Poker/Gems

## Introduction

Gems play a pivotal role in Love of Magic. Although used for many different purposes by various magic users, for the player they determine what happens when playing hands in the poker game. Each possible hand must have a gem matched to it in order for the play to have any effect.

Gems can be obtained in a number of ways. The player starts off with a full set of gems that are considered to be junk and will initially have to make do with some handouts from Katie and Chloe. As the game progresses the player can find or loot gems while exploring the paths in Elsewhere as well as buy them from the Quartermaster. The Quartermaster will also buy duplicate gems the player wishes to get rid of, as well as opening up his Private Stash on day 30(if you already bought at least 1 gem from him).

The highest quality gems, known as True Flawless(level 9) are special in that they are unique and can only be obtained through quests or special events. The tables below specify how to go about obtaining these where available.

#### Character attributes

The effects of gems are modified by the attributes of the player character. Base damage is increased by 1% for each point of the character's strength. So if a player with strength 40 plays a hand that triggers a Damage4, they will deal 90 \* 1.40 = 126 damage. Secondary effects are multiplied by intelligence in the same way. An exception to this is when playing Rage gems, where the amount of Rage applied to the caster is modified by Intelligence, but the bonus damage from Rage dealt on subsequent hands is modified by Strength.

#### Setting up

The player must select a gem for each possible poker hand. Each gem has a level(the number in their name) that restricts what hands they can be placed in. E.g. initially a gem of level 5 can only be placed in a full house or higher. When dragging a gem the hands where that gem can be placed will light up to show valid placements. Note that although all the other hands match 1 to 1 with a given gem level, both the Straight Flush and 5 of a Kind initially accept only level 8 or lower gems. As the player character becomes more powerful the restrictions on gem placement are relaxed and poker hands will accept gems of higher levels. The interface will change to reflect this.

#### Sets

The interface for gems contains 3 Sets that the player can use to quickly switch between gem setups suitable for dealing with various opponents. Note that in combat, before the first hand is played the player can both switch to a different **and** swap out individual gems in any of the sets. Whatever set is selected when exiting the gems screen will be used for that battle and any subsequent battles until a different one is chosen.

Encountering enemies with 'First Strike' will force the player to fight with the gems he has equipped without changing them.

First time setting up gemsWhen dragging a gem its characteristics as well as possible hands where it can be placed are shownA late game build in Book 1 centered around shields and lightning

The tables below show the specifics of all available gems, as well as where they can be obtained and at what cost. Note that this does not include the opportunities for gaining gems from loot.

## Basic Gems

Damage, Pierce and Cluster gems all really heavily on up-front damage. Since they have no secondary effects, they are most advantageous when used in a build that relies on strength or for specific utility purposes.

#### Damage

Damage and Bite gems are identical and do what it says on the box, a single large hit with no secondary effects.

#### Cluster

Instead of 1 single hit, Cluster gems spread the damage over 3 smaller ones. Ideal for quickly getting rid of Ice or for getting the most out of Rage.

#### Pierce

Lower base damage, but deals triple damage to shields. Completely ignores Reflect and Block effects on the target.

#### Junk

The "gems" the player starts off with. Best to replace these at the earliest opportunity. Note that although it is called Junk2, it is considered a level 4 for the purposes of gem setup.

## Elemental Gems

All elemental gems combine a smaller amount of up-front damage with a special effect applied to the opponent. While these can be extremely powerful, note that there are enemies who are completely immune to one or more elements, do not put all your eggs in one basket!

#### Fire

Causes a lingering Fire effect on the target.

#### Ice

Leaves a lingering Ice effect on the target.

#### Lightning

Applies Lightning to the target. Sufficient Lightning will cause the target to skip one or more turns.

#### Poison

Applies a poison effect to the target. Both the base damage and poison effect completely ignore shields.

## Tactical Gems

These gems deal no up-front damage at all, but have significant secondary effects.

#### Rage

Applies Rage to the caster, giving bonus damage on subsequent hands. Note that Rage also deals damage to its user.

#### Shield

Applies a Shield to the caster. Shields will block almost all attacks.

## Selling Gems

The Gem Selling system is accessed by clicking on Adrian in the Library in Edinburgh.

When you click on Adrian you are given the option of browsing gems "Sure; let me see what you've got." or quickly selling all your duplicate gems "Nah. I just had a bunch of duplicates I wanted to get rid of."

#### Browsing

The 'Sell' button will not be visible for most of your gems. *The logic to display it is approximately as follows:*

1. Take the total number of the gem. Subtract 1.
2. In the build with the most of that exact gem slotted, count up those gems and subtract that from the number of gems remaining.
3. IF the result is 1 or more, display the 'Sell' button to allow selling the duplicate gem(s)

So if you have three Lightning 8 gems:

* If none are in gem slots of a single build (I, II, III), 2 will be available to sell *(3-1)=2*
* if one is in a gem slot of any build, 1 will be sellable *(3 -1)-1=1*
* if two are in gems slots of a single build, the result is 0 and the sell button will not appear. *(3 -1) -2 = 0*

#### Selling Duplicates

When you select this, a dialog pops up that will sell all duplicate gems that are not in use in one click.

Selling duplicates uses the same logic as the 'Sell' button when browsing gems.

If you Sell Duplicates, it is the same as hitting every 'Sell' button displayed on every gem type until the button disappears.

## Gem Collector

Found on the paths after Day 123 (validate this), Meeting him progresses quest A World Apart.

He sells three gems that are all power level 9

If you return to him a few days after purchasing all three of the above he will give you a fourth gem (no charge)

## Combat Sets/Metas

There are various gem configurations available. Writeups and discussions on these, how to configure and use them, and their advantages/disadvantages are below (this section is in progress and feedback is being requested from the community on different sets)

### Template

**Name of Gemset**

Submitted by *name*

**Overview**

Short overview of the gem set.

**Gem Arrangement**

Which gems, where to place them.

**Companion Considerations**

Which companions to bring and why for best results. Particularly focusing on required companions.

**Use, Advantages, Disadvantages**

When to use or avoid this set. What this set does well, what it does poorly.

**Variants and Adjustments**

Alternative approaches, swap outs, tweaks and why you might make them.

...

### Simple Damage

Submitted by: *JMINATL*. Updates by:

**Overview**

Consists of straight 'Damage' gems.   Good, simple, all-purpose and beginning set.

**Gem Arrangement**

Gems to use in this set are *Damage*. Variations exist.

Possible substitutions include *Cluster, Piercing*, and *Rage* gems.

Place gems in the lowest slot they can go.   It is typically better to have a weak gem in your top slots which almost never hit vs. in lower slots which hit regularly.

**Companion Considerations**

Including a shielding or healing companion is recommended due to lack of any inherent damage mitigation.

**Use, Advantages, Disadvantages**

In general this is a damage set that tends to be used early on and is a good choice to avoid overthinking your play. It is perfectly viable through the current end of the game against all opponents.  While not the best for any given situation, a basic *Damage* gem set generally works reasonably well in ANY situation, and that is a powerful attraction.  You could build a straight *Damage* set and, other than possibly one or two 'trick' fights, never have to do anything but upgrade gems in place when you get higher level gems or power increases.

There are several gem types that can be substituted into a Damage gem set depending on availability.   *Cluster, Piercing* and *Rage*.

*Cluster* and *Piercing* gems generate slightly less raw damage at a given level.  They can however be situationally superior.   Regardless, like the pure *Damage* gems, they are immune to resistances and work against all opponents and can be mixed in depending on what you have available.  *Piercing* gems do better against shielding opponents.  *Cluster* gems are more effective if you have *Rage* gems in the mix.

*Rage* gems have a different action model than direct damaging gems, inflicting their damage when other gems hit and decaying over time. As a result their effectiveness can be variable.   They shine when in a set with *Cluster* gems in low slots.

**Variants and Adjustments**
Mixing in other gems can augment an otherwise pure damage set.  A common tactic is to drop in a *Lightning* gem or two in low slots to slow down opponents.   Similarly a *Shield* gem or two can increase damage mitigation from this set which otherwise provides none.

*Rage* gems are considered pure damage gems as well, although they act differently and aren't immediate/direct damage.   *Rage* gems work extremely will when mixed with *Cluster* gems and that is an entire very powerful meta unto itself.

### Rage/Cluster

Submitted by: *Faradhii* Updates by:

**Overview**

A generic *Rage/Cluster* gem set useful in all settings except Outsider battles (and even then it's OK.)

*(Ed. Note: Rage/Cluster is generally considered the highest DPS meta)*

**Gem Arrangement**

The first 3 slots should hold the best *Cluster* gems you can get for your power level (power level is raised as story progresses)

```
Slot 1 Best *Cluster* gem you can socket for your power level.
Slot 2 Best *Cluster* gem you can socket for your power level.
Slot 3 Best *Cluster* gem you can socket for your power level.

```

The rest of the slots are *Rage* gems up to the *Flawless Rage* gem.

```
Slot 4 Best *Rage* gem you can socket for your power level.
Slot 5 Best *Rage* gem you can socket for your power level.
Slot 6 Best *Rage* gem you can socket for your power level.

```

For the top slots, at power level 3, you should have 3 slots available in the *Royal Flush* and *Five of a Kind* slots. While these can be whatever you want, I tend to prefer:

```
Slot 7 *Flawless Damage* gem in the Five of a Kind socket.
Slot 8 *Flawless Lightning* in the Straight Flush socket.
Slot 9 *Flawless Shield* in the Royal Flush socket.

```

**Companion Considerations**

This gem set is best played with Molly/Emily/Bella until you get Xochi and Bella gets Mjolnir.

**Use, Advantages, Disadvantages**

With Molly/Bella/Emily (assuming Emily has progressed to Dragonslayer) you use Molly to get 5 jokers (3 on ultra) and that will almost always give you 4 of a kind which will activate the *Flawless Rage* gem.

If you are lucky, or not playing on ultra, you will get a second 4 of a kind to stack rage. After that, just hit enemy with 1 pair to 3 of a kind to engage cluster and watch the enemy melt.

Use Emily's shield for damage absorption and you shouldn't need healing.

**Variants and Adjustments**

None specified.

### Katie/FireStorm

Submitted by *JMINATL* Updates by:

**Overview**

In Book 2 you get the Firestorm gem (Does 300 Fire and Doubles Fire Damage) and Katie gets Fire Mastery (Doubles Fire Damage)

Combine these with fire gems for a hard hitting Meta

**Gem Arrangement**

Straight up Fire in the lowest slot possible. Place the FireStorm gem in the Four Of A Kind Slot.

**Companion Considerations**

Katie for her fire doubling. Mollie to increase average hand. Xochi or later Dylan for refresh on doubling.

**Use, Advantages, Disadvantages**

Anything that is not immune to fire. Avoid Fire Elementals and Guardians, Deep Dweller Fire Lord. Samael.

**Variants and Adjustments**

### Book 2 Ice Meta

Submitted by *Landrassa* Updates by: jminatl, Adry Lemon

**Overview**

Ice Meta for Book 2

**Gem Arrangement**

Slots 1-5: Hightest ICE possible

Slot 6: Highest Rage possible

Slot 7: WinterStorm

Slot 8: InnerPeace

Slot 9: Ice 9

Slot 10: WinterKing

**Companion Considerations**

Molly, Akane, Xochi.

Spend Xochi's first round on regen, then refresh.
(You need the healing due to rage damage, particularly on higher difficulty.)

**Use, Advantages, Disadvantages**

Ice setup is pretty much the winterstorm over and over till you have more ice on the opponent than it has hp, and then use winter king to turn it into fire

**Variants and Adjustments**
Adry Lemon

Slot 6: Highest Ice

Slot 8: WinterKing

Slot 10: Firestorm

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