Interesting Randart activation

[fyonn]

A horned reaper just dropped this randart. presumably a weapon for the narcissist's amongst us...


The Mace 'Arman' (2d4) (+16,+13) [+7] (+4)
Dropped by a Horned Reaper at 3650 feet (level 73).

+4 intelligence.
Cannot be harmed by acid, electricity, fire, cold.
Sustains constitution.

When activated, it raises your charisma at the expense of a random
attribute.
Takes 108 to 180 turns to recharge at your current speed.
Your chance of success is 94.5%

Combat info:
3.8 blows/round.
With an additional 2 strength and 0 dex you would get 4.0 blows
With an additional 0 strength and 1 dex you would get 4.1 blows
Average damage/round: 183.5.

[camlost]

A horned reaper just dropped this randart. presumably a weapon for the narcissist's amongst us...

When activated, it raises your charisma at the expense of a random
attribute.
Takes 108 to 180 turns to recharge at your current speed.
Your chance of success is 94.5%

I just can't stop activating it -- I'm sure I can get a better charisma than 18/100!


In related news, I don't think I've ever really liked those activations. They seem extremely odd to me. Do any other activations do anything permanent to the player? Also, their balance seems off -- either you get them late (useless), or early (causes strange balance issues).

[Derakon]

I think the only other "permanent" activations are ones that enchant stuff, and that only affects gear. These activations also probably have wonky power ratings; as you noted, their valuation depends heavily on when you get them, not to mention which stat they boost. I'd say ditch 'em.

[buzzkill]

A very handsome, one might even say stunningly beautiful, horned reaper just dropped this randart. My heart skipped a beat, as deep within my soul, survival instinct battled with lust. Though it's evil intentions were clear, I was still loathe to destroy a creature of such insurmountable charm and personality. I fought it with only half my heart, every swing blunted, every blow checked as a romantic melody played in my ears and premonitions of the life we might share together danced seductively before my eyes. None the less the enchanting beast crumbled like a house of cards. I can only assume that it suffered from some sort of severe mental and physical debility. I fell to my knees, and wept uncontrollably. My hands, my body covered with it's....

It's a keeper, but use in moderation.

[pampl]

I found a great hammer that activated for healing 4d8 and curing poison. Nothing special, except that the activation was apparently the code for elven waybread, because when I used it it gave a message something like "You active your great hammer. It tastes delicious." Strange mental image..

[Magnate]

I think the only other "permanent" activations are ones that enchant stuff, and that only affects gear. These activations also probably have wonky power ratings; as you noted, their valuation depends heavily on when you get them, not to mention which stat they boost. I'd say ditch 'em.

To be on the safe side, these activations were rated as if the stat in question was not maxed. CHR still doesn't rate much, but other stats do - it's basically a free source of gain-one-lose-one potions for that stat. They also have quite long recharge times, so they're not really that unbalanced - but whether they are so intermittently useful as to be undesirable is another issue.

The next generation of randart code will (if takk lets me) assign min and max depths to activations, which will help ensure that they are not found too early or too late.

[Derakon]

Clearly the activation is a scratch&sniff herbal healing.