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Voting closed: January 14, 2012, 06:17:21 pm

[Seriyu]

Yep. As far as scimitars go, they're actually one of the better normal speed 3 hit one handed weapons (Warhammers and maces are technically better in the long run), but their durability does get super low.

 If you intend to do a lot of dungeons or even particularly long shadow missions eventually you might buy two to swap out when the first one breaks. It might last through one or maybe even two runs but you'll definitely be repairing it a lot, so keep that in mind. Luckily repairs seem to be very cheap.

As for an upgrade path, since you're an elf you get positively rediculous dex growth on levels as kaitol mentioned so I'd go for as high of max damage as possible, as outside of those upgrades it doesn't really pack much of a punch which can be an issue. Particularly for elves, because they don't really get a ton of strength growth on levels to boost the damage otherwise.

[Girlinhat]

Minimum damage is very important for late-game damage.  It's one important reason, as you gain relevant stats (str for melee, dex for bows, etc) your max damage raises higher than your minimum.  For bows, it's 2.5 and 3.5 for max and min.  For 35 dex, you get 10 minimum and 14 maximum.  Weapon balance is capped at 80%.

Let's take a look at the composite bow!

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The greatest max damage upgrade is 15-30 min-max
The greatest min damage is 38-17 min-max

At 0 Dex and 80% balance, then the Max (15-30) will deal average 27 damage.
At 0 Dex and 80% balance, then the Min (38-17) will deal average 17 damage, because it defaults to 17-17.

At 35 Dex and 80% balance, then the Max (25-44) will deal average 38.6
At 35 Dex and 80% balance, then the Min (48-31) will deal 31.

70 dex for max (35-58) averages 55.
70 dex for min (58-45) is 44

105 dex for max (45-72) averages 66.6
105 dex for min (68-59) is 59

140 dex for max (55-86) averages 79.8
140 dex for min (78-73) is 73

175 dex for max (65-100) averages 93
175 dex for min (88-87) averages 88.

210 dex for max (75-114) averages 106.2
210 dex for min (98-101) averages 100.4

...

350 dex for max averages 159
350 dex for min averages 153.2

700 dex for max (215-310 / 95 variance) averages 291
700 dex for min (238-397 / 59 variance) averages 285.2

every 35 dex adds an average 13.2 damage (after 80% balance) but because of the way the stats scale, the minimum rank upgrade can end up with greater average damage IF THE WEAPON'S MIN IS GREATER THAN ITS MAX, and even if it's a lower average damage, it'll be a tighter range of damage, resulting in more consistent, reliable hits.  For things like Rafting or Magnum Revolver, reliable hits are the difference between a harvest of stars or leaving the enemy with 10 HP left.

[Facekillz058]

Guuuuuuuuhhhh, numbers everywhere...

[Seriyu]

It's important to note that balance is pretty absolute in calculating damage. IE if you're at 80% balance, your damage will be 80% of the way up the damage range the vast majority of the time, in essence setting that point as your "min" damage, and altering it from there. Obviously it can go below that damage, it's just not terribly common from what I hear.

(also don't mind numbers, from what I hear the general "powergaming decision" is to just raise max damage as high as possible. So if you'd rather just get it done and move on that's probably a safe bet in any case. If we come across some huge breakthrough then it'd be easy to just buy another scimitar and reupgrade it. I assure you upgrade costs will not be a big deal at all with time.)

[Facekillz058]

I thought balance was just your chance to hit at or near your max damage?

[Girlinhat]

Balance is a bell curve (you can google that on your own).  As I understand, the curve has the 'hump' about +/- 10% of the listed, with a lower rate of +/- 20%.  So if your total balance is 55%, then -most- of your shots will deal 55% damage on the variance of the weapon.  ((max - min)*bal) + min.  100-150 example weapon with 80% balance.  ((150-100)*.+100.  50*.8 + 100.  40 + 100.  140 is your average damage.  The variance in that is maybe 20%?  So that's ((150-100)*.6)+100 to ((150-100)*1.0)+100 so your REAL damage range is closer to 130-150.  Weapons with exceptionally high Max and exceptionally low Min will get larger rewards from Balance.  Weapons with very little variance don't require as much balance, and therefore don't need as much dex, making them better for pure strength characters, and those wearing heavy armor.

In future patches, armor is going to reduce your dex by a percentage, making it tougher to get balance, so having a weapon with high balance and small variance may matter more than sheer brute-force max damage!

[Seriyu]

Yeah, that basically. As an elf you can't wear most heavy armor, and given dex is your thing, it will likely not be a good idea unless you're a mage, which elves also do passably at, because dex doesn't effect magic at all. Heavy armor mages are a common thing and will become a more common thing with that coming patch. The patch is a ways off, however.

So basically I'd suggest using light armor, which is and will continue to be a nice balance between melee and magic and go from there as you're getting an idea of what you want to do exactly.

[majikero]

Elves have the advantage of cheaper mp cost to ice spear and the disadvantage of more AP per bolt. Also the benefit of a large MP pool if you go mage for hide.

[Facekillz058]

I need to know urgently.
Can golems be knocked down, and will crits from guns stun them?
BECAUSE STUFF IS GOING DOWN AND I'M QUITE ILL-PREPARED.

EDIT: Okay, everything I said was right, and spamming Ice/Fire bolt fusion is as much a win button as Way of the Gun.

[Girlinhat]

In specific:
http://wiki.mabinogiworld.com/view/Heavy_Armor_Mastery
http://wiki.mabinogiworld.com/view/Light_Armor_Mastery
http://wiki.mabinogiworld.com/view/Shield_Mastery

These are things coming in the future.  Notice how Heavy Armor Mastery imposes a dex penalty to all races, implying elves will be able to wear heavy armor regularly.

[Seriyu]

In general you know you've made it once you find a way out of any 1v1 situation. Multiaggro is another thing entirely, so that is your next hurdle. And quite a hurdle it is!

[Girlinhat]

The trick to handling multi-aggro, is to not gather multi-aggro.  Be an archer, occupy every corner.

[Facekillz058]

I've been practicing multiaggro a bit on the rabbits at the nature reserve. My ability at it is iffy at best. If I can manage not to get at all I can take 2 or 3 down without getting hit if I time my Shooting Rushes and Bulletstorms right, but I end up running out of ammo because I'm not at a point where I'm doing a lot of damage yet.

EDIT: Also, thanks for all the help so far guys. I'm a lot more involved in the game with this character than with my last, and I've gotten into more stuff than I'm accustomed to.

[Seriyu]

Multiaggro is handleable bu yeah you have to take a few knocks which is probably harder for an elf. I'd say the reserve is a good place to practice for sure. Remember to send any mutant rabbit feet you're getting to direzie / acolyte0 / laur (are you working on magic craft yet girlinhat?)! They're our resident magic crafters, and those feet are valuble. Maybe they'll send you back some accessory feet if you request it.

[SirAaronIII]

Yes, Laur is rank C, I am rank 9 and a half (yes the half does matter ) and Aco is undisclosed rank but probably 9 too.

Also does anyone want any of the lucky feet? I have many feet, and they don't sell for anything, so I'd rather give the terrible 1 luck ones to you guys than throw them out. If you bring me feet maybe I'll give you a 5 luck one!

(No but seriously ask me for lucky feet I'll give them to you)