Rarity of Set and Unique Items

- an item resource dedicated to all you avid item hunters out there.


Table of Contents
- [1] What the Hell is Rarity ?
- [2] Multiple Set and Unique Versions
- [3] Drop me a Tal Amu, dammit !
- [4] Keke Andariel, you giev SoJ ?
- [5] Templar's or Tyrael's ?

Level Terms
clvl: character level
ilvl: internal level ("item level")
mlvl: monster level
qlvl: base item quality level
Qlvl: set/unique item quality level


[1] What the Hell is Rarity ?

OK, rarity - a term most D2 players never come across. No worries, you are not the only one. Rarity is an integer (frequency) assigned to each set/unique item and used when determining
how likely that set or unique item is to be picked. Item rarity is relevant to us, because some base items have multiple set and/or unique versions.

The most famous example is probably a unique Ring. As we all know, there are several different unique rings (9, to be certain) in the game. And now for the intriguing aspect; not every one
of them is equally likely to drop - in fact far from it, as you may have experienced in-game. Not even if each of them can drop.

First, we need some basics.

Qlvl vs. ilvl (mlvl)
Suppose the game has decided to drop a set or a unique version of a base item. Next, the game checks which versions are available, by comparing a list of set/unique item quality levels (Qlvl)
appropriate for that base item, to the internal level ("item level"). In the case of monsters, ilvl = mlvl (monster level).

IFF ilvl >= Qlvl, THEN that set/unique item can be chosen for the drop

For monster drops, the above check is obviously equivalent to mlvl >= Qlvl. You might want to read Aye's Guide to the Basics of MF in relation to this.

Gambling for set/unique items
The above check for set/unique items applies to gambling as well. As such,

• Gambled items are ilvl = clvl - 5 + rnd[10], meaning ilvls from clvl - 5 to clvl + 4, with a minimum of ilvl 5.
• Therefore, a specific set/unique item cannot be gambled until at least clvl = max{qlvl,Qlvl} - 4
• Odds of set: 1:1,000 (= 0.1 %) or unique: 1:2,000 (= 0.05 %) when both are possible.

Note
qlvl: base item quality level (an integer fixed by item type). Depending on the set/unique item, the Qlvl may be less than, equal to, or greater than the qlvl. For most set items, Qlvl < qlvl.
For most unique items, Qlvl > qlvl. Also, all parts belonging in the same set share the same Qlvl. For that reason, one might view each set as having its own Qlvl.

The Arreat Summit on Gambling

• http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/basics/gambling.shtml

[2] Multiple Set and Unique Versions

If there is only 1 set/unique item available for the base item and either the unique or set quality roll passes AND the ilvl >= Qlvl check passes, then of course we get that unique or set item.
Each unique item can be picked at most once in the same game though. If the set/unique quality roll passes, but there are no set/unique items to pick OR if the ilvl >= Qlvl check fails,
then a "failed unique" (3 x durability rare) or a "failed set" (2 x durability magic) item will replace it.

When the base item has multiple set/unique versions, then the game picks randomly from those that can spawn (ilvl >= Qlvl), although with a probability determined by rarity. So, a rarity 3
set/unique is three times as likely to be picked as a rarity 1 set/unique of the same base item. Higher rarity ~ more common (think of rarity as a frequency - that is what it is).

As unique items are dropped in-game, they are removed from the list. IF the game rolls another unique of that base item AND there are more versions left AND the ilvl >= Qlvl check passes,
THEN (and only then) a unique is dropped.

Set items are not restricted in this manner. You can have several of the same set item drop in a game. Bloody annoying in the case of an Amulet (see section [3]).

The following table lists values of qlvl, Qlvl, and rarity for item types of interest that have at least 2 set and/or unique versions.

Sources

• Basin Wiki @ the Amazon Basin ("Diablo 2 Technical Information")
• diii Statistics forum ("Statistics Forum Knowledge & Guide Library")

Reading the rarity table
To work out the probability of obtaining a specific set/unique, given that the game has selected a set/unique quality drop, take the item's rarity and divide it by the rarity sum appropriate
for that item type and quality: set [S], unique [U].

Do not forget the ilvl >= Qlvl check


[3] Drop me a Tal Amu, dammit !

Tal Rasha's Adjudication (Amulet) has qlvl 1, Qlvl 26, and rarity 1. Now, there are three problems here. First, Tal's amu has the lowest rarity of all 9 set amulets - which is bad. Secondly,
it has the third-highest Qlvl and so, we cannot even get rid of half of the high-rarity (common) set amulets. Finally, we are dealing with set items. Every bloody set amulet could spawn
several times, as long as ilvl >= Qlvl.

Hence, we are looking at absolute "kick-ass" odds of obtaining Tal's when a set Amulet pops out,

Worst possible odds (ilvl 39+): 1:45 ~ 2.2 %
Best possible odds (ilvl 26): 1:37 ~ 2.7 %

Ace, isn't it ? Notice that Tal's amulet can drop in the middle of Normal. In fact, I have had it drop from a Normal Council boss in Travincal (to be certain, they are mlvl 28).


[4] Keke Andariel, you giev SoJ ?

Normal Andariel is mlvl 12 which means any unique ring she drops has to be Nagelring (12 >= 10). Pretty sweet for that level, however we are probably hoping for something a little more
delicate.

Nightmare Andariel is mlvl 49. From the table we see that in terms of unique rings, she can drop either Nagelring, Manald Heal, or SoJ (!) We want a SoJ (well, who doesn't ?). Now, if no
other unique rings have dropped so far and Andariel drops a unique ring, the odds are as follows,

Nagelring: 15:(15+15+1) = 15:31 ~ 48.4 %
Manald: 15:31 ~ 48.4 %
SoJ: 1:31 ~ 3.2 %

That's not too bad at all. Nightmare Andariel is statistically the best single boss monster if you are desperately in search of a SoJ.

If you look at Hell Andariel {mlvl 75}, you can easily verify that the odds of a unique ring being a SoJ drops from 1:31 in Nightmare to 1:55 in Hell, using the same assumptions as before.
Note that even Hell Andariel cannot drop Nature's Peace, nor Wisp Projector.


[5] Templar's or Tyrael's ?

This is my favourite. Most of all because people in the trading forums keep popping in claiming almost every single one of their unid unique Sacred Armors can be Tyrael's Might. Not to be
forgotten what exotic boss (Diablo, Pindle, Eldritch, Shenk, you name it ...) has allegedly dropped a Tyrael's when they finally find one.

Tyrael's Might (Sacred Armor) has qlvl 85, Qlvl 87, rarity 1, and belongs in TC 87. Templar's Might has Qlvl 82. This "minor" difference in Qlvls is crucial, because it means that we need
a monster of at least mlvl 87 with access to pick from TC 87 for Tyrael's Might to be an option. These are the monsters that can drop Tyrael's Might,

• Super Uniques (SUs): Baal's 5 minion waves (Throne of Destruction) [H] {mlvl 88}, Nihlathak [H] {mlvl 95}, Baal [H] {mlvl 99}
• Random boss packs (boss + minions) or Champion packs in level 85 areas (Alvl 85). Champions are mlvl = Alvl + 2 = 87. Boss packs are mlvl = Alvl + 3 = 88.

Some Alvl 85 spots: the Pit (A1, Tamoe Highland), Ancient Tunnels (A2, Lost City), River of Flame + Chaos Sanctuary, Worldstone Keep L1-L3 + Throne of Destruction.

Diablo cannot drop Tyrael's. Pindleskin cannot drop Tyrael's. Forget it. And how about the odds in the rare event that a unique Sacred Armor does drop ? Reading the table,

• ilvl < 87: 0 % (guaranteed Templar's)
• ilvl = 87+: 11.1 % (~ 1:9 for Tyrael's)

Yell if you see any errors or have any comments or questions. Thanks.

woot!

I really hope they're refunding the topic title expenses!!!

dont listen to the posthunters...
n1 guide, helped me a lot.
Once i found a tals amu at norm meph

I wish ^^

Frankly, I hate having to repost something which I've already written twice.

If it weren't for the people who appreciate guides, I wouldn't do it.

This post was edited by Faelwen on Sep 26 2008 06:53pm

<DIV class=quote1>Quote (Janou @ Sat, 27 Sep 2008, 01:43)</DIV>
<DIV class=quote2><!--QuoteEBegin-->dont listen to the posthunters...
n1 guide, helped me a lot.
Once i found a tals amu at norm meph [/QUOTE]

^^

I think you've got the wrong end of the stick there young padwan. He has had to post this for the third time because the powers that be are moderating with their common sense stuck up their jacksies. I'm suggesting they should refund his expense on the first two topics they closed.





This post was edited by AyeCaramba on Sep 27 2008 04:10am

Yet another bunch of useless set amulets. Collector's heaven - or nightmare.

*Proceeds to blame the lousy odds* Damn you ! Ahh, feeling much better now.

wow dude, very nice guid =o

bumping this for other people =o

nice guide