bunch of stuff that I wouldn't otherwise be able to do if I didn't have this incredibly superior, game-unbalancing UBER HOD SWORD OF PWNAGE!!! YES!! PHEAR the HoD sword and the necromancer who wields it! Lament that you cannot get one! It's that amazing!

Either that, or it's a non-max sword with no built-in damage mod, which makes it hit much less hard than other swords in the game. It carries 5 energy, which can be matched by the Nolani wand. If its owner chooses to "grind" for enough gold to buy a 20% enchanting pommel, then a monk wearing it and a +12 energy offhand has...

...wait for it...

2 more energy than a monk wearing a Yakslapper. And they both have the 20% enchanting mod.

Imbalance? Pfft.

Cool sword? You BET! Gogo GW antiques! =)
Think of what goes in the offhand. The Yak doesn't have 20% fast cast along with recharge.

aB-

aB-

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by JR-
Sigh.

It has a clear advantage over anything else, which equals imbalance. That is a fact. Therefore, something should eventually be done about it. It certainly isn't urgent at all, but eventually it needs to be looked at.
Is 5 energy really THAT big of an advantage? Using the sword nets you ONE more cast of orison, ONE more cast of reversal of fortune, ONE more cast of shielding hands. In the end, is that one more cast of a 5 mana spell going to make a clear advantage? The outcome of a battle is so rarely decided by one additional cast of a 5 mana spell. And besides, the bonus mana from the sword is only helping if your mana dips below 5 without it.

The Lieutenant helm effectively halves the effect of a hex, making it a much more imbalanced item than the HoD sword.

Ghull Ka

Ghull Ka

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

Seattle, WA

Grenths Helpdesk

N/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nater
Think of what goes in the offhand. The Yak doesn't have 20% fast cast along with recharge.
And the guy with the HoD sword can't attack at a range and can't do any damage in melee unless he has 9 swordsmanship.

The dance continues.

And I'll sell you mine for the low low price of 250 rubies.

Nater

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

Illusion Of Skill

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by aB-
Is 5 energy really THAT big of an advantage? Using the sword nets you ONE more cast of orison, ONE more cast of reversal of fortune, ONE more cast of shielding hands. In the end, is that one more cast of a 5 mana spell going to make a clear advantage? The outcome of a battle is so rarely decided by one additional cast of a 5 mana spell. And besides, the bonus mana from the sword is only helping if your mana dips below 5 without it.

The Lieutenant helm effectively halves the effect of a hex, making it a much more imbalanced item than the HoD sword.
Again, see my above post.

And as far as I'm concerned, that extra 5 energy becomes more and more important as the battle rages on. First its one orison, in ten minutes of a battle its 100 orisons.

KamikazeChicken

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

Mo/

20/20 axe was an abomination which Anet never intended to be present in the game. Because of this deliberate exploit, Anet was forced, and rightly so, to remove the item from the game. They did NOT put this item into the game; it was a mere exploit that was wiped frome existance.

HoD items, Rockmolder, etc. are accidents made exclusively by Anet. Removing the items would "hurt" the people who already LEGITLY acquired the items. There was no but, no exploit, no anything against the EULA. Anet made a mistake, and they fixed it by stopping more from coming into existance. They won't bother destroying items which existed from previous collectors/crafters because it was their fault, not the players.

LT helms are a discussion of their own, and I'm sure Anet will initiate something, if they feel it's an unbalanced item. What you won't see is the disappearance of every helm in the game; it's not the player's fault Anet screwed up by creating the helm and allowing its continued crafting/use.

On a different note, no one has the right to complain about not having access to HoD items or any other previously "nerfed" items. If you want it bad enough, you'll trade for one. They're not overwhelmingly high in price, so stop digging up old topics because you don't want to spend the gold. A HoD sword only provides 2 more eng than most staves/rod+focus combos; if a 20% enchant mod is so important to you, have one on switch for casting aegis or what have you. Think outside the box and find cost-effective ways around items such as HoD. >.>

Nater

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

Illusion Of Skill

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghull Ka
And the guy with the HoD sword can't attack at a range and can't do any damage in melee unless he has 9 swordsmanship.

The dance continues.

And I'll sell you mine for the low low price of 250 rubies.
I don't know about most, but when you're monking you're not worried about dealing damage.

aB-

aB-

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nater
Again, see my above post.

And as far as I'm concerned, that extra 5 energy becomes more and more important as the battle rages on. First its one orison, in ten minutes of a battle its 100 orisons.
Unless your mana drops below 5, then recharges back to maximum 100 times in a battle, you will not be getting 100 more orisons in. The HoD sword only increases your maximum energy, so unless you use all of your energy and fully recharge, you are only getting 5 bonus mana to play with.

Nater

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

Illusion Of Skill

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by KamikazeChicken
20/20 axe was an abomination which Anet never intended to be present in the game. Because of this deliberate exploit, Anet was forced, and rightly so, to remove the item from the game. They did NOT put this item into the game; it was a mere exploit that was wiped frome existance.

HoD items, Rockmolder, etc. are accidents made exclusively by Anet. Removing the items would "hurt" the people who already LEGITLY acquired the items. There was no but, no exploit, no anything against the EULA. Anet made a mistake, and they fixed it by stopping more from coming into existance. They won't bother destroying items which existed from previous collectors/crafters because it was their fault, not the players.

LT helms are a discussion of their own, and I'm sure Anet will initiate something, if they feel it's an unbalanced item. What you won't see is the disappearance of every helm in the game; it's not the player's fault Anet screwed up by creating the helm and allowing its continued crafting/use.

On a different note, no one has the right to complain about not having access to HoD items or any other previously "nerfed" items. If you want it bad enough, you'll trade for one. They're not overwhelmingly high in price, so stop digging up old topics because you don't want to spend the gold. A HoD sword only provides 2 more eng than most staves/rod+focus combos; if a 20% enchant mod is so important to you, have one on switch for casting aegis or what have you. Think outside the box and find cost-effective ways around items such as HoD. >.>
K, so the 20/20, which was an accident is a bad thing, but the HoD which was an accident is an ok thing.

These players would be "hurt" by having the HoD sword taken away, yet they're allowed to make 100's of plat worth of gold from it. Ya that's fair and balanced.

Think outside the box for a cost effective way around the item such as the HoD...

Hmm.
I don't think I can come up with anything close to a +17 Energy, 20/20 cast/recharege, +20 enchant weapon combo, that also reduces bleeding time for kicks.

Nater

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

Illusion Of Skill

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by aB-
Unless your mana drops below 5, then recharges back to maximum 100 times in a battle, you will not be getting 100 more orisons in. The HoD sword only increases your maximum energy, so unless you use all of your energy and fully recharge, you are only getting 5 bonus mana to play with.
Who people who don't have the time to grind for 300K to buy one CAN'T play with.

Sagius Truthbarron

Sagius Truthbarron

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

Animal Factory [ZoO]

A/

PH34Rrr MY NEW TOMBS BUILD! 8 MONKS WITH 5+ ENERGY, NON MAX DAMAGE SWORDS! BWHAHAHAH!

Yes, that's right! No bonus recharge or casting speed! 5+ energy! A total 47 Energy over 43! I am so evil!

When Factions comes out, i shall use this awesome build to take over the world and become the new Dark Lord of the Sith! AND I SHALL MAKE A GUILD CALLED 'Teh Sith Lords [PWN]'! It shall last 1000 years!

Phear me, mortals! I am Lord Hod! Master of Space and Time and Swords and Pwn!

JR

JR

Re:tired

Join Date: Nov 2005

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by KamikazeChicken
Removing the items would "hurt" the people who already LEGITLY acquired the items.
So refund them the iron and gold that they paid to have it crafted? Hell let them keep the mods they put on for all I care.

Phades

Phades

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by aB-
Unless your mana drops below 5, then recharges back to maximum 100 times in a battle, you will not be getting 100 more orisons in. The HoD sword only increases your maximum energy, so unless you use all of your energy and fully recharge, you are only getting 5 bonus mana to play with.
Long story short, you can still put a mod in the pommel, while you can not put a mod into a wand.

There are two choices for these "rare" attribute items. They can be removed, or they can insert a way to customise any property on any piece of equipment. Either way it becomes balanced for everyone.

generik

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nater
K, so the 20/20, which was an accident is a bad thing, but the HoD which was an accident is an ok thing.

These players would be "hurt" by having the HoD sword taken away, yet they're allowed to make 100's of plat worth of gold from it. Ya that's fair and balanced.

Think outside the box for a cost effective way around the item such as the HoD...

Hmm.
I don't think I can come up with anything close to a +17 Energy, 20/20 cast/recharege, +20 enchant weapon combo, that also reduces bleeding time for kicks.
The 20/20 is no accident, it was a hack.

Nater

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

Illusion Of Skill

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by generik
The 20/20 is no accident, it was a hack.
Define hack. I was under the impression you just took whatever axe hilts you wanted and could stack them. Hack would mean people were using a third party program to manipulate Guild Wars..

aB-

aB-

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nater
Hmm.
I don't think I can come up with anything close to a +17 Energy, 20/20 cast/recharege, +20 enchant weapon combo, that also reduces bleeding time for kicks.
ANY sword with a 20% enchant mod, a reduce bleeding mod, and a 12/20/20 collector focus from the desert. The only real cost is the 20% enchant mod.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nater
Who people who don't have the time to grind for 300K to buy one CAN'T play with.
The reason as to why someone would grind 300k gold to have 5 more energy than another setups still baffles me. Give me one good reason why it is worth 300k to have 5 more energy.

Nater

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

Illusion Of Skill

W/

I don't believe I've ever ran across a "reduces bleeding" sword from Pre to UW.

Its not the 5 more energy that's the most important, its the ability to have +20 enchant with 20/20 casting WITH +5 energy.

Carinae

Carinae

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2005

Inside

Fifteen Over Fifty [Rare]

Quote:
Originally Posted by JR-
To quote Ensign in another thread:



So if most decent players are using an item, is that a sign of imbalance? Yes, I think so. Admittedly as Ensign also points out the LT's helm is considerably more imbalanced than the other henge items, but that does not change the fact that they ARE imbalanced.

Anets motto is "Skill over time spent". So if I want my monk to be as good as everyone elses in PvP, do I have to grind and farm untill I can afford a Henge Sword? Yes, I do. If I want a completely up to scratch PvP warrior, do I have to create a PvP character and get him kitted out with perfect weapons and a LT's helm? Yes, I do.

There is no real argument for keeping the Henge items (and other simmilar items) in the game. There is a very strong argument for taking them out.
As the title of this thread is "The HoD Sword", I think it's a bit unfair and even misrepresenting to bring in Ensign's comment on the Henge Helm. You want to make a case for the Helm being unbalanced, or not available to PvP-Only Characters then go ahead. You have a reasonable case to make.

You can also make the case to reinstate these item.

But the HoD sword and the 20% Rock are not unbalancing. They offer minor improvements over the normal items, by having a single slightly above spec attribute.

If you think you need an HoD or 20% Rock to be as good as everyone else, you're deeply mistaken. The advantages granted by these items are not going to save you from, or let you beat a skilled player.

If someone with an HoD can beat you easily, then I'll bet 100k that they can do it without the HoD just as easily.

Usually, the argument against these items sounds more like envy, not imbalance. The "Have Nots' ringing the 'Imbalance' bell because people listen to them then. Not saying that's happening here, but people need to keep that in mind when making arguments against the HoD and Rock.

Quote:
Originally Posted by X of Thulcandra
Number one: There is a bold line between ''crying'' and voicing your opinion. Number two: Why put a large population of players at a disadvantage by allowing a certain population of players to possess an item that is only obtainable by having to shell out 200-300k to their grubby hands? Why do you think they removed the sword in the first place? I'm pretty sure they didn't "remove" it without a valid reason. Oh, and before you go mouth off about "crying" to people that have an opinion that makes sense, how about you stop acting like YOU are the authority on ArenaNet's logic and actually contribute an opinion instead of acting like everything you say is a fact?
I strongly suspect the reason for removal of the HoD sword was the 55 Invincimonks, not any PvP imbalance. They simply didn't want to encourage solo farming. But removing ALL HoD swords would have not been fair to all the non-55ers, especially the Warrior community, who was clearly the intended original target of the HoD. ArenaNet simply did not expect a solo build to appear and for the sword to fit that build so well. It's not an imbalance, it's a retrospective correction.

The Rockmolder was likely an 'oops'. But the advantage is minor.....and more importantly...it's unpredictable. You can't base a build around the minor advantage it provides. When you come up with that killer Illusion build that NEEDS a Rock, you let me know.

That's MY opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

Ghull Ka

Ghull Ka

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

Seattle, WA

Grenths Helpdesk

N/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nater
K, so the 20/20, which was an accident is a bad thing, but the HoD which was an accident is an ok thing.

These players would be "hurt" by having the HoD sword taken away, yet they're allowed to make 100's of plat worth of gold from it. Ya that's fair and balanced.

Think outside the box for a cost effective way around the item such as the HoD...

Hmm.
I don't think I can come up with anything close to a +17 Energy, 20/20 cast/recharege, +20 enchant weapon combo, that also reduces bleeding time for kicks.
Okay, then...

First: Hod with 20% enchanting and a 12/20/20 collector's offhand does not provide lessened bleeding duration.

Second: A 10/20/20 collector's staff with a +5 insightful and a 20% of enchanting mod will give you... again... 2 less energy than using a HoD sword.

So I can come up with "anything close" very easily. The HoD user gains 2 energy and loses the ability to attack at a range.

aB-

aB-

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nater
its the ability to have +20 enchant with 20/20 casting WITH +5 energy.
With a sword with a 20% enchant mod, and a focus with 20/20 casting, you have the exact same thing, EXCEPT for the +5 energy the HoD sword offers. How can you then say

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nater
Its not the 5 more energy that's the most important,

Divinus Stella

Divinus Stella

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2005

Wales

Steel Phoenix

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nater
I don't believe I've ever ran across a "reduces bleeding" sword from Pre to UW.

Its not the 5 more energy that's the most important, its the ability to have +20 enchant with 20/20 casting WITH +5 energy.
Staffs can have that aswel,
Energy +10
11-22 dmg
20% Recharge
20% Cast
+20% staff wrapping
+5 Energy Head