Shurikens - Why do we use them?

[jmcwaters]

I've tried searching for this topic and failed, but...

I've never understood why this weapon exists in game. Do you throw them faster? Can you throw multiples at one time? Is there any reason anyone would ever take any Enhancements for this aesthetically pleasing but mechanically depressing weapon?

I'm already aware of all the 'ranged is broken' discussion - but even beyond that, the purpose of shurikens totally avoid me unless there's some special enchantment they can come with that other throwing weapons don't get.

[Arianrhod]

I think it's one of those things that exists in DDO because it exists in D&D, and for no other reason. Unfortunately, the DDO version doesn't even get the faster attack time (I think in P&P you can throw 3 at once, or something like that), so they're really nothing more than ranged cratesmashers for drow & monks :P

[WeaselKing]

People don't often use them, however Drow get enhancements for them and they are the only ranged weapon that a monk can use and remain centered.

[kuro_zero]

They're slashing, they can have vorpal on them.

Monk get an enhancement to increase attack speed when using them.

1+1 = Good, situationally.

Drow damage enhancements are worthless on a 1d2 weapon...

[jmcwaters]

Hooray for trash, I guess.

[Metropig]

it is a worthless weapon, however, if they did change it to work like a manyshot where you could throw 3 or 6 of them at once, that might be worth having. At least as a monk who gets no other ranged weapon.

[Dragonhyde]

As with most throwing weapons, their usefulness really depends on what is on them and the character. I have a vorpal returner on my bard.

[kuro_zero]

it is a worthless weapon, however, if they did change it to work like a manyshot where you could throw 3 or 6 of them at once, that might be worth having. At least as a monk who gets no other ranged weapon.

Its nothing like many shot - i think its just a bump to attack speed animation, not the number thrown per. I don't know, personally as I haven't tested it.

Also, with higher level rangers they'll also have Precise Shot and Imp. Precise Shot. Line 'em up with a WoP bow and thats alot of con dmg.

[soubal]

they're slashing.. just like throwing axes.

except worse.

So, they align perfectly with every single other 'monk weapon' in the game: The same, just not as good. Except for handwraps.. which are different, and not as good.

Oh, and you can also get a monk enhancement to increase their attack speed by so much you actually need to double-check that you activated it.


That said, I'd like to get my hands on that vorpal returner. Sounds like fun!
I'd also like 'skull crushing' (my own invention, it's vorpal for bludgeoning!) handwraps, but that's just crazy talk.

[Garth_of_Sarlona]

I have a wounding returning shuriken I used to use on my monk for mobs I couldn't punch (or cubes with insane amounts of hitpoints) but now 0 con doesn't kill that's gone back on the shelf. I do use my +4 holy shuriken for Harry when we're ranging him. Otherwise - I've noticed that I never ever (well maybe once?) get shuriken as end rewards on my monk even though I have class based rewards enabled. I have bug reported this (a few mods ago) but I am still not getting any shurikens - how about 1 in 20 rewards are shurikens please devs!

Garth

[Angelus_dead]

I've never understood why this weapon exists in game. Do you throw them faster?

They exist in DDO because monks aren't centered with any other ranged weapon. A monk can throw them faster due to Wind stance or Thousand Stars.

Is there any reason anyone would ever take any Enhancements for this aesthetically pleasing but mechanically depressing weapon?

If hypothetically ranged and throwing attacks were an important part of gameplay, then it could make sense to take Shuriken enhancements.

Otherwise, if you were a low-AC Drow monk who wanted to kill Queen Laliat solo, it could make sense to train a Shuriken enhancement.

Bonus Note
It is a design error that Drow have a separate enhancement category for Shuriken. They should use the same enhancements for both Rapier/Shortsword and Shuriken, just like Dwarves get bonuses to Greataxe, Waraxe, and Throwing Axe from one enhancement.

[Angelus_dead]

I am still not getting any shurikens - how about 1 in 20 rewards are shurikens please devs!

That would be a loot nerf... it would mean 5% fewer chances to get a nice +5 Lightning Burst Handwrap of Weighted.

Look at it this way: How often does a Fighter get a throwing weapon in his rewards? I just looked through screenshots of my last 32 reward lists, and there was exactly one throwing weapon... and it was a Shuriken. And yes, I am set to class based, and am neither a monk nor drow.

[soubal]

but I am still not getting any shurikens - how about 1 in 20 rewards are shurikens please devs!

Garth

I got offered a stack of +1 anarchic shurikens the other day.

sweet! a near useless weapon, which will run out, which will also give me a negative level if I try to use it!

Oh, and the drow shurkien enhancements? gives +1(/+2 with level 2) to attack or dam (1AP/1+4AP each - separate enhancements for atk or dam). Which is the same as the halfling enhancements, except worse, because halflings get it for ALL thrown weapons, not just the worst.

[WeaselKing]

Bonus Note
It is a design error that Drow have a separate enhancement category for Shuriken. They should use the same enhancements for both Rapier/Shortsword and Shuriken, just like Dwarves get bonuses to Greataxe, Waraxe, and Throwing Axe from one enhancement.

Opinion alert, opinion alert. alert level: orange.

[Angelus_dead]

Oh, and the drow shurkien enhancements? gives +1(/+2 with level 2) to attack or dam (1AP/1+4AP each - separate enhancements for atk or dam). Which is the same as the halfling enhancements, except worse, because halflings get it for ALL thrown weapons, not just the worst.

Not quite. The halfling enhancements go up to +3 damage, but drow stops at +2.

It's more helpful to compare against the Dwarf enhancement for throwing weapons. It is exactly the same as the Drow one, but better, because besides working on the BEST throwing weapon (3x crits!), it also applies to Greataxe, Waraxe, Battleaxe, and Handaxe.

[Arianrhod]

Heh...they should make all monk weapons -2 min level, to make up for their general undesirability: +3 handwraps, min level 2; +1 vorpal kama, min level 8, etc. At least it would allow for more/better bonuses on the highest level ones

[Garth_of_Sarlona]

I got offered a stack of +1 anarchic shurikens the other day.

Yup I should have been clear - I meant returning shurikens such as vorpals, holy, shattermantle, cursespewing - all useful even at end game. I too leave the non-returning ones in the chest.

Garth