>>I don't think there are any "really obscure" sleek wand
>locations. Typically when someone finds one, they are able to
>look around and identify more fairly easily.
>
>That is where the majority of those who dislike the a/b/s
>system disagree with you, in my opinion.
>
>I've played quite a few mages, a number of which have spent
>hours looking for sleek locations. Never found one with a
>mage.
>
>Might have found one or two with a non-mage, but I have no
>idea of knowing.
>
>Except once. With a warrior way back, I found a hidden
>location on accident (mis-spelled a look command) that I
>thought might be a sleek.
>
>I was going to check that with my next mage char, but between
>that warrior and the next mage char. tlb and such went out.
>And yes, That spot WAS a spot for a sleek. But wasn't anymore.
>Heh.
>
>I'm not an idiot. And I know alot about this game in many
>areas. And I disagree with the above statement made by you.
>And you know what, That's my opinion and it is valid for me.
>
>The above is your opinion, and is valid for you. A very high
>level immortal. That's fine.
>
>I know you, or SOMEONE will take this the wrong way, like I am
>attacking you or something, so ####it I'll just come right out
>and say it....

Nah, I don't take it as an attack. I've done this long enough to know discussion can help flesh out ideas like the ABS system.

>Maybe you could try a *LITTLE* harder to look at it from the
>perspective of the not-insignificant-number of players who
>like me have struggled with the A/b/s system BECAUSE we
>haven't wanted to cheat and feel mildly insulted when it seems
>an Imp or other high up imm is telling us we are complete
>idiots for not rocking the A/b/s world with minimal effort.

I don't think anyone is saying you are an idiot for not rocking the ABS world with minimal effort. If you could do it with minimal effort, we would just give everyone all three spells. The system as it stands is supposed to be a bit hard, because the rewards are really good.

>not directed at you specifically Z, many of the high-up imms
>have made posts that, to me at least, gave the impression that
>they thought deep down that "Hey, I as an Imp can reverse
>engineer the system and find a/b/s at lvl 36 *fairly easily*,
>if you can't by hero you are an utter noob, so I am not even
>going to listen to your opinion on the whole A/b/s thing"

I can reverse engineer it because I made it That being said, I don't think any mage can do this easily at level 36 (though they may stumble across an aura wand in their exploration). I don't think any mage can do this easily at 45 (though they may stumble across a shield wand in their exploration). I think hero level mages stand the best chance because they have the best survivability, can explore some areas easier or with less chance of death.

I'm not sure who you're talking about that thinks the ABS system is easy. It was not designed to be so.

It was not designed expecting everyone to have ABS all the time.
It was not designed to be easy.

It was designed to give everyone an opportunity to get ABS.
It was designed to reward mages for exploration by giving them decent to significant damage reduction.
It was designed to provide other options for ABS that are not your specific sleek wands.

This is what I look at and find it to be successful. Are there room for improvements. Sure, as Twist eluded to we are talking about some currently.

So long, and thanks for all the fish!