to Khopesh or not to Khopesh?

[Ezekiah]

How difficult is it to get ones hands on a nice khopesh? I like the look, it generally fits the theme of my character (once re-envisioned as a fighter-splash intimitank. oh well), it just seems like an unwise use of a feat for a weapon I don't even have yet.

feats are as follows (for a 3f/11p)

h: PA
1: Toughness
f1: WF:S
f2: Cleave
3: [empty]
6: greatcleave
9: Imp Crit: slash
12: [empty]

stats are 17/10/14/8/9/14
at 14: 22/10/14/8/9/18



I expect one of the "empty" slots will become skill focus: intimidate, bullheaded, or possibly extra turning (for divine righteousness charges) I may convert it to a 7p/7f build along the way, if i feel that more ranks of balance are needed (will probably cap at about 4, though i can't imagine ever making a check in a reasonable time with a tower shield equipped). the conversion would add two more feats, one of which would be specialization: slash. It would also move one final point from cha to str, leaving me open to odd tomes.


So, to the khopesh wielding paladins out there - do you ever wish you spend the feat elsewhere?

[bandyman1]

Npoe. Only reason I can think of not to take khopesh on a sword and board pally is 1) an elf with the longsword enhancements or b) a dwarf with the axe enhancements.

Seriously. x3 damage on a crit is just that good. Especially for a pally, who are generally behind the other melee classes DPS-wise anyway.

[Nyvn]

There is a Khopesh that gives Prof: Khopesh if you want to try it out.

[Geonis]

My Pally likes khopeshes so much, I dual wield them.


Edit: I also get them as end rewards quite often, so I guess if you take the feat they can drop as end rewards.

[Jondallar]

Usually before taking a weapon proficiency I make sure I have 3 or 4 end game caliber wepaons before making the character, sometimes you cant count on looting them. If you have the khopesh then its a no brainer

[Ralmeth]

I took the khopesh feat on my Paladin at a time when I had no khopesh swords at all, and I have never regretted it. I found it easy to find basic khopesh swords on the auction house and brokers to get started, and later on was able to pick up some other nice ones along the way. You just can't beat the extra damage you get when you crit, so I would highly recommend it.

[Nymea]

Just messing with the chargen tool, and came up with this

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.70
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 14 Lawful Good Drow Male
(9 Paladin \ 5 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 224
Spell Points: 152 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 14
Will: 12

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Stats          Modified Stats
Abilities        (Level 1)             (Level 14)
Strength             17                    22
Dexterity            13                    14
Constitution         13                    14
Intelligence         10                    10
Wisdom               11                    12
Charisma             11                    14

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 1
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 1
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 1
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 1
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 1
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 14

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 14)
Balance               4                    10
Bluff                 3                     5
Concentration         2                     2
Diplomacy             1                     2
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                1                     2
Heal                  5                     9
Hide                  2                     2
Intimidate            1                     2
Jump                  8                    17
Listen                1                     3
Move Silently         2                     2
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                0                     0
Search                4                    14
Spot                  5                    15
Swim                  4                     6
Tumble                n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device      n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Bluff (+2)
Skill: Heal (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense I

Level 2 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Bluff (+0.5)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)

Level 3 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Bluff (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Resistance I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I

Level 4 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Enhancement: Improved Drow Spell Resistence I

Level 5 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I

Level 6 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge

Level 7 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Spot (+2)

Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Aberration

Level 9 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Iron Will
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness II

Level 10 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Enhancement: Improved Drow Spell Resistence II

Level 11 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Light I

Level 12 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness III

Level 13 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil III

Level 14 (Paladin)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Enhancement: Improved Drow Spell Resistence III
Enhancement: Elven Perception I
Enhancement: Elven Keen Eyes I
Enhancement: Paladin Courage of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Courage of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Energy of the Templar I
Enhancement: Paladin Energy of the Templar II
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma II

So the way I see it a khopesh, especially a dual weilding one is very viable.

[Dworkin_of_Amber]

To Kopesh or Not to Kopesh?

Simple Answer: If you are not Dwarf or Elf (or possibly Drow), then Kopesh is a 100% no-brainer to take (assuming sword-and-board, of course).

Long Version:
If you take the Dwarf/Elf/Drow Weapon enhancements out of the equation for a moment, the Kopesh is the highest-DPS single-handed normal weapon in DDO. Period. This is proven, time-and-again. Now, once you add the Racial Weapon Enhancements for Dwarf/Elf/Drow, then those weapons will be very close to the DPS of a Kopesh (within a few percentage points either way, up or down - And that is assuming Dwarven Axe for Dwarf, Longsword for Elf, and Rapier for Drow). So, if you are not going Dwarf/Elf/Drow, and if you want to maximize your DPS, then take Kopesh. If you are Elf, go longsword. If you are Drow, then you really need to make a tough choice... Rapiers are piercing, and a lot of mobs have DR Piercing... it's a tough call either way. If you are Dwarf... then a lot depends on if you can fit in the Axe Attack & Damage feats along with everything else, and how dependant on Dwarven Axes you want to be... but I would say that most of the time the decision leans in favor of the DA over the Kopesh.


Short Version:
Dwarf: Most likely Dwarven Axe
Elf: Longsword
Drow: Rapier or Kopesh
All others: Kopesh

[Jondallar]

To Kopesh or Not to Kopesh?

If you are Dwarf... then a lot depends on if you can fit in the Axe Attack & Damage feats along with everything else, and how dependant on Dwarven Axes you want to be...

If I recall its not just dorf axes, its all axes that the dorf enhancements work on...its just that dorf axes are the best 1 hander axe type (if you dont have to take the exotic weapon prof.)
Jond

[Dworkin_of_Amber]

This is from memory, so don't shoot me for errors:

Handaxe is too low a base damage (1d6) to keep up with DA
BattleAxe is ok on damage, but is only x2 Crit.

That's it for 1-handed Axes...
Only the x3 Crit on the DA lets it keep up with the Kopesh for Damage.
Even with the Attack 2 & Damage 2 on a BattleAxe, I don't think it can keep up with a Kopesh.

Let's see, on the Battle Axe w/ Enhancements:
+7 to hit
1d8+2 damage
19-20x2 Crit

*vs*

+5 to hit
1d8 damage
19-20x3 Crit

I don't think the Battle Axe can keep up... but I could be wrong

[Jondallar]

Battleaxe is x3 crits also but only d6 or d8 damage, Dorf axe are d10 base damage. That being said a nice +5 Bursting battle axe is still a very viable weapon for a dorf... it of course is still only 19/20 crit range with impr crit slashing.

[Dworkin_of_Amber]

Sorry, forgot that Battleaxe is x3... but the 20x3 hurts a bit. A Kopesh will outdamage a BattleAxe (but only by a little bit), and the DA & Kopesh are basically neck-and-neck with the Dwarven Axe enhancements.

So, I'll revise that statement on Dwarves... Go Dwarf for Dwarven Axes and Battle Axes (or 2WF with HandAxe in the Off-Hand)... Elves and Drow statements stand... all others should go Kopesh for DPS.


It is also important to note that for Kopesh users, the Dynastic Falcata is easy to obtain (appears in several chests in the Desert, and cheap on the AH), and is a +4 Adamantine Kopesh with True Law (or is it Axiomatic... I can never remember). The True Law/Axiomatic part doesn't hit that often, but a +4 Adamantine Kopesh is still an EXCELLANT weapon, with very low repair bills.

[Dworkin_of_Amber]

That being said... one of these days I am going to build my TWF-Kopesh-Wielding Barbarian! 15-20x3 while Raging @ 40+ STR FTW!

[artvan_delet]

Khopeshs are much more available at the AH since the merge. On Sarlona, +3 flaming burst khop of pure good are selling for under 100k plat. If you have some plat, you'll find good khopeshs, imo.

[Dworkin_of_Amber]

I paid 1,000,000 plat for my best Kopesh before the merge: +5 Flaming Adamantine Kopesh of Righteousness.... and I stil think it was worth every copper piece! Yes, I know the Flaming will heal the Constructs, but healing for 1d8 and doing 30+ damage per hit... I can live with that. Hell, it's my primary use weapon, because most of the time it is a +7 Flaming Adamantine Kopesh... and the Adamantine keeps the repair bills VERY cheap!

Now If I only had another 2mil pp to buy that Smiting Kopesh I saw on the AH last night

[PurdueDave]

Decent khopeshes are much easier to find since THF became all the rage (no pun intended). The really nice ones are still going to be a bit tough to come by. As far as taking the feat...it's a shade under improved critical.

OP...I'd take it at 12 so I didn't need to even think about mid-level khopeshes.

[FoxOne]

There is a Khopesh that gives Prof: Khopesh if you want to try it out.

Is the named weapon giving khopesh prof.You can get it in gianthold tor.

[Jondallar]

I just aquired some Beauties:

+5 acid khop of Puregood
+5 frost khop of Puregood
+1 seeker (+4) khop of Smiting
+1 Transmuting khop of Greater Chaotic Outsiderbane.

Its been a good week for my respecc'ed Halfling avenger
If I can get a Kardin's Eye, Delving Suit, and the DQ gogs, she will truely be a Maxxed Character with the best possible gear

Sorry if this sounds like bragging I'm just pumped about my new gear
Jond

[Velorn]

I just aquired some Beauties:

+5 acid khop of Puregood
+5 frost khop of Puregood
+1 seeker (+4) khop of Smiting
+1 Transmuting khop of Greater Chaotic Outsiderbane.

Its been a good week for my respecc'ed Halfling avenger
If I can get a Kardin's Eye, Delving Suit, and the DQ gogs, she will truely be a Maxxed Character with the best possible gear

Sorry if this sounds like bragging I'm just pumped about my new gear
Jond

Originally my L14 fighter had the EW: Bastard Sword feat. Realizing that DPS was my goal, I started the transformation even before I changed the feat. I had the shard and I started to peruse the AH. There were a lot of good khopeshes that were relatively cheap. I bought out a +4 Keen khopesh of PG, a +5 Acid Khopesh and a +4 Frost Khopesh of Righteousness, all for under 50,000 GOLD each. I also traded within my guild for what I considered to be my best weapon...+5 Shocking Burst Khopesh of something or other..brain fart at the moment...With further purchases and trades I went and saw Fred and changed the feat. I have not looked back. I re-cooped a lot of my expenses by putting my collection of BS's on the AH.

I liked the weapons so much that my subsequent fighter types...Aryss and Perseus...have the feat so I can pass the weapons down to them.

BTW...I get a lot of Khopeshes in my end rewards these days (I recently looted a +4 Transmuting khopesh of Shattermantle...cool)...odd.

[elraido]

Another way you might want to go is get some nice burst scimitars. An insane crit range for the burst effect, can get down as low as 15. So one in 4 swings will be a crit. So the damage from the extra crit thrown kind of offsets the x3 of the khopesh. I built my Paladin as a bastard sword user and I am finding out that I am doing a lot more damage with the scimitars that I am with the bastard sword of the same type. It just depends on what you feel comfortable with.

X3 damage on a crit with the khopesh with the use of a feat
1d10 damage from the bastard with the use of a feat
High crit range with the scimitar without the use of a feat.