Questions re: Stone Foam Finger (SFF), training for plots

[zoroastria]

Hey! New here, but I have a couple BD questions:

 

1) What stats do I need to consistently cap challengers during plots? They're the only things I consistently log on for anymore, so I'd like to do well. My pet's still pretty weak right now (stats below), so I'm going to keep training regardless but it'd be nice to have a goal...

 

Hit Points: 141
Strength: 127
Defence: 110
Movement: 70

 

2) Do you think the SFF's price is more likely to increase or devalue in the future? I'm considering buying one now, but am operating on a tight budget and so would hate for it to be outclassed in one or two years/drop significantly in value.

 

Thanks so much! Bye. :)

[Batman]

It sounds like you should take a look at the battlepedia section here at TDN.

 

http://battlepedia.thedailyneopets.com/index.php/articles/index/

 

This should have everything you will need to know but as far as training is concerned you should concentrate on HP, Strength and Defense. The only reason to train movement is if you want to use the heavy robe of thievery which is why you will see some pets with 200 movement (the minimum to use that item properly).

[Lamppost]

There aren't any set stats that you need to cap challengers. It all depends on your stats and your weapons. You could take a look at some of the past challengers from plots and see if you would be able to take them on. Challengers like Mayor Thumbert from the Tale of Woe, Primary Grundo Bot RZ894 from the Return of Sloth, and Commander Flint and the other Obelisk War faction leaders are the strongest opponents from past plots. You can find their stats and weapons at the Battlepedia here: http://battlepedia.thedailyneopets.com/index.php/oneplayer/index/

 

In general, as Batman said, it's best to increase your HP, Strength and Defense. You can stop Strength and Defense at 750 because that gives you the highest strength boost possible. The more HP you have, the better. You can also take a look at our Introduction to Battling to read about some of the different builds: balanced (equal stats), lab rat (high HP & S, low D), or tank (high D) for example. That could help you decide how to focus your training. If you decide to go with a balanced pet, I recommend the Fast Training Guide to help you get the most out of your NP.

 

For the SFF: It's hard to know if it will drop significantly. As new weapons are released, older weapons tend to decrease in price. Recommended beginner weapons used to be 6-icon weapons, but now 9-icon weapons are just as affordable. On the other hand, SFF is a plot prize, so it won't be re-introduced into the economy, increasing its scarcity which helps to increase price. Plus, SFF at 15 icons is more powerful than Dr. Sloths Personal Bath Buddy, which is sold in the Hidden Tower and thus unlikely to significantly decrease in price. With that logic, chances are the SFF will stay above the price of DSPBB in the HT - but no guarantees. Who knows what could happen.

[zoroastria]

Thanks, you two! Super helpful. I think I'll buy a SFF and trade in my BLSoWS for a Rusty Pitchfork to get some np back.

 

I've actually been following your guides ever since reaching around level 30; I'm just a little behind the times because I haven't played since The Faerie's Ruin. As far as training goes, I think that, instead of setting a goal for final stats, I'll just aim to make enough money for one training session a day. With the new BD giving so many codestones, that shouldn't be hard at all.

 

Doesn't it make sense to train pets up to level 250 immediately to train using red codestones, though? As far as I can tell, it looks much cheaper now...

[Clumsy rockyroad1]

Thanks, you two! Super helpful. I think I'll buy a SFF and trade in my BLSoWS for a Rusty Pitchfork to get some np back.

 

I've actually been following your guides ever since reaching around level 30; I'm just a little behind the times because I haven't played since The Faerie's Ruin. As far as training goes, I think that, instead of setting a goal for final stats, I'll just aim to make enough money for one training session a day. With the new BD giving so many codestones, that shouldn't be hard at all.

 

Doesn't it make sense to train pets up to level 250 immediately to train using red codestones, though? As far as I can tell, it looks much cheaper now...

 

Yes, if you are around level 150 or so, but since your pet's level is probably less than 100, it's not worth it yet.

[Rynarok]

As a collector and investor in items that can only go up, SFF can only go up.

 

The last items that were even close to the rediculous amount of constant icons 15 (the heck?) was the Maraqua war prizes (Runed Maractite Bow, Trusty Hand Cannon)

 

Those were like 4m~ start price and did 14-18 icons I believe. for 2M SFF can only go up as TnT only comes out with a good plot prize every 2-3 years it seems or even longer.

 

Plus since it's pretty much retired, it will continue to rise, even if it gets outclassed. But since it LOOKS cool, and it's functionality is pretty good, it will NEVER decrease. Trust me.

 

-Ryn

[Aquamentis12]

Zoroastria, just focus on training those stats, as has already been stated. ;) Plots with battles, USUALLY have waves that any level could take down, before the waves get tougher. Like they did during the Obelisk War. Training helps a LOT, moreso often, than buying super strong weapons. It's kind of like the old adage, what good is owning a sword if you aren't strong enough to lift it? ;) I am a bit fan of a balanced stat build. Keeping Strength and Defense pretty evenly trained. But there are other builds you could go with, and a few other training methods besides dubloons and codestones. ;)

 

As for the SFF, my thoughts are, that the next AC will probably have another weapon in the top-prize area that will be either 1 or 2 icons stronger than Stone Foam Finger, or have different icons with similar power. The Altador Cup Throwing Star was the best weapon prize in 2012, and that had packed a 13 icon wallop. Stone Foam Finger is 15 icons. Now, 2 years does not really allow a pattern to be easily read. So this is all speculation on my part. However, as with any site-event that has a prize shop, the more you work at it the more prize options are open to you. So if you work really hard and get lots of points for the event. The NP cost may not matter, until you're ready to sell the item/prize. ;)

 

As of right now, I really don't see any increase in the price of Stone Foam Finger from shortly after they were made available in the AC prize shop. 2.1-2.5mil between looking at both trades and auctions. I think I got mine for a little more than that during their initial release because I thought they'd climb in value too. Might just take a few years or something, won't know for sure until it happens, or doesn't. ;) As with buying anything that you think might climb in value, it's almost always a gamble if that item is still relatively new to the site and by that same token, is also unavailable to buy after the prize shop closes.

 

Hope this helps, best of luck!