End game item issue

So here's the question.

What is the benefit of using high level items?

I recently was lucky enough to get a level 67 map and managed to get several end game items out of my run. These included Vaal Regalia, Murder Boots, Midnight Blade, Sorcerer Gloves and Boots, Enzomyte Circlet as well as many others.

So, after doing some reading and asking on the general chat. No one could answer the question, "Why should I use Vaal Regalia over Widowsilk"?

Vaal Regalia has less base ES and a lower int requirement.

The Enzomyte Circlet makes sense.

However, after looking at the item listings in the forums, I discovered that things such as the Sorcerer Boots have the exact same ES as the Arcanist Boots but with a higher Int requirement.

The Sorcerer Gloves also make sense.

But things such as the Glorious Plate do not offer as much armor as the Astral Plate. If it's because you don't lose as much movement speed. Ok. But that's what + move speed boots are for.

The Shields are even more perplexing. After looking at the ES + Spell damage shields I noticed that the Harmonic Spirit Shield is the Best, but it's FAR below the item level rankings. The top level shield doesn't even offer Spell Damage as a mod.

There are many other instances of this occurring. Take weapons for example.

There is basically 0 difference between the three top tier wands. 20, 19, 20 are the top spell damage modifiers. Why? Should we not be rewarded for spending countless days pursuing high level maps. Using chisels, alchs, and chaos orbs in order to get the correct mods we desire. Since most witches or wand users would be using spells, why is there absolutely 0 reason to pursue high end items in an item hunting game.

The other instances of this occurring are everywhere in high level loot. I do not feel like touching on every single one, because I think you get the point. Although honestly, the difference between Vaal Regalia and Widowsilk is the one that probably bothers me the most.

The responses that I tend to receive from players in general chat, even from players who are above me in the ladder tend to be, "Well you can roll higher mods". But these statements tend to be rather guessing answers from past exp with ARPGs.

TLDR: Higher end items need to be made more powerful. Currently there is absolutely no reason to even pursue them. This is a major issue considering how difficult the maps where they are found are to obtain.

Comments?

I sincerely hope so. The current system of items leaves much desired. It bothers me that currently, as far as wands go, one might as well use an opal wand since its no different than one which is MUCH harder to obtain.

Still the WidowSilk and Vaal Regalia bothers me the most.

GGG:

I hope you seriously make difficult to obtain items worth it. I love this game, but am finding the top tier items to be 100% Boring. They should be MUCH better, and currently this is not the case.

People are not even bothering to buy and mod these. They would rather use lower tier items which is a serious flaw in an item game.

Noted, I'll look over all the post 60+ items.

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Qarl wrote:

Noted, I'll look over all the post 60+ items.

Big one is Zodiac Leather vs Exquisite Leather. Dafuq is going on there?

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Qarl wrote:

Noted, I'll look over all the post 60+ items.

I wonder if we are getting more affixes for 60+ items.
But then we probably have to test them out for balancing.

I can't speak for all of them, but most high level items have gives and takes. The shields, in particular, have different implicit block chances, for example. I believe they range from 24-32% base block, with the higher defense shields having lower base block, and the lower defense having higher base block. These values are not listed on the Item Data page for some reason, but it's easy to determine the implicit value of shields by looking at the image used for them. The big tin-can silvery looking ones have extremely high armor but 24% base block, for example.

After level 60, it's my understanding that each item is supposed to be equal in a way, but have different strengths/weaknesses.

The main issue I have is that the return damage spike shields... don't return damage on a block. What the hell? So I have to get hit to return damage? That's kind of useless. It'd be nice if the return damage mod worked if you blocked as well if you simply received a normal hit.

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anubite wrote:

The main issue I have is that the return damage spike shields... don't return damage on a block. What the hell? So I have to get hit to return damage? That's kind of useless. It'd be nice if the return damage mod worked if you blocked as well if you simply received a normal hit.

I can see why evading/dodging an attack wouldn't return damage, but blocking on a "spiked shield" should, I would think.

On top of that, they're Evasion based shields...not sure I understand the idea behind that one.

First off Qarl. Thanks for the reply.

Now, I have no problem with lvl 60+ items being a give and take situation, but lets make it fun!!

Currently, all the give and take is as I stated earlier, boring.

Why not have for the titanium shield have + movement speed. Titanium is lightweight after all :). It also conducts a small electrical charge. So maybe a -5% electricity resis penalty?

Or a shield with a high spell dmg (25%) but incredibly low block (or no block). Since currently. if I wish to have the highest spell damage, I am forced to use a lvl 59 shield.

The Armageddon Bow could have each shot be VERY strong, but shoot VERY slow.

Oh and it terms of other weird items. I saw that the Armageddon Casque and Annihilator Casque seemed backwards. Same as the WidowSilk and Vaal Regalia, as well as the Zodiac and Exquistive Leather mentioned earlier. Also the Titan and Vaal Greeves seem backwards.

For Wands, why are they all based off default attack? I would love to see these changed a little bit. As I said previously I would assume that more people use spells rather than default.

TLDR: I would personally rather have the highest of the high end be close to unique status in terms of give and take (Andavarious Ring for example) but not as noticeable. Some sacrifices that can make builds more interesting. Just not as noticable. That is if this is what you were going for by having 60+ all be basically the same with small tweaks.