Stand

[Matt]

(Doesn't offer as much as many other shields, limited to tower shield so small/casters cant use it without -45 ASF. Possibly give it a class restriction.)
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You must be level 55 to use this item.
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Wearing this item will prevent you from being knocked down. By any effect.

Base Item: Shield (Tower Shield)
Weight: 100.0

Special Properties:
Armour Bonus +13 (AC Shield Modifier
Skill Bonus: +20 Discipline

[condude]

Hmmm, the only thing I see that could be problematic with this is that it might make a lot of uni builds obsolete. Shields, unlike armour, can be switched in and out at will, meaning that you can quickslot it, and when you see that Elite Aspirant of the Eight, just swap it in. Maybe something like this would be more balanced:

Name: No Ground Lost

You must be level 55 to use this item.
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Wearing this item will prevent you from being knocked down. However, this inability to move freely has some side effects.

Base Item: Shield (Tower Shield)
Weight: 100.0

Special Properties:
Armour Bonus +13 (AC Shield Modifier
Skill Bonus: +20 Discipline
Skill Penalty: -30 Tumble
Ability Score Penalty: -6 Dexterity
AC Penalty: -4 AC (Dodge Modifier)

Or something like that. It fits with the flavour, and should make you think twice before switching it on to tank... Elite Ravening Malebranches if nothing else!

[Matt]

Yeah, immobility sounds pretty fair for KD imm.

[desocupado]

Well one issue is the possibility of clerics wearing it at no AC cost (Magic vestment).
On the other hand they can already cast foundation of stone, which has the low dex and no movement as a drawback.

Maybe a different drawback like "you cannot attempt critical hits whiel wielding this shield" or "Phy imm (-5/-10%)" could work better instead.

[Matt]

I thought about cleric ac bonus, so that why i gave it a decent AC so not only BC's could wear it safely. Immobility would be a fine trade, maybe restrict the use to other classes if you feel that way.

Another idea would be to make the character become Slow when wearing it.

[condude]

I'm probably forgetting how ability score decreases work, since it's been a while. Can you make up for an item reduced stat by just putting on a bunch of +12 gear? Tumble was just flavour, and I thought reducing dodge AC reduced AC overall. Once again, my knowledge of game mechanics like that is a bit rusty though.

Making the item weigh a gazillion pounds is actually not a bad idea. The only reason I didn't suggest slowing the wearer down is that that niche is already taken. If wearing it literally cast slow on you, that might be new enough to carve out it's own niche (losing an attack per round, speed, and 4 AC is painful).

[Matt]

Tbh, i feel like a Slow Effect would be enough to balance the item (so long as you have to rest with it on for it to work). An attack around aswell if you feel that way.

[desocupado]

The shield is cheese mostly for the following classes:
Barbarian (can keep 2 handed weapon)
Clerics (even more useful for the caster ones than battle builds)
Druids (to a lesser extend)

Add a restriction for those classes. The other 1 handed tanks already do little damage anyway (pure rogue will probably enjoy it - but gear has to be useful)
In it's current form it provides a great option for people not using 2 handed weapons.

[Deleted]

Knockdown is the fundamental disable in HG, personally I am against having any kind of flat immunity to it being placed on items (speaking as a player who primarily plays KD-vulnerable toons).
IMO the closest you should ever get is an item that has to be worn since the last rest, with an active ability to provide true knockdown immunity for a very short time.

[FunkySwerve]

Mar 8, 2016 13:11:49 GMT @ssj2poliwhirl said:

Knockdown is the fundamental disable in HG, personally I am against having any kind of flat immunity to it being placed on items (speaking as a player who primarily plays KD-vulnerable toons).
IMO the closest you should ever get is an item that has to be worn since the last rest, with an active ability to provide true knockdown immunity for a very short time.

This. I'm willing to make the item work as poli describes, though I would want to chat with acaos about uses/duration.

Funky

[Matt]

Thinking a large shield is the better option so its usable by both str and dex tanks. Alternatively, instead of giving it a KD immune toggle, give it unlimited self pickups, usable once a minute or something. Imm KD is probably the more popular choice.

[FunkySwerve]

I think unlimited pickups is overkill, though I'm willing to entertain disagreements.

Funky

[Twilight Semner]

Mention of unlimited pick-ups gave me a ridiculous thought: what if it gave bonus uses to the PDK skill Final Stand? Picking up people from KD is one of the few nice things about PDK and giving the ability to an item would really get rid of one of the few reasons any has to play PDK (not that anyone does right now anyway, but still, probably not the best idea).