Best Way to Judge Weapon?

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What is the best characteristic to use when judging what sword/weapon...THACO? I am having some trouble (which is what makes it so much fun) deciding which weapon to keep for whom.

 

Depends... First of all, for your NPCs make sure you give them weapons they're at least proficient with (don't give Minsc a Halberd). Next, to decide which weapon is best, you need to consider its special benefits (if any) compared to its 'enhancments' (+2,+3). For example, my Blade is proficient in Katana's and Long Swords, but currently he's wielding Celestial Fury (Katana +3 with nice extra effects) and I believe 'The Drinker' (that +2 Long Sword that protects against Charm and Domination-spells), although he also has Blade of the Roses (+3) in his inventory. Why? Because I prefer Mind Shield (I know, not a complete Mind Shield, but still) above an extra point of Charisma and a better THACO (1 measle point) any day of the week.

Same goes for Jaheira with her Quarterstaffs. There's one that gives an +2 AC-bonus, although the Staff itself is only +2. And I also have the +4 one from Adventurers Mart, but she'll only use it when necesarry (thus when facing opponents that require weapons better then +2).

Similar with Daggers and Short Swords.
And Maces and Spears.
And...
And...

You should really decide for yourself which effect (if any) you prefer.

 

You should check the average dammage depending on the speed factor. If you can hit three times with a magic dagger for an average dammage of 5-6 per hit is better that hitting somebody only once for 9-10 dammage. You should take in consideration some specials effects of certains weapons like poison, stun, sleep, dispel magic on hit, reduce magic resistance, etc... You should keep a large inventory of many weapon for each situation. ( Depending of who you are fighting ... mages or fighters). Personnally I think that the best weapons is Celestial Fury (Katana). You should plane too which style of combat you want to use (Two-weapon, two-handed, one-handed and shield or only one-handed fighting style). Thac0 is very important too. Is better to have a moderate chance of doing 5-6 dmg than having a small chance of doing 10-12 dmg. Remember too that somes monsters are only hit by magical weapons.

[This message has been edited by desperado (edited December 20, 2000).]

 

Wow, you guys really researched the stats or something huh? I myself only decide what would look good on my character, then choose a proficiency then get the most powerful weapon I can find.

I don't know, but before playing Baldur's Gate 2 I used to think a Flametongue or Sword of Sharpness would be pretty good for a high level party, but after seeing a plain +3 Longsword do more damage to Undead I'm having second thoughts.

Still, I can understand trying to get the "best" weapon in BG2, when there are pretty powerful artifacts it is frustrating to be limited to mediocre ones (Scimitars anybody? Hehe).

Long and short of it just decide on the style and look you want!

 

Scimitars would be a nice skill if you were allowed to keep Drizzt's weapons, after killing or stealing him. I never tried to kill or steal him (in BG2), but I know his scimitars are very powerfull...

 

I think Spears and Halberds are some of the most shunned weapons in all of BG2 yet these weapons are very deadly.

I am just learning the potential of having a 2x2 line of attack. Two fighters up front using swords and two behind them using a halberd or spear. Due to the long reach of such weapons, the two in the back don't get injured and if need be, can replace the two front line fighters so they can get healed, then return to the battle.

Being able to strike an enemy over the heads of two of your own is wonderful! Shame on me for never using this in BG or IWD

Syl...

 

Yeah shame on you Syl and shame on me. I never though about the range of the weapon. Maybe I will take more attention to it the next times.

 

No I am not sir! (#*&#@*#$*(

They're still up front, they're still in the thick of things, not like little robin hoods in tights jumping around shooting arrows and thinking they're all that! Pshaw!

Hehe.

Syl...

[This message has been edited by Sylvus Moonbow (edited December 20, 2000).]

 

Did you try Diablo2 ? In that game, you can see clearly the importance of the weapon range. And really, you see that Spears have a LONG range, especially when you use Whirlwind... well, ok, I stop that, here is a BG2 board .

 

Hey I got an idea!
Wouldn't it be fun to play a game in which the entire party was equipped with ranged weapons? A party full of archers, backed up by sling wielders!

Of course you would have to import a barbarian half-orc armed with the pixie prick to hold the foes at bay while the missile guys pick them off. Wouldn't want to scuff up any short bows in a melee fight now would we.

 

The best melee techniques follow a baseline military tactic used by armed forces today as well as in the past. Which is whoever can hit first, accurately and deliver damage can win most battles than not. Afterwards come the number of attacks.

I've stayed with this premise and focus on Speed Factors, then any +THAC0 given by the weapon and then damage. The number of attacks is just a very nice 'bonus'. Those #/attacks per round come with character Class/Level or an items magical enhancements.

I've also made it my 'style' to only have one up front Fighter (occasionally... two) and the rest offer 'air support'. Ranged weapons are tactically sound and increase your chances of survival. Other's may choose not to use ranged weapons -their loss. Ranged weapons force any offensive opponent to deal with your air assault or suffer. Every major war won in the 20th century could attribute the majority of it's success to air superiority. Finally I look for magical enhancements that offer mind shielding, magical damage, etc. This thinking and style of play has proved sound in any of the CRPG's that I've enjoyed! And also in real life... because of course in my younger days I had to scrap here and there and delivering a quick, powerful punch kept me from getting my *arse* kicked! Probably many others here could state the same...


[This message has been edited by Draco Vlasavius (edited December 21, 2000).]

 

You know Draco, one day you're going to be shooting arrows in a new RPG game and the enemy is going to raise their shield. You'll watch in horror as your pitiful missile attacks bounce off the shield doing no damage at all.

Then you'll raise your head and scream "Damn you Sylvus, why are you making CRPGs now?!"



Syl...

 

Nahhh, a game like that wouldn't even make it to the shelves! Doh! Yep, it would STAY shareware. Forever. DOH!

 

We're men, men in tights!

 

And while they raise their shields, Syl, your frontline fighters can chop of their feet with their halberds

 

Thanks Shura for that 'vivid' recall of the Mel Brooks "Robin Hood" spoof...

Actually it had some very funny parts... but back to the seriousness of the thread- AIR POWER rules. Ask Michael Jordan! Forgive me it's the season or it's the Egg Nog and Rum!