So we can expect more "build items" like the Headband of Intellect. I really hate these items for several reasons.
- If I make an Eldritch Knight with 16 Intelligence, I want to be rewarded by stronger spells. A Headband of Intellect punishes me for it. I wasted those points on Intelligence when the correct build is to dump Int entirely.
- Your character's ability scores should always matter, rather than being overwritten.
- Magic items should not be a guaranteed thing to always get, or keep.
- 5e shifted focus from magic gear into characters and their abilities, which is really cool. Larian are now undoing that again with some asinine "Lightning Build" item sets that revolve around a particular gameplay-defining gimmick like fighting in a pool of water, every time. Also, underlining enemy AI's inability to avoid such obvious tactics.
- Encouraging dump statting is stupid.
Overall, I don't enjoy the "video game itemization" i.e. constant grind of upgrading your gear that came from MMO's that DOS also suffers from. RPG's don't need that grindy gameplay loop. It's just distracting and repetitive, and it makes all magic items feel like replaceable trash.
Larian said initially that magic items would be faithful to D&D i.e. rare and impactful. Now it seems like the floodgates are open again and a flood of videogamey magic junk is 'required' after all.
At higher levels where progression is slowed down, they should focus on great storytelling and well designed encounters for gameplay instead of adding more empty gameplay with small grindy power-ups. It's also nice to take your time and stop to enjoy your powerful hard earned abilities at level 9 or 11. It creates a good dynamic where higher levels feel different instead of just more of the same with constant linear upgrades in some form.
