Legendary "Activated" Properties
The first suggestion I came up with is probably my favorite. The idea would be to rework some legendary items or introduce new legendary items with unique properties that could only be activated by using the required amount or combination of specific gems. Activating these properties would work in a similar way current set bonuses work, except they wouldn't follow any specific order and would only require using the correct gems indicated in the item's tool tip.- Unique legendary properties are only activated when the gem requirement or combination is met. Requirements could be anything from 3 of the same type of gem to an odd combination of gems (1 Topaz + 2 Diamonds).
- The requirements take into account all gems placed in sockets shared across all equipped items.
- Multiple legendary properties on the same item can all be activated at the same time, as long as each requirement is met.
- Different items with gem activated properties would share the same pool of equipped gems.
Interaction Between Gems, Legendary Properties, and Skills
This concept isn't exactly new, we already see it present in skills such as the Crusader passive below: Finery (Passive) - Gain 70 resistance to all elements for every different color gem socketed into your gear.If you have 5 different color gems socketed into your gear, you gain another 70 resistance to all elements. My suggestion is to bring similar ideas and properties to legendary items. Allowing our gemming choices to have a direct influence on a particular item either by modifying a skill or creating a more potent property would add so many new and much needed choices to socketing and gemming.
- Adding legendary properties to items which either modify skills or make the properties more potent.
- They don't necessarily need to promote stacking one single gem type, effects similar to the Crusader's Passive Finery could be used.
Matching Gems to Sockets
I'd like to make it clear before I jump into this suggestion that I don't think it's in any way the best solution for Diablo.This idea is direct spin off of the World of Warcraft's socketing feature. If each socket rolled with a random color corresponding to one of the already existing gem types we'd be given the choice to either gem the item to activate the socket bonus, or ignore it if we'd like to focus purely on the stats given by gems.- Each socket would randomly roll with a random color corresponding to one of the already existing gem types.
- Placing a matching gem in each of the item's sockets would activate the legendary property or bonus for that item.
- Socket colors would be generated randomly but could be enchanted or "rerolled" by the Mystic.
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