Chapter 7-1
The frequency at which you should replace a mod depends heavily on its type. Damage mods should generally be upgraded at the earliest opportunity. On the other hand, utility mods such as lightweight, self repair, or quiet steps can be utilized for an entire Tier if needed.
Damage mods are by a fucking mile the most overrated category of mods for a Delver. You’ll never know what in the Wastes you’re going to be fighting inside a dungeon until you get inside. Unless you’re planning to carry around a shit-ton of modded weapons in your Inventory, you’re as likely to come across a terrible matchup as a great one.
That fire mod you were so excited to get yesterday might work out great when facing undead, but you’ll wish you’d never found it if the dungeon is full of salamanders instead. Damage mods are, quite honestly, much more useful for the Army. Similarly, when you’re traveling the countryside, you may predict to a degree what you might be facing based on the terrain or scouting reports.
- Delver’s Guild Handbook, Section 7.3 – “Mod-ing on”
We had plenty of time on our hands after our visit with the Alchemist. So naturally, I insisted we get some training in. Well, I tried to. Only the orcs were in favor. Shockingly, the rest of the team thought we should spend the rest of our Saturday relaxing. Just because classes had been cancelled so everyone could see the Alchemist didn’t mean we had to slack off.
“You’re outvoted 5-3, Az,” Raylan smugly informed me.
“This isn’t a democracy!” I objected.
“Indeed,” G’hala rumbled, cracking her knuckles ominously.
“It’s a democracy on Sundays and holidays!” Raylan argued. “This counts as a holiday!”
“Yeah, you tell her!” Tara cheered him on with a smile, and I glared at her.
“Allow me to make a suggestion,” Arlo interjected, and I turned to him, eyes narrowed.
“Well?”
“I propose we make a trip to Backhorn and purchase self-repair mods for our new weapons. Otherwise, you’ll all have to clean and maintain your new pistols the old-fashioned way, and I’ll have to supervise you to make sure it’s done properly.”
It was certainly something we could do on Sunday instead, but it was better than sitting around at the bar wasting our precious eagles. I was smart enough – sometimes – to see which way the wind was blowing, so I gave in. After the quadrosaur attack, we were required to go to town in groups of at least two Squads, so we recruited the Deathdealers. They had been in line right after us and would be done seeing the Alchemist shortly.
I didn’t mind having the company either, as I’d gotten closer to their team, Venkat in particular. The Ranger and I often sparred together in Melee Combat, and he was a difficult opponent. His longsword had quite a bit more reach than my cutlass, and he was frustratingly good with it. The rest of his team got along well with mine too, though we still did our best to beat the shit out of each other whenever we fought during Team Combat.
When we got to the store, we were welcomed by a cheerful Samuel, whose mood didn’t dim even when we told him we were only there for some inexpensive mods. As we went through the process of attuning a large number of Level 0 mods, I found something interesting.