ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

Are there any plans- to the best of anyone's knowledge- to implement tinkers on shields in future versions? Are there any lore-based reasons not to? One could argue that since none of the EoR classes use shields, there wouldn't be any need for shield tinkers... But none of the EoR classes are staff users, and Mana Coil is a thing, so there's that. Given the popularity of acquiring tinkers from escorts, and the amount of shield-using classes, surely I can't be the first person to have thought this desirable.

If tinkers for shields were added, presumably there would be both defensive- and offensive-oriented tinkers? This could get complicated: since one can block with a steamsaw, might they be able to use shield tinkers in addition to weapon tinkers? Should shields be allowed to use weapon tinkers? (Stone warden, I'm looking at you here...)

The idea of mainhand/offhand tinkers, rather than weapon and shield, briefly occurred to me, but that doesn't make a whole lot of sense lore-wise, as all the EoR classes are dual wielders.

Of course, this brings up the idea of a very tanky steam-using class, and the addition of a Steam Powered Shield to the set of steam powered fixedarts. Though that raises its own problem completing the set for most classes. There's probably a workaround there: "know the block talent" or the like for the Steam Powered Shield to count toward completing the set.

...and seeing as Mana Coil is already a thing, why not a steamcaster class, if we're going there?

Any thoughts?

There is actually a shield tinker: the Galvanic Retributor.
There is a bug with that one, however (iirc), and that is that when attaching to a shield that does something on block, it will apply the effects but not actually attach, so you can stack the effects endlessly.

I did have a big list, but DarkGod thought that 150 different tinkers was too many...

I've been told that a steamwizard is in the works, so hopefully, if/when that ever happens, we'll have tinkers revisited as well so that shields and staves have ones that are worth a damn (mana coil is good but it's your only option, really).

PseudoLoneWolf wrote:I've been told that a steamwizard is in the works, so hopefully, if/when that ever happens, we'll have tinkers revisited as well so that shields and staves have ones that are worth a damn (mana coil is good but it's your only option, really).

Officially or addon wise?

I had an idea for a steam wizard/thaumaturgist style class ages back and then RL hit and I never got around to doing much with it. (Probably still have the files lying around somewhere, though..)

But yes, tinkers for shields are sorely overlooked and I do hope we get some eventually.

I would say just enabling armor tinkers for shields is a good idea, but this might get OP with Second Skin or Crystal Plating.

Adding spikes to your shield is definitely logical though, at least.

Ravenholme wrote:

PseudoLoneWolf wrote:I've been told that a steamwizard is in the works, so hopefully, if/when that ever happens, we'll have tinkers revisited as well so that shields and staves have ones that are worth a damn (mana coil is good but it's your only option, really).

Officially or addon wise?

Only semi-officially, it was an offhand comment by DG in tomechat.

Chronosplit wrote:I would say just enabling armor tinkers for shields is a good idea, but this might get OP with Second Skin or Crystal Plating.

Adding spikes to your shield is definitely logical though, at least.

you've got a good idea there
but second skin wouldn't really make sense for shields, you could just limit that one to chest armor

I'd like to see the spike attachment tinker for the shield add physical proc damage on block and hit, and bonus armor
armor reinforcement could increase its block value, and give it bonus armor
rustproof coating could do what it already does
crystal plating could also do what it already does
ablative armor could cause the shield to have more armor and explode when you block, and when it crits, causing fire and physical damage based on your steampower, and knocking back the opponent(if in melee range) and preventing a blocked attack from critting, even if partially blocked, but it wouldn't grant passive crit shrug if put on a shield
and galvanic retributior should be buffed; its awful

shields aren't so great unless you're a class that normally uses a shield