Long Swords

[Suzaku]

So is it worth while to have longswords for elf vs monsters that can't be crit like Undead? Or am I missing something about rapiers?

[Aranticus]

So is it worth while to have longswords for elf vs monsters that can't be crit like Undead? Or am I missing something about rapiers?

on str builds, longswords are awesome against undead but most str builds are dwarves who would use dwarven axes. most elves are build for ac and are likely to use rapiers as they are finesseable

[Soul-Shaker]

Depends on which undead and your build type.

Skellis its better to use bludgeons like holy of grtr bane but if you must use a LS or rapier I'm guessing it would be transmuting of grtr bane then a LS wins only if your a str build
Mummies slash bypasses the dr so holy/burst LS of grtr undead will be your best weapon if your a str build.
Ghosts dont have dr so doesnt favor 1 side. Rapier wins if both are greensteel posx3 dmg weapons by 2 points due to burst effects but in other cases LS wins.

In general choose the one that bypasses dr first, that usually does more dps then the +2 racial and extra burst effects your weapon may have.

[Mithran]

I went longswords/IC: Slash on my early elven builds, but since I get the use of scimitars with my martial builds, I've gone to those when constructing Greensteel (for Slashers). Where I have IC: Pierce on my elven builds, there's no excuse for not going Rapiers.

[QuantumFX]

Ultimately Rapiers (Greensteel) are way betterthan longswords. Though, if your plotting a STR build, you'll get additional to hit with Vorpal Longswords.

[Aesop]

Long Swords are not Optimal.
However for flavor I typically perfer them.
They are not terrible, but they don't do as much damage as Rapiers on average.
vs non crittable Mobs they aren't bad ... but remember that even against non critable mobs certain effects like Bursting and Maiming still go off on Crits

Aesop

[Aranticus]

Depends on which undead and your build type.

Skellis its better to use bludgeons like holy of grtr bane but if you must use a LS or rapier I'm guessing it would be transmuting of grtr bane then a LS wins only if your a str build
Mummies slash bypasses the dr so holy/burst LS of grtr undead will be your best weapon if your a str build.
Ghosts dont have dr so doesnt favor 1 side. Rapier wins if both are greensteel posx3 dmg weapons by 2 points due to burst effects but in other cases LS wins.

In general choose the one that bypasses dr first, that usually does more dps then the +2 racial and extra burst effects your weapon may have.

i think mummies have DR5/-

[kingfisher]

longswords work well for undead, eles, vorps,etc. even smiters until you get rapiers. longswords are just easier to aquire than rapiers, so using as an elf getting the bonuses to both is nice until you have a whole set of rapiers.

plus you dont feel silly poking things with a fencing stick, even tho you are doing less damage

[Balkas]

I use longswords because I'm hoping Whirling Steel Strike will be implemented

[VKhaun]

I am a second level 14/16/12/8/14/8(IIRC) Elf Ranger. Tried out lots of classes and I can't stand being stuck with only range or only melee, and I don't have the patience to double class it or manage power.

Trying to figure out where elf ranger damage comes from here. When I read about fighter builds they buff the heck out of strength. But everyone talks about elf rangers with rapiers doing 'more damage' then other ranger builds but the finesse feat only does attack bonus right? If our str is low, where is the damage coming from? Are rapiers significantly faster or something? I see tempest at lv6, I'm planning for that, but that can't be all there is to it, is there?

Bow/TWF is good times and I'll have some utility later on, but I worry I'm going to become weak very quickly with low HP, unimpressive damage, and low strength. Weapon finesse only gives me +1attack bonus so far and rapiers are almost non existent. I actually used my first flawed shard drop to change out finesse for dodge since I'm using a +2 longsword in one hand anyway, unable to find anything above a masterwork rapier since I got my goblin bane one off the auctioneer for... every penny I had :P....

[Ralmeth]

I have an Elven Ranger and he does very well...You either want to build a dex or strength based character. If you go dex based, then take weapon finesse. You're right in that your DPS will be lower than a character who went strength based. It's not like rapiers let you hit harder. It's just that rapier's have a really high critical threat range. Beware that good rapiers are really hard to come by. So being an elf you may want to start with longswords and shortswords (much easier to acquire, but not nearly as good as a rapier) then switch to rapiers as you acquire them.

The idea of a dex based character in combat is that your to hit will be really high so that you should rarely miss. As you go up in level you need to find special effect weapons, and when you rarely miss that means that those special effects should go off every time. In addition, your high dex should give you a good AC making you more survivable (note: make sure to splash 1 monk level later on to get a really high AC...read up on monks and the abilities they get at 1st level). Also, make sure to take power attack. The negatives to hit will be offset by your really high to hit and you will do more damage.

Strength based is also an option. Your AC will not be nearly as high, but can still be decent, but you'll have a much higher DPS.

Good luck

[feynman]

I use longswords on my elf ranger/rogue/monk

1) longswords are cheap and plentiful (GT of disruption LS ~50kpp vs 1500kpp for rapier)
2) with elven enhancements and high STR, they come close to khopesh damage
3) they look better


For those who want to be different or have better things to spend money on than the exorbitant cost of decent rapiers, or both, longswords are a fine option. Yes, you would do more damage with rapiers, but let the dex-builds have them; you'll still do more damage than they will, with only a slight hit to AC and an extra feat or two.

[Osharan_Tregarth]

I am a second level 14/16/12/8/14/8(IIRC) Elf Ranger. Tried out lots of classes and I can't stand being stuck with only range or only melee, and I don't have the patience to double class it or manage power.

Trying to figure out where elf ranger damage comes from here. When I read about fighter builds they buff the heck out of strength. But everyone talks about elf rangers with rapiers doing 'more damage' then other ranger builds but the finesse feat only does attack bonus right? If our str is low, where is the damage coming from? Are rapiers significantly faster or something? I see tempest at lv6, I'm planning for that, but that can't be all there is to it, is there?

Bow/TWF is good times and I'll have some utility later on, but I worry I'm going to become weak very quickly with low HP, unimpressive damage, and low strength. Weapon finesse only gives me +1attack bonus so far and rapiers are almost non existent. I actually used my first flawed shard drop to change out finesse for dodge since I'm using a +2 longsword in one hand anyway, unable to find anything above a masterwork rapier since I got my goblin bane one off the auctioneer for... every penny I had :P....

The builds that are talking about more damage with rapiers are str based builds. The main reason they can get their damage bonuses higher is the elven enhancement lines for melee damage (longswords/rapier).

With the higher crit range, the extra damage from the enhancements starts to add up.

For the most part, I don't generally end up actually twf'ing on my two weapon fighting specc'd characters until after they pick up improved twf'ing. You're going to be better off (for the most part) with a shield in your off hand, to keep from getting hit as often.