When does the good stuff drop? - Guild Wars Forums

Mistress Chiana · May 26, 2005, 02:28 PM // 14:28

I play with henchies so far and on the ruins of sur mission. I have killed a number of nameds and sometimes they drop stuff for me but never a yellow or better item. I'm lvl 10 and wanting a better wand. When did notable stuff start dropping for ya?

Zilm · May 26, 2005, 02:44 PM // 14:44

Well the henchies get their share too, so dont expect a great deal. But, no different than partying with real people. Would I give a gold item up? Probably not. Guild mates get first chance, then the free market.

But, Ive seen gold drops as early as Borliss pass to Frost gate.

Viruzzz · May 26, 2005, 03:10 PM // 15:10

henchmen take their part of drops. and gold. you just don't see it. and you can't get it back!

i hate that. its better partying with real people... i bet you if the henchieswere actually real account. they would have everything unlocked now (actually way, way sooner, but i'm making this post today)

DrSLUGFly · May 26, 2005, 03:40 PM // 15:40

Just wait until you get into and across the mountains. New beasties, new loot, new salvage items... it gets sweet. I just wish there was a use for items other than salvaging or selling.

Auntie I · May 26, 2005, 03:47 PM // 15:47

Keep going. Ruins of Surmia is a bit early to expect any better stuff than what you're using now.

Valin · May 26, 2005, 03:59 PM // 15:59

The first place you'll have access to that has REALLY good drops is Lornar's pass. Of course, if you can't kill the lvl 20 - 24 mobs it won't do you much good.

Siran Dunmorgan · May 26, 2005, 04:29 PM // 16:29

I had my first 'gold' item drop in the released game from a grawl in the Explorable Area on the way to the Ruins of Surmia mission.

The actual question that I have about item drops is more subtle: there is an implication in the discussion of these things that item drops from higher level creatures are 'better' or unlock better components.

For example, the current thinking seems to be that a 'gold' armor drop from a charr in The Breach is inherently not as good as a 'gold' armor drop from an avicara in Lornar's Pass.

Another way of looking at this is to say that???given two 'gold' armors???the probability of identifying a superior rune is higher for the one that came from the higher level creature.

Now, is that correct?

Or does the probability work the other way, i.e., higher-level creatures are more likely to produce 'gold' item drops than their lower-level counterparts, and a 'gold' item from one is as good as a 'gold' item from another?

If this second hypothesis is correct, we would expect to see more 'gold' and 'purple' items drop from higher level creatures. Is this the observed behavior of the game?

There is also a third, hybrid, stance that holds both of these hypotheses to be true, i.e., higher level creatures give more 'gold' item drops, and they're better than gold drops from lower-level creatures.

Now, for those of you who've played throughout the game???presumably including the Underworld and the Fissure of Woe???which of these hypotheses would you hold to be correct?

???Siran Dunmorgan

Raiddinn Beatdropper · May 26, 2005, 04:41 PM // 16:41

Usually all the best items in the game dont drop at lvl 10 or so when the game *starts* at 20.

Tsunamii Starshine

smitty-gw · May 26, 2005, 05:19 PM // 17:19

My experience has been that as you progress through the linear missions of the game the quality of rarer drops scales up, not the quantity.

It has nothing to do with character level. That became apparent when back-questing to areas with much lower monster levels.

Just play the game and you will find what you need.

More importantly, savor the experience and have fun.

Mistress Chiana · May 26, 2005, 05:22 PM // 17:22

Not looking for lectures, just an answer to the question which I found weeding through most of the crap here. Thanks

Siran Dunmorgan · May 26, 2005, 05:25 PM // 17:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty-gw

My experience has been that as you progress through the linear missions of the game the quality of rarer drops scales up, not the quantity.

It has nothing to do with character level. That became apparent when back-questing to areas with much lower monster levels.

Just play the game and you will find what you need.

More importantly, savor the experience and have fun.

Anaylzing it is part of the fun for me.

So, you would characterize... hmm... a 'gold' drop in Old Ascalon as the same as???for instance???a 'blue' drop in North Kryta Province, i.e., you would assert that the first of the three hypotheses that I presented above is correct?

???Siran Dunmorgan

P.S. Mistress Chiana: The basic rule is that better items drop later in the game.

Numerical weapon damage and energy additions reach their maximum values near the later Maguuma missions; beyond that, most 'better' weapon and energy item drops begin to have upgrades such as +% to damage or a wider variety of damage types (fiery, icy, and so on).

The very best are found in the explorable areas reachable through the favor of the gods.

smitty-gw · May 26, 2005, 05:42 PM // 17:42

I was offering my opinion, not a lecture. Isn't that why you originally posted, for replies?

I would maintain that a blue item dropped later in the game could be better than an earlier dropped gold item. For example a blue fiery dragon sword 15-22 damage is better than a gold sword 13-19 damage with 2 useless mods on it.

You will probably not find a gold sword in Ruins of Surmia with max damage, so the further you are in the game opens up more possibilities and ranges of mods and damage scale on items in those areas.

I started to notice gold drops in Frost Gate. The better drops began around the areas past Yak's Bend, but i'm pretty sure that was just my experience, not coded in the game.

As for the quantity of rarer drops, it is random IMHO, not tied to location in the game or character level. I mean there's no MF...is there???

So there, lots of opinions, no lectures based on absolute truths. Happier now?

Harlas Kije · May 26, 2005, 05:44 PM // 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siran Dunmorgan

Anaylzing it is part of the fun for me.

So, you would characterize... hmm... a 'gold' drop in Old Ascalon as the same as???for instance???a 'blue' drop in North Kryta Province, i.e., you would assert that the first of the three hypotheses that I presented above is correct?

???Siran Dunmorgan

I would tend to agree that the first is correct. Not that I am anywhere near the high levels. But--going back to finish up some level 10 quests--I found that the yellow/purples I got were not that great stat-wise compared to the same colored ones I found later on. As for the percentage drops--I found it to be about the same no matter the level. Although it was a bit higher in the low level-but that is due to group size IMO. ruins you cvan have 4 as opposed to 6 or 8 later on.

smitty-gw · May 26, 2005, 05:47 PM // 17:47

Yes Siran, I concur with your first hypothesis.

Siran Dunmorgan · May 26, 2005, 05:55 PM // 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty-gw

I would maintain that a blue item dropped later in the game could be better than an earlier dropped gold item. For example a blue fiery dragon sword 15-22 damage is better than a gold sword 13-19 damage with 2 useless mods on it.

Depends on what you're trying to do with it. If your goal is to sell it to one of the 'competitive' PvP guilds trying to unlock all the runes and weapon upgrades that they can, well, they don't care about the damage???PvP characters get maximum damage weapons for free.

What they care about is access to those 'useless' mods. When I find 'gold' items, I don't identify them: I sell them to a broker who re-sells them to PvP-oriented guilds.

An unidentified 'gold' armor taken from an avicara in Lornar's Pass right now is worth 10 platinum on the open market???that's right: ten thousand gold.

???Siran Dunmorgan

May 26, 2005, 02:28 PM // 14:28	#1
Mistress Chiana Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ascalon Guild: Envoys of Annihilation Profession: N/E	When does the good stuff drop? I play with henchies so far and on the ruins of sur mission. I have killed a number of nameds and sometimes they drop stuff for me but never a yellow or better item. I'm lvl 10 and wanting a better wand. When did notable stuff start dropping for ya?

May 26, 2005, 02:44 PM // 14:44	#2
Zilm Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: May 2005	Well the henchies get their share too, so dont expect a great deal. But, no different than partying with real people. Would I give a gold item up? Probably not. Guild mates get first chance, then the free market. But, Ive seen gold drops as early as Borliss pass to Frost gate.

May 26, 2005, 03:10 PM // 15:10	#3
Viruzzz Krytan Explorer Join Date: May 2005	henchmen take their part of drops. and gold. you just don't see it. and you can't get it back! i hate that. its better partying with real people... i bet you if the henchieswere actually real account. they would have everything unlocked now (actually way, way sooner, but i'm making this post today)

May 26, 2005, 03:40 PM // 15:40	#4
DrSLUGFly Desert Nomad Join Date: May 2005 Location: European Server or International	Just wait until you get into and across the mountains. New beasties, new loot, new salvage items... it gets sweet. I just wish there was a use for items other than salvaging or selling.

May 26, 2005, 03:47 PM // 15:47	#5
Auntie I Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Apr 2005 Guild: Veritas Invictus Profession: E/Me	Keep going. Ruins of Surmia is a bit early to expect any better stuff than what you're using now.

May 26, 2005, 03:59 PM // 15:59	#6
Valin Academy Page Join Date: May 2005 Guild: Order of the Stick Profession: N/Mo	The first place you'll have access to that has REALLY good drops is Lornar's pass. Of course, if you can't kill the lvl 20 - 24 mobs it won't do you much good.

May 26, 2005, 04:29 PM // 16:29	#7
Siran Dunmorgan Core Guru Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Carmel, CA	I had my first 'gold' item drop in the released game from a grawl in the Explorable Area on the way to the Ruins of Surmia mission. The actual question that I have about item drops is more subtle: there is an implication in the discussion of these things that item drops from higher level creatures are 'better' or unlock better components. For example, the current thinking seems to be that a 'gold' armor drop from a charr in The Breach is inherently not as good as a 'gold' armor drop from an avicara in Lornar's Pass. Another way of looking at this is to say that???given two 'gold' armors???the probability of identifying a superior rune is higher for the one that came from the higher level creature. Now, is that correct? Or does the probability work the other way, i.e., higher-level creatures are more likely to produce 'gold' item drops than their lower-level counterparts, and a 'gold' item from one is as good as a 'gold' item from another? If this second hypothesis is correct, we would expect to see more 'gold' and 'purple' items drop from higher level creatures. Is this the observed behavior of the game? There is also a third, hybrid, stance that holds both of these hypotheses to be true, i.e., higher level creatures give more 'gold' item drops, and they're better than gold drops from lower-level creatures. Now, for those of you who've played throughout the game???presumably including the Underworld and the Fissure of Woe???which of these hypotheses would you hold to be correct? ???Siran Dunmorgan

May 26, 2005, 04:41 PM // 16:41	#8
Raiddinn Beatdropper Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: May 2005	Usually all the best items in the game dont drop at lvl 10 or so when the game starts at 20. Tsunamii Starshine

May 26, 2005, 05:19 PM // 17:19	#9
smitty-gw Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New York	My experience has been that as you progress through the linear missions of the game the quality of rarer drops scales up, not the quantity. It has nothing to do with character level. That became apparent when back-questing to areas with much lower monster levels. Just play the game and you will find what you need. More importantly, savor the experience and have fun.

May 26, 2005, 05:22 PM // 17:22	#10
Mistress Chiana Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ascalon Guild: Envoys of Annihilation Profession: N/E	Not looking for lectures, just an answer to the question which I found weeding through most of the crap here. Thanks

May 26, 2005, 05:42 PM // 17:42	#12
smitty-gw Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New York	I was offering my opinion, not a lecture. Isn't that why you originally posted, for replies? I would maintain that a blue item dropped later in the game could be better than an earlier dropped gold item. For example a blue fiery dragon sword 15-22 damage is better than a gold sword 13-19 damage with 2 useless mods on it. You will probably not find a gold sword in Ruins of Surmia with max damage, so the further you are in the game opens up more possibilities and ranges of mods and damage scale on items in those areas. I started to notice gold drops in Frost Gate. The better drops began around the areas past Yak's Bend, but i'm pretty sure that was just my experience, not coded in the game. As for the quantity of rarer drops, it is random IMHO, not tied to location in the game or character level. I mean there's no MF...is there??? So there, lots of opinions, no lectures based on absolute truths. Happier now?

May 26, 2005, 05:47 PM // 17:47	#14
smitty-gw Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New York	Yes Siran, I concur with your first hypothesis.