What in sub hand?

[Kitkat]

Quoted from when I asked the same question as this is the answer I got after numbers were ran. Now this was at 90 and assumes that mandau is available, if not then obviously ignore that part, but the rest does hold merit. Take into account that there are newer daggers and swords now available also from VWNM/WOE.

Yeah, it's pretty stupid. I'm hoping they adjust it eventually, but won't hold my breath.

Anyway, as promised I ran some quick numbers. I used a 28 damage enspell, which is a high-end but not top-tier build (lacks the new enhancing magic skill body from Voidwatch) plus capped skill + merits. Also used 8/8 merited sword and dagger since we're comparing Mandau.

Started off with a comparison inside Abyssea. As I expected, STR Shamshir +2 came out slightly ahead of DA Khanda +2. More interestingly, Mandau 90 performed best out of all the weapons I compared even with just base damage/delay. Oneiros Knife was the closest contender inside Abyssea assuming critdmg+5%; if it's a 10% bonus then it would edge out Mandau. Chimeric Fleuret was next, followed by Sagasinger, then STR Shamshir +2 and DA Khanda +2. Chimeric Fleuret and Shamshir +2 would gain some ground vs higher level enemies.

Outside Abyssea, the order gets shuffled around a bit depending on what you're fighting. For new VT+ content expect Chimeric Fleuret to take the lead, followed by Sagasinger, Mandau, STR Shamshir +2, and then DA Khanda +2 and Oneiros Knife. For older content where defense is lower and thus physical damage is a greater part of your DPS, Sagasinger and Mandau are almost identical with Chimeric Fleuret close behind, followed by STR Shamshir +2, DA Khanda +2, and Oneiros Knife once again.

If enspell resists are an issue, Sagasinger is probably your best bet. Chimeric Fleuret and Mandau are still strong choices due to their strong damage/delay and the fleuret's DA+4%, though STR Shamshir will perform comparably. If you're /DNC instead of /NIN, the low delay weapons are slightly less attractive. Chimeric Fleuret gains ground if you need the accuracy+5, though there's also DEX Shamshir +2 to consider at that point.

PS: +3 versions of shamsir should be better now due to increased base dmg so once again, keep in mind this was prior to cap increase and newer weapons now available.

[saevel]

Quoted from when I asked the same question as this is the answer I got after numbers were ran. Now this was at 90 and assumes that mandau is available, if not then obviously ignore that part, but the rest does hold merit. Take into account that there are newer daggers and swords now available also from VWNM/WOE.



PS: +3 versions of shamsir should be better now due to increased base dmg so once again, keep in mind this was prior to cap increase and newer weapons now available.

Hmm how is he referring to +28 as not "top tier" at 90? At 341 was the caped skill for a RDM @90 then throw in,
16 Merits,
15 AF2 gloves
15 AF Pants / Abyssea pants
15 Emp Feet
7 Torque
6 Cape
3 Earing
3 Body
+64 In gear, +16 Merits,

421 Enhancing Magic Skill on cast,
DMG = (((5 * E)/100)+5)
26.05 Base Damage, you need 19 more to make a difference and there isn't enough available in VWNM to do that.

+26 is the absolute highest you could of got at 90, I know cause I had it, with Chimeric Flueret giving me +33 enspell on both hands, it was epic, until SE nerfed it. I was deeply pissed that SE nerfed it, there was no reason and it made the best off hand weapon we could have.

@95 Things are a wee bit different.
376 Base Skill,

16 Merits,
15 AF2 gloves
15 AF Pants / Abyssea pants
15 Emp Feet
7 Torque
6 Cape
5 Belt
3 Earing
3 Body (10 from Hyksos Robe synth)

69 From gear, 16 from merits, 76 from skill if you can snag or make a Hyksos Robe

461 or 468 (Hyksos Robe). Ends up being a 28 damage enspell. 29 damage is only possible if you got the +12 Enhancing Skill robe, which after doing tons of VWNM I have yet to see drop. For now the realistic top end is +28, still difficult to get as I haven't seen an Olympsus Sash on the AH in weeks. +27 is what most will end up having. Now more skill is always better, even if it doesn't bring you to a new tier it still raise's your magic accuracy and thus you end up with a higher average enspell.

Also did he calculate the Chim Flueret as +7 on all hits or +7 only on off hand hits? The Chim nerf really lowered it's potential as an off hand weapon, its why I decided to build a DA sword.