Help Me Pick My Offhand Longsword

[Balkas]

I'm currently in the process of leveling up an Elven TWF Fighter/Ranger/Monk.

I'm going to be making two green steel longswords for him, and I was wondering if you guys could help me pick out what my offhand will be.

The primary will be a Lightning II (Probably Shock/Good Burst/4 AC).

I don't want a Mineral II or Radiance II (I know those are swell and dandy, I just want something a little different for this character). I was considering making another Lightning II, but I think I want to diversify.

I was thinking one of the following:

Salt II (Unholy/Icy Burst/+2 Str)
Dust II (Unholy/Acid Burst/+2 Wisdom)
WWW (Frost/Icy Burst/+2 Str)
Steam II (Frost/Good Burst/+2 Str)

What do you think I should pick?

If anyone can comment on the frequency of which these 4 proc, it'd be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time :).

[Garth_of_Sarlona]

I've heard good things about Dust - the disintegrate hits quite often and is untyped damage (and hits for more damage than Salt) but you would lose the +2 STR which it looks like you're going for.

Depending on the number of rogue levels you have, you might still want to consider going radiance, since a crit from the weapon will give you sneak attacks which can add up to quite a lot.

Garth

p.s. I'm not sure if you're counting on being ki balanced wielding those longswords, but Eladrin has said (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?p=1883766#post1883766) that the monk longsword ki abilities are still in development and won't be around for a while (mod 9?)

[Inspire]

Depending on the number of rogue levels you have, you might still want to consider going radiance, since a crit from the weapon will give you sneak attacks which can add up to quite a lot.

Garth

Might be a mistake, but I dont see any rogue levels on that build... but Radiance is still a good option as it will gove mobs a 50% miss chance, they lose -4 to thier ac, movement is slowed by 30%, and they lose their Dex bonus to Ac while Blinded, also Radiance(if Holy/Good) makes your weapon Good alligned which bypasses Orthon/Devil Dr.

[Sargoth]

I would suggest the Dust out of the ones you listed. I have heard good things about it, especially in the realm of clearing trash mobs as the proc hits more often than the lightning but for less damage.

[Inspire]

Ooze; 25% On Hit Chance To Sunder Enemy For -5AC (DC40 Fort. Save) , 2% Chance To Summon CR12 Ooze (Unsplittable)
Acid, Icy Burst, +4Ac
Frost, Acid Burst, +2 Wisdom
Reasoning; -5Ac Effect(For Other Melees/Stacks With Destruction) And Summon Wild Oozes Is Freakin Hilarious.

Steam; 25% On Hit Chance For 2d8+8 Irresistable Damage.
Frost, Good Burst, +4Ac
Holy, Icy Burst, +2 Wisdom
Reasoning; Good/Holy Bypasses DR(Terrible Steam2 Effect) Solid Fog Clickies For Kiting Mobs Through.

Ice; 5% Chance Of Freezing Encasement, DC35 Fort. Save, FOM Negates(Auto-Crit)
Frost, Shocking Burst, +4Ac
Shock, Icy Burst, +2 Dexterity
Reasoning; Neat Ice2 Effect, +1 To-Hit With Dexterity.

Magma; 3% On Hit Chance Of 80d6 Damage Over 4Secs And Movement 50% Slowed, Attack Rate 30% Slowed And -1 Penalty To Attack Rolls, AC, Reflex save.
Flaming, Acid Burst, +4Ac
Acid, Flaming Burst, +2 Dexterity
Reasoning; Great Magma2 Effect, +1 To-Hit From Dexterity.

Ash; 5% Chance Per Hit For 1d4 Negative Levels - No Save(Except; Deathward)
Flaming, Evil Burst, +4Ac
Unholy, Flaming Burst, +2 Dexterity
Reasoning; Cool Ash2 Effect, +1 To-Hit Dexterity. Ash1 Waves Of Exhaustion - No Save.

[Balkas]

I've heard good things about Dust - the disintegrate hits quite often and is untyped damage (and hits for more damage than Salt) but you would lose the +2 STR which it looks like you're going for.

Depending on the number of rogue levels you have, you might still want to consider going radiance, since a crit from the weapon will give you sneak attacks which can add up to quite a lot.

Garth

p.s. I'm not sure if you're counting on being ki balanced wielding those longswords, but Eladrin has said (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?p=1883766#post1883766) that the monk longsword ki abilities are still in development and won't be around for a while (mod 9?)

No rogue levels :)

I am kind of banking on Whirling Steel Strike, but my character at the current cap is going to be 8 Fighter/6 Ranger/2 Monk. I figure if Whirling Steel Strike gets added at the same time the cap is raised to 20, I'll just take the last 4 levels in monk. If not, I'll just take the last 4 levels in fighter and get the 2nd tier of Kensai or whatever prestige enhancement I have for fighter.

I'll probably end up going rapiers in the latter case, but I figure if I make 2 GS longswords that don't have most of their damage tied to the damage and/or crits of the actual weapon (IE Lightning II) then I should be alright.

I was kind of leaning toward Dust, but Magma looks interesting. Any more help and opinions would be appreciated.

EDIT: Also, how does the Vacuum II "Trap The Soul" special ability work?

[kingfisher]

i have ben wondering the same thing for str based elf my ranger/fighter/rogue. wanted to go rad II longsword and something else, but i have concerns that a rad II scimmy will be better than the ls, even with the minor racial enhancements. i like the dust II to go along with it or i could make a light II, min II, or triple pos ls to go with the rad II. dont wanna screw it up so if anyone has suggestions.......

**not trying to threadjack, just same topic** :)

[Balkas]

i have ben wondering the same thing for str based elf my ranger/fighter/rogue. wanted to go rad II longsword and something else, but i have concerns that a rad II scimmy will be better than the ls, even with the minor racial enhancements. i like the dust II to go along with it or i could make a light II, min II, or triple pos ls to go with the rad II. dont wanna screw it up so if anyone has suggestions.......

**not trying to threadjack, just same topic** :)

Do you not want to use rapiers? How many rogue levels are you taking? If lots of your damage is based on sneak attacks, you should probably make a Radiance II Scimitar/Rapier.

[Angelus_dead]

I'm going to be making two green steel longswords for him, and I was wondering if you guys could help me pick out what my offhand will be.
Ok, you should know
1. Longswords are worse weapons than rapiers, which get the same elf bonuses
2. The Whirling Steel Strike to get Ki-centered with longswords might not ever happen, and even if it does it'll be a long long time away


Steam II (+8 Strength/Good Burst)
That's the best of the alternatives you listed. However, I really question why you want Strength on a sword:
1. What about when you switch to other weapons, like Wounding or Destruction or Vorpal? Are you not going to wear a strength item then, reducing your attack and damage?
2. +6 str is worth +3 damage, but some other choice like Holy is worth ~+7 damage, and stacks with the damage boost from the str item you could wear elsewhere.

To have your +6 str on a weapon does mean you're reducing your DPS. And +1 or +2 exceptional str also means reducing your DPS, except against monsters immune to the elemental damage available in that combo.

[kingfisher]

Do you not want to use rapiers? How many rogue levels are you taking?

one more at lvl20 for a total of 3. 15r/3ro/2ftr most likely. i can build the rapiers like everyone else but, personally, i would rather stick to slashing weapons - purely for flavor. i just have a hard time getting behind making a 2-foot needle to poke giants with. mainly why i am exploring the ls/scimmy options. even thought of burning a feat to add Khopesh so i can make those.

dumb to not make rapiers? waste of materials? thanks for help.

[Balkas]

Ok, you should know
1. Longswords are worse weapons than rapiers, which get the same elf bonuses. I'm aware. I have another character who uses rapiers, so I don't want to have to collect another set of 'em. You can pretend I'm using rapiers if that helps you :).
2. The Whirling Steel Strike to get Ki-centered with longswords might not ever happen, and even if it does it'll be a long long time away. It's something that Eladrin said he's working on, so I figure it'd get in somehow. If they can make the Shining Crescents work, I don't think it'd be too far a stretch to have it work for longswords. I'm thinking Mod 9. I think it's worth planning for something that would add another flavor/aspect to the character.


That's the best of the alternatives you listed. Do you have a Steam weapon? Does it proc a lot? However, I really question why you want Strength on a sword:
1. What about when you switch to other weapons, like Wounding or Destruction or Vorpal? Are you not going to wear a strength item then, reducing your attack and damage?
2. +6 str is worth +3 damage, but some other choice like Holy is worth ~+7 damage, and stacks with the damage boost from the str item you could wear elsewhere.

To have your +6 str on a weapon does mean you're reducing your DPS. And +1 or +2 exceptional str also means reducing your DPS, except against monsters immune to the elemental damage available in that combo. You have a point there :). I was mostly just considering the special effects and didn't know if taking an unholy at the first tier would give me a negative level for using it.

Thanks; responses in red.

[Balkas]

one more at lvl20 for a total of 3. 15r/3ro/2ftr most likely. i can build the rapiers like everyone else but, personally, i would rather stick to slashing weapons - purely for flavor. i just have a hard time getting behind making a 2-foot needle to poke giants with. mainly why i am exploring the ls/scimmy options. even thought of burning a feat to add Khopesh so i can make those.

dumb to not make rapiers? waste of materials? thanks for help.

Maybe make a Radiance II Scimitar and then a _____ Longsword just for fun?

[kingfisher]

Maybe make a Radiance II Scimitar and then a _____ Longsword just for fun?

thanks for the advice bro. kinda of what i have been toying with which leaves the same question you have - which one for fun? trip pos prolly for rednamed i guess is my best option.

sidenote - this crafting business is fun, but **** its like ordering a beer at a microbrewery - so many choices so little time.

[Balkas]

thanks for the advice bro. kinda of what i have been toying with which leaves the same question you have - which one for fun? trip pos prolly for rednamed i guess is my best option.

sidenote - this crafting business is fun, but **** its like ordering a beer at a microbrewery - so many choices so little time.

Bah triple positive; make something fun :).

I'm really liking the idea of a Lightning II with a Dust II. I like the big booms.

We'll see how it goes.

I have another crafting question...

Does the Elemental Mastery that you can add to a non-weapon act the same as the weapon version, or is it some form of Elemental Mastery Guard?

[Inspire]

Does the Elemental Mastery that you can add to a non-weapon act the same as the weapon version, or is it some form of Elemental Mastery Guard?

Weapon version.

[Balkas]

Weapon version.

Excellent, thank you :).