There is only one way to get to the 95 DCI cap, "Get More DCI", so it is difficult to understand what you are asking here. You can still get DCI from all of the current means (artifacts, jewelry, weapon properties, etc), this is not changing. Since it is currently possible to get 70 DCI, it will still be possible to get 70 DCI after the publish without using armor refinements (no math needed here). Getting to the cap may require a little bit of work/luck though. There are multiple means of obtaining the armor refinements, if that is what you are implying.
The DCI cap is increased for everyone, it is not tied to any type of armor. The armor refinements are for non-medable armors, not just metal, and are meant to make it easier to get to the DCI cap (with some trade-off).
Stayin Alive,
BG
Here are the updated Publish Notes:
http://uo.com/article/Updated-Publish-81-Notes
Relevant excerpt One:
Phase two of the Armor Revamp will allow players to apply Refinements to non-medable armor.
OK, so the plain intent of the previous passage is that the new Refinement mcehanic applies to non-medable armor, and only non-medable armor.
Relevant excerpt Two:
There are seven levels of intensity for refinements ranging from “Defense” to “Invulnerability” and can be used by a Grandmaster Craftsman to increase one of two item properties:
- Max Resists – Armor Refined to increase max resists will provide a bonus to a resist category cap up to 75, while lowering the Defense Chance Increase cap.
- Max Defense Chance Increase – Armor Refined to increase max Defense Chance Increase will provide a DCI cap bonus up to 95 while lowering max resists.
That is the only reference I personally see to raising the DCI cap. I take "Max DCI" to mean DCI cap, and fail to see what if any other meaning it could have.
Based upon these passages, only those who wear non-medable armor will see their Max DCI, or DCI Cap, increased to 95. The clear implication to me is that the cap for those who wear medable armor remains at 45.
People go to 70 now, this is true. However, it is to nullify the impact of Hit Lower Defense, and ensure people remain at 45 even after HLD lowers it.
I understand that HLD is changing, but think about it. If my cap remains at 45, and someone hits me with HLD, I am now down to, what, 20? 22? And that's assuming I had no penalties, from say Divine Fury, that put me lower at the time I got hit.
The original Publish Notes are here:
http://uo.com/article/Publish-810-Comes-TC1
I see nothing in there about changing the DCI cap for anyone (with one exception, see below), and I see nothing indeed about Phase 2 of the armor revamp at all. The DCI cap stuff plainly is a feature of Phase 2 of the armor revamp.
The only reference in the original Publish Notes to an increased DCI cap is here:
Hit lower defense now scales 55% of the players Max Defense Chance Increase. The default max defense chance increase of 45 has a -25 defense penalty. A max defense chance increase cap of 95 has a -52 defense penalty.
Seen in light of Phase 2, however, it's plain that the 95 applies only to those wearing non-medable armor, not to everyone. Note that the language still references the existence of a cap of 45, implying rather plainly that that cap still exists for someone.
And look, there's my answer! With a 45 Cap, which I plainly will still have, I go down to 20 once I'm hit with HLD.
So please tell me what I'm missing, tell me where the overall DCI cap is increasing for everyone, not just those who wear non-medable armor that's been treated using the new Refinement mechanic.
-Galen's player