Curse

Blue Steel · Feb 17, 2006, 09:38 PM // 21:38

Old debates are great. My theory back when they nerfed the Hod Sword was precisely this issue: the thing was TOO useful for casters, so all the smartest casters used it. With an HoD and a perfect focus, you have:

+17 energy, UNCONDITIONAL (superior to staff even using one upgrade for a perfect insightful head, and superior to wands that have a restriction on 5 of the energy)
2 excellent upgrades on the focus (20/20 is popular)
A place to install an extremely useful mod on the sword (+5 armor, +30 health, 20% enchanting)
an available hilt if a really creative build requires one, like furious for a Mo/W

The ideal staves simply cannot compare (+10 energy, 20/20, and 10 armor OR 15 energy, +5 armor, 20/20), and the wand/focus could be useful, but cannot get as much energy unconditionally as the HoD+focus and still cannot get the custom upgrade of 20% enchanting, +5 armor, or +30 health.

People used to say: HoD swords are so valuable because they are good for monks. That is true, but it misses the point! They are good for EVERYTHING. I have an HoD Sword on every single character of mine except the ranger, from my runner warrior to my mesmer to my necro to my elementalist to my monk. They are just plain awesome and 2 energy more than the very best alternative. The only downside? You give up attacking, but good casters (or runners) aren't attacking anyway or swap out if they had to.