New Hardcore

[hemulen]

I was going to post about the new artifacts that I found, but I see UrQuan already put out the relevant information.

Anyhow, no idea what Stone of Suukon does, but Star of Kirlundin apparently allows you to skip through most of book 2, so fighting the Harbor Thugs might be an option then. I honestly have no idea what happened, as I habitually clicked through the ship sections without reading the text, and suddenly found myself with Rhygar.

I also found a "vorpal sword", with a chance of instantly killing an enemy, regardless of combat resolution. I guess its one possible random? effect from those "glimmering sword" etc. weapon types. It happened twice during 3 or 4 combats, and it saved me from the reaper when a Drakkar attacked me on the ship, with me having 3 EP left.

I haven't played that much hardcore, so I'm yet to beat book 3. And I always seem to die in some stupid way there (last time I drowned, and before that I ate rotten food, or forgot to pick up the blue stone triangle).

[Ofecks]

Going to start a new HC run to unlock the last Kai/MK award hints. I saw this thread earlier and thought it was some kind of bonus HC+ mode, but apparently you replaced the old HC with it? I don't know if I like that... the old HC was hard enough. Maybe you can re-implement the old HC and use this new one as Brutal/Relentless/Mythic/Brink-of-Death/etc. mode? 'Cause right now it's going from completely-managable BtB to way-the-[fudge]-out-of-control mode, with nothing in between.

e: found Spirit Shroud, a cloth body armor. It's a white flowing robe typically worn by people in a certain climate. The person who parted with it couldn't see the harm in gifting a Kai Lord. It seems to reduce damage taken by 1 per round, which is insanely [fudgeing] good.

I'm liking this mode, but really, it needs to be separate to the old HC.

e2: Jeweled Mace obliterated Dhorgaan with its new effect. Not sure if it works on everyone or just him.

e3: A Great Spellbook was found among its bretheren. I'm not entirely sure, but I think it drastically reduced the EP of the Dakomyd. I only had to hit it once to get it to 25 or below. Also, this +4CS Glimmering Quarterstaff I found just chilling up against a wall in book 5 has been carrying me.