Re-evaluating item stat values
by Elizabeth Harper 
Feb 26th 2007 at 5:32PM
Blizzard is looking at the value of sockets on items (currently, the value per socket is slightly higher on higher quality items) and standardizing it throughout the game in an upcoming (but unspecified) content patch. In addition to this, they're also going to reviewing the expansion armor sets -- Drysc says it's not the intent for higher tier sets to be poorer quality or side-grades to previous sets, and that some sets may see changes in the future.While Drysc seems to be talking about future changes, some re-evaluation of item values seems to have already happened in patch 2.0.10, however. This list of undocumented patch changes, compiled by Ramiel, contains numerous item tweaks -- some good and some not so good.
Filed under: Patches, Items, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Halicante Feb 26th 2007 6:08PM
Well honestly, who would ever want to pass up -.2 sec on the casting time for flamestrike? And a chance to increase spell damage by 100 for 15 sec if hit while mana shield is active?
Worst set bonuses ever, except maybe (just maybe) compared to the zg mage reward gear.
Krisby Feb 26th 2007 7:17PM
My two items i have on now are being nerfed. Legg of the resolute defender looses stam and def!!! and 3rd grade tech loosing stam too. Why so many changes to tank gear? I finally made it to 10k life and now there taking it away. NOT FAIR. Dont change something that we specifically took and did all that work for to find out now they are pointless and useless to us. Those leggings were not easy to get at all and I dont appreciate going through the effort to have them nerfed!
Poddo Feb 26th 2007 6:44PM
Tier 4 and 5 buffs? Yes please! Awesome, as I finally got into an endgame guild and I was looking at gear for tanking and realized that there are some other drops that would go well replacing some of that gear. Heres to hoping they don't screw up the buffs.
BTW, is there a way to change my password on here so I don't have to look it up in my mail account everytime I'm on a different computer?
klink-o Feb 26th 2007 8:08PM
"Blizzard is looking at the value of sockets on items (currently, the value per socket is slightly higher on higher quality items) and standardizing it throughout the game in an upcoming (but unspecified) content patch."
How is the value of a socket different from one item to the next? A blue socket is a blue socket, whether on a green quest item or a piece of tiered gear. Maybe I'm just not understanding what you mean? Are you talking about the socket bonuses?
Elizabeth Harper Feb 26th 2007 8:45PM
Let me try to clarify. When Blizzard is creating items, every stat, ability, and special effect added to the item has a certain value (we'll call them "points" for simplicity). We don't know exactly what values everything has, but we do know that all items are balanced around this "point" system. Depending on the item's level and quality (uncommon/rare/epic/legendary), it can only have so many points assigned to it.
As it stands, a socket on a rare item costs more points than a socket on an uncommon item, which means fewer points to be spent on other things. They're going to make it so that sockets are worth the same amount of points for all items, which will hopefully mean more points freed up for other stats on socketed items.