Larian Studios Forums Divinity: Original Sin 2 Divinity - Original Sin 2 - General Item scaling, randomization and you.

I have mixed feelings about this:

1.) I think that generic names like "blooded plate of water" are not very impressive in an epic RPG. The fact that weapons with a higher level than you cost more AP was also bad, but with less AP in D:OS2 it would not work anyway. It feels strange that normal weapons are better than epic weapons whose level is a bit lower. But I am not completely against randomness because:

2.) When every magic can be found in a fixed position it reduces the replay value for me. The extreme example is BG2. I know the position of most magic items and dungeons (and the order in which you do them) become a shopping list instead of exploration. I gets worse when some items are very powerful. You want to be a paladin in BG2? Then you should spend all points in greatsword plus 2h style (+ a ranged weapon). A mage will aim for the staff of magi. Fail of ages and mace of disruption are other examples for game breaking weapons. And the game throws magic items at you from the very beginning (chaos sword+2, Lilarcor). ToB throws so many epic items at you that epic becomes boring.
In the PoE forums I dislike that many people post chars that are only useful with certain special items (like retaliation) and how to get them as early as possible. I like it when the game has a certain element of surprise. You find something that you did not expect when you play the game a second time.

my suggestions:
- Epic items may have properties that do not exist on other items. This way they feel more epic.
- A mix of both systems. Some magic items can be found in fixed positions so you can be sure you find something useful for your char. But there is also a chance to find magic items randomly. At least some of the randomly found items may be hand crafted (= finding is random but stats/descriptions are not)
- Get rid of item levels. In areas with enemies, these enemies have a certain level. Towns are surrounded with enemies of a certain level. This is enough to know how strong the items in this area should be. If your char can find it and has the requirements (like stat value) he should be able to use it.
- In term of immersion: If you can see that an enemy fights with a certain type of weapon or armor he should drop such things (if he drops something at all.) This means if you fight an orc in plate armor and a huge axe, he should not drop a leather armor and a dagger.

PS: I disliked that all sarongs in D:OS1 were dependent on int. My warrior and archer were unable to use good ones. (I did not play the newest version of D:OS)