Elven Cloak vs. Stealth

[Insect King]

Sorry if this question has already been answered, but I was wondering how using an Elf of Lorien's Elven Cloak is any different from using the stealth skill without it? As I read it, either way, a stealth check is required and the end result seems to be about the same. Am I missing something?

The cloaks function like the Art of Disappearing that needs a Stealth roll. It is a let down.

You could give the cloak a Mastery Die in Stealth or a Wits blessing.

Cheers,

Chris.

[Angelalex242]

Perhaps not the right thread for it, but the Lorien elves in general seem...weaker then standard Mirkwood elves.

[Mando]

Whatever the stats, the cool factor for the Lorien Cloak is super high. Well, to me at least !
Pretty sure it does not itch, ever, and it has a trendy hood.

[Deadmanwalking]

Perhaps not the right thread for it, but the Lorien elves in general seem...weaker then standard Mirkwood elves.

Eh. They can use Greatbows, which is a pretty significant advantage of Mirkwood Elves on the archery front, and Lembas is utterly amazing. They're not nearly as good in melee as a Greatspear-using Mirkwood Elf, but they do okay (sword + great shield is a solid melee option just generally), and I think their out-of-combat options are better all things considered.

[Angelalex242]

Sure, but when you add up what lembas and favor of the lady actually does...it seems like Lorien elves are designed to be elves who think they're hobbits and burn hope like water. I'm not sure if the Galadhrim bow actually outperforms Woodland bow. Extra attacks are very potent, even if it's a weaker bow type. Moreover, the Woodland Elves have Wood Elf Magic to back up their bows, with the extra sleep effect of wood elf magic besides. Elven brooch is pretty awesome though.

[Stormcrow]

I'm not sure if they're weaker or not, but remember that Galadriel and Celeborn are not themselves technically elves of Lorien. Their awesomeness need not be strongly reflected in the Nandor of Lorien. Lembas is a gift only given by great queens to very few.

[Angelalex242]

Didn't say they were. I am purely looking at Lorien Elves vs. Mirkwood Elves for gameplay mechanics. Mirkwood Elves in general seem to have better toys, but a lot of them cost hope. Lorien Elves have hope to spare and much less to spend it on.

[Deadmanwalking]

Sure, but when you add up what lembas and favor of the lady actually does...it seems like Lorien elves are designed to be elves who think they're hobbits and burn hope like water. I'm not sure if the Galadhrim bow actually outperforms Woodland bow. Extra attacks are very potent, even if it's a weaker bow type. Moreover, the Woodland Elves have Wood Elf Magic to back up their bows, with the extra sleep effect of wood elf magic besides. Elven brooch is pretty awesome though.

Well, mathematically, a Woodland Bow puts Wood Elves on par with those who use Greatbows, not above them...and doesn't even do that vs. foes with Great Size (who Greatbows and Greatspears are much better at killing than any other weapon). Add in the extra Pierce chance and Lorien archers are solid.

They do lose out on the Wood Elf magic, but that costs Hope, while their replacements give them extra Hope. That's hardly nothing, as advantages go.