Improved equipment abilities and do the descriptions matter?

[Vip]

Does anyone know where / how I can view the improved equipment abilities in game?

eg I updated a shield to 3 stars, I know it said improved blocking was gained at that 3 star level when I upgraded it, however when I'm going through all my shields trying to find which 3 star shield it was I can't see anything saying "improved blocking". I've tried pressing O on the equipment screen.

Also I've just changed vocation from Strider -> Assassin and starting to use swords.
The Trusty Sword (at 3 stars) has lower stats than the Broadsword(also at 3 stars) but the description says the Trusty Sword is better for nimble / mobile fighters. So as an Assassin would I be better off with the Trusty Sword or do the stats matter more. Going to go with the Trusty Sword for now but would be good to know the answer.

Thanks

[Reynard]

Originally posted by Vip:

Does anyone know where / how I can view the improved equipment abilities in game?

eg I updated a shield to 3 stars, I know it said improved blocking was gained at that 3 star level when I upgraded it, however when I'm going through all my shields trying to find which 3 star shield it was I can't see anything saying "improved blocking". I've tried pressing O on the equipment screen.

Also I've just changed vocation from Strider -> Assassin and starting to use swords.
The Trusty Sword (at 3 stars) has lower stats than the Broadsword(also at 3 stars) but the description says the Trusty Sword is better for nimble / mobile fighters. So as an Assassin would I be better off with the Trusty Sword or do the stats matter more. Going to go with the Trusty Sword for now but would be good to know the answer.

Thanks

When you upgrade things, they simply become better, they give more stats.

Item descriptions don't really matter, they're there for "lore reasons" mostly.

Broadsword > Trusty Sword.

[Karathrax]

On the other hand it is true that if you improve weaponry, not only do their stats improve, shields get better at blocking. The flavor texts and descriptions do not have that information in them, though. I'd look for the shield with the best stats in your inventory; the Trusty Sword weighs a little less than the Broadsword which would have an impact on stamina use for a very low-leveled character if the player is skill-spamming.

As a rule, it's best to go with the item that provides the most damage output because this game operates on a flat reduction system. If you cannot breach the enemy's defenses, you simply do no damage at all; only the amount of damage that defeats the enemy's defense or magick defense in the case of a magick attack will get through.

[Forblaze]

Things like "improved blocking ability" that are expressed in the enhancement screen are real upgrades. i don't know really understand what improved blocking ability specifically does though.

The thing about the trusty sword being made for nimble fighters is just flavor text.

[Reynard]

Originally posted by Karathrax:

On the other hand it is true that if you improve weaponry, not only do their stats improve, shields get better at blocking. The flavor texts and descriptions do not have that information in them, though. I'd look for the shield with the best stats in your inventory; the Trusty Sword weighs a little less than the Broadsword which would have an impact on stamina use for a very low-leveled character if the player is skill-spamming.

As a rule, it's best to go with the item that provides the most damage output because this game operates on a flat reduction system. If you cannot breach the enemy's defenses, you simply do no damage at all; only the amount of damage that defeats the enemy's defense or magick defense in the case of a magick attack will get through.

Does equipment weight actually affect stamina usage?

[Karathrax]

Improved blocking improves the knockdown and stagger resistances of the shield, so I suspect the changes would show there. This is demonstrated by the character's guard being broken-- or not; you stagger back and your shield arm flies up plus you take some damage when your shield is overpowered by a blow or spell. The improved resistances help you avoid getting your guard broken.

Most of the low-grade shields and magick shields can't block or perfect block at all no matter their reinforcement level. I know that for a Mystic Knight you really need to have a Fine Magick Buckler or better to perform perfect blocks reliably, but since I rarely if ever play Fighter, I am not sure where the brightline for the Fighter shields are.

[Karathrax]

Originally posted by RD:

Originally posted by Karathrax:

On the other hand it is true that if you improve weaponry, not only do their stats improve, shields get better at blocking. The flavor texts and descriptions do not have that information in them, though. I'd look for the shield with the best stats in your inventory; the Trusty Sword weighs a little less than the Broadsword which would have an impact on stamina use for a very low-leveled character if the player is skill-spamming.

As a rule, it's best to go with the item that provides the most damage output because this game operates on a flat reduction system. If you cannot breach the enemy's defenses, you simply do no damage at all; only the amount of damage that defeats the enemy's defense or magick defense in the case of a magick attack will get through.

Does equipment weight actually affect stamina usage?

Absolutely.

[Forblaze]

Originally posted by RD:

Does equipment weight actually affect stamina usage?

Encumbrance does, i'm not so sure about the weight of equipped gear by itself.

[Vip]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

[Reynard]

Originally posted by Karathrax:

Originally posted by RD:

Does equipment weight actually affect stamina usage?

Absolutely.

Wow, I didn't know that. I thought only encumbrance level mattered.

Thank you, Karathrax!

[Karathrax]

Originally posted by Forblaze:

Originally posted by RD:

Does equipment weight actually affect stamina usage?

Encumbrance does, i'm not so sure about the weight of equipped gear by itself.

That's included in Encumbrance, which is why it can affect stamina.

[Reynard]

Originally posted by Karathrax:

Originally posted by Forblaze:

Encumbrance does, i'm not so sure about the weight of equipped gear by itself.

That's included in Encumbrance, which is why it can affect stamina.

Oh... so it doesn't affect anything on its own?

[Karathrax]

I'm not sure I understand the question.

Where you can see that in operation is if you have a little tiny Warrior-- the weight of her armor and weapons means she can't carry ♥♥♥♥ on top of that. This is why I personally find renting tiny little girls so very frustrating, because they simply can't carry any of the LOOT I want to take home!

The higher one's encumbrance, the faster stamina depletes, no matter the character's size. Sinew alleviates this by one tier, but it won't make it disappear altogether.

[Reynard]

Originally posted by Karathrax:

I'm not sure I understand the question.

Where you can see that in operation is if you have a little tiny Warrior-- the weight of her armor and weapons means she can't carry ♥♥♥♥ on top of that. This is why I personally find renting tiny little girls so very frustrating, because they simply can't carry any of the LOOT I want to take home!

The higher one's encumbrance, the faster stamina depletes, no matter the character's size. Sinew alleviates this by one tier, but it won't make it disappear altogether.

Yes, it's clear now, thank you!

I just thought you meant that individual pieces of equipment additionally affect stamina depending on their own weight, regardless of encumbrance level.
Silly me, I know...

[Forblaze]

Originally posted by Karathrax:

I'm not sure I understand the question.

Where you can see that in operation is if you have a little tiny Warrior-- the weight of her armor and weapons means she can't carry ♥♥♥♥ on top of that. This is why I personally find renting tiny little girls so very frustrating, because they simply can't carry any of the LOOT I want to take home!

The higher one's encumbrance, the faster stamina depletes, no matter the character's size. Sinew alleviates this by one tier, but it won't make it disappear altogether.

Saying that the weight of your equipment effects your stamina regen is disingenuous. It isn't the weight of your equipment, it's the total weight of your inventory.