Since all we get right now when we don't get a tome is shards, shards, shards all the time. It's boring. Perhaps add - for example - the Dark (X) Potions into the mix (though it'd need Wind or Ice variants) and perhaps some new elemental items?

Tentative support. At some point in the past Amber and the battle admins were talking about more uses for the shards, and I'd really like to know if that's still in the works before throwing full support into this.

I like this idea! I've gotten so many shards in my time on Subeta that I'm sick of seeing them. It would be refreshing to get different items. :)

[edit] self-redacted

Could you explain what you mean by 'accommodate' here? I'm not looking for more expensive stuff from the quests, which is what you seem to imply, I'm just looking for more variety - and for example, the potions are overinflated right now due to Maleria's quest changes, having more of them released would counteract them a bit, I think. I don't see how the effort or lack of it to frag the shards is relevant at all to my request.

If it doesn't change the tome rate then this might be nice. I can get behind supporting this.

After reading Keith's post.. I see why maybe this isn't a good idea.

Unless there is another item that is somewhat useful that can be added (something that already exists). Or as posted above by another user.. how the shards might have a use sometime. Then I wouldn't want this to change. x'D

I don't mind the shards. I use them & they get asked for a lot by the RB. I would really like to see more potions and pylonics out there though. I currently refuse all Mals quests that ask for them, and I hoard all I get and I'm still not back up to where I was this summer. Please do something about that. It is ridiculous that I'm trying harder and still not able to RS what I need.

I want the tome rate changed -- to where the Shardmaker actually hands them out. Mostly I'd like to get the rate you do! LOL :)

Yeah I want something besides shards for a change

I feel like the mage should have more power than just tossing out shards most of the time likeeeee giving you a buff of +1 quest to all quests. Small but sure as heck beats the reward of shards all the time. And if you did your +1 quests, they'd probably easily be worth the cost of a mage amulet. Wonderful, eh? :3 (obviously this reward wouldn't happen all the time but hey would beat the umpteenth shard surely?)

I am really kind of frustrated with getting nothing but shards as well. I've gone four days now without a single tome which is kind of disheartening really. If the tome rate isn't changed I'd like to see SOMETHING else instead of just 100 shards floating around.

I'd be well up for the mage getting a chance to give out some buffs, but no more junk items.

As for making the shards more useful, how about creating a few genetech combos with 'em, or being able to trade in x amount for stat boosters or themed items(all or nothing kinda thing, not sure having them as yet another currency would be the right way to go) or even having a very slim chance at boosting a single stat if used on a pet.

These are just off the top of my head suggestions that I haven't really thought about the practicality of though haha :v

Shards have a few genetechs already, plus they are looking into changing how the genetech lab works so they've been staying away from combos. I doubt they will add any more stat boosters, they are also trying to control the supply of them, even if it is just a very slim chance.

shards can be very useful in close fought battles.

I think if they want to add more things to the pool, they could do dark potions / pylonics / other one use battle items. I'd be fine with more junk items even if they immediately just become junk. though I don't really mind shards since I do use them every now and again.

I am absolutely the most bumbling awful battler with a waste of a T6 pet that I unfortunately have no idea how to use properly, so your points about staff wanting to control the supply of stat boosts and the usefulness of shards in battle come as a complete surprise to me, sorry x'D And I should have checked the genetech thing. You don't happen to know if they've already got a topic up discussing changes to the genetech lab? I'm super curious about that now and I should do my research before posting :0

But tbh adding the pylonics/elemental potions to the pool sounds like a good move to me (and I'm not sure why I didn't mention my support for that suggestion earlier). I'm competent enough to know I need plenty of those x'D

I think ">here is the post I am thinking of in regards to the genetech thing.

they don't want people to rely on boosters and think they're too cheap I believe.

shards block a lot of one element but are one use and you can only equip one of each kind. I never really used them until higher tiers, but I'm sure they have use in lower tiers. if you and the opponent are both at low health and you are blocking two different types of icons or something, and the opponent also does a third icon, using the shard that is the same type as that third icon may help you stay alive while you kill the opponent :)

Ahhh that does make sense, with how as soon as the combo is found out everyone online rushes to get the required items and everything inflates a tonne. I'm not entirely sure how they'd change it to make it fairer though.

And that's nice to know about shards actually. I knew they blocked the corresponding icon type but I didn't realise they blocked all of one type (I have no idea why I didn't realise this, it's like they've always been junky items to me). I might go for a few more wins on mama mush with them then (damn bear claws) :0

Anyway, definite support for adding the pylonics/elemental potions to the pool :D

same, it would take something completely different or they only require items that are available in constant supply from npcs. but that's a discussion for a different thread.

it isn't all (a few of them might be actually) but it's like 50 icons which is enough to really impact things.

I'd only support pylonics/elemental potions in the pool if tome rates did not change :p

I like the idea of giving out items that already exist and are probably already cheap anyway, or not so cheap. Like death mage amulet giving out dark death potion or death shard or tome of death or anything with "death" in it that relates to battling.