Hobans Hat (r180) [Retired]View in Item Database
DescriptionAnd you thought it was just for show. Pfft. Hobans Hat

Multiuse


Average Rating [?]
5.5

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Attack *air**air**earth**earth**light**light**light**physical**physical**physical*
Defense *-water**-water**-water**-water**-water*
Reflect N/A
Effects N/A
Actual Icons
ATTACK EARTH 2 ATTACK AIR 2 ATTACK LIGHT 3 ATTACK PHYSICAL 3
DEFENSE WATER 5    
JN Price -
Restocks At N/A
Used By N/A
Notes None
Ratings - Hobans Hat
Rating:
1
This rating is to intentionally tank the average score for this weapon, as it is now either outclassed by or more expensive than the current Intermediate Recommended Attackers. This weapon should not be considered unless its price falls more in line with these alternatives.

Rated on February 1, 2024

Rating:
3
Price/Power (2/5)
Beaten by the Rusty Pitchfork in pure icons, due to the price and scarcity there is little on offer here to the average battler which would put this above a Hanso Charisma Charm, Dr. Sloths Personal Bath Buddy or even the much much cheaper Scroll of Knowledge.

Countermeasures (0/5)
Beaten by a fair number of common weapons such as the Wanderers Cloak, Studded Leather Cuirass, Ghostkershield and Tower Shield. Not common enough to plan against, but some of these weapons may already be in someone's set.

Alternatives Upgrades or Downgrades
If you have the money for one of these, surely you could just get a Dr. Sloths Personal Bath Buddy instead, that or any number of the items mentioned above.

Other Points (1 Bonus)
Retired Plot prize, I do like them.

Final Thoughts
While I understand that this does have some niche value in League97, I must rate in such a way that is useful for all players. Not just those involved in L97, which is already represented on this weapon.

Rated on March 29, 2014

Rating:
9
For those who can afford it, Hobans Hat is a must own for L97 play. This fact is evident considering the price of this retired hat has become quite expensive.

For general use, players should avoid purchasing this weapon; even before recent inflation, Hobans Hat was too pricey to be considered an option in 1-Player or traditional 2-Player. A 10-5 Dual Duty is certainly not weak, but when its cost puts it in the range of Hidden Tower forces like Skarls Hasty Mace and Sword of Skardsen, it is simply outclassed.

However, Hobans Hat has reached a record price for one reason, and that reason is because it is a dominant force in the L97 metagame.

Excluding Physical icons, Water icons appear to be the least popular offensive icon type in L97 play, largely thanks to the presence of Faerie Tabard in most participants' armouries. With the exception of an aggressive Meukas Snot Trail and a sprinkle of Water icons in Spyder Stone Necklace, Water is not all that common in L97 weapons.

On the other hand, abilities are a different story; Icicle rivals Sear in Tier Level 25 popularity, mainly due to its raw power. In a metagame where offenses are severely limited, Icicle provides a punch that is not otherwise achievable on an every-turn basis. Given the fact that the league uses the 35 Defense boost and 20 Strength boost, Hobans Hat's water defense blocks Icicle in its entirety. Hobans Hat can exert dominating control of the ability game. If this weapon blocks an Icicle, it is generating 16 total icons, an extreme in the format. Even when Hobans Hat is not defending water icons, it still provides 10 icons of offen...
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Rating:
9
Overview: Oh you're in L97 and you like my hat? YOU'RE ABOUT TO LOSE! NOW YOU LOSE! YOU JUST LOST!

The Good: Well I wish I could count the number of times I saw this in my last L97 tournament on one hand. It's got two great things going for it:
  • Hobans Hat negates 5/6 of the water damage from the An Icicle ability, making that ability worthless in L97. As many battlers, myself included, rely on that ability for extra icons, this is extremely aggravating. This means that you can go head to head against an opponent with dual Portable Kilns and win because you'll make up the 2 icons in your abilities.

  • This dual duty can go up against Meukas Snot Trail and win, making it a great lead-out weapon for L97 battles. Outside of L97 it can go up against a few one use muffins for a tie, or win against the common mid-level weapon Dr. Sloths Personal Bath Buddy.


The Bad: 10 offensive icons split between 4 types means the hat is very likely to be blocked. For instance, the hat can be beat with a Makeshift Ships Hammer, which can usually be bought for around 50k. It really is a timing game with dual duties, but the icon distribution means a few cheaper dual duties can wreck Hobans Hat.

The Ugly Truth: In L97, this is a good insurance plan. 10 offensive icons plus defending against some high level weapons like Meukas Snot Trail, or at least the An Icicle ability, make Hobans Hat a must have for a well-rounded set. That being said, it needs to be supplemented with good weaponry, as the icons it deals can usually be blocked to some degree.

Rated on November 25, 2013