THF vs HaH at L32 - By the Numbers

[droid327]

The new Weapon Specialty feats offers the ability to run with both SWF and THF, making HaH a lot more competitive.

You have to take one line in Heroic to qualify for the other at cap. Which one you take determines which Perfect feats you're eligible for in Epic - PSWF requires GSWF while PTHF does not require GTHF, so it makes more sense to take SWF and then use THF Specialty.

Here's the breakdown:

THF: Requires 3 feats + Epic feat. 3.0x stat-to-dmg (assuming Trance) * 15% base speed (Speed) = 3.45 "points"
HaH: Requires 4-5 feats (incl. OHV and maybe a Proficiency) + Epic feat. 2.6x * 45% = 3.77, with double vorp range

Yes, there's way more that goes into your actual DPS and that might tip the balance towards one style or another...but the difference purely from weapon style is about 10% stronger for SWF, at the cost of 1-2 extra feats

One more relevant scenario, too, is HaH+Orb or Runearm, for EKs, Arti tanks, etc., where you dont get the extra .25 from OHV: 2.35 * 1.45 = 3.41, which is pretty much right in line with THF, but you get the extra slot and the auto-crits, and faster attack speed with full strikethrough to help the uptime on that

[Sam-u-r-eye]

This is interesting going forward.

Isn't another significant problem the crit range on a bastard sword (or dwarven axe) vs a falchion?

Barbarian Falchion: 15-20/x4
Barbarian Bastard Sword: 17-20/x4

48/20 = 2.4
36/20 = 1.8

2.4/1.8= 1.333

So Barb Falch is 33% more damage per hit.

3.77/3.45 = 1.092

Weapon style favors bastard sword by 9.2% then.

[Maelphistez]

This is interesting going forward.

Isn't another significant problem the crit range on a bastard sword (or dwarven axe) vs a falchion?

Barbarian Falchion: 15-20/x4
Barbarian Bastard Sword: 17-20/x4

48/20 = 2.4
36/20 = 1.8

2.4/1.8= 1.333

So Barb Falch is 33% more damage per hit.

3.77/3.45 = 1.092

Weapon style favors bastard sword by 9.2% then.

All true, but you need to add in the 5% increase in vorpal effects.

[droid327]

This is interesting going forward.

Isn't another significant problem the crit range on a bastard sword (or dwarven axe) vs a falchion?

Barbarian Falchion: 15-20/x4
Barbarian Bastard Sword: 17-20/x4

48/20 = 2.4
36/20 = 1.8

2.4/1.8= 1.333

So Barb Falch is 33% more damage per hit.

3.77/3.45 = 1.092

Weapon style favors bastard sword by 9.2% then.

I didn't really want to get into specific weapon theory craft but it's possible, like fellblade for long sword, that epic spinal tap is the best endgame b sword for the +1 crit multi

Falc crit bonus is 30% * 3 = 90 + 10% OC + 10% T5 Destiny = 110%

Spinal tap is 20% * 4 + 20% = 100%, it's pretty close. Less W die though of course without endgame weighting