Spiral Knights - Almirian Set: Why so underpowered?

Almirian Set: Why so underpowered?

12 replies [Last post]

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 13:21

Maharito

The equipment has half the curse resistance of other 5* gear and a weakness while the Dread Skelly equipment has two proper resistances. Though the Almirian Set is weighted toward Normal (making it a little better in general than Skelly), it is then objectively worse than the Snarbolax set which sacrifices maybe 10% defense for a valuable sword attack power boost.

As a result, and because I don't like salamander suits at all, I have no interest whatsoever preparing for a Tier 3 Shadow Lair run. (Full disclosure: I don't have any 5* gear yet, but I'm getting close. Also beat all of a Stratum 6 solo without dying today, so I am not a wimp.)

EDIT: If the helm and armor had the fire and shock resistances the Crest of Almire does, that alone would make it worth my time!

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 13:24

Coatl

The set is just for

The set is just for aesthetics.

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 13:31

Bopp

right

Right. Most of the Shadow Lair gear is really not very good, and should be used only as costume, by people who want to flaunt their wealth/skill. I myself have the Snarbolax set and nothing else. You do SFSC because it's fun, not because of the treasure.

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 13:41

Maharito

So then

Well then, what about the Mercurial Demo set? And all of the other sets at least TRY to have a niche use (the Ice Queen set having alternate resistances from Royal Jelly, the Heavenly Iron set being a defense-oriented Valkyrie set, the Arcane Salamander set being practically a straight improvement on Volcanic Salamander). I know the forum hivemind and the spreadsheets both say that offense is king in this game, but defensive armors should also be worthwhile somehow. And this set is simply not worthwhile.

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 13:57

Coatl

Mercurial set is a good set.

Mercurial set is a good set. Chroma set is arguably a good set. Snarbolax is an amazing armor.

Other than that the rest of the SL lines are like downgrades.

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 14:34

Bopp

really?

"Chroma set is arguably a good set."

You mean the Arcane Salamander Mask/Suit? The one that gives you Low bonuses against the monsters that do piercing damage, but then doesn't give you any piercing defense? That seems like one of the worst armors to me (along with Volcanic Salamander). Deadly Virulisk makes much more sense.

Maharito, I agree with you that the purely defensive armors "should" offer truly better defense, so that there is room for a defensive tactical mode in this game. For example, if there were a "tank" situation, where one character had really strong defense and his teammates could attack from behind him, then that might make for some varied tactics, and for more value to defensive armor. But the game just doesn't have that.

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 14:55

Maharito

My primary argument was that

My primary argument was that the Almirian Set isn't even as good a defensive armor as other defensive armors, which makes it pathetic considering the amount of preparation and investment to earn a set on your own. And I don't feel too good spending a whole bunch of crowns and energy just to craft the thing on top of it all, when it will only be for bragging rights. If I have to work to get it AND work to make it, then it had better do something really unique or useful. Buying a Maiden's Tear for less than 1/4 the cost of a Shadow Key and then making it on a Rabid Snarbolax run is an option--so it's not even a particularly effective bragging right.

So, I find this all-around inferior set detracting from making me play some of the game that would require me to invest and prepare for a challenge. From the Three Rings design standpoint, that seems like a missed opportunity!

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 15:19

Juances

I bet that if almirian was a good set, people would complain about it, since you have to pay a lot and blah blah blah.
Remember the rage when SL were announced?
Besides being hard to get isnt an excuse to make it too good.

It's weak now, but I'd do no more than add a random dmg vs undeads/fiend bonus or some status resist. Maybe +1 life ala vitasuit/ancient.

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 16:10

Traevelliath

...

I wouldn't mind a buff in SL armors (with the exception of Snarby and maybe Mercurial). They are hard to get and are generally meh.

Almost everyone I know of regards Almirian as an expensive costume, more than an actual armor set. I personally have Heavenly Iron, which almost never sees action unless I'm in a Fiend level (Even in UFSC, I use Snarby). I rarely see Arcane Salamander as anything other than a costume. The only time I see an Ice Queen set is either, once again, an expensive costume, or with Shock immunity, making it immune to the 3 major statuses of Lockdown (Shock, Freeze, and Stun).

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 19:52

Dark-Flare

I think the point of the

I think the point of the Almirian Crusader is to emphasize the storyline, specifically behind Almire; The Almirians are supposed to be "pure" according to the description, thus the shadow and curse defenses. But they are weak to fire, explaining how Vanaduke became what he is. Full story here:
http://wiki.spiralknights.com/Firestorm_Citadel

The rest of the SL gear... while not all bad for general use, they are not the best in terms of optimization.

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 21:15

#10

Coatl

Bopp the whole point of the

Bopp the whole point of the chroma line is to be flexible with all types of enemies. Sure, if you are a swordsman Wolver line outclasses the chroma line, but for hybrid players the chroma line is pretty efficient in dealing with most things.

It's still a meh set, but not as meh as almirian, heavenly armor, or Jelly Queen set.

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 22:05

#11

Traevelliath

...

@Coatl I would disagree with 66% of that last part

Heavenly Iron is at least specialized for a specific scenario. It's good for primarily sword users, who still use stuff like a Callahan or Blitz, while fighting Fiends. In addition, Ice Queen with Shock immunity pretty much gives the middle finger to most Lockdown bombers.

Fri, 06/01/2012 - 05:19

#12

Bopp

all types of enemies?

"Bopp the whole point of the chroma line is to be flexible with all types of enemies."

I understand that the monster-specific damage bonuses of the Chroma line help with all weapons, not just swords or guns or bombs. But the offensive bonuses are just for slimes (and in one case beast Low). So I think that you've overstated the point of the Chroma line. It's to be flexible with slimes, maybe? That's 1/6 of monsters.

It appears that I still miss the point of the Chroma line.

Search

Almirian Set: Why so underpowered?