Rogue pre-epic weapons

[dasdraco]

Hi,

I have made a new rogue, level 23, and am currently wielding a thunder runed war spear from Kael (13/30) in main hand and a crystalline spider fang (10/22) off-hand.

I'd appreciate any thoughts as to whether I should try to get a frozen shard or serpent's tooth before epic, or just try to plow through to 46. If so, anyone have a line on one at a good price?

Small dragon bone shard is out, because I am a barb.

On a related note, I understand damage is key for main hand due to backstabd, but does anyone have insight as to when to go with weapon with slightly less damage that is materially faster? For example, I anticipate the 12/24 velium Spears outperforms a 13/30 war spear, inclusive of backstabs.

I think I used to know the answer 10 years ago.

Thanks,
Prester the bard
Camillus the rogue

Excuse typos. I am typing on phone.

[Xaanka]

Backstab is pretty much your damage at low levels. Main hand damage is the only stat that really matters. Any 13dmg main hand is more than enough to get you to level 46 comfortably. I wouldn't worry about getting a better weapon unless you wanted to twink and min/max at low levels. 3str and -3 delay isn't going to do anything for a low level rogue, don't waste your time farming. Rogue still feels like god mode at low levels with just a crystalline spear.

For example, I anticipate the 12/24 velium Spears outperforms a 13/30 war spear, inclusive of backstabs.

No, and double no if you play on red.

[Ciroco]

Originally Posted by Xaanka [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

No, and double no if you play on red.

? Even ignoring the negligible damage bonus increase the 12/24 would have at lower levels, that's nearly a 15% increase in ratio alone. I really don't think one extra damage is going to make up that difference in backstabs.

I would agree that it's probably not worth the cost to get a better weapon before epic, though.

[Xaanka]

Originally Posted by Ciroco [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

? Even ignoring the negligible damage bonus increase the 12/24 would have at lower levels, that's nearly a 15% increase in ratio alone. I really don't think one extra damage is going to make up that difference in backstabs.

I would agree that it's probably not worth the cost to get a better weapon before epic, though.

depends on your STR i suppose. i haven't plugged the numbers but weapon damage becomes significantly more important very quickly as offense levels raise.

i could see a 15% auto attack ratio increase outweighing the backstab gains on a very low str (untwinked gnome etc) low level rogue, but as you level main hand damage becomes the obvious choice. Above delay, stats, anything.

Max Backstab = ((Offense + (Str up to 200) + (str over 200 / 5)) * WepDmg * ((2+(BSskill * 0.02))) / 100

in practice, a 13dmg main hand on a leveling high str rogue feels like free wizard nukes every cooldown.

you should also keep in mind, on red you always want to go for backstab damage because pvp. on blue and red, you will not be fighting long, extended fights while leveling where damage per minute theorycraft numbers make a difference. your typical lower guk frog, unrest zombie, or guard bonner in highkeep (namedrop, my favorite npc in norrath) that you'll encounter while you're leveling, will only take a couple of seconds to die. this is why backstab/burst damage is always superior.

thats why i didn't even bother to do the math, we're talking about leveling. you're a rogue, so you're always guaranteed there will be at least 1 rogue in your leveling group. things will die quick.

maybe this post will be useful to someone for some naggy twink min/maxing [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[gildor]

Frozen Shard should be on your target list..13/26

[Norathorr]

Would the proc on the shard be massive aggro?

[yavim]

does anyone know the prices of frozen shard, thunder runed war spear, and velium spear? are they sold very often?

[Man0warr]

Frozen Shard drops in the back of Kael and no one kills him that often, never seen one for sale. Never seen the spear either.

Velium Spears go from 4k to 40k, depending on the quality. The Exquisite (12/20) version being the most expensive.

[Kowalski]

Serpent's Tooth : http://wiki.project1999.com/Serpent%27s_Tooth

13/27 +3str

[yavim]

sorry not to hijack your thread, but what would you guys say is the best bang for your bucks leveling on a budget weapons? serpents tooth + crystalline spider fang? i'm completely out of the loop since velious came out.