Question about weapon leveling

[apocalypse]

This question is for all the weapon junkies that have played around with different builds when leveling them.
In this scenario I'm leveling a double axe with whirlwind and double strike.

For the hit attacks (lightning, fireball, harm), which would be a more efficient build?

2 x 60hit.
or
1 x 46hit, 1 x 30hit, 1 x 30hit.

Having 1 more hit going on, even though it is lower %, would give you the potential of hitting 6 times at once using double strike, so I'm wondering if having 60% really is better, or is it better in the end to have more hits going on?

I appreciate any insight and opinions.

[tiggerjlk]

First, are you leveling a weapon, to keep it as a weapon, or, are you going to relayer it? If you are going to keep it as a weapon, then below is a general guideline

This is a subject upon which many debates have occurred
What it all comes down too, is your play style. Or, at least the style of playing you want to get too.

This might help you choose your style a bit (posted by Heyyo):

The main point of a weapon is to deal damage. All the other stats can be placed on relayers or be obtained from other gear. So, the object is to maximize the damage you can deal with your weapon. To do this you need:

-strength (adds base damage regardless of weapon)

-weapon hits (lightning, fireball, and harm/magic arrow if you have the points)

-spell damage increase (this will increase the damage of the magic hits, but is also something you can place on relayers) - you don't need this, but if you have the extra points it doesn't hurt

-the leeches (mana/life/stamina) mana leech is necessary to let you spam your weapon specials (for a bow I have 45% and almost never run out, a whirlwind weapon you would only need 25-30% as you hit so many mobs on a whirlwind). Life leech is like a magic hit spell, but it gives you hp, which is a huge bonus if your poisoned or have mortal strike on you. Stamina leech is ok, but not necessary. If you don't play the chivalry route then it's an absolute must to restore your stamina, but with the divine fury spell you can just regain stamina that way.

-hit lower defense is a must for single targets with high hp. It lowers their defense, and thus increases your offensive hit chance and total damage (I think total damage, but not 100%). On a whirlwind weapon it's not bad, but usually you use whirlwind for a bunch of low hp creatures. On the other hand with a double axe or war hammer you can both do whirlwind and do massive damage to single targets, so lower defense is recommended on those as well.

-hit lower attack - Not a fan, once you get insta heal and high enough hp with several relayers with the reflect physical damage stat when mobs hit you, you can deal several times that damage back. If you have lower attack the mobs won't hit as hard or often, and lower your dps

The only non damage stat many use is adding 8 to hit points because once you get insta heal and all your other stats maxed that's the only thing you cannot max out. The % magic hits refer to the likelihood that that magic spell will hit on a successful strike with your weapon. So if you have 60% lightning you have a 6/10 chance on a successful weapon strike, 40% fireball would give you a 4/10 chance. The higher the percent is the higher your average damage will be.

[apocalypse]

Yeah im just working on weapons, not relayers.

Thank you for this info though, gives me more to think about.

[tiggerjlk]

What you will most likely end up with, Is a weapon you build with area hits, a weapon with direct hits, and a general weapon.
I have a blaze of death with 3 direct hits and 3 area hits. It a my general use weapon, when I want to clear a place out quick, but not for any end game mobs, because the hit % are lower than normal...but when all direct hits hit, and all the area hits hit, It takes out a lot of creatures fast.

Basically for a weapon, you should only put hits and damage on it, if you plan on using relayers for everything else. With the exception of str. Other people may have different opinions, but I usually put 8 str on every weapon.

[Davemustache]

Hello Apocalypse, im not a fan of statistics but.. i found this site that can calculate 2 or 3 events probability. http://www.calctool.org/CALC/math/probability/3_events

A is lighning B Fireball C Harm

with 46/30/30 the result are
Chance of all happening (A+B+C) 4%
Chance of none happening 27%
Chance of at least one happening 74%
Chance of exactly one happening 45%

with 40/40/40
Chance of all happening (A+B+C) 6%
Chance of none happening 22%
Chance of at least one happening 78%
Chance of exactly one happening 43%

and 60/60
Chance of all happening (A+B) 36%
Chance of none happening 16%
Chance of at least one happening 84%
Chance of exactly one happening 43%

i hope it help you make your decison, personnaly i go for the 60/60

[apocalypse]

Oh cool! I'll definitely play around with that website for stats.

Yeah I have 1 weapon for area effects, 1 weapon for direct damage to 1 target.

I went for the spread on the area weapon to try it out, but I think I should have gone with higher %'s instead.
It has 46% poison area, 46% fire area, 35% energy, 35% cold.
I'll have to try building a different one with higher %s and compare the 2.