Gems

[van]

I have a couple of concerns about the gem system, which I hope the Imms can address. Basically, it comes down to how to deal with random gem pops in group situations.

As I understand it, gems are more likely to load on large mobs. This is great for those epic people (cough: Acme) who can go off and solo them constantly, but not so great for those of us who rely on other people to get those bitch-mobs down. Thus, when a gem pops, the current situation is that some people call the known gems that have been made into runes, and most people wander in a haze of wondering what these gem things are (judging by the lack of gem calls in my groups, at least). Result: some people have a very large number of gems, and a very few are dedicated to the cause of expanding player knowledge, or at least hoping they get a really really good gem by luck.

As I see it, it's very, very difficult for players to deal with this. Ok, it's hard for ME to deal with it. What do I call? What do I try for? All I can do is call the particular gem that I know about, and hope for the best.

There also seems to be a problem of knowledge hoarding, in that some gems have been successfully turned into runes, but that isn't being made public. Rather than trust to the enterprise of the Sloth Free Market, I'd suggest two possibilities:

(1) After a rune has been forged, it goes on the eqlist.
(2) Certain crappy runes could be posted in advance, so people know what they do and try for them while at lower levels.

Thoughts welcomed.

Edit: I want to point out a basic fact of life.... Sloth players talk. Either we're communicating via clan websites, or we communicate via email, or as the former Russian contingent would tell you, we gather and get drunk. All secrecy is doing is screwing over newbies who don't have access to the Insider's Club... because everybody who knows somebody is getting this information and being as secretive as the system in place. Mostly, at least.

[*Splork*]

I believe that stating that the gem system in sloth is severely dysfunctional is just ridiculously silly. In my mind, it really stinks of attempting to cover up one's own admission that they may have made a mistake. There has been very little issue with gems until this incident and they have been in this game for nearly a year now.

Gems are random pops and are a very long term goal in this game. Be thankful they are even in game, as they simply add to your equipment, stats and add a great way for a player to customize their character.

Gems can be popped on any high level mobs and the rates at which they pop are within arm's reach of one another( meaning size or difficulty of a mob ). Sure, the larger the mobs the greater the possibility a gem will pop. However the differences are incredibly low and the rate at which gems pop is ridiculously low. Some players and classos will very likely always have advantages in this game over others, we try to minimize them and that is the best we can do. Example: High level soloers whom kill thousands of mobs a day have an advantage over other players due to the vast number of mobs they kill or groups killing 20k hp mobs will have an advantage over a soloer killing a 500 hp mob. Again, this is the best we could come up with and the system will stay in place until we come up with a better one.

We will not be posting stats of any runes before they are forged or popped, just like we don't for any other eq in this game. I'm sorry but if players can't get along and communicate pops, stats of items, etc, there is a problem and it certainly does not have anything to do with the system. This game has lasted 20 years using this method and we are not about to change now. There have always been clans, groups, friends who choose to share information or not share, that is their right. If players are sick and tired of a few players hoarding gems or not sharing information, they should handle the situation. From what I can tell, these players are still readily invited to groups, socialized with, etc. If players have such a problem with those players displaying such antics, don't allow them in your groups, don't socialize with them, let them know why, etc. Sooner or later the situation handles itself when their are consequences to one's actions.

As for popping gems in groups, leaders can dis-purse them a million different ways and I am not going to get into that here, they are quite obvious by those who play. Equipment in groups has always been cause of arguments and this is no different. One of the fairest ways is to wheel for the item, but I see where that got us this time:)

Enjoy,
Splork

[van]

To clarify, this has very little to do with the previous post. I'm not trying to cover up a mistake I made, and I'll emphatically state that I am 100% standing by my decision and think I made the right call in that situation.

To further clarify, I'm not trying to achieve some grand overhaul here. I think the gem system is really nifty (thanks Imms!) and just had some questions about the structure in general. I've been informed by people in game that this is a rather well-hashed out topic, so if this is repetitive, sorry. I only returned to the game a month ago, so I'm still sorting through forum posts and getting information. I only got the heartbreaking news that I would never be casting wraithform two weeks ago, for example, and that's in the help files!

My references to what to do in groups had more to do with the inevitable question I keep getting asked:

Code: Select all

Newbie tells you 'is there a gem I should call?'.

You tell Newbie 'I'm the wrong person to ask, more ignorant about this than roadkill (and no, I'm not sure what I mean by that)'

Not to mention I wish I had more knowledge in general.

We will not be posting stats of any runes before they are forged or popped.

Are stats being posted then, once a rune is forged? If so, suggestion #1 is moot. Suggestion #2 is obviously not going to happen, but I'd heard rumors there were 'newbie' gems, and I thought it might be a good idea to make those more accessible. Apparently there aren't, so kind of moot there, too.

I'm sorry but if players can't get along and communicate pops, stats of items, etc, there is a problem and it certainly does not have anything to do with the system.

Couldn't agree more. Maybe players can do a bit more posting on emporium forum, i.e. display/update their available instock selection of gems to facilitate trading? Update with new information? The last post there was by Stab in September of last year. Next time I log in I'll post my wimpy collection, maybe someone is at 3-4 of what I have and would be willing to trade.

To close, sorry my post was taken as harsh/critical. Not meant to be that way, just trying to provide constructive player feedback.

-Van

P.S. I'm not sure where the 'severely dysfunctional' quote came from. Maybe I sleptwalk and edited my post... or more likely maybe I said something in game, which should be taken as venting only and I should brick up my mouth. The only thing severely dysfunctional in Sloth is the pop rate on my cincture cp mobs. (heh)

P.P.S. I appear incapable of writing short forum posts. Sorry.

P.P.P.S. Vroom!

[van]

To Splork: saw the severely dysfunctional line in my other post, and wish to be clear that this directly referenced the rumor I'd heard that night regarding level-restricted (i.e. newbie) gems, which was a big issue/question that night (as Angels can tell you).

Only if level-restricted/newbie gems existed would I consider it insane to NOT post them, because otherwise how would newbies know? Since this isn't the case, I've edited the original comment.