EQ2 Forum Archive @ EQ2Wire - View Single Post - Is it true about how the Brawler's Str AA line makes weapons useless?

Raidi Sovin'faile · 09-19-2007, 02:49 AM

Firstly, there's an edit button on your posts in the top right corner. It's customary to use that to update info on a post if no one has answered yet... no biggie, just a heads up in case you didn't know.Second, there's probably been about two dozen posts on this issue already. Doing a Search with "Str AA" targetted in the Bruiser forum nets a bunch of posts that already talk about this.As for answering the actual question...Unarmed damage at it's base is treated like having a Two Handed Storebought Quality weapon. Doesn't sound like much does it?Well, the Strength line basically doubles the amount of attacks you do with it. So despite being fairly low damage as a twohander, it's amazing damage when you effectively (97%) hit twice with it per swing.You also gain a +20 DPS modifier. Which effectively means your unarmed becomes ~20% more damage on top of that.Lastly, your unarmed damage goes up each time you level. This means with your 16 AAs into the Strength line (4 x Strength, 4x crushing debuff, 8x unarmed double attack) you will constantly gain a better weapon as you level.The levels you gain a new weapon tier... like 22 or 32 for the Mastercrafted weapons, those purchased/crafted weapons will equal or slightly edge out your unarmed damage with Str line, especially if you have a damage adornment on it.However, as soon as you hit 23 (or 33) your unarmed catches up. Then 24, 25, 26, etc.. your unarmed is superior as it grows in damage... while the weapon sits there with stagnant damage rating until you hit the next tier.Essentially, with 16 points into the Strength line you will have effectively higher damaging FREE weapons for 90%+ of your game time (based on mastercrafted/legendary weapons). Sure a Fabled weapon will kick it's butt in damage for a few more levels, but eventually you'll grow out of that too. And Fabled Brawler weapons are very few and far between (only saw one baton after leveling all 9 characters of mine through to 50s).So for leveling, Strength AA kicks [Removed for Content]. It saves you money for other things, while simultaneously giving you more Damage over the course of most of your levels.Weapons are good for adornments that give things like Lifetaps and Power Procs... but until you reach the point where you won't be leveling anymore and will be upgrading your weapons to Fabled levels, or high Legendary (such as lvl 70 Legendary weapons from high end instances), your unarmed will probably be a net higher benefit.And yes... damage > stats. Stats you can make up or get in nearly EVERY other aspect of the game (other gear, buffs, traits, group member buffs, potions, etc). Straight up weapon damage (which makes up 35-50% of your overall damage) can ONLY be increased by having a better weapon.

09-19-2007, 02:49 AM	#4
Raidi Sovin'faile Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,320	Firstly, there's an edit button on your posts in the top right corner. It's customary to use that to update info on a post if no one has answered yet... no biggie, just a heads up in case you didn't know.Second, there's probably been about two dozen posts on this issue already. Doing a Search with "Str AA" targetted in the Bruiser forum nets a bunch of posts that already talk about this.As for answering the actual question...Unarmed damage at it's base is treated like having a Two Handed Storebought Quality weapon. Doesn't sound like much does it?Well, the Strength line basically doubles the amount of attacks you do with it. So despite being fairly low damage as a twohander, it's amazing damage when you effectively (97%) hit twice with it per swing.You also gain a +20 DPS modifier. Which effectively means your unarmed becomes ~20% more damage on top of that.Lastly, your unarmed damage goes up each time you level. This means with your 16 AAs into the Strength line (4 x Strength, 4x crushing debuff, 8x unarmed double attack) you will constantly gain a better weapon as you level.The levels you gain a new weapon tier... like 22 or 32 for the Mastercrafted weapons, those purchased/crafted weapons will equal or slightly edge out your unarmed damage with Str line, especially if you have a damage adornment on it.However, as soon as you hit 23 (or 33) your unarmed catches up. Then 24, 25, 26, etc.. your unarmed is superior as it grows in damage... while the weapon sits there with stagnant damage rating until you hit the next tier.Essentially, with 16 points into the Strength line you will have effectively higher damaging FREE weapons for 90%+ of your game time (based on mastercrafted/legendary weapons). Sure a Fabled weapon will kick it's butt in damage for a few more levels, but eventually you'll grow out of that too. And Fabled Brawler weapons are very few and far between (only saw one baton after leveling all 9 characters of mine through to 50s).So for leveling, Strength AA kicks [Removed for Content]. It saves you money for other things, while simultaneously giving you more Damage over the course of most of your levels.Weapons are good for adornments that give things like Lifetaps and Power Procs... but until you reach the point where you won't be leveling anymore and will be upgrading your weapons to Fabled levels, or high Legendary (such as lvl 70 Legendary weapons from high end instances), your unarmed will probably be a net higher benefit.And yes... damage > stats. Stats you can make up or get in nearly EVERY other aspect of the game (other gear, buffs, traits, group member buffs, potions, etc). Straight up weapon damage (which makes up 35-50% of your overall damage) can ONLY be increased by having a better weapon.