Trying to do the Math: AC vs. -DFE?

[LemmingofGlory]

Changing the graphics seems to be a bit trickier. If I change only the graphic to FPM, it changes right back as soon as I leave the armour lying around and pick it up again. If I also change the base type, it morphs into a new item.

Right. Changing a base type will definitely cause morphing. I was saying to change the flag that indicates whether the base type displays as light/medium/heavy when equipped. So, you'd be editing the base type data.

Probably should mention that we are talking about the Demonspike Coat. I found one ( two in 30 min actually ) and like using it. In HF:Fixed it has exactly the same stats as in classic Diablo. The only difference is that it is Studded Leather and I enjoy the way a rogue looks in heavy armour.

The issue with DSC in HF is that there were 3 unique FPM, each of which had the same qlvl! Armor of Gloom and Demonspike Coat could not be found in multiplayer Hellfire. In singleplayer, the game remembers which uniques it has dropped (in that game), so it'd have to drop the first unique FPM in the unique item list before it could drop the second. So whichever of those plates is third in the unique item list, finding it requires playing a game where three unique FPM drop.

With HF:F, it was important to move these uniques around so they wouldn't interfere with each other. Armor of Gloom became qlvl 30 Gothic Plate, Demon Plate Armor remained qlvl 25 Full Plate, and Demonspike Coat became qlvl 25 Studded Leather. Making DSC "Studded Leather" was a solution that sacrificed DSC's "heavy armor" looks in favor of (1) allowing more sweet armors to drop in Hell (2) DSC becoming a worthwhile Monk armor (3) Gladiator's Bane no longer shows up from Hell bosses.

So now I'm wondering whether there is some kind of internal list of uniques and any item flagged as unique is treated according to whatever position on that list it matches best? Just a wild speculation...

Right. afaik it'll try to match a "unique" item to the closest thing it knows.

-Lem