Unidentifyable magical items

[Eltsac]

This is a post following Nysan's note in my identify on Merchants post. As it's a separate subject, I continue here ...

It is not so much a matter of like/dislike of this idea, for me. It is more a distrust of identify and its failure to identify a number of magical items. Until that issue is worked out, I have been avoid identify related ideas. I'm not against shops offering free identifying on items, I'm against the dreaded "magic flag without information".

I have noticed wandering in the game more and more magical items (coming from the underdark?) that would not show anything on identify.

I think some of those magical properties come from the fact the item can be activated at some specific place / with a specific mob at a specific quest point.
I find it also really fustrating to have magical items that do nothing (even if the magical flag is IC considering its use in the quest).
Those items are sold / handed out as magical items when they are of no more use or if the holder found it without information / forgot the information about what it's for.

Maybe we should agree to keep the magical flag only for items that really have a lifetime magical property / activation.
For those one use quest item, not use the magical flag, maybe add in the long description the fact that there are runes or a glow or whatever on the item.

Would make the part between real magical items and 'one use quest activation items', and it would remove quite some frustration for me.

It is fun to ICly run around trying to find information about un unkown magical item. You loose all the fun when you find more and more such items and see others have the same than yours and have abandonned their search for a while now.

If people agree with that, could we fix those items progressively posting them in a specific thread?

El

[Raona]

Area gurus: Would it be possible to have the object code strip the magical flag when the item becomes mundane?

[Eltsac]

Or maybe make sure those items can only be obtained when on the quest (I don't know if it's the case or not) and code it so it disappears or is taken back by the mob when activation / quest is done ?

El

[Brar]

Bad idea that comes from another place that no longer is.

Have a text field on object called identify where the builder put the text that is shown while using identify.
Can even use multiple level of identify for multiple spells (identify, analyse dweomer, wish, bardic lore, ect)

But it will inccur a total revamp of all the object in the game, thus a bad idea even if it sounds awfully nice...

[Eltsac]

well, I like the idea, but instead of being the identify information, it can be extra information.
So identify will always shows the current info if nothing is set in this/those field(s) .
So no need of changing al existing objects.

But builders can add extra informations on the magical properties of an item
I don't know much about the identifying means and the difference of knowledge they give but I could see :
- a field for basic identify extra information, for items that haven't magical basic properties but that have progs on them, so you can find out about the item activation or wathever.

and maybe later
- a field for a bardic knowledge skill (skill would only show this info, not basic identify one) for specific items for which properties might be known through the story of the item itself or of its owner
- other fields?

El

[Nysan]

This issue has been a thorn in Gilain's side and one of my personal "bite head off animal cracker" irritations for years, thus given me quite a while to think it over. Here are my top 3 suggestions.

1. Quest only items should not be magically flagged, unless they have additional benefits. Example: Ring that activates a statue for X quest: No flag. Ring that activates a statue in X quest, but also grants the wearer water breathing: Flag.

2. Magic, but not magic, warning. A warning, either through identify spell, or something listed in long description, that states the item is quest related with no other enchantments. Example: Description: "This rod looks like it could fit into something." Identify: "This ring is an activation device for something larger."

3. Knowledge Arcana. Put this old boy to use, since anyone can get it. Examine the item and a successful check hints at the item's use. Example: "A shiny, stone ring looks like it was part of a statue at one point." or "A pretty, pink rod has craftsmanship seen in the ruins of the old School of Wonder."

Whatever the choice, anything is better than a flag with a blank identify response.

[Lathlain]

You're likely referring to some of the items - primarily rings and necklaces - generated with the random loot table. This is an acknowledged issue, as several of the stock items have 'placeholder values', granting them a magical effect that isn't currently on the live port. For instance, you may have a ring of featherfall in your possession, but identifying it won't feed back with any useful information to that effect yet.

My recommendation is to hold on to any items like this from the random loot table, as we're hoping to have them fixed soon! They weren't supposed to slip through the net and into your beltpouches yet.

If, on the other hand, you've found some magical items that -aren't- created through the random loot table and still have no identification values, please submit them to the bug forum so we can add some identification text to them. If you aren't sure whether or not the item is made from the random loot table, submit a bug anyway and we'll find out for you!

[Brar]

I think Eltsac was more likely referring to old (very old) coded items, I have seen plenty of those mainly coming from the undermountain, from staff to rings to crown and still have some with Brar. I will make some reports about them when I find the time.