Chapter 214. Equipment upgrades
Fortunately for his relationship, Michael still had enough common sense to put the books away when in bed, though it was mostly due to how hot Helen was in lingerie only.
After an intense workout session, the couple lay in bed reviewing Michael's remaining five Legendary items and realized that, in most cases, what he currently had on was better than most drops.
Either way, they slowly went through each affix, making sure not to miss anything.
[ Boneweave Fauls of The Crowded Sage
Legendary Pants
563 Item Power
-----------------
563 Armor (+93 when compared to the currently equipped item)
* While Injured, your Potion also restores 10% of Resources.
-----------------
* +12% Damage for 4 Seconds after killing an Elite
* +24 Strength
*+21.0% Cold Resistance
* +3.1% Dodge Chance
Legendary Aspect: You heal for 19 Life Points per second for each Close enemy, up to 112 Life Points per second.
Empty Slot
Empty Slot ]
[ Boneweave Fauls of Disobedience
Legendary Pants
591 Item Power (+20 from upgrading)
-----------------
591 Armor (+121 when compared to the currently equipped item)
* While Injured, your Potion also grants 10% Maximum Life as a Barrier.
-----------------
* +19.0% Poison Resistance
* +8.0% Damage Reduction from Close Enemies
* +4.8% Damage Reduction while Fortified
* +2 Ranks of Blood Mist (Necromancer Only)
Legendary Aspect: You gain 0.7% increased Armor for 4 seconds when you deal any form of damage, stacking up to 42.0%.
Empty Slot ]
The two new Legendary pieces were worse than the currently equipped pants.
[ Boneweave Fauls of Disobedience (+4)
Legendary Pants
470 Item Power (+20 from upgrading)
-----------------
470 Armor
* While Injured, your Potion also grants 14% Maximum Life as a Barrier.
-----------------
* +14 to All Stats
* +32 Willpower
*+9.1% Healing Received
* +1 Rank of Corpse Explosion (Necromancer Only)
Legendary Aspect: You gain 0.8% increased Armor for 4 seconds when you deal any form of damage, stacking up to 48%.
+2.5% Maximum Life (Chipped Ruby)
+2.5% Maximum Life (Chipped Ruby) ]
Not only would he end up losing 14 points for each attribute, 14% Life Points as Barrier every time he took a Healing Potion, and an extra level for his Corpse Explosion skill, but he would also lose up to a possible 2,800+ Armor while in fights due to his Legendary Aspect.
So, the first pair of pants was out of the question. The second one was better in terms of Armor but worse in terms of affixes and Legendary Aspects.
[There's no reason to swap them for now. At least not until you find another item with the same Aspect you could extract. If I'm not mistaken, there's also a Dungeon in Kehjistan called Halls of the Damned, where the Aspect you gain after clearing is the Aspect of Disobedience.](Helen)
"What!? That's perfect! Do you have its location?"
[Yes. However, you might want to wait until you clear the next level of the Codex of Power before attempting it. I am also doing the same and keeping the Halls of the Damned as the last Dungeon I need to clear.](Helen)
"Wait. You haven't cleared the next level of the Codex yet?"
[It's different for everyone. My condition was clearing 100 normal Dungeons solo and 50 Nightmare Dungeons ten levels above my own. You can see how that might be difficult.](Helen)
"Fair point. Chest Armor next."
Therefore, Michael decided to extract both Legendary Aspects from the two pants pieces since they might come in handy later.
Next, they looked at the chest piece.
[ Archon Armor of the Protector
Legendary Chest Armor
550 Item Power
-----------------
962 Armor (+15 when compared to the currently equipped item)
* +9.0% Darkness Skill Damage
* +8.0% Physical Damage
* +8.0% Damage Reduction from Close Enemies
* +19.5% Poison Resistance
Legendary Aspect: Damaging an Elite enemy grants you a Barrier absorbing up to 1,482 damage for 10 seconds. This effect can only happen once every 30 seconds. ]
And then the item he currently had equipped.
[ Juggernaut's Archon Armor
Legendary Chest Armor
541 Item Power
-----------------
947 Armor
* +12.0% Ultimate Skill Damage
* +9.0% Shadow Damage
* +21 Willpower
* +19.5% Shadow Resistance
Legendary Aspect: You gain 780 Armor, but your Evade has a 100% increased Cooldown.
+2.5% Maximum Life (Chipped Ruby slotted) ]
Therefore, the current chest piece would stay on.
[Temporarily, your current one is better. However, combined with your pants Aspect, getting an extra 1,400+ damage reduction after damaging an Elite enemy is pretty good. After all, you'll meet more and more Elites after Level 50.](Helen)
"In conclusion, I'll also extract this one."
[Yup.](Helen)
"Good. The ring next."
[ Starlight Band
Legendary Ring
578 Item Power
-----------------
* +4.0% Resistance to All Elements
* +4.0% Lightning Resistance
------------------
* +19.0% Damage to Injured Enemies
* +4.5% Damage to Shadow Damage Over Time-Afflicted Enemies
* +3.5$ Lucky Hit Chance
* +12.0% Maximum Minion Life
Legendary Aspect: Gain 36 of your Primary Resource for every 20% of your Life Points you heal.
Empty Socket ]
The Rapid Band was the closest he had to it, so he compared the two.
[ Rapid Band
Legendary Ring
520 Item Power
-----------------
* +3.6% Resistance to All Elements
* +3.6% Lightning Resistance
------------------
* +10.0% Shadow Damage
* +5.5% Damage over Time
* +13.0% Damage to Injured Enemies
* +13.0% Maximum Minion Life
Legendary Aspect: Basic Skills gain +25% Attack Speed.
+125 Armor (Chipped Skull slotted) ]
It wasn't easy making the decision, but in the end, the duo decided to salvage the new ring for materials while waiting for something good to drop from Dungeons in terms of a decent Aspect to replace his two rings with.
[I'll help you check for two Dungeons with good Aspect drops for your rings. Honestly, going from 25% to 35% after the Codex upgrade to the next level isn't that big of a difference, even though it might save your life on higher-difficulty Dungeons. So, you might as well collect everything you can and need right now.](Helen)
"Please. That would help me a lot instead of counting on my luck for a good item drop."
The final new item was one Michael was particularly happy with since it was his current one, but better.
[ Coldbringer's Bone Shield
Legendary Shield
575 Item Power
-----------------
431 Armor (+118 when compared with the currently equipped item)
* 53% Blocked Damage Reduction
* 20% Block Chance
* + 80% Main Hand Weapon Damage
* + 140 Thorns
------------------
* +4.8% Basic Skill Attack Speed
* +3.3% Lucky Hit Chance
* +7.0% Healing Received
* +116 Maximum Life
Legendary Aspect: Every 8 seconds, your Skeleton Mages cast a blizzard that deals 606 Cold damage and continuously chills enemies for 8% over the duration of 6 seconds. (Necromancer only)
Empty Socket ]
It was obviously better than the currently equipped shield from most points of view.
[ Coldbringer's Aegis
Legendary Shield
278 Item Power
-----------------
313 Armor
* 50% Blocked Damage Reduction
* 20% Block Chance
* + 80% Main Hand Weapon Damage
* + 56 Thorns
------------------
* +5 to All stats
* +14.5% Maximum Minion Life
* +3.5% Healing Received
* +3.0% Barrier Generation
Legendary Aspect: Every 8 seconds, your Skeleton Mages cast a blizzard that deals 360 Cold damage and continuously chills enemies for 8% over the duration of 6 seconds. (Necromancer only) ]
Turning to Helen, he asked what her suggestion was.
[Are you planning to max out the new shield?](Helen)
"Yes."
[Then, you'll also probably modify one of its affixes. Which one?](Helen)
"The Healing Received most likely."
[Ugh... to be honest, I would suggest going for the Maximum Life affix instead.](Helen)
"Oh? Why?"
[Because even after the four upgrades, it would still barely give you 200 points or so. It would be better to keep the 7.0% Healing Received instead. As for what to replace it with... that would depend on your luck.](Helen)
"I guess... Well. That's for tomorrow me to handle. *Sigh* I'll get busy again soon."
[I won't ask you to be careful since I know you value your life as much as I do. Don't hesitate to ask us for help. Even if we cannot participate directly in the Quest, we can send reinforcements at the very least.](Helen)
"I know. I'd say that I'll rush to your level fast, but seeing how I didn't manage to reach halfway through Level 50 after three Quests, a Dungeon, and a Stronghold Event, something tells me it will take me a while."
The couple fell asleep a while later, with Helen nuzzled next to him and Michael slightly worried about his future.
It would be a lie to say he wasn't since not only was his path to better equipment temporarily cut, but so was his advancement to the next tier of his Class and the Paragon Board due to the closed Nightmare Dungeons.
Furthermore, everything that has been going on lately gave him bad vibes. Ultimately, he could only sleep it off and pray that nothing too bad happens.
The next morning, after a hearty breakfast with the girls, Michael and Helen visited Deyman's shop.
First, the Necromancer extracted the Aspects from the two pairs of pants and the chest piece, gaining three more pieces for his Aspects inventory.
"I only now remembered, but it looks like I have another Aspect of the Protector from before. This one gives only 1,188 damage absorption after damaging an Elite. If I go at this rate, I'll fill my inventory slots."
[Don't worry about it. Dad can buy them from you, though, it would be at a lesser price compared to what you'd get if you sell it to someone interested in that specific Aspect. Right, dad?](Helen)
[Let me see. Aspect of the Protector... Barrier worth of 1,188 damage points each 30 seconds. Mhm. I can buy it for 10,000 gold coins.](Deyman)
A bit speechless and somehow feeling that he had been ripped off, Michael paid 159,687 to extract the three Aspects and then gained an extra 10,000 gold coins by selling an older one.
The problem appeared after wanting to modify the affix on the shield.
During the first attempt - which cost him 40,510 gold coins, 5 Veiled Crystals, and 1 Angelbreath - Michael got back a Barrier Generation and a Damage Reduction while Fortified affix in return.
Gritting his teeth, he spent another 81,020 gold coins, 5 Veiled Crystals, and 1 Angelbreath and rerolled the option.
This time, he had to choose between +22 Intelligence and +9 to All Stats. He obviously chose the latter.
After leaving the shop with 271,217 gold coins, 10 Veiled Crystals, and 2 Angelbreaths less, the duo visited Zivek, where he would spend even more money and materials.
Fortunately, the blacksmith wasn't as blackhearted as Helen's dad, and the Necromancer only ended up forking 25,760 gold coins, 55 Rawhides, 16 Superior Leathers, 9 Veiled Crystals, and 2 Coiling Wards.
He was very happy with the product handed back by Zivek, though. Quite a lot, actually.
[ Coldbringer's Bone Shield (+4)
Legendary Shield
595 Item Power (+20 from upgrading)
-----------------
446 Armor (+133 when compared with the currently equipped item)
* 53% Blocked Damage Reduction
* 20% Block Chance
* + 80% Main Hand Weapon Damage
* + 212 Thorns
------------------
* +6.7% Basic Skill Attack Speed
* +4.6% Lucky Hit Chance
* +9.8% Healing Received
* +13 to All Stats
Legendary Aspect: Every 8 seconds, your Skeleton Mages cast a blizzard that deals 606 Cold damage and continuously chills enemies for 8% over the duration of 6 seconds. (Necromancer only)
+18 Life on Kill (Flawless Skull slotted) ]
The slotted gem came after paying another 18,000 gold coins and 350 Skull Fragments to Kratia, who happily informed him that he could now create Flawless Gems since he reached Level 50.
The woman tried to tempt him to swap his other gems for Flawless-grade ones, but after seeing how the Maximum Life on the Chipped Rubbies went up from 2.5 to only 3.5% after two rank upgrades, he decided it was safer for his wallet not to.
Not only did his gold reserves drop to 607,911, but he was left with only 456 Skull Fragments, meaning that he was in deep shit if he got more items with sockets in the near future since he wouldn't have the needed materials to craft them.
When it came to buying the gem fragments, after hearing that one gem fragment of any type was sold for 1,000 gold coins a piece, he decided to stay in his lane and farm harder.
Salvaging the Legendary ring and the now useless older shield, the Necromancer got back 4 Iron Chunks, 1 Silver Ore, 2 Rawhides, 1 Coiling Ward, 1 Abstruse Sigil, and 1 Baleful Fragment.
As it turns out, his shield contributed most of those materials, with the ring only giving one Iron Chunk and one Abstruse Sigil.
Seeing this reminded Michael of the higher rarity items he couldn't get, making him quite depressed.
Finally out of the shop, even if he had lighter pockets, the status page showed an overall upgrade which made him happy.
[ Class: High Necromancer
Attack Power: 992
Armor: 5,788
Life: 2,442
--------------
Strength: 294
Intelligence: 353
Willpower: 392
Dexterity: 348 ]