Probably is in the same spot, but I never paid that close of attention. I have played maybe 40 full clear games and many not full clears.

Another thing to try is multi-looting. Make sure you have Master Identify Item or a Scholar. Save near a dead dragon that is in a safe position. Loot dragon, look at item. DON'T save. Reload, loot dragon. Just doing this multiple times will show you many of the available higher level items. Every now and then you'll get an item and the dragon won't disappear. You can keep item & gold by saving (if you want) and then reload. This is multi-looting. If you don't mind the time involved, you can get hundreds of items from one dead dragon, including A&Rs. There are 15 Relics and 15 Artifacts in game. Before you collect the 5 placed A's, you can collect 13 of the 30 A&Rs. Once 13 A&Rs have been brought permanently into game you can only add the 5 placed A's for a max of 18. You can have 2 each of the placed Artifacts. Whether you make a conscious effort to multi-loot in the game and to what extent is up to you.

Just as an addendum iirc, if you get any of the 5 placed artifacts/relics BEFORE you get the 13 random ones, they will count against the 13 random ones you are allowed to find. So to maximise your loot get those random ones first before getting the placed ones

--Chandor

You bought the game, it's yours, and you're entitled to play it in whatever way pleases you best. That's my opinion, anyway. You go right ahead and enjoy it!

I normally play an ACSS party, but I occasionally enjoy a game with a druid capable of casting Dark Magic spells, and/or a sorcerer armed with a large axe.

The easiest way to see the effect of the increase is with the elemental artifact (Morgan) and a ring of water magic - then cast Lloyd's Beacon with and without various combinations of wearing one or the other or both and note the difference in number of days that it lasts.