memorable randarts

[Derakon]

I'm uncertain exactly why they're considered to be unbalanced, but the way they provoke tedious gameplay is definitely to be discouraged. The "modern" solution was to give Cubragol a fire brand so that it automatically shoots flaming bolts without any need to enchant ammo (and deal with the extremely lengthy cooldown). However, the activation still exists, even if it is unused in the standard artifact set.

[emulord]

Surely firebranded bolts aren't too overpowered considering Cubragol already gives +10 speed?

Maybe discount them 100% off if you don't want them breaking the money game.
Its another variant of townscumming otherwise. Firebranded is probably the worst brand anyway.

[scud]

It all makes sense now.

Oh yes.

[Derakon]

It's a comment on how Cubragol's old activation was bad for gameplay (providing unlimited fire-branded bolts if you were willing to spend ages tediously waiting for it to recharge). Arguably the activation should no longer be available for items, so you wouldn't ever see that description.

[scud]

c) the Ring of Nahaegur (+1,+1) <+3>
     Dropped by a Pit Fiend at 4700 feet (level 94).
     
     +3 strength, intelligence, wisdom, constitution, charisma.
     +15% to searching.
     Provides immunity to fire.
     Provides resistance to acid, lightning, cold, poison, light, dark,
     shards, disenchantment.
     Provides protection from fear, blindness.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, electricity, fire, cold.
     Sustains strength, intelligence, constitution, charisma.
     Slows your metabolism.  Feather Falling.  Prevents paralysis. 
     Grants the ability to see invisible things.  
     
     When activated, it brands bolts with fire, in an unbalanced
     fashion.
     Takes 799 to 1267 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 87.5%

It's a lovely ring, allowing me to ditch the Weaponmastery (disen) and Quarterstaff 'Asbestoscottonwoolbud'. It also maintained my total lack of equipment-based DEX, at least until I got home and put on my lovingly stored Trickery.

But... can someone please tell me what 'unbalanced branding' is?

[Derakon]

Lets see. 4 STR, CON. Very nice for a warrior. +8+8, very nice for a warrior. Poison, shards are nice for anyone. Telepathy, nice for anyone. Acid ball activate, nice for warrior. I hope you're playing a warrior.

Hell, if I were playing a mage I'd be seriously tempted to wear them, casting penalties or no. Those gloves are amazing.

[Thraalbee]

Ranger. Doing a lot of melee too, although arrows are doing more damage.

http://angband.oook.cz/ladder-show.php?id=14008

[Philip]

Lets see. 4 STR, CON. Very nice for a warrior. +8+8, very nice for a warrior. Poison, shards are nice for anyone. Telepathy, nice for anyone. Acid ball activate, nice for warrior. I hope you're playing a warrior.

[Thraalbee]

My first artifact handgear in this game were these, a wee bit better than the set of annoyingly useless handgear you tend to find in the early game with standarts

k) the Set of Caestus of Belwe (+8,+8) [5,+19] <+4>
Found lying on the floor at 2900 feet (level 58).

+4 strength, constitution, charisma.
Provides resistance to lightning, poison, dark, shards.
Cannot be harmed by acid, electricity, fire, cold.
Grants telepathy.

When aimed, it creates an acid ball with damage 125.
Takes 279 to 341 turns to recharge at your current speed.
Your chance of success is 96.4%

[scud]

Ooh, and another having just reached CL50...

u) the Long Bow of Erion (x3) (+11,+15) <+3>
     Dropped by a Dracolisk at 3650 feet (level 73).
     
     +3 intelligence, constitution, infravision.
     Provides resistance to lightning, light.
     Provides protection from blindness.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, electricity, fire, cold.
     Feather Falling.  
     
     When aimed, it fires a stinking cloud with damage 12.
     Takes 75 to 81 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 97.1%

My first randart missile weapon of the game and a major step down purely as a weapon, but I'm short of blindness options and until now have had absolutely no infravision plus it takes my EB INT to +20. If only I was a spellcaster

The clincher, though, is the stinking cloud. It's an absolute game changer, so it is.

[scud]

Having reached CL49 using a succession of randart daggers, this one looked promising prior to identification...

u) the Great Axe of Lorniquen (4d4) (+7,+12)
     Dropped by a Black reaver at 3650 feet (level 73).
     
     *Slays* undead.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, electricity, fire, cold.
     
     When activated, it raises your charisma at the expense of a random
     attribute.
     Takes 159 to 175 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 97.0%
     
     Combat info:
     4.3 blows/round.
     With +2 STR and +0 DEX you would get 4.5 blows
     With +0 STR and +3 DEX you would get 4.7 blows
     Average damage/round: 404.9 vs. undead, and 208.7 vs. others.

My DEX has *no* equipment bonuses, which is ridiculous at such a level.

My equipment bonuses of +17 make me the brightest paladin in town, though.

[Mr Mushroom]

And it probably have about 8 of various curses also, or it is too good for level 16.

If I recall correctly it came with random teleportation. A ?remove curse is a small price to pay though.

[Derakon]

s) the Heavy Crossbow of Fauglain (x4) (-13,-19) <-2> {cursed}
Conjured forth by magic at 2550 feet (level 51).

Heavily cursed.
-2 strength.
Cannot be harmed by acid, electricity, fire, cold.
Drains experience. Induces random teleportation.

So named because its creator said "Faugh! I'm layin' this right down here and going to get a drink."

[Thraalbee]

worst xbow ever?

s) the Heavy Crossbow of Fauglain (x4) (-13,-19) <-2> {cursed}
Conjured forth by magic at 2550 feet (level 51).

Heavily cursed.
-2 strength.
Cannot be harmed by acid, electricity, fire, cold.
Drains experience. Induces random teleportation.

[Therem Harth]

I don't think I've ever been so misunderstood!