History YMMV / ShatteredPixelDungeon

** On topic of weapons: Runic Blade's gimmick is benefitting more from upgrades. The benefit[[note]]+6 maximum damage per upgrade point as opposed to tier 4's standard +5[[/note]] doesn't make it special enough to warrant use in the endgame like the assassin's blade or the crossbow, and since it scales exactly like standard tier-5 weapons, it will never surpass an equally-upgraded greatsword or war hammer, adding up to a lategame weapon that will be used only if the RNG is particularly unkind.

* AccidentalInnuendo: Sometimes, an un(?)lucky player can find a "[[UsefulNotes/{{BDSM}} Friendly]] [[WhipItGood Whip]]", which releases charming magic that prevents combatants from fighting.

** On topic of weapons: Runic Blade's gimmick is benefitting more from upgrades. The benefit[[note]]+6 maximum damage per upgrade point as opposed to tier 4's standard +5[[/note]] doesn't make it special enough to warrant use in the endgame like the assassin's blade or the crossbow, and since it scales exactly like standard tier-5 weapons, it will never surpass an equally-upgraded greatsword or war hammer, adding up to a lategame weapon that will be used only if the RNG is particularly unkind.
* TierInducedScrappy: The Warrior in general is considered by many to be the most underwhelming adventurer, as it has the weakest Talents and Subclasses. But while Gladiator can prove to be decently powerful (especially with a fast weapon and/or a Ring of Furor), the Berserker is arguably ''the'' worst subclass in the game. In theory, it's supposed to let the player punish enemies for damaging them, as the Berserker's damage increases with damage. However, the effect is difficult to build up and wears off quickly over time, meaning that the Berserker will rarely get to use his perks. As a result, the Berserker subclass has almost ''nothing'' going for it, and is only salvageable with a [[GameBreaker Ring of Haste]], which lengthens the Berserking status effect. Even then, the Gladiator also benefits from the ring's effect-lengthening properties, so there's basically no reason to use the Berserker (unless you're trying to [[SelfImposedChallenge complete a run with every subclass]]). As of this writing, the upcoming 1.4.0 update is set to rework the Berserker class so that the effect can be more easily controlled like the Gladiator's or Freerunners, but time will tell if this will save the class from the bottom tier.

** The Wand of Magic Missile's gains too little damage on upgrades in comparison to other available options, and unless you're a Warlock,[[note]]The chance of applying Soul Mark increases with wand level, so weaker damage means you can deal more physical damage to an enemy to heal/satiate yourself[[/note]] the Magic Charge gimmick (boosting the next zap of another wand to the [=WoMM's=] level) doesn't compensate enough for it, since you're limited by low capacity of unupgraded wands and having to alternate between them and the [=WoMM=] to get the most out of them.

** [[SetAMookToKillAMook Wand of Corruption]] ended up nerfed three times, since the ability to make the enemies fight for you was too good, especially when paired with the [[GlassCannon wraith]]-spawning corpse dust.

** Timekeeper's Hourglass provides you with TimeStandsStill power, and it's as gamebreaking as it sounds. Did you walk in view of a long-range enemy? No problem, freeze time, walk to right next to them, and smack them in the face. Is the entire room on fire or toxic gas due to your reckless wand use? Freeze yourself in time and watch the world burn, melt and die around you.

** Once a GameBreaker in the olden days, the Wand of Corruption is now considered to be ''the'' worst wand by many. The corruption takes many more wand zaps to set in than before, often exceeding the base number of zaps for stronger enemies. The weakening effects ''can'' be useful in a pinch, and raise a chance of the ''next'' zap working, but it doesn't make the wand any less situational. Add in the [[GameBreaker Warlock]] subclass, which can summon Corrupted Wraiths with substantially less hassle, and you have a borderline useless wand that's better off being sold, transmuted, or melted for arcane resin.

** The Wand of Magic Missile's gains too little damage on upgrades in comparison to other available options, and unless you're a Warlock,[[note]]The chance of applying Soul Mark increases with wand level[[/note]] the Magic Charge gimmick (boosting the next zap of another wand to the [=WoMM's=] level) doesn't compensate enough for it, since you're limited by low capacity of unupgraded wands and having to alternate between them and the [=WoMM=] to get the most out of them.

** [[SetAMookToKillAMook Wand of Corruption]] ended up nerfed twice, since the ability to make the enemies fight for you was too good, especially when paired with the [[GlassCannon wraith]]-spawning corpse dust.

** [[HeelFaceBrainwashing Wand of Corruption]] ended up nerfed twice, since the ability to make the enemies fight for you was too good, especially when paired with the [[GlassCannon wraith]]-spawning corpse dust.

** [[LethalJokeItem The 13th armor ability]]. [[spoiler:If you're willing to make the journey all the way up to the fifth floor (which can be somewhat mitigated by using a Beacon of Returning) with the Dwarf King's Crown and give it to the Rat King, then he'll bless you with the ability to transform enemies into Marsupial Rats. While it sounds silly at first, this ability can be immensely useful to neuter some of the DemonicSpiders that are found in these halls, and, in the case of Evil Eyes, OneHitKill them if they're floating above a chasm. By upgrading certain armor talents, one can also permanently make Ratmorgified enemies into [[HeelFaceBrainwashing allies]] or summon a bunch of allied rats by using the ability on themselves. In both cases, these can serve as useful distractions, especially when there's lots of enemies around. Best of all, this ability is available to ''all'' heroes, so long as they're willing to undertake the journey to reach the Rat King.]]

* TierInducedScrappy: The Warrior in general is considered by many to be the most underwhelming adventurer, as it has the weakest Talents and Subclasses. But while Gladiator can prove to be decently powerful (especially with a fast weapon and/or a Ring of Furor), the Berserker is arguably ''the'' worst subclass in the game. In theory, it's supposed to let the player punish enemies for damaging them, as the Berserker's damage increases with damage. However, the effect is difficult to build up and wears off quickly over time, meaning that the Berserker will rarely get to use his perks. As a result, the Berserker subclass has almost ''nothing'' going for it, and is only salvageable with a [[GameBreaker Ring of Haste]], which lengthens the Berserking status effect. Even then, the Gladiator also benefits from the ring's effect-lengthening properties, so there's basically no reason to use the Berserker (unless you're trying to [[SelfImposedChallenge complete a run with every subclass]]).

** The Warlock subclass, specifically after you upgrade its talents. Whenever he hits an enemy with a wand or staff blast, there's a chance the enemy will become soul-marked, meaning that whenever the Warlock hits that enemy with a physical attack, he recovers HP. Decent on its own, but there are two particular talents that throw this mechanic into GameBreaker territory. The first is [[SoulEating Soul Eater]], which restores hunger whenever a soul-marked enemy is hit with a physical attack, making the aggressive hunger mechanic a non-issue. The second is [[{{Necromancy}} Necromancer's Minions]], which has a decently high chance to spawn a corrupted Wraith when a soul-marked enemy dies when fully upgraded. Remember how the Wand of Corruption had to be nerfed hard because of corrupted Wraiths? Well, this talent lets you abuse that once again. Additionally, the Wraith's physical attacks on soul-marked foes will restore HP and Hunger for you as well if you invest in Soul Siphon!
** The Wand of Fireblast seems like a high-risk high-reward wand at first, blasting out a decently ranged cone of fire that will burn anything in its path, [[HoistByHisOwnPetard including you]]. However, when it's sufficiently upgraded or imbued into the Mage's Staff, it turns into a nuke in a red-and-gold stick. Not only does the range of the blast reach absurd levels, being enough to clear a mid-sized room at +4, but it also deals immense damage on top of the lingering burn damage. What ''really'' shoves it into GameBreaker territory however is the fact that it cripples, and later paralyzes, when it's upgraded. It also synergizes with the Battlemage stupidly well, as imbuing it into his staff will essentially give it the powerful Blazing enchantment, dealing extra damage to burning enemies.

** [[LethalJokeItem The 13th armor ability]]. [[spoiler:If you're willing to make the journey all the way up to the fifth floor (which can be somewhat mitigated by using a Beacon of Returning) with the Dwarf King's Crown and give it to the Rat King, then he'll bless you with the ability to transform enemies into Marsupial Rats. While it sounds silly at first, this ability can be immensely useful to neuter some of the DemonicSpiders that are found in these halls, and, in the case of Evil Eyes, OneHitKill them if they're floating above a chasm. By upgrading certain armor talents, one can also permanently make Ratmorgified enemies into [[HeelFaceBrainwashing allies]] or summon a bunch of allied rats by using the ability on themselves. In both cases, these can serve as useful distractions, especially when there's lots of enemies around. Best of all, this ability is available to ''all'' heroes, so long as they're willing to undertake the journey to reach the Rat King.]]
** Mage's ''Shield Battery'' talent is ridiculously powerful. For 2 talent points, you can consume a wand's charges to create a barrier worth 7.5% your max health per charge. It doesn't matter if the wands you find are all cursed or considered useless, that still means a minimum of 15% barrier with every use, and using multiple wands stack. The kicker is that this is only a tier 2 talent, so other classes can join in the fun with a Scroll of Metamorphosis. And heaven have mercy on your enemies if you manage to get a Glyph of Potential - every proc will recharge your wands, and it's not uncommon for an enemy to keep proccing it, resulting in the barrier being replenished faster than it can be depleted. Not shocking that 1.2.0 reduced the talent's effectiveness to 6% of HP per charge.

** One of the possible challenge runs is "Hostile Champions", introducing special enemy variants that had a BattleAura and powerful buffs, such as Anti-Magic Champions taking reduced damage and being immune to magical effects. Annoying as is, but the worst offenders are the Blazing Champions, which have boosted melee damage and set you on fire with melee attacks, dealing heavy damage and burning up valuable Scrolls if you don't have a Scroll Holder. Worse still, they [[TakingYouWithMe burst into flames]] when killed, so the only real option to deal with them is at a distance. Projecting Champions also deserve a dishonorable mention, since they can hit you from anywhere as long as they can see you ''and'' have the same 25% boost to their melee attacks as Blazing Champions.

** On the topic of Rings, the Ring of Haste is widely considered to be the best ring one can get, and with good reason. It boosts your movement speed to absurd levels, and at +3 it lets you outrun nearly any enemy. Additionally, it makes positive status effects such as Purity last longer, and helps neuter the aggressive Hunger mechanic.

** On topic of weapons: Runic Blade's gimmick is benefitting more from upgrades. The benefit[[note]]+6 maximum damage per upgrade point as opposed to tier 4's standard +5[[/note]] doesn't make it special enough to warrant use in the endgame like the assassin's blade or the crossbow, and since it scales exactly like standard tier-5 weapons, it will never surpass an equally-upgraded greatsword or war hammer, adding up to a lategame weapon that will be used only if the RNG is particularly unkind.