2023 US Masters: What Magic Items Were Taken

The 2023 US Masters tournament for Kings of War not only showcased the strategic depth of the game but also provided a wealth of data on players' preferences for magical artifacts. With 43 different magic items taken into battle, the diversity of choices reflects the rich tapestry of strategies and playstyles that the game supports. The most frequently selected artifact, "Sir Jesse's Boots of Striding," led the charge, but the spread across 43 items indicates a healthy variety.

The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), a commonly used measure of market concentration, can also be applied to analyze the diversity of artifact choices. An HHI closer to 10,000 indicates less diversity (high concentration), whereas closer to 0 indicates a wide variety (low concentration). With an HHI of 386, the selection of magical items exhibits moderate diversity. This suggests that while there are popular choices, there is still significant variation in the artifacts that players believe will give them a competitive edge.

Moreover, when examining the cost of the items chosen, there's a discernible inclination toward more affordable artifacts. Both the "Staying Stone" (taken 10 times) and the "Blade of Slashing" (taken 10 times) are modestly priced at 5 points, and their popularity implies that players are seeking cost-efficient ways to enhance their units. This tendency towards inexpensive items might indicate a strategic preference for spreading enhancements across multiple units rather than investing heavily in a single, potentially game-changing item. It's a testament to the balanced nature of Kings of War, where high-cost items do not overwhelmingly dominate competitive play, and players can find value in a range of options.

The tournament's artifact choices paint a picture of a competitive scene that values tactical flexibility, with "Sir Jesse's Boots of Striding" (taken 22 times) facilitating crucial maneuvers. At the same time, the moderate HHI indicates that while players have their favorites, they're also exploring the breadth of the game's magical arsenal. The lean towards less expensive items further shows a strategic layer where the distribution of enhancements is as critical as the choice of enhancement itself.

In conclusion, the US Masters tournament reveals a Kings of War environment where adaptability, unit performance, and economic distribution of power through magical artifacts are keys to players' strategies. It will be intriguing to see how this meta evolves as players continue to experiment and refine their approaches to artifact selection.

Here's the full list:
Magic Item Count
Sir Jesse's Boots of Striding 22
Brew of Strength 13
Brew of Sharpness 11
Staying Stone 10
Blade of Slashing 10
Conjurer's Staff 10
Sacred Horn 10
Pipes of Terror 9
Orb of Towering Presence 9
Hammer of Measured Force 8
Gnome-Glass Shield 8
Inspiring Talisman 8
Brew of Haste 7
Helm of the Drunken Ram 7
Blessing of the Gods 7
Mead of Madness 6
Boots of Levitation 6
Trickster's Wand 6
Chalice of Wrath 5
Dwarven Ale 5
Fire-Oil 5
Lute of Insatiable Darkness 4
Healing Brew 4
Mace of Crushing 4
Wings of Honeymaze 4
Crystal Pendent of Retribution 2
The Boomstick 2
Shroud of the Saint 2
Zephyr Crown 2
Aegis of the Elohi 2
Amulet of the Fireheart 2
War-Bow of Kaba 2
Talisman of Silence 2
Crown of the Wizard King 2
Chant of Hate 2
Ej Periscope 1
Dragonshard Shield 1
Wingbane Cloak 1
Helm of Confidence 1
Skirmisher's Boots 1
Diadem of Dragonkind 1
Tome of Darkness 1
Boots of the Seven Leagues 1