>OTOH, say you have a high blue that you predictably cannot
>defeat using fast weapons. If you switch to slower ones, you
>increase your chance of beating it. If you start to lose, you
>can always hit Accelerando (or Screech underground) and zone.
>That's what I meant about it on average making no difference.
>Any "benefit" you can think of for faster weapons because the
>chance-of-less-damage end of the bell curve is smaller, is
>matched by a equal "drawback" because the chance-of-more-dam
>end of the bell curve is likewise smaller. Factor in that the
>system rewards more experience for riskier fights and the
>decision to side with the easy and predictable fights is notso clear.
>--John H. Kim
>kim@...
Based on the numbers we have, i would tend to agree with John that over time,
the difference between slow and fast weapons (with the same ratio)is
insignificant, because that is what the damage/delay ratio tells us, as to how
much damage a weapon does per second.
But, the only part of this i disagree with is the rewards for taking risks
system. i don't know that it is necessarily 100% accurate. Mine i think is
the case example. for 8 levels, i have been in North Karana Kiting/Meleeing
beetles (Pincer, Borer, Scythe). At level 18, the Scythe Beetles gave me 3
possible cons (Blue, white, yellow) and they only range 17,18,19. Because we
have no HARD NUMERICAL DATA on XP (boy, would i love to see some), it is very
difficult to tell, but i was watching my XP bar very closely (as i had nothing
better to do). Not only did i get the same XP from the Blue, White, or yellow,
but the Borer beetles (14-16 lvl range) would usually (probably the 15's and
16's) would give me the SAME xp.
Anyhow, i think specifically for bards (especially if soloing) it is important
to play the averages and try to cut out as much variability and deviation as
possible. We miss A LOT! With a big damage, slow delay weapon, some of my
*safe* fights would be deadly. I use a Mithril Quill and A Dragoon Dirk (4/19,
6/23). As I have noticed that i can accumulate more XP by reducing downtime
and fighting as many of the *safe* fights as i can [ie-not taking any big
risks], I really NEED to know that the random number generator is not going to
bite me too hard. This may change for me as i get higher level and actually
start grouping with my friends : ).
As a side note, i am not a powergamer just level crunching to 50, but i have
been powerleveling to catch my friends (who are 24-26 and waiting for me).
I abandoned my cleric because bards are far more entertaining.
err...i guess that is an unintended bad pun...sorry.
Kaleid (yet to be determined...suggestions on last name anyone?)
20th song
Wave of the Dark Tide (err...i'm half dark elf... :-) )
Prexus
=====
"Thou shall not kill. Thou shall not commit
adultery. Don't eat pork."
I'm sorry, what was that last one? Don't eat pork? God has spoken. Is that the word of God or is that pigs trying to out smart everybody?"
-- Jon Stewart