Stardust Dragon Staff question

[Jon.Topps]

Just wondering how much each segment increases DPS.
I've looked at the equation, and I'm not math wizard, but it looks like it doesn't increase it "too" much.
I'm considering either the Pygmy Necklace, or the Summoner Emblem.
The emblem increases it by a definite 15%, so what % does one more segment increase DPS by?

[VagueCryptid]

Taken from the wiki:

The Stardust Dragon does damage according to the following formula: (summon dmg * 5 / 3) + (summon dmg * .46)(summon length - 1) which is all multiplied by a random modifier between 0.875 and 1.125. Contrary to popular belief, the tail of the dragon does not deal less damage than the head.
The highest damage possible done by the dragon is 1050.

So basically, it gets better if you keep adding more segments.

[Jon.Topps]

Yeah, I already knew that. I said that in my original post actually. I'm wondering what percentage the damage is increased by. I know it increases it, and I can "kind of" make sense of the formula, but I'd like to know (roughly) what % the DPS increases for each segment added.

[VagueCryptid]

...If you already KNEW the formula for finding the damage, why are you asking? Just do the calculations.

For Summon damage, it is roughly 45 for Mythical without Armor I believe.
For Summon Length, just put in how many times you summon it. If it is a 2 segment dragon, put in a 2, -1, so 1.

45(5/3)+(45*.46)(1)
TIMES
0.875 ~ 1.125.

There your numbers. That's how much damage it does for 2 segments. Find how much it does for a 1 segment damage, calculate percentage.

[Jon.Topps]

If you read my original post, you'd see this,
"I've looked at the equation, and I'm not math wizard, but it looks like it doesn't increase it "too" much."

I did the math, and some things didn't make sense, so I wanted advice from people who are better at this than me.

The formula includes how many segments minus one, and then multiplied. If it's only one segment, then it becomes zero, and negates the multiplication (0*x=0 always).
That's what didn't make any sense to me, so I thought I'd ask.

From calculating it, it seems to go up about 15-20 points every segment. After a while, it seems like it would be more logical to add the Pygmy Necklace to give a 15% to damage, rather than add another segment.

I'm looking for people who have bothered to do the math to give their advice.

[VagueCryptid]

Why not add another segment AND have the Pygmy Necklace? I don't see why not. Have more than both combined.

[ZestyLimez]

Is your character in Expert or Normal?
If it's in Expert, you may not need to make the tradeoff between dragon length and damage.

Here's my Expert summoner setup:

• Menacing Pygmy Necklace
  
• Menacing Necromantic Scroll
  
• Menacing scarab
  
• Menacing Avenger Emblem ---> Master Ninja Gear
  
• Menacing Summoner Emblem ---> Worm Scarf
  
• Menacing Hercules Beetle ---> Wings (even w/ a saucer, still helps to have.)

Unless you want more accessories to switch out, this setup maximizes damage and segment length.

Now, let's say you're on a normal character and don't have the luxury of a 6th slot.
Your decision would be between a Pygmy Necklace and an Avenger Emblem (provided you had all other summoing accessories equippped and are going for max damage).

With max menacing accessories equipped and stardust armor, a Ruthless Stardust Dragon Staff will do 113 damage (5 accessories, pygmy).

Applying the formula, we get (113 * 5/3)+(113 * .46)(9 - 1) = 604.17
If you have the bewitching table AND summoner potion on, we get 708.13

Vanilla range: 529-680
With 2 additional segments: 620-797

Now, let's switch Pygmy Necklace for the Avenger Emblem

Vanilla range: 504-648
With 2 additional segments: 599-771

As you can see, there is only a slight difference between damage and minion count (with max minions/damage). It appears that minion count is worth more DPS than %damage boost.

[Jon.Topps]

Interesting, that's helpful.
I'm in Expert mode, and I don't have Stardust armor, because this is the set up I'm trying to beat the Moon Lord with.

Here's my setup right now, and everything is modified for defense.
- Charm of Myths
- Worm Scarf
- Papyrus Scarab
- Pygmy Necklace
- Summoner Emblem
- Destroyer Emblem

I was thinking of the Celestial Shell for the defense and life regen, which is why I'm asking the original question.

If you don't mind, why are wings good even if you have a saucer?