Jewel System: Rage of Renege

[Niixed]

renege (v.) - go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract.

When Jewels were first announced it gave me very high hopes, but after seeing the, frankly, insulting stats of some of the jewels on the test server I am deeply concerned about the new Jewel system. I was in disbelief and denial until I started doing more research and number comparisons. I hope the devs are listening because if they keep those numbers many hopeful players are in for a very harsh, rude awakening and the negative impact on Arcane Legends and its profitability could be quite significant.

The most glaring example is the damage, or chaos, jewel. After spending great effort in gathering or purchasing 2,187 cracked chaos jewels (worth +.25 damage each) what do you have to look forward to? A whopping +.6 damage increase! Yes, it seems impossible, yet devs have declared the Jewel system numbers seen on the test server "final but certainly subject to change."

At the MINIMUM a Noble damage jewel should be worth 2.0 damage, but 2.66 would be more in line with the expectations set by the jewel system announcement. Teasing us with +8 dex/int/str noble jewels, giving the unmistakable impression that other jewels would also supercede existing gems and then releasing a damage jewel that falls 70% short of the minimum you get from a para gem (without the bonus)? That's just not cool, STS. Not cool at all.

The justification for the Jewel system focused mainly on phasing out the para gem, but a Noble chaos jewel with a laughably pathetic +0.6 damage is going to be ignored with a collective eyeroll. In what universe would a jewel like that phase out the para gem??? Instead, it would guarantee para gems become a permanent fixture in Arcane Legends, hyperinflating their value until it is on par with shards and fossils.

I made a rough comparison chart to illustrate my point. At level 41, with the exception of the base stat jewels, the Jewel system falls disappointingly short of expectations.

Grand Fire	Noble Finesse	Percent Gain	Expectation
+6 dex	+8 dex	+133%	+8 dex
Grand Glacial	Noble Mind	Percent Gain	Expectation
+6 int	+8 int	+133%	+8 int
Grand Blood	Noble Fury	Percent Gain	Expectation
+6 str	+8 str	+133%	+8 str
Enchanted Eye	Noble Lightning	Percent Loss	Expectation
+0.97% crit	+0.60% crit	-38%	+1.29% crit
Para Soul Stone	Noble Chaos	Percent Loss	Expectation
+2.00 dmg	+0.60 dmg	-70%	+2.66 dmg
Grand Reinforced	Noble Diamond	Percent Loss	Expectation
+25 armor	+13.5 armor	-46%	+33 armor
Grand Elon Shard	Noble Nature	Percent Loss	Expectation
+113 health	+96 health	-15%	+151 health
Grand Nec Skull	Noble Water	Percent Loss	Expectation
+101 mana	+96 mana	-5%	+134 mana

The percent loss or gain is in comparison to the *minimum.* If these really are the final stats, most of the Jewels are an inexplicable regression of the current system. If they want the Jewel system to be a success, STS would be very smart to meet all of the expectations set by the original announcement, even if it meant obtaining Noble jewels had to be more difficult. If you can't meet them, at least don't go backwards; don't give us noble jewels worse than we had in the old gem system.

Update:

I found this post from Fibus. There may be hope that the Jewel system is not yet in its final state.

Glad to see everyone is excited for the expansion! Just a word of caution though, remember this is a TEST SERVER. Number values, art, etc. are all subject to change. And very likely WILL change. And just to avoid any confusion, those tokens are NOT story tokens. It's just placeholder art.

[Ladysophie]

The stats on the noble jewels are scaled for lv30 items upwards. This means there are classes of jewels greater than the noble types.

[Haligali]

The stats on the noble jewels are scaled for lv30 items upwards. This means there are classes of jewels greater than the noble types.

Where you read that? Fibus wrote jewels have 8 lvl, read this post again: http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show....php?p=2145156

[Ladysophie]

Where you read that? Fibus wrote jewels have 8 lvl, read this post again: http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show....php?p=2145156

GG then. They could eventually add more classes though or make the jewels auto scale from Lv30 upwards Lol

[Jazzi]

GG then. They could eventually add more classes though or make the jewels auto scale from Lv30 upwards Lol

Even if they scale for say lvl 40+, if they keep it like that the regular main stat jewel and para gems will be better than the damage jewels. Same goes for the crit jewel compared to the enchanted eye.

Further introducing one more tier of jewels will drastically increase the number of cracked jewels needed in order to craft one of those.

[Haligali]

Even if they scale for say lvl 40+, if they keep it like that the regular main stat jewel and para gems will be better than the damage jewels. Same goes for the crit jewel compared to the enchanted eye.

Further introducing one more tier of jewels will drastically increase the number of cracked jewels needed in order to craft one of those.

I think we have an agreement that these stats makes the mentioned jewels useless, for moving a bit further, what stat would you recommend? Paracelsus gem have currently 2.0 damage Thundyrz have a good point, it must be a bit more than noble finesse/fury/mind but not that much more. Maybe around 2.5?

[Donquixoth]

Hahaha, para-gem and another limited gem is big mistake, and never cant be fixed, that limited gems effect shouldnt be stacked, so every people only can use one para-gem or another limited gems. It's not about we can buy it or not, but it is about we can get it or not (because that gems will not exist in the future). Jewel must be something that can fix that OPness that limited gems, so the game will balance again.

[intizamfamily888]

I dont see the point why ppl complain so much abt para gems. I mean there are not much para gems left, so its not game breaking at endgame. At twink lvls nearly every player has atleast one para gem. I dont tested the jewels yet but as i noticed you guys complain abt that the jewels give less dmg than a para gem. I personally think its ok like this, because i don't want to see 1-1.2k dmg eveywhere..... and one thing to add. Its much harder to get para gems than the normal gems.
That were my 2cents

-Skillfeed-

[Haligali]

I dont see the point why ppl complain so much abt para gems. I mean there are not much para gems left, so its not game breaking at endgame. At twink lvls nearly every player has atleast one para gem. I dont tested the jewels yet but as i noticed you guys complain abt that the jewels give less dmg than a para gem. I personally think its ok like this, because i don't want to see 1-1.2k dmg eveywhere..... and one thing to add. Its much harder to get para gems than the normal gems.
That were my 2cents

-Skillfeed-

I made a ss from my stash now, im sure there still many out, maybe i can just trade one for an arcane weapon in the future.

[Bluebatthing]

As you stated, you don't want to see 1k damage everywhere, so you'd rather have a few with over the top damage continue to dominate everyone else? How does that help with the effort to lessen the rich-poor gap? At twink levels, you'd be surprise how many players do not have parameters gems, check with some of the lesser known guilds. Moreover, players who want to participate in pvp at twink levels are also discouraged by the fact that they cannot compete with para players, so why even bother? You said it yourself, it's much harder to get para gems than normal gems (I'm assuming you meant jewels), so introducing something that is readily available to the masses will only help with the overall balance of the game.

I dont see the point why ppl complain so much abt para gems. I mean there are not much para gems left, so its not game breaking at endgame. At twink lvls nearly every player has atleast one para gem. I dont tested the jewels yet but as i noticed you guys complain abt that the jewels give less dmg than a para gem. I personally think its ok like this, because i don't want to see 1-1.2k dmg eveywhere..... and one thing to add. Its much harder to get para gems than the normal gems.
That were my 2cents

-Skillfeed-

[intizamfamily888]

As you stated, you don't want to see 1k damage everywhere, so you'd rather have a few with over the top damage continue to dominate everyone else? How does that help with the effort to lessen the rich-poor gap? At twink levels, you'd be surprise how many players do not have parameters gems, check with some of the lesser known guilds. Moreover, players who want to participate in pvp at twink levels are also discouraged by the fact that they cannot compete with parag players, so why even bother? You said it yourself, it's much harder to get para gems than normal gems, so introducing something that is readily available to the masses will only help with the overall balance of the game.

But para gems were a special premium reward at the event and the jewels are farmable all the time , so i think para gems dont deserve to be weaker than normal farmable gems. Para gems can also return in later events so the newer ppl get a chance to get one of them too. Its the same like arcanes not every player has an arcane item/eggs. So i think its better to close the gap between the item stats than changing the gems. Just think abt which change would be more game changing.

-Skillfeed-

[Bluebatthing]

I understand your point on the exclusivity on an event item, but you'll find that most people agree that the introduction of para gems into the game has essentially broken the game, at least in the pvp aspect. Also, it has been confirmed that para gems will not be coming back in future events because STS wants to let this particular gem works itself out of the game, frankly, I don't see that happening anytime soon if the jewels stats stay the way it is.

But para gems were a special premium reward at the event and the jewels are farmable all the time , so i think para gems dont deserve to be weaker than normal farmable gems. Para gems can also return in later events so the newer ppl get a chance to get one of them too. Its the same like arcanes not every player has an arcane item/eggs. So i think its better to close the gap between the item stats than changing the gems. Just think abt which change would be more game changing.

-Skillfeed-

[intizamfamily888]

I understand your point on the exclusivity on an event item, but you'll find that most people agree that the introduction of para gems into the game has essentially broken the game, at least in the pvp aspect. Also, it has been confirmed that para gems will not be coming back in future events because STS wants to let this particular gem works itself out of the game, frankly, I don't see that happening anytime soon if the jewels stats stay the way it is.

I understand your point

[Donquixoth]

But para gems were a special premium reward at the event and the jewels are farmable all the time , so i think para gems dont deserve to be weaker than normal farmable gems. Para gems can also return in later events so the newer ppl get a chance to get one of them too. Its the same like arcanes not every player has an arcane item/eggs. So i think its better to close the gap between the item stats than changing the gems. Just think abt which change would be more game changing.

-Skillfeed-

Lol, any gems has been replaced with jewel, no more place for it to return. STS said they wont make another paracelsus gem anymore, that have crushing both pve and pvp. I think they should make it not stack with same gem, that gonna be better. so, one character only can use one gem.

[intizamfamily888]

But there are not that much left to have full para rogues outside(at lvl 46 with new gear)

[Fibus]

Thanks for the feedback on this everyone.

I think it's important to point out that some of the gem/jewel comparisons in the intial post are not "apples to apples" comparisons. When dealing with the Paracellus Soul Stone and Enchanted Eye of Syrillax, remember that these were difficult-to-obtain and limited time rewards. Making something that is openly farmable (new jewels) equal to that in power just would not make sense. Those items were special and will continue to be special. Better comparisons are the Dex/Str/Int gems/jewels, which are obtained in similar ways.

Also of importance is to remember this is a TEST SERVER. The reason we put all of this content there is to gather feedback. As we compile all of the feedback we receive on jewels, and everything else, we'll determine if we need to make any changes.

[Zeus]

Thanks for the feedback on this everyone.

I think it's important to point out that some of the gem/jewel comparisons in the intial post are not "apples to apples" comparisons. When dealing with the Paracellus Soul Stone and Enchanted Eye of Syrillax, remember that these were difficult-to-obtain and limited time rewards. Making something that is openly farmable (new jewels) equal to that in power just would not make sense. Those items were special and will continue to be special. Better comparisons are the Dex/Str/Int gems/jewels, which are obtained in similar ways.

Also of importance is to remember this is a TEST SERVER. The reason we put all of this content there is to gather feedback. As we compile all of the feedback we receive on jewels, and everything else, we'll determine if we need to make any changes.

True, but neither would causing Paracelsus and Enchanted Eye of Syrillax gems to be the top gems and be discontinued make sense either.

Perhaps, create a level of jewel that matches eye gem stat and Paracelsus gem stat that requires equal effort?

The phasing out plan will not work. All it will do is escalate prices on current Paracelsus gems and enchanted eye gems. Then, when the gems finally do run out, you have players that will be ridiculously OP for an entire year. When players cannot keep up or match those stats, they end up quitting. I don't mean to dramaticize things but this is exactly what happened in PL. The way the current jewel system is set up, it will only create obsolete OP players like myself that nobody can compete with.

In this case, I only have the best intentions for the longevity of the game. Regardless of how things play out, I will still be able to buy Paracelsus gems and Enchanted Eye gems to become one of the said obsolete OP players but the thing is - others will not be able to and it will drive players nuts that they cannot accomplish the same stats.

It's a very major issue that needs to be handled as quickly as possible. Thank you, Fibus!

[Bluebatthing]

Thanks for the feedback on this everyone.

I think it's important to point out that some of the gem/jewel comparisons in the intial post are not "apples to apples" comparisons. When dealing with the Paracellus Soul Stone and Enchanted Eye of Syrillax, remember that these were difficult-to-obtain and limited time rewards. Making something that is openly farmable (new jewels) equal to that in power just would not make sense. Those items were special and will continue to be special. Better comparisons are the Dex/Str/Int gems/jewels, which are obtained in similar ways.

Also of importance is to remember this is a TEST SERVER. The reason we put all of this content there is to gather feedback. As we compile all of the feedback we receive on jewels, and everything else, we'll determine if we need to make any changes.

Thank you for chiming in Fibus, it's great to see that devs are looking into what the players are suggesting.

IMO, I think most will agree that the introduction of those special gems had a negative effect on the balance of the game, and for those to remain special, how could balance be possible? I understand your intention of letting those gems work itself out of the game, but how long would that take if they continue to be special? Some players who are wealthy enough to afford these gems at the moment are hoarding them, in the form of gemming expensive items, if the jewels are not competitive, these items will be sold for big bucks. If this happens, I don't see how these gems will go anywhere. I sincerely hope you make these jewels more competitive than what we're seeing in the test server at this point.

[Candylicks]

Thanks for the feedback on this everyone.

I think it's important to point out that some of the gem/jewel comparisons in the intial post are not "apples to apples" comparisons. When dealing with the Paracellus Soul Stone and Enchanted Eye of Syrillax, remember that these were difficult-to-obtain and limited time rewards. Making something that is openly farmable (new jewels) equal to that in power just would not make sense. Those items were special and will continue to be special. Better comparisons are the Dex/Str/Int gems/jewels, which are obtained in similar ways.

Also of importance is to remember this is a TEST SERVER. The reason we put all of this content there is to gather feedback. As we compile all of the feedback we receive on jewels, and everything else, we'll determine if we need to make any changes.

Yes but eye and para gems should not continue to be the 'best' we can get our hands on. We expect to see progression in gear AND jewels with expansion. To continually have to back peddle and rely on items that are 1. no longer obtainable and 2. STILL superior to NEW items is excessively frustrating. Why would you release new jewels that aren't going to finally wipe out these old ones? You are still placing the ability to max out stats in the hands of a very few.

[Jazzi]

Thanks for the feedback on this everyone.

I think it's important to point out that some of the gem/jewel comparisons in the intial post are not "apples to apples" comparisons. When dealing with the Paracellus Soul Stone and Enchanted Eye of Syrillax, remember that these were difficult-to-obtain and limited time rewards. Making something that is openly farmable (new jewels) equal to that in power just would not make sense. Those items were special and will continue to be special. Better comparisons are the Dex/Str/Int gems/jewels, which are obtained in similar ways.

Also of importance is to remember this is a TEST SERVER. The reason we put all of this content there is to gather feedback. As we compile all of the feedback we receive on jewels, and everything else, we'll determine if we need to make any changes.

I see your point, but the difference right now is tremendous. Not only this will extremely frustrating for the existing players, who don't have the resources to afford the OP mixture of eye and para gems, but it will be a reason to quit for the new players. How is a new player supposed to get motivation to farm and/or spend money on a game when she/he knows that he can never become the best or compete with the best? No matter how much he farm or how much money he spends? Imagine how would people feel, who start playing 3-4 months into the expansion. By then the paras and eyes would have ran out, so what are they supposed to do? Suck it up and wait for the next expansion?

I have seen this happen in other games. Results have been always the same: wide spread discontent. You have a great opportunity to do it differently, please do!