Difference between revisions of "User:Jdavis/Swords"

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(Sudaruska vs. Triglav)
(Armor, Shields, Trinkets, Perks: remove redundancies with my armor and shield guides)
 
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==Basic Concepts==
 
==Basic Concepts==
  
The primary consideration in choosing a sword (or handgun) is its [[damage]] type: normal, piercing, elemental, or shadow. Each monster family is resistant to one damage type, vulnerable to one damage type, and neutral to the other two. Hitting a monster with its vulnerable damage type gives you a small bonus, while hitting a monster with its resistant damage type incurs a large penalty. (At depth 28, the vulnerability bonus on 5-star swords is about 75 points of damage, while the resistance penalty is almost 84%. For more detail, see [[User:Exasperation|here]].)
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===Considerations in Choosing a Sword===
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 +
The primary consideration in choosing a sword (or handgun) is its [[damage]] type: normal, piercing, elemental, or shadow. Each monster family is resistant to one damage type, vulnerable to one damage type, and neutral to the other two. Hitting a monster with its vulnerable damage type gives you a small bonus (roughly 20% for end-game swords), while hitting a monster with its resistant damage incurs a large penalty (roughly 80%).
 
{{User:Jdavis/start}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/start}}
  
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{{User:Jdavis/end}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/end}}
All monsters are neutral to normal damage. If you intend to use only one sword, then you might want a normal sword; see the [[#Mixing Weapon Types|Mixing Weapon Types]] section below. If you plan on using two or three swords at once, then '''work on one piercing sword, one elemental sword, and one shadow sword'''. You can always avoid monsters' resistances and usually exploit their vulnerabilities.
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All monsters are neutral to normal damage. If you intend to use only one sword, then you might want a normal sword; see the [[#Mixing Weapon Types|Mixing Weapon Types]] section below. If you plan on using two or three swords at once, then '''work on one piercing sword, one elemental sword, and/or one shadow sword'''. Even with only two non-normal damage types, you can deliver extra damage to 4/6 of monsters. For example, if you're carrying elemental and piercing, then use elemental on constructs, undead, and slimes, and use piercing on beasts, fiends, and gremlins. You never incur a resistance penalty.
  
After damage type, '''the next most important consideration is probably size'''. Fast, dodging enemies are much easier to hit with wide, long swings than with narrow, short swings. Width and length also help you hit multiple enemies at once, which greatly increases your damage output.  In this guide, each sword swing is rated as either short, medium, or long, and as either narrow, wide, or 360-degree. The scale is different for regular attacks and charge attacks; a short charge attack may be longer than a long regular attack.
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After damage type, '''the next most important consideration is probably size'''. Wide, long swings help you hit fast, dodging enemies, and may let you hit multiple enemies at once, which greatly increases your damage output.  In this guide, each sword swing is rated as either short or long, and as either narrow, wide, or 360-degree. The scale is different for regular attacks and charge attacks; a short charge attack may be longer than a long regular attack.
  
Speed and knockback are also important considerations. Like width and length, speed makes fast enemies easier to hit. Speed also improves your defense, by helping you interrupt monsters, shield, and dodge. Knockback greatly aids defense, especially in crowded rooms. However, in a party you must take care not to knock monsters into your teammates (especially with charge attacks). Due to speed and knockback, different swords can actually ''feel'' different to the player. '''There is no reason to restrict yourself to one feel'''. In battle, I have no problem switching feels every few seconds.
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Speed and knockback are also important considerations. Speed makes fast enemies easier to hit, and improves your defense by helping you interrupt monsters, shield, and dodge. Knockback greatly aids defense, especially in crowded rooms. However, you must take care not to knock monsters into your teammates. Due to speed and knockback, different swords can actually ''feel'' different to the player. '''There is no reason to restrict yourself to one feel'''. In battle, I have no problem switching feels every few seconds.
  
Damage type, width, length, and speed all contribute to the monster-killing efficiency of a sword in different ways. For example, the guild [[Lancer Knightz (Guild)/Swords|Lancer Knightz]] has measured the damage per second (DPS) arising from comboing swords. However, other measures of damage output may be more useful in some situations. Furthermore, these damage numbers ignore [[status effect]]s — fire, freeze, shock, curse, poison, stun, and sleep — which can dramatically enhance one's fighting (except for fire on [[oiler]]s and shock on [[quicksilver]]s).
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Damage type, width, length, and speed all contribute to the monster-killing efficiency of a sword in different ways. For example, the guild [[Lancer Knightz (Guild)/Swords|Lancer Knightz]] has measured the damage per second (DPS) arising from comboing swords. However, other measures of damage output may be more useful in some situations. Furthermore, these damage numbers ignore [[status effect]]s — fire, freeze, shock, curse, poison, and stun — which can dramatically enhance one's fighting (except for fire on [[oiler]]s and shock on [[quicksilver]]s).
  
==Mixing Weapon Types==
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===Mixing Weapon Types===
  
As with swords, '''damage type is the primary consideration in choosing a handgun, or a mix of swords and guns'''. You want to carry two or three non-normal damage types and deploy them against the correct monsters to optimize your damage.
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As with swords, '''damage type is the primary consideration in choosing a handgun, or a mix of swords and guns'''. You want to carry two or three non-normal damage types and deploy them against the correct monsters to optimize your damage. For example, Combuster and [[Blitz Needle]] are a powerful combination throughout the Clockworks, and especially in [[Firestorm Citadel]].
  
Among players who use one sword and one handgun, there are two schools of thought. A player who prioritizes flexibility might choose a normal gun and sword, so that he can use both on all targets. A player who prioritizes damage output might choose an elemental gun and a piercing sword or shadow sword. Why? Swords and bombs can have difficulty approaching turrets, especially in crowded rooms. So a sidearm gun should be especially good against turrets, and all turrets are either vulnerable ([[Gun Puppy|gun puppies]], [[howlitzer]]s) or neutral ([[polyp]]s) to elemental damage. When choosing between a piercing sword and a shadow sword, consider piercing first, because fiends are really nasty and piercing swords are surprisingly good against gremlins.
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A player who uses just one sword and one gun might reasonably choose to make both normal, so that she could use both on all targets. Or she could adopt a balanced approach of [[Iron Slug]] and two or three swords to choose among based on the level.
  
Any bomb can complement a set of swords, but crowd-control bombs such as [[Voltaic Tempest]], [[Shivermist Buster]], [[Graviton Vortex]], and [[Electron Vortex]] are especially popular. Once the monsters are trapped, you can hit them with a sword charge attack. Note well, however, that some swords do not charge fast enough for you to charge into your own vortex.
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Any bomb can complement a set of swords, but crowd-control bombs such as [[Voltaic Tempest]], [[Shivermist Buster]], [[Graviton Vortex]], [[Electron Vortex]], and [[Obsidian Crusher]] are especially popular. Once the monsters are trapped, you can hit them with a sword charge attack. Note well, however, that some swords do not charge fast enough for you to charge into your own vortex.
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===5-Star Items and Heating===
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 +
With the exception of [[Swiftstrike Buckler]] and Black Kat armors, all of the best items in the game are 5-star. And there are some dead-end alchemy paths (e.g., [[Winmillion]]), which don't reach 5 stars. So, even if you're currently at 2 stars, you should always plan your equipment in terms of 5-star items. Once you know which 5-star items you want, look back in their alchemy paths, to figure out how to get them.
 +
 
 +
Heat has a big effect on weapons' [[Abilities|CTR]] and damage. (A 4-star weapon at heat level 10 puts out [http://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/92085 about as much damage] as a 5-star weapon at heat level 8.) Unfortunately, 5-star items are difficult to heat, due to the scarcity of [[Rarity|radiant fire crystals]]. My advice is not to upgrade a 4-star weapon until you have enough fire crystals to take the 5-star version to at least heat level 5, or maybe even heat level 8. In contrast, armor doesn't benefit much from heating, so upgrade it as soon as you can, and heat it after your weapons.
  
 
==Summary of Swords==
 
==Summary of Swords==
  
Even if you're currently at 2 stars, you should always plan in terms of 5-star items. Then you have less danger of getting stuck in an alchemy path that you don't want (e.g., [[Winmillion]]). Here is a summary of all of the 5-star swords, including
+
Here is a summary of all of the 5-star swords, excluding reskins. The fields are
 
* Damage: damage type.
 
* Damage: damage type.
 
* SPC: strokes per combo.
 
* SPC: strokes per combo.
* Combo: average width (wide W vs. narrow N vs. 360-degree T), average length (long L vs. medium M vs. short S), and status effect.
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* Combo: average width (wide W vs. narrow N vs. 360-degree T), average length (long L vs. short S), and status effect.
 
* Charge: width, length, and status.
 
* Charge: width, length, and status.
 +
* Style: the play style of the sword (not necessarily its alchemy path).
 
* Obtain: boss, mission, PvP, etc. required to obtain this weapon or its precursors.
 
* Obtain: boss, mission, PvP, etc. required to obtain this weapon or its precursors.
 
* Opinion: my view of the primary strength or purpose of the sword, that might lead you to choose it over other swords.
 
* Opinion: my view of the primary strength or purpose of the sword, that might lead you to choose it over other swords.
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{{User:Jdavis/header|Combo}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/header|Combo}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/header|Charge}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/header|Charge}}
 +
{{User:Jdavis/header|Style}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/header|Obtain}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/header|Obtain}}
{{User:Jdavis/header|Opinion about Strength or Purpose}}
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{{User:Jdavis/header|Opinion}}
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Leviathan Blade]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Leviathan Blade]] | normal | 3 | NS | TS | [[Calibur]] |  | all-purpose for hybrid knights}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|normal}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|TS}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|strong charge, but see Fang of Vog}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Cold Iron Vanquisher]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Cold Iron Vanquisher|C. I. Vanquisher]] | normal | 3 | NS | TS | [[Calibur]] |  | outclassed by Leviathan Blade}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|normal}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|TS}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|strong charge, but see Fang of Vog}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Dread Venom Striker]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Celestial Saber]] | normal | 3 | NS | TS stun | [[Calibur]] | [[Equinox Prize Box|E. P. Box]] | }}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|normal}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|5}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS poison}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS poison}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Wild Hunting Blade]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Sweet Dreams]] | normal | 3 | NS | TS stun | [[Calibur]] | [[Slumber Prize Box|S. P. Box]] | }}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|normal}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|5}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Sudaruska]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Amputator]] | normal | 3 | NS | NL | [[Brandish]] |  | outclassed by Acheron?}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|normal}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|2}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NL stun}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|knockback sidearm for gunners and bombers}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Triglav]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Dread Venom Striker|D. Venom Striker]] | normal | 5 | NS poison | NS poison | [[Cutter]] | | }}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|normal}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL freeze}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NL freeze}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Krogmo Coin]]s}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|knockback sidearm for gunners and bombers}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Barbarous Thorn Blade]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Wild Hunting Blade|W. Hunting Blade]] | normal | 5 | NS | NS | [[Cutter]] | | }}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|piercing}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|WS}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Frumious Fang]]s}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|beasts, fiends}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Final Flourish]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Sudaruska]] | normal | 2 | WL | WL stun | [[Troika]] |  | }}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|piercing}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|beasts, fiends}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Fearless Rigadoon]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Triglav]] | normal | 2 | WL freeze | WL freeze | [[Troika]] | [[Krogmo Coin|K. Coins]] | }}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|piercing}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM stun}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM stun}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|beasts, fiends}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Furious Flamberge]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Barbarous Thorn Blade|B. Thorn Blade]] | piercing | 3 | WS | WS | [[Flourish]] | [[Frumious Fang|F. Fangs]] | fiends, beasts}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|piercing}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM fire}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|beasts, fiends}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Warmaster Rocket Hammer]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Final Flourish]] | piercing | 3 | WS | NL | [[Flourish]] | | fiends, beasts}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|elemental}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Operation Crimson Hammer]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|undead, constructs (resistant to knockback)}}
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{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Divine Avenger]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Fearless Rigadoon|F. Rigadoon]] | piercing | 3 | WS stun | NL stun | [[Flourish]] | | outclassed by Final Flourish}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|elem+norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Jelly Gem]]s}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|undead, constructs (multiple or charge)}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Fang of Vog]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Furious Flamberge|F. Flamberge]] | piercing | 3 | WS fire | NL fire | [[Flourish]] | | outclassed by Final Flourish}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|elem+norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS fire}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|TS fire}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Almirian Seal]]s}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|awesome charge}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Combuster]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Warmaster Rocket Hammer|W. R. Hammer]] | elemental | 3 | WL | WL | [[Troika]]+ | [[Operation Crimson Hammer|OCH]] | knockback-resistant targets}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|elem+norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NL fire}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|undead, constructs (single or charge)}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Glacius]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Divine Avenger]] | elem+norm | 2 | WL | WL | [[Sealed Sword|Sealed]] | [[Jelly Gem|J. Gems]] | undead, constructs (multiple, charge)}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|elem+norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NL freeze}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|undead, constructs (single or charge)}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Voltedge]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Fang of Vog]] | elem+norm | 3 | NS fire | TS fire | [[Calibur]] | [[Almirian Seal|A. Seals]] | charge attack}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|elem+norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NL shock}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Krogmo Coin]]s}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|undead, constructs (single or charge)}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Acheron]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Combuster]] | elem+norm | 3 | NS | NL fire | [[Brandish]] | | undead, constructs (single, charge)}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|shad+norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|3}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NL}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|slimes, gremlins (single or charge)}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Gran Faust]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Glacius]] | elem+norm | 3 | NS | NL freeze | [[Brandish]] |  | undead, constructs (single, charge)}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|shad+norm}}
+
 
{{User:Jdavis/cell|2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/row}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL curse}}
+
 
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NL curse}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Voltedge]] | elem+norm | 3 | NS | NL shock | [[Brandish]] | [[Krogmo Coin|K. Coins]] | undead, constructs (single, charge)}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Jelly Gem]]s}}
+
 
{{User:Jdavis/cell|slimes, gremlins (multiple or defensive)}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 +
 
 +
{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Obsidian Edge]] | shad+norm | 3 | NS | NL poison | [[Brandish]] | [[Shroud of the Apocrea|A. Sigils]] | slimes, gremlins (single, charge)}}
 +
 
 +
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 +
 
 +
{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Acheron]] | shad+norm | 3 | NS | NL | [[Brandish]] |  | slimes, gremlins (single, charge)}}
 +
 
 +
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 +
 
 +
{{User:Jdavis/cell8|[[Gran Faust]] | shad+norm | 2 | WL curse | NL curse | [[Sealed Sword|Sealed]] | [[Jelly Gem|J. Gems]] | slimes, gremlins (multiple, defensive)}}
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/end}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/end}}
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==Piercing, Elemental, Shadow==
 
==Piercing, Elemental, Shadow==
  
Remember that, if you're into swords, then '''you want to own a piercing sword, an elemental sword, and a shadow sword'''. This section offers direct comparisons within each damage type. I try to present the objective facts (partially based on the [[Lancer Knightz (Guild)/Swords|Lancer Knightz data]]), followed by semi-objective analysis of their implications, followed by my subjective opinion. The columns are:
+
Remember that, if you're into swords, then '''you want to own a piercing sword, an elemental sword, and a shadow sword'''. The following subsections offers direct comparisons within each damage type. I try to present the objective facts, followed by semi-objective analysis of their implications, followed by my subjective opinion. The columns are:
 
* First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth: Width, length, damage, and status for each stroke of the combo (damage+0, heat level 10, depth 28, vulnerable enemies).
 
* First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth: Width, length, damage, and status for each stroke of the combo (damage+0, heat level 10, depth 28, vulnerable enemies).
 
* SPM: Strokes per minute when comboing as fast as possible ([[ASI]]+6).
 
* SPM: Strokes per minute when comboing as fast as possible ([[ASI]]+6).
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{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Barbarous Thorn Blade]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell9|[[Barbarous Thorn Blade]] | WS 285 | NS 285 | NL 340 | 120 | 607 | WS | 23 | medium}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WM 285}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM 285}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM 340}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|120}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|607}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WS}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|21}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|medium}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Final Flourish]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell9|[[Final Flourish]] | WS 285 | NS 285 | NL 340 | 120 | 607 | NL | 19 | medium}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WM 285}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM 285}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM 340}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|120}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|607}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|18}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|medium}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Fearless Rigadoon]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell9|[[Fearless Rigadoon]] | WS 240 stun | NS 240 stun | NL 289 stun | 120 | 513 | NL stun | 19 | medium}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WM 240 stun}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM 240 stun}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM 289 stun}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|120}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|513}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM stun}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|18}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|medium}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Furious Flamberge]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell9|[[Furious Flamberge]] | WS 240 fire | NS 240 fire | NL 289 fire | 120 | 513 | NL fire | 19 | medium}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WM 240}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM 240}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM 289}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|120}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|513}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NM fire}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|18}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|medium}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/end}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/end}}
  
Facts: Final Flourish and BTB are identical in their regular attacks. BTB's charge attack spews a short, wide shower of thorns; it can disrupt and moderately damage a crowd of monsters. In contrast, Final Flourish's charge attack is essentially a more powerful version of its regular combo; it lunges into one monster (or a tight crowd), damaging it heavily. Fearless Rigadoon and Furious Flamberge are identical to Final Flourish, but sacrifice some damage for the ability to inflict status effects. BTB charges faster than the others.
+
Facts: Final Flourish and BTB are identical in their regular attacks. BTB's charge attack spews a short, wide shower of thorns; it can disrupt and moderately damage a crowd of monsters. In contrast, Final Flourish's charge attack is essentially a more powerful version of its regular combo; it lunges into one monster (or a tight crowd), damaging it heavily. Fearless Rigadoon and Furious Flamberge are identical to Final Flourish, but sacrifice some damage for the ability to inflict status effects. BTB's charge has a shorter cool-down period than the others do. Because it cannot be mass-crafted at 2 stars, BTB is a bit harder to get unique variants on.
  
Implications: The first stroke, being fast, wide, and fairly long, is extremely useful; against fiends, it is often wise to use just the first stroke. The third stroke benefits greatly from auto-targeting, due to its distinctive lunging motion. These swords kill piercing-vulnerable monsters so quickly that there is usually not much point in also inducing a status; you would rather just have as much damage as possible. The Final Flourish charge does more damage than the BTB charge against a single enemy or a tight crowd. Against a large crowd, the BTB charge is a bit safer, because it disrupts the attacks of several monsters, while the Final Flourish charge can leave the user exposed.
+
Implications: The first stroke, being fast and wide, is extremely useful; against fiends, it is often wise to use just the first stroke. The third stroke benefits greatly from auto-targeting, due to its distinctive lunging motion. These swords kill piercing-vulnerable monsters so quickly that there is usually not much point in also inducing a status; you would rather just have as much damage as possible.
 +
 
 +
The BTB charge is a bit safer, because it disrupts the attacks of several monsters, while the Final Flourish charge can leave the user exposed. Generally, the Final Flourish charge does a lot of damage to one target while the BTB charge does lower damage against multiple targets. However, the BTB charge can do a lot of damage if the target is close, and the Final Flourish charge can hit multiple enemies if they are tightly clustered.
  
 
Opinion: Final Flourish and BTB are equally good. Furious Flamberge and FR seem less good.
 
Opinion: Final Flourish and BTB are equally good. Furious Flamberge and FR seem less good.
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{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Warmaster Rocket Hammer|W. Rocket Hammer]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell9|[[Warmaster Rocket Hammer|W. Rocket Hammer]] | WL 340 | NS 240 | WL 403 | 90 | 492-733 | WL | 13 | slow}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL 340}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 240}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL 403}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|90}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|492-733}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|13}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|slow}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Divine Avenger]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell9|[[Divine Avenger]] | WL 328 | WL 445 | | 74 | 477 | WL | 20 | slow}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL 328}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL 445}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|74}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|477}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|18.5}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|slow}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Fang of Vog]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell9|[[Fang of Vog]] | NS 266 fire | NS 266 fire | NS 345 fire | 96 | 468 | TS fire | 18.5 | fast}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 266 fire}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 266 fire}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 345 fire}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|96}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|468}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|TS fire}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|17}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|fast}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Combuster]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell9|[[Combuster]] | NS 292 | NS 292 | NS 382 | 117 | 628 | NL fire | 23 | fast}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 292}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 292}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 382}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|117}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|628}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NL fire}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|21}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|fast}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Glacius]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell9|[[Glacius]] | NS 292 | NS 292 | NS 382 | 117 | 628 | NL freeze | 23 | fast}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 292}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 292}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 382}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|117}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|628}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NL freeze}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|21}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|fast}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Voltedge]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell9|[[Voltedge]] | NS 292 | NS 292 | NS 382 | 117? | 628? | NL shock | 23? | fast?}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 292}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 292}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 382}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|117?}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|628?}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NL shock}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|21?}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|fast?}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/end}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/end}}
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Facts: In regular attacks, Combuster, Glacius, and Voltedge enjoy high speed and single-target DPS. DA and WRH enjoy superior width, length, and knockback. WRH's second stroke lunges dramatically, hitting knockback-resistant enemies as many as three times. FoV's raw speed, size, and damage are mediocre, but it can inflict fire on every stroke. In charge attacks, Combuster, Glacius and Voltedge emit a line of explosions, that cause fire, freeze, or shock; these swords are identical except in their charge attack statuses. You move at reduced speed while charging DA or WRH. The DA charge is a big swing that spews three projectiles. The WRH charge is two huge downward swings with large area and knockback. Fang of Vog's 360-degree charge attack does huge damage to monsters, sets them on fire, and often sets the user on fire.
 
Facts: In regular attacks, Combuster, Glacius, and Voltedge enjoy high speed and single-target DPS. DA and WRH enjoy superior width, length, and knockback. WRH's second stroke lunges dramatically, hitting knockback-resistant enemies as many as three times. FoV's raw speed, size, and damage are mediocre, but it can inflict fire on every stroke. In charge attacks, Combuster, Glacius and Voltedge emit a line of explosions, that cause fire, freeze, or shock; these swords are identical except in their charge attack statuses. You move at reduced speed while charging DA or WRH. The DA charge is a big swing that spews three projectiles. The WRH charge is two huge downward swings with large area and knockback. Fang of Vog's 360-degree charge attack does huge damage to monsters, sets them on fire, and often sets the user on fire.
  
Implications: Against tightly clustered enemies, DA's and WRH's longer reach and wider swing mean that they can hit multiple enemies at once, potentially doing high total damage. However, completing a combo against multiple enemies without getting hit requires care. DA's and WRH's high knockback aids defense in tight, crowded fights. WRH's lunging combo is dangerous around traps, but can facilitate simultaneous attacking and dodging. Shield-cancelling WRH after the second stroke results in massive DPS against knockback-resistant enemies. The WRH charge leaves you exposed. Among the three Brandishes, Glacius' freeze is useful for crowd control, and it does some damage upon thawing, but it hinders kiting, shield-bumping, and knockback. Voltedge's shock disrupts monsters somewhat, and it does some damage, especially since shock does area-damage to close monsters. Combuster's fire is useful for extra damage, but offers no crowd control. Freeze and shock can prevent a monster from riding the entire Brandish charge attack for full damage; fire does not have this defect. Although the monsters in Firestorm Citadel are largely immune to fire, FoV and the Combuster charge still do damage — just not status.
+
Implications: Against tightly clustered enemies, DA's and WRH's longer reach and wider swing mean that they can hit multiple enemies at once, potentially doing high total damage. However, completing a combo against multiple enemies without getting hit requires care. DA's and WRH's high knockback aids defense in tight, crowded fights. WRH's lunging combo is dangerous around traps, but can facilitate simultaneous attacking and dodging. Shield-cancelling WRH after the second stroke results in massive DPS against knockback-resistant enemies. The WRH charge leaves you exposed.
  
Opinion: Combuster is better than Voltedge, which is better than Glacius, which is still good. FoV is a utility weapon, for charging only. DA excels against crowds, especially in tight rooms. WRH excels against knockback-resistant enemies such as gun puppies and lumbers.
+
Among the three Brandishes, Glacius' freeze is useful for crowd control, and it does some damage upon thawing, but it hinders kiting, shield-bumping, and knockback. Voltedge's shock disrupts monsters somewhat, and it does some damage, especially since shock does area-damage to close monsters. Combuster's fire is useful for extra damage, but offers no crowd control. Freeze and shock can prevent a monster from riding the entire charge attack for full damage; fire does not have this defect. Although the monsters in Firestorm Citadel are largely immune to fire, FoV and the Combuster charge still do damage — just not status.
 +
 
 +
Opinion: All of these swords are good, but Combuster and WRH are the strongest. Combuster is easy, while WRH has a unique play style that is hard to master and hence more interesting. FoV is a utility weapon, for charging only.
  
 
===Shadow Swords===
 
===Shadow Swords===
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{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Acheron]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell9|[[Obsidian Edge]] | NS 292 | NS 292 | NS 382 | 117 | 628 | NL poison | 23 | fast}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 292}}
+
 
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 292}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 382}}
+
 
{{User:Jdavis/cell|117}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell9|[[Acheron]] | NS 328 | NS 328 | NS 445 | 117 | 716 | NL | 23 | fast}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|628}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NL}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|21}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|fast}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Gran Faust]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell9|[[Gran Faust]] | WL 328 | WL 445 curse | | 72 | 464 | NL curse | 15 | slow}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL 328}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL 445 curse}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|72}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|464}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NL curse}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|14}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|slow}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/end}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/end}}
  
Facts: Acheron enjoys superior speed and single-enemy DPS. GF enjoys superior width, length, and knockback, and it can curse monsters. GF takes a conspicuously long time to charge, you move at reduced speed while charging, and the charge attack can curse you.
+
Facts: Acheron and Obsidian Edge enjoy high speed and single-enemy DPS, but Obsidian trades some damage for poison. GF enjoys superior width, length, and knockback, and it can curse monsters. GF takes a conspicuously long time to charge, you move at reduced speed while charging, and the charge attack can curse you.
  
Implications: Against tightly clustered enemies, GF's longer reach and wider swing mean that it can hit multiple enemies at once, potentially doing high total damage. However, completing a combo against multiple enemies without getting hit requires care, so this is not really a route to high DPS. GF's higher knockback aids defense in tight, crowded fights. GF's monster curse is useful against large enemies (Royal Jelly, lichen colonies), but small enemies do not usually live long enough for it to be useful. GF's user curse is somewhere between irritating and dangerous.
+
Implications: Against tightly clustered enemies, GF's longer reach and wider swing mean that it can hit multiple enemies at once, potentially doing high total damage. However, completing a combo against multiple enemies without getting hit requires care, so this is not really a route to high DPS. GF's higher knockback aids defense in tight, crowded fights. GF's monster curse is useful against large enemies (Royal Jelly, lichen colonies), but small enemies do not usually live long enough for it to be useful. GF's user curse is somewhere between irritating and dangerous. When it doesn't kill monsters outright, Obsidian's ability to spread poison is helpful in party play.
  
Opinion: GF is better for a defensive mode. For example. I use it in [[List of missions#Danger Mission|Compound 42]] and the [[Unknown Passage]], to keep crowds at bay. In all other situations, Acheron is better.
+
Opinion: Acheron and Obsidian are fairly balanced. Acheron is easier to get, so just get Acheron, unless you already have Obsidian. GF is not as good, but I use it occasionally — for example, to keep crowds at bay in [[List of missions#Danger Mission|Compound 42]].
  
 
==Normal==
 
==Normal==
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{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Dread Venom Striker]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Dread Venom Striker|DVS]]}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 170 pois}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell5|NS 175 psn | NS 175 psn | NS 175 psn | NS 175 psn | NS 221 psn}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 170 pois}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell5|145 | 445 | NS psn | 19 | fast}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 170 pois}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 170 pois}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 216 pois}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|145}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|433}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS pois}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|18}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|fast}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Wild Hunting Blade]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Wild Hunting Blade|WHB]]}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 170}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell5|NS 175 | NS 175 | NS 175 | NS 175 | NS 221}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 170}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell5|135 | 414 | NS | 16.5 | fast}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 170}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 170}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 216}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|135}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|403}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|15.5}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|fast}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Leviathan Blade]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Leviathan Blade|Leviathan]]}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 203}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell5|NS 203 | NS 203 | NS 258 | | }}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 203}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell5|117 | 432 | TS | 22.5 | fast}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 258}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|117}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|432}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|TS}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|21}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|fast}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Cold Iron Vanquisher]]}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Cold Iron Vanquisher|CIV]]}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 186}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell5|NS 186 | NS 186 | NS 238 | | }}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 186}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell5|120 | 407 | TS | 22.5 | fast}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|NS 238}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|120}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|407}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|TS}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|20.5}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|fast}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Sudaruska]]}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Sudaruska]]}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL 288}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell5|WL 288 | WL 321 | | | }}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL 321}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell5|64 | 325 | WL stun | 15.5 | slow}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|64}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|325}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL stun}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|15}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|slow}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/row}}
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Triglav]]}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Triglav]]}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL 288}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell5|WL 288 | WL 321 frz | | | }}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL 321 freeze}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell5|64? | 325? | WL frz | 15.5? | slow?}}
{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|64?}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|325?}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|WL freeze}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|15?}}
+
{{User:Jdavis/cell|slow?}}
+
  
 
{{User:Jdavis/end}}
 
{{User:Jdavis/end}}
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Facts: [[Sudaruska]] inflicts stun on the charge only, while [[Triglav]] inflicts freeze on the charge and on the second stroke of the combo. Both swords enjoy great length, width, and knockback in regular attacks (identical to [[Divine Avenger]] and [[Gran Faust]]). Both swords deliver a big charge attack that leaves the user exposed but knocks monsters away.
 
Facts: [[Sudaruska]] inflicts stun on the charge only, while [[Triglav]] inflicts freeze on the charge and on the second stroke of the combo. Both swords enjoy great length, width, and knockback in regular attacks (identical to [[Divine Avenger]] and [[Gran Faust]]). Both swords deliver a big charge attack that leaves the user exposed but knocks monsters away.
  
Implications: If Triglav successfully freezes its target, then the freeze prevents the target from being knocked back, and instead makes the foe flinch. Freeze and stun are both powerful statuses, with drawbacks in certain situations. Freeze hinders knockback, shield-bumping, kiting, etc. Stun can also hinder kiting and unexpected attacks.
+
Implications: If Triglav successfully freezes its target, then the freeze prevents the target from being knocked back. Freeze and stun are both powerful statuses with drawbacks in certain situations. Freeze hinders knockback, shield-bumping, kiting, etc. Stun can also hinder kiting.
  
Opinion: They are both powerful, but I vote Triglav for it's looks.
+
Opinion: I have never used Triglav, but I think that stun is under-rated and freeze is over-rated, so I vote for Sudaruska.
  
 
==Other Comparisons==
 
==Other Comparisons==
  
Remember that you should always plan in terms of 5-star items, not 2- or 3-star items. And damage type is the major consideration in choosing a sword. So the comparisons in this section make no sense in my world view. However, so many people ask about them that I have to say something.
+
Remember that you should always plan in terms of 5-star items, not 2- or 3-star items. And damage type is the major consideration in choosing a sword. So the comparisons in this subsection make no sense in my world view. However, so many people ask about them that I have to say something.
  
 
===Troika vs. Sealed Sword===
 
===Troika vs. Sealed Sword===
  
Facts: [[Troika]] and [[Sealed Sword]] are 2- and 3-star swords, not 5-star swords. The 5-star versions of these swords do various kinds of damage (normal, elemental, shadow). In regular attacks, [[Divine Avenger]] and [[Gran Faust]] are significantly faster than [[Sudaruska]] and [[Triglav]], but all four of these swords have the same width, length, and knockback. The Troika-style charge attack slams down on the monsters from above, while the Sealed-style charge attack launches one or three projectiles that plow through the monsters.
+
Facts: The 5-star versions of [[Troika]] and [[Sealed Sword]] do various kinds of damage and hence are not directly comparable. In regular attacks, they all have the same width, length, and knockback, but [[Divine Avenger]] and [[Gran Faust]] swing faster than [[Sudaruska]] and [[Triglav]]. The Troika-style charge attack slams down on the monsters from above, while the Sealed-style charge attack launches one or three projectiles that plow through the monsters.
  
Implications: People ask about these swords because they are all heavy (wide, long, slow, two-stroke combo, high knockback). But, because they inflict different damage types, they are not really comparable.
+
Opinion: If you are a gunner or bomber who wants a single sword for all emergencies, then consider Sudaruska, Triglav, and Leviathan Blade. If you are a sworder or a gunner-sworder, then do not get any Troika-line sword, but strongly consider Divine Avenger or Gran Faust, to complement the damage types of your other weapons.
 
+
Opinion: If you are a gunner or bomber who wants a single sword for all emergencies, then consider Sudaruska, Triglav, and Leviathan Blade. If you are a sworder, then do not get any Troika-line sword, but strongly consider Divine Avenger or Gran Faust, to complement the damage types of your other swords. If you use a mixture of swords and guns, then strongly consider DA or GF (to complement the damage types of your other swords and guns).
+
  
 
===Divine Avenger vs. Gran Faust===
 
===Divine Avenger vs. Gran Faust===
  
Facts: [[Divine Avenger]] does elemental damage, while [[Gran Faust]] does shadow damage. Therefore DA does more damage against undead and constructs (and fiends), while GF does more damage against slimes and gremlins (and beasts). DA's charge attack does more total damage. GF's charge attack can inflict curse on monsters, but it can also curse the user. Contrary to the statistics bars displayed on these items, GF is not faster than DA.
+
Facts: [[Divine Avenger]] and [[Gran Faust]] inflict different damage types and hence are not directly comparable. DA's charge attack does more total damage. GF's charge attack can inflict curse on monsters, but it can also curse the user. Contrary to the statistics bars displayed on these items, GF is not faster than DA.
 
+
Implications: People ask about these two swords because they are heavy (wide, long, slow, two-stroke combo, high knockback) and come from Jelly Gems. But, because they inflict different damage types, they are not really comparable.
+
  
 
Opinion: If you have already decided that you are going to craft either DA or GF, then choose the one that complements your other weapons' damage types. In the case of a tie, choose DA, because DA is about as good as any elemental sword, whereas GF is not quite as good as Acheron.
 
Opinion: If you have already decided that you are going to craft either DA or GF, then choose the one that complements your other weapons' damage types. In the case of a tie, choose DA, because DA is about as good as any elemental sword, whereas GF is not quite as good as Acheron.
Line 644: Line 422:
 
===Calibur vs. Brandish===
 
===Calibur vs. Brandish===
  
Facts: [[Calibur]] and [[Brandish]] are 2-star swords, not 5-star swords. The 5-star versions of these swords do various kinds of damage (normal, elemental, shadow). The Calibur-style charge attack can hit several monsters up to three times, with large knockback. The Brandish-style charge attack hits one monster (or a tight crowd) once, with up to five additional damage bursts, depending on the star-level of the Brandish.
+
Facts: The 5-star versions of [[Calibur]] and [[Brandish]] do various kinds of damage and hence are not directly comparable. The Calibur-style charge attack can hit several monsters up to three times, with large knockback. The Brandish-style charge attack hits one monster (or a tight crowd) once, with up to five additional damage bursts, depending on the star-level of the Brandish.
  
Implications: People ask about these swords because they are similar in their 2-star regular attacks (narrow, short, medium-speed, three strokes, small knockback). But, because they inflict different damage types, they are not really comparable.
+
Opinion: If you are a gunner or bomber who wants a single sword for all emergencies, then consider Leviathan Blade, Sudaruska, and Triglav. If you are a sworder, then do not get any Calibur-line sword, but strongly consider [[Combuster]]/[[Glacius]]/[[Voltedge]]/[[Acheron]]/[[Obsidian Edge]], to complement the damage types of your other swords. Also strongly consider the Brandishes if you use a mixture of swords and guns.
  
Opinion: If you are a gunner or bomber who wants a single sword for all emergencies, then consider Leviathan Blade, Sudaruska, and Triglav. If you are a sworder, then do not get any Calibur-line sword, but strongly consider [[Combuster]]/[[Glacius]]/[[Voltedge]]/[[Acheron]], to complement the damage types of your other swords. Also strongly consider the Brandishes if you use a mixture of swords and guns.
+
==Armor, Shields, Trinkets, Perks==
  
==Armor, Shields, and Trinkets==
+
In Tier 3, even the strongest armor lets through lots of damage. To stay alive, one must avoid getting hit. Thus, most advanced players favor [[armor]], [[shield]]s, [[trinket]]s, and [[perk]]s that give offensive bonuses, even at the cost of some defense. [[Abilities|Damage bonus]] against all enemies (six monster families, Vanaduke, and PvP) is especially valuable, in that it cannot be replicated by [[Unique Variant|UVs]]. On the other hand, the practical value of damage bonus is sensitive to your tactical situation; it may increase your kills per second dramatically or not at all. In contrast, [[Abilities|ASI]], [[Abilities|CTR]], and [[Abilities|MSI]] are always slightly helpful.
 
+
In Tier 3, even the strongest armor lets through lots of damage. To stay alive, one must avoid getting hit. Thus, most advanced players favor [[armor]], [[shield]]s, and [[trinket]]s that give [[Abilities|offensive bonuses]], even at the cost of some defense. Damage bonus against all enemies (six monster families, Vanaduke, and PvP) is especially valuable, in that it cannot be replicated by [[Unique Variant|UVs]]. On the other hand, the practical value of damage bonus is sensitive to your tactical situation; it may increase your kills per second dramatically or not at all.
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Here are the armors and shields that give sword bonuses. Other popular shields for sworders are [[Grey Owlite Shield]], [[Crest of Almire]], and [[Volcanic Plate Shield]].
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{{User:Jdavis/start}}
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{{User:Jdavis/header|Name}}
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{{User:Jdavis/header|Norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/header|Pier}}
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{{User:Jdavis/header|Elem}}
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{{User:Jdavis/header|Shad}}
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{{User:Jdavis/header|Bonuses}}
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{{User:Jdavis/header|Fi}}
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{{User:Jdavis/header|Fr}}
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{{User:Jdavis/header|Sh}}
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{{User:Jdavis/header|Po}}
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{{User:Jdavis/header|St}}
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{{User:Jdavis/header|Cu}}
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{{User:Jdavis/header|Sl}}
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{{User:Jdavis/row}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Skolver Coat]]/[[Skolver Cap|Cap]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|pier}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|sword dam+2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|fr+4}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/row}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Vog Cub Coat]]/[[Vog Cub Cap|Cap]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|elem}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|sword ASI+2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|fi+4}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/row}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Snarbolax Coat]]/[[Snarbolax Cap|Cap]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|shad}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|sword dam+2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|fr+3}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|po+3}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/row}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Heavenly Iron Armor]]/[[Heavenly Iron Helm|Helm]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|shad}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|sword dam+1, fiend dam+1}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|sh-4}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|cu+4}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/row}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Armor of the Fallen|Armor]]/[[Crown of the Fallen]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|shad}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|ASI+1, fiend dam-2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|fi+4}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|po+4}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|cu-4}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/row}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Chaos Cloak]]/[[Chaos Cowl]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|elem}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|dam+2, CTR+2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|fi-2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|fr-2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|sh-2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|po-2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|cu-2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/row}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Kat Claw Cowl]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|shad}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|sword dam+1, sword ASI+1}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|fr+4}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|sh-2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|cu-1}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/row}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Black Kat Cowl]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|shad}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|dam+3, MSI+1}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|fi-2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|fr+4}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|sh-2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|po-2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|cu-4}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/row}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Barbarous Thorn Shield]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|pier}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|sword dam+2}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/row}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|[[Swiftstrike Buckler]]}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|norm}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|ASI+3}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/cell|}}
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{{User:Jdavis/end}}
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Snarbolax, Heavenly Iron, Kat Claw, and Black Kat armors are hard to get. For your first 5-star armor, focus on Skolver, Vog Cub, and perhaps Chaos. Skolver is ideal for the [[Royal Jelly Palace]]. Vog Cub and Snarbolax are both good for [[Firestorm Citadel]], but I prefer Vog Cub, because the shadow is easier to avoid than the fire. Insofar as there is a general trend, Vog Cub offers better defense than Skolver. Elemental and fire are more prevalent than piercing and freeze, especially due to the popularity of Firestorm Citadel. Also, Vog Cub's ASI aids defense. Meanwhile, Skolver offers better offense, because blanket damage bonus cannot be replicated by UVs.
+
See my [[User:Jdavis/Armor#Swords|armor guide]] for detailed advice on armor. [[Chaos Cowl]]/[[Chaos Cloak|Cloak]] and [[Black Kat Cowl]]/[[Black Kat Raiment|Raiment]] offer outstanding offense at the cost of terrible status penalties. Although 5-star Black Kat armor is hard to obtain, any player can acquire the 3-star helmet during any Kataclysmic Confrontation event. Among the sword-specific armors, I recommend [[Vog Cub Cap]]/[[Vog Cub Coat|Coat]] and [[Skolver Cap]]/[[Skolver Coat|Coat]]. The two are well balanced, with the former slightly more defensive and the latter slightly more offensive.
  
New players and frugal players should '''consider building a general-purpose armor set''' before building more specialized sets. Perhaps obtain [[Ash Tail Coat]]/[[Ash Tail Cap|Cap]], and upgrade one piece to Vog Cub, and then upgrade the other to Skolver. Consider also [[Divine Veil]] with Skolver Coat; this is probably the best general-purpose armor set in the game.
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See my [[User:Jdavis/Shields|shield guide]] for detailed advice on shields. The 3-star [[Swiftstrike Buckler]] and the 5-star [[Barbarous Thorn Shield]] offer offensive bonuses. For more defense, consider all of the other shields, including [[Grey Owlite Shield]] and [[Dread Skelly Shield]].
  
There are trinkets to enhance your sword attack speed, damage, and charge time. By coordinating trinkets with armor and heat level 10, you can always achieve damage+4, ASI+4, and CTR+2 on all swords. Shields and UVs let you exceed these baseline bonuses.
+
The trinkets [[Elite Quick Strike Module]], [[Elite Sword Focus Module]], and [[Elite Slash Module]] give ASI+2, CTR+2, and damage+2 to swords, respectively. [[Daybreaker Band]] and [[Somnambulist's Totem]] are also relevant, but they are difficult to obtain. There are also sprite perks for ASI, CTR, damage bonus, and MSI.
  
 
==Final Thoughts==
 
==Final Thoughts==
  
A knight's goal is to kill monsters, but a player's goal is to have fun. Some people wear crummy armor, because they enjoy the challenge. In my opinion, some of the weaker swords (e.g. [[Sudaruska]], [[Dread Venom Striker]]) are really fun. So try a variety of swords and use what you like. This guide exists, just to help you understand the tradeoffs you're making.
+
A knight's goal is to kill monsters, but a player's goal is to have a good time. For example, some players equip crummy armor, because they enjoy the challenge. In my opinion, some of the weaker swords ([[Sudaruska]], [[Dread Venom Striker]]) are really fun. So try a variety of swords and use what you like. This guide exists, just to help you understand the tradeoffs you're making.
  
 
Thanks to [[Lancer Knightz (Guild)|Lancer Knightz]] for data, [[User:Trying|Trying]] for vandalism repair, and the rest of the [http://forums.spiralknights.com/en/forum/53 Arsenal Forum] regulars for enlightening discussion. Happy travels.
 
Thanks to [[Lancer Knightz (Guild)|Lancer Knightz]] for data, [[User:Trying|Trying]] for vandalism repair, and the rest of the [http://forums.spiralknights.com/en/forum/53 Arsenal Forum] regulars for enlightening discussion. Happy travels.

Latest revision as of 15:41, 19 August 2018

Icon-opinion.png The topic of this article or section is subject to personal opinion, and does not represent any one absolute truth.
If you disagree, discuss your concerns on the the talk page before editing.

This page, commonly called Bopp's Sword Guide, tells you just about everything you need to know about playing with swords in the Clockworks. The advice applies to pure sworders and to people who use swords on the side, whether they're free-to-play or pay-to-play. You should also check out the semi-official Swordmaster Guide, although that guide erroneously (in my opinion) focuses on sword feel rather than damage type and size.

Basic Concepts

Considerations in Choosing a Sword

The primary consideration in choosing a sword (or handgun) is its damage type: normal, piercing, elemental, or shadow. Each monster family is resistant to one damage type, vulnerable to one damage type, and neutral to the other two. Hitting a monster with its vulnerable damage type gives you a small bonus (roughly 20% for end-game swords), while hitting a monster with its resistant damage incurs a large penalty (roughly 80%).

Monster Family Vulnerable To Neutral To Resistant To
Gate Icon-Slime.png Slimes shadow elemental, normal piercing
Gate Icon-Gremlin.png Gremlins shadow piercing, normal elemental
Gate Icon-Beast.png Beasts piercing shadow, normal elemental
Gate Icon-Fiend.png Fiends piercing elemental, normal shadow
Gate Icon-Undead.png Undead elemental piercing, normal shadow
Gate Icon-Construct.png Constructs elemental shadow, normal piercing

All monsters are neutral to normal damage. If you intend to use only one sword, then you might want a normal sword; see the Mixing Weapon Types section below. If you plan on using two or three swords at once, then work on one piercing sword, one elemental sword, and/or one shadow sword. Even with only two non-normal damage types, you can deliver extra damage to 4/6 of monsters. For example, if you're carrying elemental and piercing, then use elemental on constructs, undead, and slimes, and use piercing on beasts, fiends, and gremlins. You never incur a resistance penalty.

After damage type, the next most important consideration is probably size. Wide, long swings help you hit fast, dodging enemies, and may let you hit multiple enemies at once, which greatly increases your damage output. In this guide, each sword swing is rated as either short or long, and as either narrow, wide, or 360-degree. The scale is different for regular attacks and charge attacks; a short charge attack may be longer than a long regular attack.

Speed and knockback are also important considerations. Speed makes fast enemies easier to hit, and improves your defense by helping you interrupt monsters, shield, and dodge. Knockback greatly aids defense, especially in crowded rooms. However, you must take care not to knock monsters into your teammates. Due to speed and knockback, different swords can actually feel different to the player. There is no reason to restrict yourself to one feel. In battle, I have no problem switching feels every few seconds.

Damage type, width, length, and speed all contribute to the monster-killing efficiency of a sword in different ways. For example, the guild Lancer Knightz has measured the damage per second (DPS) arising from comboing swords. However, other measures of damage output may be more useful in some situations. Furthermore, these damage numbers ignore status effects — fire, freeze, shock, curse, poison, and stun — which can dramatically enhance one's fighting (except for fire on oilers and shock on quicksilvers).

Mixing Weapon Types

As with swords, damage type is the primary consideration in choosing a handgun, or a mix of swords and guns. You want to carry two or three non-normal damage types and deploy them against the correct monsters to optimize your damage. For example, Combuster and Blitz Needle are a powerful combination throughout the Clockworks, and especially in Firestorm Citadel.

A player who uses just one sword and one gun might reasonably choose to make both normal, so that she could use both on all targets. Or she could adopt a balanced approach of Iron Slug and two or three swords to choose among based on the level.

Any bomb can complement a set of swords, but crowd-control bombs such as Voltaic Tempest, Shivermist Buster, Graviton Vortex, Electron Vortex, and Obsidian Crusher are especially popular. Once the monsters are trapped, you can hit them with a sword charge attack. Note well, however, that some swords do not charge fast enough for you to charge into your own vortex.

5-Star Items and Heating

With the exception of Swiftstrike Buckler and Black Kat armors, all of the best items in the game are 5-star. And there are some dead-end alchemy paths (e.g., Winmillion), which don't reach 5 stars. So, even if you're currently at 2 stars, you should always plan your equipment in terms of 5-star items. Once you know which 5-star items you want, look back in their alchemy paths, to figure out how to get them.

Heat has a big effect on weapons' CTR and damage. (A 4-star weapon at heat level 10 puts out about as much damage as a 5-star weapon at heat level 8.) Unfortunately, 5-star items are difficult to heat, due to the scarcity of radiant fire crystals. My advice is not to upgrade a 4-star weapon until you have enough fire crystals to take the 5-star version to at least heat level 5, or maybe even heat level 8. In contrast, armor doesn't benefit much from heating, so upgrade it as soon as you can, and heat it after your weapons.

Summary of Swords

Here is a summary of all of the 5-star swords, excluding reskins. The fields are

  • Damage: damage type.
  • SPC: strokes per combo.
  • Combo: average width (wide W vs. narrow N vs. 360-degree T), average length (long L vs. short S), and status effect.
  • Charge: width, length, and status.
  • Style: the play style of the sword (not necessarily its alchemy path).
  • Obtain: boss, mission, PvP, etc. required to obtain this weapon or its precursors.
  • Opinion: my view of the primary strength or purpose of the sword, that might lead you to choose it over other swords.
Name Damage SPC Combo Charge Style Obtain Opinion
Leviathan Blade normal 3 NS TS Calibur all-purpose for hybrid knights
C. I. Vanquisher normal 3 NS TS Calibur outclassed by Leviathan Blade
Celestial Saber normal 3 NS TS stun Calibur E. P. Box
Sweet Dreams normal 3 NS TS stun Calibur S. P. Box
Amputator normal 3 NS NL Brandish outclassed by Acheron?
D. Venom Striker normal 5 NS poison NS poison Cutter
W. Hunting Blade normal 5 NS NS Cutter
Sudaruska normal 2 WL WL stun Troika
Triglav normal 2 WL freeze WL freeze Troika K. Coins
B. Thorn Blade piercing 3 WS WS Flourish F. Fangs fiends, beasts
Final Flourish piercing 3 WS NL Flourish fiends, beasts
F. Rigadoon piercing 3 WS stun NL stun Flourish outclassed by Final Flourish
F. Flamberge piercing 3 WS fire NL fire Flourish outclassed by Final Flourish
W. R. Hammer elemental 3 WL WL Troika+ OCH knockback-resistant targets
Divine Avenger elem+norm 2 WL WL Sealed J. Gems undead, constructs (multiple, charge)
Fang of Vog elem+norm 3 NS fire TS fire Calibur A. Seals charge attack
Combuster elem+norm 3 NS NL fire Brandish undead, constructs (single, charge)
Glacius elem+norm 3 NS NL freeze Brandish undead, constructs (single, charge)
Voltedge elem+norm 3 NS NL shock Brandish K. Coins undead, constructs (single, charge)
Obsidian Edge shad+norm 3 NS NL poison Brandish A. Sigils slimes, gremlins (single, charge)
Acheron shad+norm 3 NS NL Brandish slimes, gremlins (single, charge)
Gran Faust shad+norm 2 WL curse NL curse Sealed J. Gems slimes, gremlins (multiple, defensive)

Piercing, Elemental, Shadow

Remember that, if you're into swords, then you want to own a piercing sword, an elemental sword, and a shadow sword. The following subsections offers direct comparisons within each damage type. I try to present the objective facts, followed by semi-objective analysis of their implications, followed by my subjective opinion. The columns are:

  • First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth: Width, length, damage, and status for each stroke of the combo (damage+0, heat level 10, depth 28, vulnerable enemies).
  • SPM: Strokes per minute when comboing as fast as possible (ASI+6).
  • DPS: Damage per second from comboing as fast as possible (ASI+6, damage+0, heat level 10, depth 28, vulnerable enemies).
  • Charge: Width, length, and status for the charge attack.
  • CPM: Charges per minute (CTR+6, ASI+6).
  • Move: movement speed while charging — fast (normal running speed), medium (about 10% slower), or slow (about 20% slower).

Piercing Swords

Name First Second Third SPM DPS Charge CPM Move
Barbarous Thorn Blade WS 285 NS 285 NL 340 120 607 WS 23 medium
Final Flourish WS 285 NS 285 NL 340 120 607 NL 19 medium
Fearless Rigadoon WS 240 stun NS 240 stun NL 289 stun 120 513 NL stun 19 medium
Furious Flamberge WS 240 fire NS 240 fire NL 289 fire 120 513 NL fire 19 medium

Facts: Final Flourish and BTB are identical in their regular attacks. BTB's charge attack spews a short, wide shower of thorns; it can disrupt and moderately damage a crowd of monsters. In contrast, Final Flourish's charge attack is essentially a more powerful version of its regular combo; it lunges into one monster (or a tight crowd), damaging it heavily. Fearless Rigadoon and Furious Flamberge are identical to Final Flourish, but sacrifice some damage for the ability to inflict status effects. BTB's charge has a shorter cool-down period than the others do. Because it cannot be mass-crafted at 2 stars, BTB is a bit harder to get unique variants on.

Implications: The first stroke, being fast and wide, is extremely useful; against fiends, it is often wise to use just the first stroke. The third stroke benefits greatly from auto-targeting, due to its distinctive lunging motion. These swords kill piercing-vulnerable monsters so quickly that there is usually not much point in also inducing a status; you would rather just have as much damage as possible.

The BTB charge is a bit safer, because it disrupts the attacks of several monsters, while the Final Flourish charge can leave the user exposed. Generally, the Final Flourish charge does a lot of damage to one target while the BTB charge does lower damage against multiple targets. However, the BTB charge can do a lot of damage if the target is close, and the Final Flourish charge can hit multiple enemies if they are tightly clustered.

Opinion: Final Flourish and BTB are equally good. Furious Flamberge and FR seem less good.

Elemental Swords

Name First Second Third SPM DPS Charge CPM Move
W. Rocket Hammer WL 340 NS 240 WL 403 90 492-733 WL 13 slow
Divine Avenger WL 328 WL 445 74 477 WL 20 slow
Fang of Vog NS 266 fire NS 266 fire NS 345 fire 96 468 TS fire 18.5 fast
Combuster NS 292 NS 292 NS 382 117 628 NL fire 23 fast
Glacius NS 292 NS 292 NS 382 117 628 NL freeze 23 fast
Voltedge NS 292 NS 292 NS 382 117? 628? NL shock 23? fast?

Facts: In regular attacks, Combuster, Glacius, and Voltedge enjoy high speed and single-target DPS. DA and WRH enjoy superior width, length, and knockback. WRH's second stroke lunges dramatically, hitting knockback-resistant enemies as many as three times. FoV's raw speed, size, and damage are mediocre, but it can inflict fire on every stroke. In charge attacks, Combuster, Glacius and Voltedge emit a line of explosions, that cause fire, freeze, or shock; these swords are identical except in their charge attack statuses. You move at reduced speed while charging DA or WRH. The DA charge is a big swing that spews three projectiles. The WRH charge is two huge downward swings with large area and knockback. Fang of Vog's 360-degree charge attack does huge damage to monsters, sets them on fire, and often sets the user on fire.

Implications: Against tightly clustered enemies, DA's and WRH's longer reach and wider swing mean that they can hit multiple enemies at once, potentially doing high total damage. However, completing a combo against multiple enemies without getting hit requires care. DA's and WRH's high knockback aids defense in tight, crowded fights. WRH's lunging combo is dangerous around traps, but can facilitate simultaneous attacking and dodging. Shield-cancelling WRH after the second stroke results in massive DPS against knockback-resistant enemies. The WRH charge leaves you exposed.

Among the three Brandishes, Glacius' freeze is useful for crowd control, and it does some damage upon thawing, but it hinders kiting, shield-bumping, and knockback. Voltedge's shock disrupts monsters somewhat, and it does some damage, especially since shock does area-damage to close monsters. Combuster's fire is useful for extra damage, but offers no crowd control. Freeze and shock can prevent a monster from riding the entire charge attack for full damage; fire does not have this defect. Although the monsters in Firestorm Citadel are largely immune to fire, FoV and the Combuster charge still do damage — just not status.

Opinion: All of these swords are good, but Combuster and WRH are the strongest. Combuster is easy, while WRH has a unique play style that is hard to master and hence more interesting. FoV is a utility weapon, for charging only.

Shadow Swords

Name First Second Third SPM DPS Charge CPM Move
Obsidian Edge NS 292 NS 292 NS 382 117 628 NL poison 23 fast
Acheron NS 328 NS 328 NS 445 117 716 NL 23 fast
Gran Faust WL 328 WL 445 curse 72 464 NL curse 15 slow

Facts: Acheron and Obsidian Edge enjoy high speed and single-enemy DPS, but Obsidian trades some damage for poison. GF enjoys superior width, length, and knockback, and it can curse monsters. GF takes a conspicuously long time to charge, you move at reduced speed while charging, and the charge attack can curse you.

Implications: Against tightly clustered enemies, GF's longer reach and wider swing mean that it can hit multiple enemies at once, potentially doing high total damage. However, completing a combo against multiple enemies without getting hit requires care, so this is not really a route to high DPS. GF's higher knockback aids defense in tight, crowded fights. GF's monster curse is useful against large enemies (Royal Jelly, lichen colonies), but small enemies do not usually live long enough for it to be useful. GF's user curse is somewhere between irritating and dangerous. When it doesn't kill monsters outright, Obsidian's ability to spread poison is helpful in party play.

Opinion: Acheron and Obsidian are fairly balanced. Acheron is easier to get, so just get Acheron, unless you already have Obsidian. GF is not as good, but I use it occasionally — for example, to keep crowds at bay in Compound 42.

Normal

Are you sure that you want a normal sword? Maybe you'd be happier with two non-normal swords, or with a piercing sword and an elemental gun? No? Okay, here are some comparisons among normal swords.

Name First Second Third Fourth Fifth SPM DPS Charge CPM Move
DVS NS 175 psn NS 175 psn NS 175 psn NS 175 psn NS 221 psn 145 445 NS psn 19 fast
WHB NS 175 NS 175 NS 175 NS 175 NS 221 135 414 NS 16.5 fast
Leviathan NS 203 NS 203 NS 258 117 432 TS 22.5 fast
CIV NS 186 NS 186 NS 238 120 407 TS 22.5 fast
Sudaruska WL 288 WL 321 64 325 WL stun 15.5 slow
Triglav WL 288 WL 321 frz 64? 325? WL frz 15.5? slow?

Leviathan Blade vs. Cold Iron Vanquisher

Facts: Cold Iron Vanquisher does less base-line damage than Leviathan Blade, but comes with a High damage bonus against undead. Levi's charge attack knocks back more than CIV's does.

Implications: Against non-undead targets, Levi simply does more damage per hit. Against undead targets, which sword does more damage depends on the amount of damage bonus being applied from other sources (armor, shield, trinkets, UVs). At None, Low, Medium, and High damage bonus, CIV out-damages Levi against undead. At greater levels of damage bonus, Levi starts catching up to CIV against undead, because damage bonus cannot go over Maximum!. At Ultra or Maximum! damage bonus from other sources, Levi out-damages CIV even against undead. The high knockback of Levi's charge attack is good for defense, but it can disrupt teammates when used badly. Against light enemies, CIV's charge is more likely to hit three times, and therefore may do more total damage.

Opinion: Levi is better in most situations.

Dread Venom Striker vs. Wild Hunting Blade

Facts: Dread Venom Striker and Wild Hunting Blade do equal base-line damage. WHB comes with a High damage bonus against beasts, while DVS can poison its targets. DVS is slightly faster than WHB. Both swords have long charge attacks that leave the user exposed, but WHB's charge attack interrupts monsters much more than does DVS'. Any piercing sword does far more damage against beasts than WHB does, and with wider, longer swings.

Implications: Due to its speed and poison, DVS out-damages WHB against everything but beasts. WHB out-damages DVS against beasts when not much damage bonus is applied. At Maximum! damage bonus, DVS out-damages WHB even against beasts. DVS's poison is useful against most monsters — especially ones that heal, such as the Royal Jelly. WHB's charge attack is somewhat safer than DVS'.

Opinion: DVS is better. Indeed, WHB has been made largely obsolete by the piercing swords and the weakening of the wolver AI. WHB deserves some kind of update.

Sudaruska vs. Triglav

Facts: Sudaruska inflicts stun on the charge only, while Triglav inflicts freeze on the charge and on the second stroke of the combo. Both swords enjoy great length, width, and knockback in regular attacks (identical to Divine Avenger and Gran Faust). Both swords deliver a big charge attack that leaves the user exposed but knocks monsters away.

Implications: If Triglav successfully freezes its target, then the freeze prevents the target from being knocked back. Freeze and stun are both powerful statuses with drawbacks in certain situations. Freeze hinders knockback, shield-bumping, kiting, etc. Stun can also hinder kiting.

Opinion: I have never used Triglav, but I think that stun is under-rated and freeze is over-rated, so I vote for Sudaruska.

Other Comparisons

Remember that you should always plan in terms of 5-star items, not 2- or 3-star items. And damage type is the major consideration in choosing a sword. So the comparisons in this subsection make no sense in my world view. However, so many people ask about them that I have to say something.

Troika vs. Sealed Sword

Facts: The 5-star versions of Troika and Sealed Sword do various kinds of damage and hence are not directly comparable. In regular attacks, they all have the same width, length, and knockback, but Divine Avenger and Gran Faust swing faster than Sudaruska and Triglav. The Troika-style charge attack slams down on the monsters from above, while the Sealed-style charge attack launches one or three projectiles that plow through the monsters.

Opinion: If you are a gunner or bomber who wants a single sword for all emergencies, then consider Sudaruska, Triglav, and Leviathan Blade. If you are a sworder or a gunner-sworder, then do not get any Troika-line sword, but strongly consider Divine Avenger or Gran Faust, to complement the damage types of your other weapons.

Divine Avenger vs. Gran Faust

Facts: Divine Avenger and Gran Faust inflict different damage types and hence are not directly comparable. DA's charge attack does more total damage. GF's charge attack can inflict curse on monsters, but it can also curse the user. Contrary to the statistics bars displayed on these items, GF is not faster than DA.

Opinion: If you have already decided that you are going to craft either DA or GF, then choose the one that complements your other weapons' damage types. In the case of a tie, choose DA, because DA is about as good as any elemental sword, whereas GF is not quite as good as Acheron.

Calibur vs. Brandish

Facts: The 5-star versions of Calibur and Brandish do various kinds of damage and hence are not directly comparable. The Calibur-style charge attack can hit several monsters up to three times, with large knockback. The Brandish-style charge attack hits one monster (or a tight crowd) once, with up to five additional damage bursts, depending on the star-level of the Brandish.

Opinion: If you are a gunner or bomber who wants a single sword for all emergencies, then consider Leviathan Blade, Sudaruska, and Triglav. If you are a sworder, then do not get any Calibur-line sword, but strongly consider Combuster/Glacius/Voltedge/Acheron/Obsidian Edge, to complement the damage types of your other swords. Also strongly consider the Brandishes if you use a mixture of swords and guns.

Armor, Shields, Trinkets, Perks

In Tier 3, even the strongest armor lets through lots of damage. To stay alive, one must avoid getting hit. Thus, most advanced players favor armor, shields, trinkets, and perks that give offensive bonuses, even at the cost of some defense. Damage bonus against all enemies (six monster families, Vanaduke, and PvP) is especially valuable, in that it cannot be replicated by UVs. On the other hand, the practical value of damage bonus is sensitive to your tactical situation; it may increase your kills per second dramatically or not at all. In contrast, ASI, CTR, and MSI are always slightly helpful.

See my armor guide for detailed advice on armor. Chaos Cowl/Cloak and Black Kat Cowl/Raiment offer outstanding offense at the cost of terrible status penalties. Although 5-star Black Kat armor is hard to obtain, any player can acquire the 3-star helmet during any Kataclysmic Confrontation event. Among the sword-specific armors, I recommend Vog Cub Cap/Coat and Skolver Cap/Coat. The two are well balanced, with the former slightly more defensive and the latter slightly more offensive.

See my shield guide for detailed advice on shields. The 3-star Swiftstrike Buckler and the 5-star Barbarous Thorn Shield offer offensive bonuses. For more defense, consider all of the other shields, including Grey Owlite Shield and Dread Skelly Shield.

The trinkets Elite Quick Strike Module, Elite Sword Focus Module, and Elite Slash Module give ASI+2, CTR+2, and damage+2 to swords, respectively. Daybreaker Band and Somnambulist's Totem are also relevant, but they are difficult to obtain. There are also sprite perks for ASI, CTR, damage bonus, and MSI.

Final Thoughts

A knight's goal is to kill monsters, but a player's goal is to have a good time. For example, some players equip crummy armor, because they enjoy the challenge. In my opinion, some of the weaker swords (Sudaruska, Dread Venom Striker) are really fun. So try a variety of swords and use what you like. This guide exists, just to help you understand the tradeoffs you're making.

Thanks to Lancer Knightz for data, Trying for vandalism repair, and the rest of the Arsenal Forum regulars for enlightening discussion. Happy travels.

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