Peon's Not So Daily Deal

Count Yurik's Rapier
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
One more vamp attack and Count Yurik's Rapier would be a decent option for vamp builds. As is, it just isn't as good as Vampire's Blade. Vampire's Kiss is interesting as pseudo armor removal but you can get it from divine items if you really want it. Would not purchase.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
Vampire's Blade is cheaper and better, not much more to it. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
Vampire's Blade (R)

 

Count Yurik's Teeth (N)
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
Vampire's Kiss might look unappealing but it has a lot going for it. Discarding the oldest card is often going to hit something good and in many cases it's getting rid of armor. Vamps have a hard time beating armor so any way to get rid of it without having to dilute your pool of vamp attacks is a huge deal. Also, the random vampire card is generally going to be worse than the card it replaced. It's sometimes even something that's downright detrimental like Loner. Even if your opponent gets one of the good hits, you may be able to prevent them from using by keeping priority with Talented Healer. Last but not least, Vampire's Kiss is simply just a huge attack. It is second only to Invigorated Touch, and that isn't available on a triple vamp attack divine item. I would definitely consider purchasing Count Yurik's Teeth if you're interested in making a vamp.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
While armor can be a concern in the lower levels where vamps are most useful, the attacks in the vamp pool are likely an upgrade to whatever card was discarded. You also don't have easy access to Talented Healer without a major token. It's better to power through armor with buffs or just bring a wizard if you are facing something really nasty like Crude Plates. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
Vampire's Teeth (E)

 

Countess Jovana's Talisman (N)
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
I'm not a fan of playing weak cards if it can be avoided so the Sapping Spear is a major turnoff. Vamps have access to Wuuna's Vampiric Shroud/Flax's Thirsty Vial so you really need to want that Vampire's Kiss on a tokenless item. Vampire's Kiss is decent at getting rid of armor so having one or two on a vamp is highly useful. However, I'm more inclined to get it from Count Yurik's Teeth or even Vampire's Teeth to avoid running Sapping Spear. Would not purchase.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
Vampire's Kiss isn't really necessary so Wuuna's Vampiric Shroud is just the more consistent choice. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
Vampire's Teeth (E)

 

Crazy Sal's Creepers (N)
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
Having to end Prowl next to an enemy to trigger the effect basically limits it to melee characters, which is fine since they benefit most from Frenzy anyways. However, boots are generally used to increase mobility on melee characters. If you can't get close enough for the Frenzy to trigger, you have yourself some fancy Walks. That said, elves are especially good at taking advantage of Prowl. Their base move is good enough to close in early and they have the ability to draw Prowl off of Elven Maneuvers. If you can get your mobility from other sources, Crazy Sal's Creepers are definitely worth considering.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
Prowl is easy enough to trigger off of melee mobs but ranged mobs are a different story. You need all the mobility you can get to chase down stuff like wisps. Boots also have very impressive tokenless options so they're one of the item slots I look to upgrade last. Crazy Sal's Creepers can be incredibly useful for getting that extra bit of damage but the combination of not being as useful against ranged mobs and having great tokenless alternatives is enough for me to turn it down. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
None

 

Crazy Sal's Halberd (U)
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
There are 4 types of decks that want Crazy Sal's Halberd. You can use it as a stabbing weapon since the best stab weapons only have 3 premium stabs at most anyways. You can use the Blind Rages for self buffing on humans and elves that normally don't have access to it (or a really angry dwarf). You can use the ridiculous amount of trait cycling to reduce the size of your deck and find specific cards. Finally, you can use the Polearm Slashes for extra armor in an Enchanted Harness deck. Whichever way you go about using Crazy Sal's Halberd it is extremely powerful and unique. Even if you don't have a specific deck for it at the moment I would recommend picking it up. Being the only weapon with 3 traits just has so much potential to be broken.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
Crazy Sal's Halberd is still very powerful but you don't really need it. A warrior that just equips a few Infused Greatclubs or Bejeweled Shortswords will get the job done just fine. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
None

 

Cudgel Of Wrath
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
Cudgel of Wrath is not bad for a tokenless divine weapon. It just doesn't do things better than other items. If you want a buffing weapon that packs a lot of damage you are better off with Dark Drewg's Mace. If you want a weapon that reduces deck size with trait cycling you are better off with Sacrificial Axe or Vampire's Blade. You get a little of both with Cudgel of Wrath but it isn't worth it to have to deal with Controlled Overswings. Would not purchase.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
Items like Cudgel of Wrath make priests even deadlier than warriors in the early levels. The discard from Controlled Overswing often doesn't matter if you're one shoting everything in your path. That being said, you can pretty much play your way through the lower levels with a ham sandwich. If you happen to pick one up in your travels by all means play with it. However, buying Cudgel of Wrath to play through lower levels is like purchasing a machete to butter your toast. When you get to higher levels Controlled Overswing becomes less effective, due to higher hp mobs and higher quality blocks, so you're better off with a weapon with more reliable cards. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
Club Of Wrath (E)

 

Cursed Radcannon (U)
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
As the only divine weapon with all ranged attacks, Cursed Radcannon allows you the unique opportunity to run a buff priest that can still attack while staying back on defense. Burst 2 is the gold standard for hard to avoid ranged attacks. While the damage isn't spectacular, there are a bunch of Handicaps that will cripple opposing characters to make up for that lack of damage. Your other option for getting Radiation Bomb is Atomic Drop Console but having buffs is more important and the divine item slot is the most efficient way to get them. Unholy Energy is just icing on the cake. It is one of the strongest draw spells available though you will want to avoid using it with Blind Rage if possible. Though it isn't really feasible to build around Radiation Bomb as a damage dealer, getting one or two Cursed Radcannons on a buff priest is fun and powerful enough to warrant consideration.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
Double major token items have to pass a high bar to be worth purchasing as the number of instances where you can use them is severely limited. Though it can be a blowout, Radiation Bomb isn't consistent enough in its effect to be worth prioritizing over buffs. If you need ranged attacks just bring wizards. They do higher damage and have better tools than even the venerable Burst 2 for hitting multiple targets. Heck they have Fireball if you really want that too. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
None

 

Czint's Buckler (P)
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
Perfectly fine tokenless but unremarkable shield. Subtle Parry does not draw a card often enough for me to want it over an all purpose block. I would look to get Eeygonnic's Shield or Snitrick's Shield instead. Would not purchase.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
If you're gonna play a block melee shield you may as well just suit up with Twisting Shield or Hexagon Shield. Same great taste with half the calories. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
Icicle Shield (E), Big Ash Shield (E)

 

Dangerous Club (P)
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
Dangerous Club is one of the best single minor token weapons. It has respectable damage and provides anti-block tech in Unnerving Strike. Everyone and their mother is running Parrying Buckler so you will have an edge in the inevitable Parry showdown. If you need a good low token cost weapon or you just want a few Unnerving Strikes in your build, Dangerous Club is a great pickup.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
Not too many mobs have blocks and the ones that do generally can't out damage you. Just throw out some test attacks to draw out any blocks and you should win the damage race with your bigger attacks. If you really really want Unnerving Strikes, Maquah Of Ancient Blood is a good enough substitute. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
Maquah Of Ancient Blood (E)

 

Dark Drewg's Mace (P)
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
While Dark Drewg's Mace has great damage for a tokenless divine weapon, getting damage on your support characters should not be your top priority. A buff priest will want better buffs than Unholy Frenzy. While there isn't a way to get better buffs from tokenless divine weapons, there is a way to draw the buffs you do run more often. With 2 cycling traits, Sacrificial Axe is the default tokenless divine weapon of choice. Vulnerable is a bit risky but your buff priest usually hangs back away from the action anyways. When you do get contested, Pressing Bash is great for avoiding melee attacks. Would not purchase.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
Buff priests want to be buffing and 2 Unholy Frenzies is worse than 1 Mass Frenzy from St. Amarack's Cudgel. Or you could just run the aforementioned Sacrificial Axe or Vampire's Blade for trait cycling. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
Club Of Wrath (E)

 

Darkblood Glaive
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
Once a wizard buffing powerhouse, Savage Curse has fallen out of favor and with it, Darkblood Glaive. If you're wanting to relive the glory days of old, the only effective wizard buff left is Unholy Wellspring and you'll need Axe Of The Dark Soul for that. You won't be able to jam as many copies of Unholy Wellspring as you'd like and you'll have to pay extra in both tokens and blood but that's the price you pay for all you Harry Potter wannabees out there. Would not purchase.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
Buffing Firestorm and Flash Of Agony is a dangerous proposition and those are the most commonly used buffable attacks for farming. You are better off spending tokens on Impenetrable Nimbus. Savage Curse is not the worst as a melee buff in singleplayer but at double minor tokens you have access to Mass Frenzy with St. Olf's Fiery Pike. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
None

 

Darkforce Nunchaku (NU)
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
Darkforce Nunchaku is the highest damage divine weapon for vamps but that damage comes at a cost. Laser Whip virtually requires you to favor range 2 attacks or fit in things like Dodge. Most vamps already run a high amount of range 2 attacks but it does make Vampire's Blade an awkward choice for your second divine weapon. Nonetheless, Darkforce Nunchaku is definitely worth consideration if you enjoy playing vamps.

Peon's Perspective for Prodigious Multiplayers
At double major tokens, you won't be able to use Darkforce Nunchaku until level 14 and up. Warriors out damage vamps in the upper levels and they have more defensive item slots so they're nearly as if not more durable. If you need a high level melee character just go with the good old Bejeweled Shortsword warrior. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
None

 

Darune's Dagger
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
Sometimes you only have a single token to use on weapons. Darune's Dagger is not what you want to be getting. Penetrating on a low damage attack is a joke. You might as well play a high damage attack that does 4+ even against armor. Step 1 attacks are similarly bad. Most spells push 2 or more squares so Penetrating Lunge really only counters bash attacks, and we all know bash warriors are a myth. Get a real weapon like Dangerous Club or Captain Cedric's Vow and find other ways to shore up movement.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
Penetrating Lunge is actually not bad against trogs. They have armor and always stay in Stab range to, well, Stab you. However, there are cheaper options for your penetrating needs. Or you could just bring a wizard with armor removal. Or you could just leave the warrior at home. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
Trogsbane (E) , Woodhome's Wound (E)

 

Deadly, Deadly Staff (P)
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
Buffing wizards with priests is difficult to pull off so the most valuable damaging spells are those that are buffable through traits or have high base damage. Deadly Spark is not the highest damage spell that benefits from Spark Generator but Deadly, Deadly Staff still has a lot going for it. Linear allows you to not only hit multiple targets but also hit the occasional enemy behind cover. Deadly, Deadly Staff also has more electrical attacks than most other staves so you'll get maximum usage out of trait buffing. If you're looking for a staff for a more offensive wizards, Deadly, Deadly Staff is one of the better options.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
If you're considering running Deadly Spark, you're probably into it for the anti-block tech. However, blocks are mostly an issue in the early to mid levels against kobolds and goblins. Once you have access to double major tokens, you're mostly dealing with block bearing wisps but by that time you will be able to pack an ample supply of block bypassing Volcanoes. I could see a case for getting Dianon's Staff for kobold frying but Deadly Spark gets outclassed very quickly in the higher levels. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
Staff Of Peril (E)

 

Demigod's Hammer
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
Controlled Overswing is bad but bad attacks are forgivable on a support priest if you get awesome compensation. With Demigod's Hammer, you get pair of Soothing Darknesses for your troubles. Healing 15 is way above average but getting it on an installment plan makes it almost unusable. Play it on a dying character and they have to live till the next round to get any benefit. You have to live 2 rounds to barely top a Greater Heal all the while dealing with Encumber 1 during your escape. You could use it as a pseudo Impenetrable Nimbus on a healthy character but then why not just use the real deal? Being an attachment also sucks as you're one Purge away from getting nothing. To top it all off, unlike other heals, it is Unholy so you can't even take advantage of Altruism. Would not purchase.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
Two words. Impenetrable Nimbus. You're welcome. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
None

 

Dianon's Staff (P)
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
Dianon's Staff is a discounted Deadly, Deadly Staff, the review of which you can find here. Getting token savings on staves can be incredibly useful due to how limited the pool of good tokenless arcane items is. It isn't a good enough replacement that I'd happily run 2 on a wizard but fitting 1 into a build is perfectly reasonable. If you're in the market for Deadly Sparks and you need major tokens elsewhere, Dianon's Staff is a great pickup.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
Deadly Spark is good against block wielding mobs in a vacuum but it is hard to make work effectively. The damage isn't enough to one shot the kobolds or goblins and you can't get them out of non-stave items. Getting a maximum of 8 on a wizard means you're likely going to have to run other easier to block attacks to finish things off which is kind of a Catch-22. The best you can do is run 3 to 6 Dianon's Staffs on an all wizard team and if you somehow have that many of them hats off to you. For the rest of us mere mortals, Dianon's Staff is just not worth picking up to make a few levels slightly easier. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
Staff Of Peril (E)

 

Duncan's Chain Cap (N)
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
Duncan's Chain Cap if fine for triggered armor builds but Duncan's Leather Cap, the review of which you can find here, is better. The small improvement in damage prevention of Chain Harness over Leather Harness is negligible. On the other hand, the jump from Chain Harness to Enchanted Harness more than makes up for it. Would not purchase.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
Triggered armor boosting isn't really a thing when it comes to farming and Howling Hood is a good enough if not better substitute if you want to try to make it work. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
Howling Hood (E) , Quigley's Cap (E) , Helm Of Reinforcement (E)

 

Duncan's Leather Cap (N)
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
When it comes to Harnesses, slot allocation is a major deal. Getting them from boots is sketchy since they replace all important movement cards. Getting them from heavy armors is even worse since you'll be lacking in stuff to buff. Helmets are in a sweet spot of lacking both important cards and good buffable armors. Back when Barbed Platemail was the best thing you could buff with Harnesses, spending a minor token to get a some Leather Harnesses for a slight increase in armor triggers wasn't worth it. However, Mimetic Armor and, more specifically, Copycat Spacesuit came along and changed the ballgame. Not only do you have multiple shots at a good buff target but it also starts with a better success rate. Leather Harness bumps it up to "Parry" range which is right about where you want to be. Even better, the Enchanted Harness gives you a guaranteed trigger. There are helmets with more copies but you have to pay a major token to get access to them. Purchase only if you specifically want to build around Mimetic Armor.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
The Mimetic Armor plus Harness combo is a decent source of damage if you can buff up. However, those tokens are usually going to be better spent of actual attacks from weapons. There aren't many levels where you have the extra tokens left over and Howling Hood is a reasonable enough substitute for those. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
Howling Hood (E) , Quigley's Cap (E) , Helm Of Reinforcement (E)

 

Eadrik's Boots (N)
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
When you're building around armor triggers and you don't have a major token for Enchanted Harness, you have the choice between Eadrik's Boots and Absolem's Leather Shoes. Upgrading Escaping Run to Violent Spin can certainly be worth the minor token but not in this particular case. With triggered armor builds, your goal is to get hit as much as possible which Violent Spin doesn't support. At worst, Escaping Run cycles when you don't need it. There's nothing inherently wrong with Eadrik's Boots but the minor token is more than likely going to be better used elsewhere. Would not purchase.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
Movement is one of the least important considerations for any build the majority of the time. That changes when facing ranged mobs but you're not going to want low mobility boots like Eadrik's Boots against them anyways. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
Angry Jack's Boots (E)

 

Eeygonnic's Shield (P)
Peon's Prescription for Prodigious Multiplayers
Tokenless shields have very good melee block options in Twisting Shield and Hexagon Shield but when it comes to all purpose blocks Eeygonnic's Shield is the best of the best. Surging Shield Block does double duty in chasing down ranged characters and escaping opposing melee attackers. Wounded Block fairs poorly against Unnerving Strike but everything else is fair game. When you get attacked at a healthy life total your opponent will most likely throw a weaker block checking attack at you which is not likely going to trigger Wounded Block. You get to keep a block in hand and they are forced into the difficult position of ordering subsequent attacks. There aren't many times I choose to use a tokenless shield since Parry and Defender's Block are so bonkers but Eeygonnic's Shield is the one I always go for. Purchase if you want to increase your win percentage against wizards while using a tokenless shield.

Peon's Perspective for Penny-Pinching Singleplayers
As much as I love Eeygonnic's Shield there is no reason to play it over other tokenless shields when you know the contents of opposing decks. The never buy legendary shield rule still applies here. Would not purchase.

Substitutes
Underdog's Shield (E)