I think the most useless and unrewarding mechanic any game can introduce is the percentage buff (to an great extent with exceptions)
I’m sure most can disagree with me saying that anything that adds to any stat is worth a few extra pints….but I cannot fathom that.
When I have to make a choice between 10% boost of a total stat and “x” amount of raw points I am always, always, ALWAYS going to choose x points. Why? Well it’s very simple math.
Okay say you had to choose the sigil of bloodlust or sigil of force. One gives 5% damage on each weapon and the other add 250 points of extra power. And lets say you average 1.3k crits with a one hander Hits. Well with the power I can add roughly 150 extra points of damage. while 5% of 1,3k mean a pathetic 65 extra points, and it’s a weaker number with two weapons combined.
Now i’m not saying that percentage are bad for higher base damages where power can’t compete but how many people can even hit numbers that high just on main weapon. (And no thieves don’t count because all thieves are broken easy mode in any mmo so shut up. At least and d and d you actually suffered for lack of armor)
Same goes for 10% potions, speed, magic find (I know those mf only apply on the base chance of every monster drop, i.e. diablo 2 loot style. Btw 250% of 2% rare drop is 4.5% total) damage reduction and other percent buffs.
The percentages are not worth it when the number is not big enough to be noticed.
Yay I can block 10% of 4k hit from a dredge. Yeah half of my life bar went to kitten but I saved 400 hp on the chance he doesn’t smack harder or spams an attack. Oh boy 10% against undead. Now my 500 hit is 550….it’s 10% faster?
The market is full of sigils, potions and other gear that is near worthless because of those percentage buffs. Some exceptions of course
I wouldn’t take the everquest 2 route and obscenely buff items to near god-like entities compared to their previous content, only to make new enemies beyond god like in an artifice to leveling.
But I think those buffs need a second take.
How about 20%?