Best Throwing Weapon

[shawnvw]

My character is a 20th level Barbarian trying to choose a weapon from the Eveningstar Challenges. Since I have Brutal Throw, I'd like it to be a throwing weapon.

For those who don't know how it works, I can choose a returning dart, throwing dagger, throwing axe, throwing hammer, or (because she's a drow) shuriken. The magic abilities will be semi-random and not depend on which weapon I choose. She doesn't have Weapon Focus or Improved Critical with any particular type of weapon.

As I see it, the only difference will be the base damage of the weapon: They range from 1d2 to 1d6, which isn't much of a difference considering the rest of the abilities (+5 weapon bonus or so, Flaming or other damage prefix, plus her +10 STR bonus).

So is there another difference between weapon types to help me decide? For instance, since she's a Drow she'll get an 11% chance of doubleshot with shuriken. (That's still less than all the others.)

[edgarallanpoe]

My character is a 20th level Barbarian trying to choose a weapon from the Eveningstar Challenges. Since I have Brutal Throw, I'd like it to be a throwing weapon.

For those who don't know how it works, I can choose a returning dart, throwing dagger, throwing axe, throwing hammer, or (because she's a drow) shuriken. The magic abilities will be semi-random and not depend on which weapon I choose. She doesn't have Weapon Focus or Improved Critical with any particular type of weapon.

As I see it, the only difference will be the base damage of the weapon: They range from 1d2 to 1d6, which isn't much of a difference considering the rest of the abilities (+5 weapon bonus or so, Flaming or other damage prefix, plus her +10 STR bonus).

So is there another difference between weapon types to help me decide? For instance, since she's a Drow she'll get an 11% chance of doubleshot with shuriken. (That's still less than all the others.)

If the toon is a drow then you definitely want a shruiken. I am not sure what you are saying about the 11% double shot being less than the other weapons. The drow expertise will stack with the other bonus...IIRC. Also, the Morning Star is a great named shruiken and there are some decent named shruiken. Can't think of anything else being worthwhile to tell you the truth. An argument could be made if you were a dwarf with ax bonus. Other than that...and especially since you are a drow...the shruiken is the way to go.

[Saekee]

If the toon is a drow then you definitely want a shruiken. I am not sure what you are saying about the 11% double shot being less than the other weapons. The drow expertise will stack with the other bonus...IIRC. Also, the Morning Star is a great named shruiken and there are some decent named shruiken. Can't think of anything else being worthwhile to tell you the truth. An argument could be made if you were a dwarf with ax bonus. Other than that...and especially since you are a drow...the shruiken is the way to go.

Is the 11% based on your Dex? Shuriken Expertise: You are skilled with the use of the shuriken, and have a chance to throw an additional one per throw. (Percent chance to throw an additional shuriken is equal to your Dexterity.) I suppose you could boost the dex easily at level 20 with an augment or gear and get that percentage higher
Also hold Celestia in the offhand, as its Greater Sunburst and Fiery Detonation also get added onto the throwing weapon.

[Mercureal]

The only other weapon factor I can think of is critical profile:

- dagger 19-20 x2
- axe 20 x3
- hamer 20 x3
- dart 20 x2
- shurikan 20 x2

So, throwing daggers are slightly better for triggering on-critical effects.

[RobbinB]

shuriken - takes advantage of your free "shuriken expertise" feat; if you reincarnate into something with monk levels as is currently popular, you will be happy you picked this
dagger - slightly better crit profile; if you are planning reincarnations as a nondrow nonmonk then maybe the way to go
axe / hammer - x3 crit and better base damage; axe would be good if you plan on reincarnating as a nonmonk dwarf
dart - don't see any advantage in this one

[Miow]

http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Epic_Noxious_Fang

Bam! My favorite.

[LOOON375]

Halfling. Throw halflings at stuff.

[shawnvw]

If the toon is a drow then you definitely want a shruiken. I am not sure what you are saying about the 11% double shot being less than the other weapons.

I meant that since the base damage is 1d2, I would have an 11% chance of 2d2 instead. Which is less than the 1d6 for axes, for example. But I forgot that all those other bonuses (Str, Flaming, etc) would also be doubled. Is that why you recommend shuriken?

[fmalfeas]

I meant that since the base damage is 1d2, I would have an 11% chance of 2d2 instead. Which is less than the 1d6 for axes, for example. But I forgot that all those other bonuses (Str, Flaming, etc) would also be doubled. Is that why you recommend shuriken?

All the Cormyrian throwers have Spellplague as a hidden trait, too. This means they have about a 2% chance of triggering a shroud-style proc. So with those weapons, the faster you can chuck them, the better. Which makes the shuriken ideal.

As for Dart...it has one advantage I know of. A druid can use it.

[johnnyputrid]

Check out the Nightforge Spike from Relic of a Sovereign Past - http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Nightforge_Spike.

1.5[1d4], 18-20/x3 crit, adamantine, red slot. Extremely easy to get. You won't get all the fancy drow bonuses with a shuriken, but its a great placeholder until you do finally get something better.

[RobbinB]

http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Epic_Noxious_Fang

Bam! My favorite.

Noxious Fang was the first Epic item I ever managed to make. At +9 it seemed like it would be uber. But when I finally made it for my fighter I was underwhelmed to say the least. I think they added disintegration after that, at which time I made a second one. Well guess what, I was still underwhelmed.

[Gizeh]

Halfling. Throw halflings at stuff.

If all halflings are similar to the ones I play they are likely to take your purse with them when you throw them.

[LordTw]

I'm surprised to not see the Shadow Star listed here yet.

http://ddowiki.com/page/Shadow_Star

1.5[2d3] damage for a ML2 Shuri makes it a must have for any Drow and/or Monk build, particularly if your TR plans include Monk/Drow.

[LightBear]

Imho "best" depends, like so many other things in this game, on what you want to do with it, your race, your class, your enhancements, your epic destiny and your level.
Don't forget your play style as well, there are many players out there that find this a silly question as if you're after a best in slot then a trowing weapon is something you'd skip entirely.

Besides the Morning Star I don't think there is any High Level named returning trowing weapon.
Slot it with that vampire augment and you're good to go.

[Daze]

If you're not a throwing build than ... does it really matter?

Get whatever you want. You already went with drow barbarian and I am going to assume there is a reason for that. Might as well embrace the shuriken as your throwing weapon even if your dex is too low to make much of a difference. A dex of 60 is the sweet spot for shuriken expertise and if you're sitting at 28 dex (or lower) you won't be seeing many double let alone triple throws. It does stack with doubleshot though and more is better than less.

I wouldn't say it is a hands down winner ... unless you are a dex based drow barbarian. In which case I say good luck.