Andor's Trail

To your point Mino, it would take 5 level ups to get to the AC and AD bonus of the marrowtaint(horrible name btw) and only 2 level ups to get the AC/AD bonus of the upgraded equipment, exluding the crit hit bonus of the cool hat. So, this to me, is why the Marrowtaint seems such a great item. Now, as far as choosing sides, that is a different story.

Mad P wrote:

Pyrizzle wrote:I'd have to say really it depends on the build.

Don't agree

For me it depends on the character I'm role playing: the good ones go with Remgard, the evil ones side with the witch

But about the items: Marrowtaint is the best as it is effectively a JoF plus almost 6 xp levels. The current Remgard benefits don't come close. Even for the critical hit builds the hat isn't that big a deal...

+1 I totally agree

. and this feathered hat gives you only +1 ECC

Duke wrote:marrowtaint(horrible name btw).

This is off topic, but I am curious as to why you think so

I chose Remgard because my character (while a little naive) is (trying to be) good, but I think the crit hit hat is fairly useless to my character anyway. I have what I think is a more well rounded build, rather than one maxing out on just one thing. For me the Enhanced Combat Helmet pretty easily outweighs a feather in my cap. I have the Dagger of the Shadow Priest, two Polished Rings of Backstabbing, and the Troublemaker's Gloves equipped; I also have More Criticals Lv. 1, and I get plenty of critical hits. Another 4-6% (4 base + 20% = 4.8, 4 + 45% = 5.8) isn't worth forfeiting the extra 7AC and 11BC advantage that the Enhanced Combat Helmet has over it. I understand that you can grind a few levels to make up the AC and BC difference between the two, but you could grind levels with either hat so it's still the same trade off.

As to the the original question of overall better benefits, then I think Remgard wins anyway. The Enhanced Combat Helmet, the Remgard Combat vest and the Enhanced Remgard Combat Shield are sooooo much better than the next best items in each of their categories that they far outweigh the Marrowtaint for me. Throw in a pair of Rings of The Protector (just in case you get into a situation that needs a little extra defense) AND the possibility of future upgradable items (just imagine removing the Blackwater Curse), and it's an easy decision, I think. However: Who knows what the witch might do for you in future updates?

Also, who knows what strange twists and turns the story will take in future updates? Remgard could be devil worshipers, and the kids hiding behind the prison and armory could be their next human sacrifices, or the witch could be a righteous heroin stranded on this god (or shadow) forsaken mountain and at her whit's end. If I was trying to play an evil character, it seem like I'd have to go with the witch just to see that storyline play out. With a good character It seems like Remgard is the one to pick. A neutral character (with fore-knowledge of the outcome) would go with Remgard just for the gear though.

Thanks for this open discussion. I have a basically good aligned character, that does believe in the shadow (so I got Vacor's boots since I thought that guy was totally evil). I went for dispelling all evil stuff like the Kazaul shrine in the imp temple and the strange helmet. Probably will go maxing out defense against poison and other disorders combined with maximum DR from skills and crit from equipment. Seems to me that Remgard is the way to go in this case?

opinions could change after future updates if more items become upgradeable into something very useful. too bad the JoF isn't upgradeable...

Mino wrote:opinions could change after future updates if more items become upgradeable into something very useful.

I hope more upgrades are introduced later. The marrowtaint seems like the best reward of the options, but there was no way my character was going to side with a crazy witch. Trying to trick random strangers into killing the people she had kidnapped and turned into rats isn't cool.

Well if that is the story behind the witch I will side with Remgard too. I might start over with a new char, going the evil way and getting Dark Protector and Marrowtaint and slay all the sheep and stuff

Thystonius wrote:Well if that is the story behind the witch I will side with Remgard too. I might start over with a new char, going the evil way and getting Dark Protector and Marrowtaint and slay all the sheep and stuff

I also did this. Enjoy! It feels good to be bad.