Epics Reworked

[Ennewi]

Continuing what would have derailed another, unrelated thread...

Over the years, the playerbase has been able to push each class to their limits, with a best in slot gear and an even better understanding their strengths and weaknesses thanks to how long this project has existed. The solo artist challenge comes to mind, as do specific competitive examples such as the enchanter using their gflux earring to nab the hate book.

As a result of this, it's become more apparent over time that certain epics aren't by definition all that epic. Hindsight being 20/20, what would you have changed about certain epics specifically? Better effect? A different slot or graphic? Alternatively, what did you assume would be the epic for certain classes back in the early days, after the first epic was known about?

Personally, as BiS has become more commonplace, I've grown to like the idea of skills being attached to epics, ones that a class would otherwise not have access to, with the wielder owing their advancement to a blacksmith's mastery or a god's curse. A few examples below include these, often to enhance a class in need of extra oomph.

Ranger Epic
I assumed the devs were going to reward the class with a pair of whips, given that they already had a few available to them, namely the revultant whip from hate, and other classes were assigned one-handed sword epics. Even though the class itself was never thought of as durable, the crack of whips and twang of bowstrings would have been associated with it and announced its presence in PvP settings.

Additionally, an epic bow with built-in triple attack for archery only and summon arrows proc, with the arrows including a proc of their own.

Bard Epic
As a bard main, zero issues with the epic as is. That said, the obvious alternative would have been a ranged slot epic harp that doubled as a bow with built-in archery skill. That would have complemented their pulling/kiting abilities and the unique feature of it being a ranged slot instrument would have meant one less swap for modifiers.

But again, unique sword with singing/all mod and groupwide proc? More versatile. Hard to beat. Similar to rangers though, there should have been sounds associated with or unique to the class, even if only with the epic equipped.

Paladin Epic
Either a bastard sword that converted from 1HS to 2HS (similar to vibrating gauntlets/hammer of infuse) or a dueling shield 2HB primary with proc and a chance to bash interrupt giants to compensate for them being stun-immune. Built-in block skill included.

Also, it seems like an oversight that the actual epic does not act as much of a light source (tiny glowing skull, according to Allakhazam), despite being almost entirely made up of fire. However small, that would have been a neat feature to emphasize the roleplay aspect of the class more and given 2 of the 5 races a better view at night, since not everyone had ultravision/truesight equipment back then.

Enchanter Epic
Curious what enchanter mains would have wanted instead, besides regular old HP regen? From reading, a lot of classic enchanters were underwhelmed by the clicky. Ignoring that though, a nice touch would've been to add the occasional faint hissing sound to the epic. Also, since it has the appearance of a snake, included would be built-in kick skill.

Additionally, the quest-giver shoulda coulda included a side reward of level 60 animation pet spell, summoned as a blade storm. Just because, rule of cool.

Cleric Epic
Clicky effect aside, wielding a ball-and-chain flail implied the class would be transformed into a battle cleric which wasn't the case. To match the class icon, instead of that, a primary/secondary 1HB censer that would have doubled as a small 2-slot container allowing the wielder to place various alchemy mats inside, each with a different groupwide buff.