The Weapons of a Hero - The following information are all for MapleSEA players AKA PRE Big Bang Patch
The 1-Handed vs 2-Handed Debate
In the early days, 1-Handed crusaders were obsolete due to the shorter range of the weapon, and the lower multiplier in the damage formula for 1H weapons. However, new additions to the game has changed all that. Firstly, the introduction of 4th job and hero's signature move - brandish, which comes with a fixed range or 200%, solved the shorter range problem of a 1-Handed weapon (presumably using a 1-Handed weapon results in a slightly shorter vertical range, but the difference is so slight that it is negligible). The release of Scrolls for Shield for Weapon Attack solved the problem of the lower damage multiplier - by compensating with a shield that adds Weapon Attack. With the release of the item maker skill and together with it the reverse weapons, holding a 1-Handed Reverse Executioner, together with a Weapon Attack scrolled Maple Shield, seems to be the best possible choice for the ultimate Hero.
down 2 earth! some blackish slime!
The Formulas and Numbers
Damage Formulas
Maximum damage:
1-handed sword: (STR * 4.0 + DEX) * WA/100
2-handed sword: (STR * 4.6 + DEX) * WA/100
across16 - its a place. or rather, map.Minimum damage:
1-handed sword: (STR * 4.0 * 0.9 * Mastery + DEX) * WA/100
2-handed sword: (STR * 4.6 * 0.9 * Mastery + DEX) * WA/100
Weapon Speed (Spamming brandish, with booster)
Slow (8): 68/min [Berzerker]
Slow (7): 74/min [The Beheader, Tavar, Dragon Battle Axe]
Normal (6): 80/min [Heaven's Gate, Blue Screamer, Devil's Sunrise, Dragon Claymore, Colonian Axe, Reverse Nibleheim, 2H SpearGrave/FlairGrave sword]
Fast (5): 87/min [Ribgol Sword, Fraute, Sparta, Dragon Carabella, Reverse Executioners, Night Raven Wing]
Fast (4): 96/min [Japanese Map, Red Katana, 1H SpearGrave/FlairGrave sword (1H laser sword from Neo Tokyo, note its the 1H only)]
The Numbers
(originally posted by kwanhua & edited)
1H Sword vs Ribgol
1) Pure STR at LV180
179 x 5 = 895
895 + 10 = 905 (3rd and 4th adv)
905 + 13 (base AP) = 915
For for simplicity's sake we take the base Weapon Attack and STR of Weapon and Shield. For other items, both 1H and 2H Sword wielders can use them, therefore we hold them constant and can be omitted. Advance Combo not taken into consideration and the skill in view in Brandish 30.
Taking Normal (6) speed as 1, the multiplier for Slow (7) is 1.0875, and 1.175 for Slow (8).
The divider for Fast (5) is 1.0875, and 1.175 for Fast (4)
a) Red Katana 123WA 21STR and Maple Shield 30WA 20STR
One Handed Sword - [(STR * 4.0 + DEX) / 100] * Weapon Attack
{[(915 + 21 + 20)STR x 4 + 4DEX] / 100} x (123 + 30)WA = 6064 Max Damage
6064 x (2.60 x 2) x 1.4 x 96hpm = 4.238m dpm
b) Ribgol 142WA 21STR
Two Handed Sword - [(STR * 4.6 + DEX) / 100] * Weapon Attack
{[(915 + 21)STR x 4.6 + 120DEX] / 100 } x 142WA = 6284 max damage
6284 x (2.6 x 2) x 1.4 x 87hpm = 3.98m dpm
c) Dragon Carabella 143WA 21STR and Maple Shield 30WA 20STR
One Handed Sword - [(STR * 4.0 + DEX) / 100] * Weapon Attack
{[(915 + 21 + 20)STR x 4+ 4DEX] / 100} x (143 + 30)WA = 6622 max damage
6622 x (2.6 x 2) x 1.4 x 87hpm = 4.194m dpm
Therefore if you consider pure raw damage, Dragon Carabella has got the best damage.
But if you compare damage over time, Red Katana has the best damage over time.
Note the above was made before the release of reverse weapons. From the above, it is easy to see that holding a 1-Handed reverse executioners will no doubt out damage a similarly scrolled ribgol, and even the red katana, due it its higher base weapon attack, and 3 possible level ups.
Using the Item Maker Skill - Theoretical Best Possible Weapons
Reverse Executioners - 3 jewel slots
Normal Base WA = 108WA
Perfect WA = 113WA*
With Adv Diamond = 116WA
With Adv Black Crystal = 119WA
With Adv Power Crystal= 119WA 5STR
After Max Item Lv = 125WA 11STR 3DEX
Scrolled with 7x10% = 160WA 32STR 3DEX
Best possible stats for a fully scrolled and leveled 1H reverse = 160wa 32str 3 dex
*Note: The highest possible WA of the sword would be the highest possible WA found through hunting. As no such data exists, an arbitrary value of +5WA is used instead. This is most likely to be an underestimate though, as can be seen from the WA increase from the normal for Red Katana, Dragon Carabella, and other weapons. (Data from hidden-street.net)
Red Katana - 1 jewel slot
Base WA = 82WA
Perfect WA = 88WA
Adv Diamond = 91WA
Scrolled with 7x10% = 126WA 21STR
Best possible fully scrolled Red Katana = 126WA 21STR
Dragon Carabella - 3 jewel slots
Base WA = 103WA
Perfect WA = 110WA
Adv Diamond = 113WA
Adv Black Crystal = 116WA
Adv Power Crystal = 116WA 5STR
Scrolled with 7x10%= 151WA 26STR
Best possible fully scrolled Dragon Carabella = 151wa 26 str
1H SpearGrave/FlairGrave sword - No slots, No use of stim allowed
Base WA = 105WA 2STR
Perfect WA = 110WA 2STR
Scrolled with 7x10%= 145WA 23STR
Best possible fully scrolled 1H SpearGrave/FlairGrave sword = 145wa 23 str
Note that the Ribgol is a Gachapon item and cannot be forged using item maker. Also, as item maker is still a relatively new feature, not much is know about this skill. Please let me know if the calculations above does not show the best possible stats achievable.
Using the Item Maker Skill - Damage per second of best possible weapons
All calculations here use the same parameters as kwanhua above so a direct comparison between the two set of values can be made.
a) Reverse Executioners 160WA 32STR 3DEX with Maple Shield 30WA 20STR
One Handed Sword - [(STR * 4.0 + DEX) / 100] * Weapon Attack
{[(915 + 32+ 20)STR x 4 + (4 + 3)DEX) / 100 } x (160 + 30)WA = 7362.5 max damage
7362.5 x (2.6 x 2) x 1.4 x 87hpm = 4.663m dpm
b) Red Katana 126WA 21STR with Maple Shield 30WA 20STR
One Handed Sword - [(STR * 4.0 + DEX) / 100] * Weapon Attack
{[(915 + 21 + 20)STR x 4 + 4DEX] / 100} x (126 + 30)WA = 5971.68 max damage
5971.68 x (2.6 x 2) x 1.4 x 96hpm = 4.2171m dpm
c) Dragon Carabella 151WA 26STR with Maple Shield 30WA 20STR
One Handed Sword - [(STR * 4.0 + DEX) / 100] * Weapon Attack
{[(915 + 26 + 20)STR x 4 + 4DEX] / 100} x (151 + 30)WA = 6964.88 max damage
6964.88 x (2.6 x 2) x 1.4 x 87hpm = 4.411m dpm
d) 1H SpearGrave/FlairGrave sword 145WA 23STR with Maple Shield 30WA 20STR
One Handed Sword - [(STR * 4.0 + DEX) / 100] * Weapon Attack
{[(915 + 23 + 20)STR x 4 + 4DEX] / 100} x (145 + 30)WA = 6713 max damage
6713 x (2.6 x 2) x 1.4 x 96hpm = 4.692m dpm
From the calculations, the perfect spear/flairgrave wins, showing that even with a lower wa, fast attacking speed can make up for it. Not only that, the user need not depend on their luck in getting perfect stats during weapon level up, something that would be tremendously hard to achieve considering that reverse weapons cannot be traded once equipped. However when in a party with viper casting speed infusion, speed 4 swords do not get any additional speed boosts, and the speed of reverse 1H and ribgols will be the same as the red katana/spear/flairgrave. Thus in such situations, the sword with the highest maximum damage, i.e. the reverse 1H, wins.
Using the Item Maker Skill - Comparing Reverse Executioner and 1H SpearGrave/FlairGrave sword
Reverse Executioners - 3 jewel slots
Normal Base WA = 108WA
Perfect WA = 113WA
With Adv Diamond = 116WA
With Adv Black Crystal = 119WA
With Adv Power Crystal= 119WA 5STR
NO LEVEL UP
Scrolled with 7x10% = 154WA 26STR
Best possible fully scrolled Reverse Executioners (w/o leveling up) = 154WA 26STR
Reverse Executioners 154WA 26STR with Maple Shield 30WA 20STR
One Handed Sword - [(STR * 4.0 + DEX) / 100] * Weapon Attack
{[(915 + 26 + 20)STR x 4 + 4DEX] / 100} x (154 + 30)WA = 7080.32 max damage
7080.32 x (2.6 x 2) x 1.4 x 87hpm = 4.484m dpm
Compared with 1H SpearGrave/FlairGrave sword = 4.558m dpm, Reverse Executioners will lose in terms of damage per second if the the sword is unleveled or the user is very unlucky with the leveling up.
In conclusion, with the new item maker skill, the Reverse Executioner is still the best weapon to choose from in terms of both damage over time and raw damage per hit, although the 1H SpearGrave/FlairGrave sword may win if the leveling up of the reverse sword is poor. However the materials of making a 1H SpearGrave/FlairGrave sword is harder to get compared to that of the reverse sword. Comparing the prices of normal speed 2H Swords, Ribgols and 1H Swords, saving up mesos for a Weapon Attack shield while hunting time pieces to forge a Reverse Executioner will be able to give the user the most value for their money.
Special Note for Soul Masters:
As Soul Masters have Soul Blade, a skill with fixed 250range at maxed level, in second job, as well as Soul Driver in third job, they can switch to using 1H in second job without suffering much from the reduced range as Soul Blade and Soul Driver will replace all other attacking skills (during training) once they are of a decent level.
Using the Item Maker Skill - Comparing Reverse Nibleheim and Ribgol sword
Getting a maple shield scrolled with weapon attack is quite costly and unfunded heros will definitely have trouble with getting enough mesos to get the shield. Hence below is a comparison between two 2-Handed swords, the fast ribgol, and the normal speed Reverse Nibleheim.
WITH LEVELING UP:
Reverse Nibleheim- 3 jewel slots
Normal Base WA = 110WA
Perfect WA = 115WA*
With Adv Diamond = 118WA
With Adv Black Crystal = 121WA
With Adv Power Crystal= 121WA 5STR
After Max Item Lv = 127WA 11STR 3DEX
Scrolled with 7x10% = 162WA 32STR 3DEX
Best possible fully scrolled Reverse Nibleheim = 162WA 32STR 3DEX
Reverse Nibleheim 162WA 32STR 3DEX
Two Handed Sword - [(STR * 4.6 + DEX) / 100] * Weapon Attack
{[(915 + 32)STR x 4.6 + (4 + 3)DEX) / 100 } x (162)WA = 7069.38 max damage
7069.38 x (2.6 x 2) x 1.4 x 80hpm = 4.117m dpm
WITHOUT LEVELING UP:
Reverse Nibleheim- 3 jewel slots
Normal Base WA = 110WA
Perfect WA = 115WA*
With Adv Diamond = 118WA
With Adv Black Crystal = 121WA
With Adv Power Crystal= 121WA 5STR
NO LEVEL UP
Scrolled with 7x10% = 156WA 26STR
Best possible fully scrolled Reverse Nibleheim (w/o leveling up)= 156WA 26STR
Reverse Nibleheim 162WA 32STR 3DEX
Two Handed Sword - [(STR * 4.6 + DEX) / 100] * Weapon Attack
{[(915 + 26)STR x 4.6 + (4)DEX) / 100 } x (156)WA = 6758.86 max damage
6758.86 x (2.6 x 2) x 1.4 x 80hpm = 3.936m dpm
Compared with Ribgol = 3.98m dpm, Reverse Nibleheim will lose in terms of damage per second if the the sword is unleveled or the user is very unlucky with the leveling up. Overall, the reverse nibleheim is still able to slightly edge out the ribgol in terms of damage over time.
The Axe vs Sword Debate
Most Heroes choose the Sword due to the unstable damage of the Axe, and its slower speed.
The Damage Factor
The Axe does different damage on the stab and swing animation, whereas it is the same for the sword. The Axe does better on a swing, and for Power Strike, Slash Blast, Panic, Coma, and normal attacks, 60% of the time you will get a swing, and 40% a stab. However, this trend is broken in 4th job with the introduction of Brandish. Brandish is calculated as 1 swing and 1 stab, thus effectively reducing the percentage of swings and lowering the damage output from the axe. In terms of maximum damage, the axe has a higher maximum than a sword with same weapon attack and strength. However, the minimum damage of the axe is significantly lower than that of the sword.
The Speed Factor
The axe is significantly slower is speed to the sword. Many of the 1-handed axes are normal speed, whereas all the 1-handed swords are fast speed; similarly, many of the 2-handed axes are slow speed, whereas the 2-handed swords are normal speed - a full speed level slower than their sword counterparts. Not to mention that there exist the ribgol sword - a 2-handed sword with fast speed, and the red katana and japanese map, the two fastest sword in the game with a fast speed of 4 (the rest of the 1-handed swords are ranked 5). This means that even if the axe has a higher weapon attack and is able to do higher damage per strike, it may very well still lose to the sword in terms of damage over time. This becomes a huge factor in higher levels when bossing becomes a common affair and damage over time becomes extremely important.
The Formulas and Numbers
Damage Formulas
Maximum damage:
1-handed sword: (STR * 4.0 + DEX) * WA/100
2-handed sword: (STR * 4.6 + DEX) * WA/100
1-handed axe (swinging): (STR * 4.4 + DEX) * WA/100
1-handed axe (stabbing): (STR * 3.2 + DEX) * WA/100
2-handed axe (swinging): (STR * 4.8 + DEX) * WA/100
2-handed axe (stabbing): (STR * 3.4 + DEX) * WA/100
Minimum damage:
1-handed sword: (STR * 4.0 * 0.9 * Mastery + DEX) * WA/100
2-handed sword: (STR * 4.6 * 0.9 * Mastery + DEX) * WA/100
1-handed axe (stabbing): (STR * 3.2 * 0.9 * Mastery + DEX) * WA/100
1-handed axe (swinging): (STR * 4.4 * 0.9 * Mastery + DEX) * WA/100
2-handed axe (stabbing): (STR * 3.4 * 0.9 * Mastery + DEX) * WA/100
2-handed axe (swinging): (STR * 4.8 * 0.9 * Mastery + DEX) * WA/100
The Numbers
From the previous section on 1-handed versus 2 handed swords, it becomes clear that speed is a huge factor in damage over time, and it is clear that axes will loss to swords in this aspect. Hence here I will only compare the difference in damage range of the axe and the sword.
Using a theoretical level 180 pure strength character with 915 str (refer to calculations by kwanhua) and fixed total weapon attack of 150 for both 1-handed and 2-handed weapons:
Maximum damage:
1-handed sword: (915* 4.0 + 4) * 150/100 = 5496
2-handed sword: (915* 4.6 + 4) * 150/100 = 6319.5
1-handed axe (swinging): (915* 4.4 + 4) * 150/100 = 6045
2-handed axe (swinging): (915* 4.8 + 4) * 150/100 = 6594
Minimum damage:
1-handed sword: (915* 4.0 * 0.9 * 0.6 + 4) * 150/100 = 2970.6
2-handed sword: (915* 4.6 * 0.9 * 0.6 + 4) * 150/100 = 3416.3
1-handed axe (stabbing): (915* 3.2 * 0.9 * 0.6 + 4) * 150/100 = 2377.7
2-handed axe (stabbing): (915* 3.4 * 0.9 * 0.6 + 4) * 150/100 = 2525.9
Comparision
From the calculations, it can be seen that the Axe clearly has a higher maximum damage than the Sword, however its minimum damage is much lower, resulting in a lower average damage from the Axe. This is especially so when using Brandish, and the swing-stab ratio changes from 60-40 to 50-50. Moreover, the slower speed of the Axe results in lower damage output over time, adding another blow to Axe users.
However, for those out of the box player who prefer to go against the flow, the high and low damage of Brandish can make the game more exciting and less monotonous (yes, there are such people out there who prefer to see a variety of numbers), and thy have the advantage of being able to buy well scrolled Axes or scroll their own godly Axes at a much cheaper price than Sword users.