Post: #2

Well I don't think you're going to get AN ideal shard. The most popular shards I've seen tend to be close to modern EA with good custom stuff. Now I'm not a huge fan of modern EA but I think they made some good changes over the years. Like creating a magic property systems and damage types. Not saying the way they did those is great but it's the sort of system you need to have.

Caps: I agree here but give some limited way to increase those caps. Like the champ scrolls. No caps means everyone winds up with the same build in the end.

Rare colors: Ugh, I like this but it can be taken too far. If every elder player has dayglo everything the game starts to look weird. Keep odd colors and dyes for non-cloth rare.

Rare rides: Well any little custom thing that doesn't clash with the rest is good.

Weapon Enchantments for PvM: I can't stand this idea. My goal has been to REDUCE to differences and make PvP and PvM as close as possible. Better AI, equipment using NPCs. NPCs involved in the guild wars that fight with and against players. I hate it when they just make bosses with a billion hit points and need insane equipment rather than making them smarter and more interesting to fight. I'd greatly reduce the power and commonality of all weapon enchantments but leave them functioning the same versus players and monsters. Make picking your gear a strategic aspect of your build rather than a power creep quest to get a weapon that can hurt bosses fast enough.

Guild Wars: In line with the above I favor an EverQuest like structure. A dozen or more factions on varying terms with each others. Have NPCs help PCs and pick fights based on factions rather than just good/evil. Instead of the silver from killing system I'd like to see taxes on the towns used to generate faction funds. Each faction should have its own specialized NPCs, Items, and other goodies to flesh it out.