Curse

stickyballs · Mar 30, 2006, 12:33 AM // 00:33

This merely my opinion, but I've seen a lot of these debates recently.

These are the stats of the items, which I've put in my opinion of optimal form. The Furious hilt/haft is debatable, but the only real one that will benefit an IMonk, which uses Bonetti's Defense. And the Enchantment pommel/grip is a no-brainer.

Furious Long Sword of Enchanting
Energy +5
Slashing Dmg: 14-21 (Requires 9 Swordsmanship)
Double Adrenaline on hit (Chance: 10%)
Enchantments last 20% longer
Value: 107 gold

VS.

Furious Flame Spitter of Enchanting
Slashing Dmg: 6-16 (Requires 3 Axe Mastery)
Halves skill recharge of spells (Chance: 10%)
Armor -10 (while attacking)
Double Adrenaline on hit (Chance: 10%)
Enchantments last 20% longer
Value: 15 gold

Now, one is a collector wep and another is a crafter wep. Though, the HoD sword can no longer be crafted and is highly sought after. Also, the 15% FFS was not used because:

a) really hard to find, most people who have it won't give theirs up
b) high cost, which of course is due to low supply and high demand

Now, onto the Pros N' Cons!

HoD Sword

Pros:
Unconditional +5 Energy
Moddable, unlike wands, and can add prefixes/suffixes
Can hold gold value (ectos keep getting lower and R/S are unstable)
Status symbol for IMonks

Neutral:
Long Sword, but has a Short Sword/Gladius skin, like the craftable 15^50 Long Sword in Droknar's Forge

Cons:
Quite expensive

The Explanation

HoD Swords are quite hard to find and uncraftable now, so they are quite pricey, ranging from 300-500k depending on the seller and if it has a prefix or suffix. It is moddable, unlike wands, and you can of course add a 20% Enchantment mod or 10% Furious mod. It is like a status symbol for monks to show that they have it. The skin is not extraordinary or unique, but you can prove it in the trade window I suppose. Also, they can be used to hold value, which mine do. I usually reserve their value for gold since my storage can't hold more than 1 Mil and ectos aren't reliable. Ectos drop because of speculation of new l33t armor or something. Rubies and Sapphs are also unreliable as they were 1.5k a few months ago and may go down because of Jade N' Amber. They hold value well and can only go up now because they can't be found/made anymore. Though, this may not be the case in the near future as someone "CLAIMS" to have found an Enrg +5 Oni Blade, unconditional, not like a mod on it, but like an inherent mod. No SS though, so no truth to it as of yet, and if I got an item like that, SS!

Flame Spitter

Pros:
Halves skill recharge of spells (Chance: 10%)
Cheap as hell, since it's from a collector and can still be found

Neutral:
Cool name, but just the skin of a War Axe

Cons:
Too cheap, I might not even mod it.

The Explanation

FFS is really a great IMonk item. Though not of the fame as the HoD sword is, it is really quite good value at only 3 Scorched Lodestones. I know many people who can afford HoD sword, but like the occasional half skill recharge, which can be VERY helpful! The skin is really not an issue, yet it does have a cool name. But it is so cheap, I don't know if I would really consider adding 10% Furious or 20% Enchantment mod. The mods would be worth like 1000x the value of the item itself. Plus it would be hard to sell since other people can just get it and mod it themselves.

The Verdict

Really, it is a matter of preference. Do you like that extra spell, or that spell to recharge faster? Do you like to brag to your friends about your uBeR l33t item, or do you like using cheap, but effective collector's items? I don't know. But in anycase, for the general public, the best value is the FFS. Though you might feel odd about adding mods worth like 1000x the value of the item and it will be hard to sell, if you are really playing the game for performance, you should. The HoD sword just costs too much, much more than the mean of the average GW income (like we have one

). It is out of reach for many players and is short on numbers in every server (though people are offloading theirs after the whole +5 Oni Blade debacle).

Whatever you choose, hopefully you have learned something or been able to connect to something I wrote. HF & GL playing GW!

J3mo · Mar 30, 2006, 12:47 AM // 00:47

Why not use Gordacs rod?
It has range, and is + 10%
And its cheap 2.
Cuz with an axe or sword UW-duo/solo is harder

stickyballs · Mar 30, 2006, 12:51 AM // 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by J3mo

Why not use Gordacs rod?
It has range, and is + 10%
And its cheap 2.
Cuz with an axe or sword UW-duo/solo is harder

It is a green wand. First, it is unmoddable because it's a green, but is also unmoddable because it is a wand. The whole point of these items is that they offer a nice inherent mod and are moddable w/ good prefixes/suffixes.

J3mo · Mar 30, 2006, 12:53 AM // 00:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by stickyballs

It is a green wand. First, it is unmoddable because it's a green, but is also unmoddable because it is a wand. The whole point of these items is that they offer a nice inherent mod and are moddable w/ good prefixes/suffixes.

True, but i use that rod myself and i can speak very highly about it cuz it rocks ^.^ and i dont even use Blessed aura or something, but i can see why ppl want those axes or swords, tho i hate it in UW =)

Tyrent Frath · Mar 30, 2006, 01:01 AM // 01:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by J3mo

True, but i use that rod myself and i can speak very highly about it cuz it rocks ^.^ and i dont even use Blessed aura or something, but i can see why ppl want those axes or swords, tho i hate it in UW =)

thats inefficient and unecessary

congrats.

anyway, with my enchants up, 5 energy doesnt do much of a difference, so i use the FFS, i might get an HOD though, since its always active unlike the 10% chance.

sledgeunderhill · Mar 30, 2006, 01:06 AM // 01:06

Personally, I love my Icy Flame Spitter of Enchanting. If I'm in a team with a spinal shivers necro, I'll even go up and whack on a boss just to add a chance to interrupt.

And I have the HoD sword, too. I like the IFS more.

96TSi · Mar 30, 2006, 01:13 AM // 01:13

I dissagree with stating that you get to use an extra skill with the HoD sword. It is far easier to simply switch weapon sets to any collector staff for +10 energy instantly. so 0 to (IE)10 energy is instant life saving for an Imonk that has prot spirit flashing to an end.

my verdict: HoD sword is just a status symbol with no real use to justify it costing so much. though having that status is nice and something to be proud of, i dont see using that weapon as a real gain to your character.

Sorafolktale · Mar 30, 2006, 01:35 AM // 01:35

Truly ... for a 55 monk, +5 energy all times and +5 energy while enchanted IS THE SAME lol. i use an rod with +5 energy while enchated and works as fine.
note: dont need +20% enchat so bad, because i use 55 with prot bond, not spirit. but the furious would be a sweet add for bonetts indeed.

i agree with the point of the HOD sword be a status item , like fow armor is. [but fow armor is cool , particulary female necro =)]

Rustjive · Mar 30, 2006, 02:46 AM // 02:46

Interestingly enough, 55 monks aren't the only type of monks in the game.

The HoD sword isn't just a status item, it has a tangible benefit over a staff or in a focus swap. Especially in a focus swap: As Ensign pointed out, putting your HoD in your first focus swap up, it's a +22 over your base set, as opposed to just +17 or +15. That is a use that neither staves nor FFS can give you.

lord_shar · Mar 30, 2006, 02:48 AM // 02:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96TSi

I dissagree with stating that you get to use an extra skill with the HoD sword. It is far easier to simply switch weapon sets to any collector staff for +10 energy instantly. so 0 to (IE)10 energy is instant life saving for an Imonk that has prot spirit flashing to an end.

True, but if your build depends on enchantment duration mods, then weapon switches can impact your build's effectiveness. One such example is an UW SS/SV necro.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96TSi

my verdict: HoD sword is just a status symbol with no real use to justify it costing so much. though having that status is nice and something to be proud of, i dont see using that weapon as a real gain to your character.

This may change if the HoD sword does return in Factions as rumored by one of the FPE NPC's. We will know in about 1 month's time.

Sagura Kagurake · Mar 30, 2006, 03:01 AM // 03:01

I use fiery flame spitter it works really well, its nice when you use soj and it pops back up in about 10sec, and I dont even have a enchant mod but it helps some to have one just too lazy to buy one lol

Cottage Pie · Mar 30, 2006, 05:24 AM // 05:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord_shar

True, but if your build depends on enchantment duration mods, then weapon switches can impact your build's effectiveness. One such example is an UW SS/SV necro.

This may change if the HoD sword does return in Factions as rumored by one of the FPE NPC's. We will know in about 1 month's time.

He (the NPC merchant) told us how he had the weapons of the old denravi trader...That really does sound like the 'HoD' sword is coming back...it's essentially saying just that, isn't it? Or perhaps it was a joke, he is a merchant and has them...like player merchants...I dunno that seems a bit streched - an NPC taunting players he has the HoD sword, nay, Loads of them (and axes no doubt!)!

I had an HoD sword but sold it...don't want to loose 400k

also I prefer the FFS, anyday, for farming, when the 10% recharge kicked in on SoJ, it felt good, and +5 energy for farming, is just meaningless, i've never came close to needing more energy than my lions arch tats give me.

The HoD sword does give a solid + 5 energy though, which is useful for a secondary weapon (don't want it burnt off right away).

Sorafolktale · Mar 30, 2006, 05:47 AM // 05:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord_shar

True, but if your build depends on enchantment duration mods, then weapon switches can impact your build's effectiveness. One such example is an UW SS/SV necro.

Sorry, i missed the point here.
SS/SV uw necro dont need enchant boost, i known pretty well because i mainly play with necro . and i do SS uw.
or are u telling it makes SS lasts longer? as far as i known its a hex, dont count to enchant boost.

I use morgrif's scepter with villnar's cesta. sweet combination.

CoRrRan · Mar 30, 2006, 05:56 AM // 05:56

HoD sword = great for any kind of PvP character that uses enchantments (prot monk for instance).

FFS = best weapon for invinciMonks IMO, energy should never be a problem.

SV is an enchantment and can have benefit from the enchantment mod. However, SV of 18secs is usually sufficient.

Kitana · Mar 30, 2006, 06:50 AM // 06:50

uhmmm can me somebody tell where exactly the guy with the ffs is located?
plz^^

stickyballs · Mar 30, 2006, 06:58 AM // 06:58

I had a thread in the Tyrian Explorer's League a while back because I was tired of people scamming newbs for like 5k making it look like it's rare. It's in Pockmark Flats, a little outside of Serentiy Temple. Kill some stone golems on the way for at least 3 Scorched Lodestones. Look for Nicanor Gannel I think it is. He doesn't always appear unfortunately, and it is unknown why. It is not a matter of favor, so it remains unresolved.

Remember, searching is your friend. Though I do know that search is often disabled...

lord_shar · Mar 30, 2006, 07:01 AM // 07:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorafolktale

Sorry, i missed the point here.
SS/SV uw necro dont need enchant boost, i known pretty well because i mainly play with necro . and i do SS uw.
or are u telling it makes SS lasts longer? as far as i known its a hex, dont count to enchant boost.

I use morgrif's scepter with villnar's cesta. sweet combination.

Check out Cerb's SS/SV necro guide in the Necro build section:
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...d.php?t=130693

I posted my new findings about how a 20% enchant one-hander really tunes the SS/SV necro even further. SS isn't the enchant mod's target... it's SV, BR, ATB, and AE. An 18-second SV means there is no longer any need to echo SV nor cast cover-hexes to protect SS. My smite kill times are now consistently under 15-seconds as a result.

Try Vilnar's Claw with Fiery Flame Spitter of Enchanting 20%... once you switch to the gear settings I mentioned in that thread, you'll wonder why you didn't do this sooner...

JiggyFly · Mar 30, 2006, 07:30 AM // 07:30

I never really though the HOD sword mattered in terms of Invinca Monking. In my opinion the only thing that justifys the price is if you plan on using it GvG or something where you either have +2 more energy, or 20% longer enchantments compared to other Monks.

Once again though it can be debated, and you can always carry a second weapon set. Thus having the +5 energy Nolani wand and the FFS at your fingertips.

Anyways just thought I'd point out that for me anyways the only thing justifying the cost would be if I planned on using one in the PvP enviroment on one of my Casters. Otherwise I don't think the cost justifys it for PvE, since you could pretty much use Candy Cane items and still be able to farm trolls or UW....but I guess you could say the same for PvP as well. *shrugs*

Kitana · Mar 30, 2006, 07:44 AM // 07:44

thx Stickyballs for info.. the problem is search on this forum never works for me dunno why ... gives me error all time

96TSi · Mar 30, 2006, 08:58 AM // 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord_shar

True, but if your build depends on enchantment duration mods, then weapon switches can impact your build's effectiveness. One such example is an UW SS/SV necro.

you are right, it does affect your build. it gives you quick much needed energy to stay alive. even without 20% enchant mod from casting with an item that doesnt have it. you now have 18 seconds of prot spirit(or however much you have in prot). if you cant gain at least 10 energy in that time, do a simple weapon set switch again for the free energy then run into your mob knowing that you wont die in 1 hit.

giving UW as an example of needing energy doesnt really make sense, In the UW there is no real point in taking down your enemy unless you have a decent mob of them. other than when i was new to Imonk UW farming, i have never ran into any trouble to even need to switch weapon sets for energy. In my opinion, the place where you need to conserve your energy the most is farming outside dunes since you are going up against such small mobs. there would be one of the only places i would truely say +5 to energy would be helpfull