TOPIC: Changing weapon-bracer thoughts

With the continued expansion of how important the wrist slot is, it might be time to re-think bracer weapons.

Bracer of smiting, for example, is a decent rare weapon. Because they use both the hand slot AND the wrist slot - they are vastly inferior to almost any other option available today.

When weapon-bracers were being printed most recently (2017 Rothfuss themed), the wrist slot wasn't as competitive as it is now. It is certainly far more competitive than in 2007 and 2008 when most of the other bracer-weapons were printed.

I would recommend that the bracers that count as weapons no longer use up the wrist slot as well. They aren't meaningfully superior to weapons available today at the same rarity.

The assassin's blade from last year, for example, is also flurry compatible with almost identical damage as the rare bracers but keeps the wrist slot still free. Add wrist-slot bracers of frost and it has better damage than virtually any bracer-weapon. Once you introduce wrist as a slot expander, then the wrist-weapons are inferior to almost every other weapon.

Having those items just be flurry compatible weapons that don't use wrist slots as well would put them back in line with normal weapons. At an UR level, you might see people trying the Quivering Palm bracer again but generally not if that means giving up 4 charm slots.

Fred

I've maintained for years that monks should have access to flurry compatible boots with a damage wheel independent of the blocking legendary wrists argument. So in principle I agree, that said monks are already really really powerful so take that for what its worth.

Fred K wrote: With the continued expansion of how important the wrist slot is, it might be time to re-think bracer weapons.

Bracer of smiting, for example, is a decent rare weapon. Because they use both the hand slot AND the wrist slot - they are vastly inferior to almost any other option available today.

When weapon-bracers were being printed most recently (2017 Rothfuss themed), the wrist slot wasn't as competitive as it is now. It is certainly far more competitive than in 2007 and 2008 when most of the other bracer-weapons were printed.

I would recommend that the bracers that count as weapons no longer use up the wrist slot as well. They aren't meaningfully superior to weapons available today at the same rarity.

The assassin's blade from last year, for example, is also flurry compatible with almost identical damage as the rare bracers but keeps the wrist slot still free. Add wrist-slot bracers of frost and it has better damage than virtually any bracer-weapon. Once you introduce wrist as a slot expander, then the wrist-weapons are inferior to almost every other weapon.

Having those items just be flurry compatible weapons that don't use wrist slots as well would put them back in line with normal weapons. At an UR level, you might see people trying the Quivering Palm bracer again but generally not if that means giving up 4 charm slots.

Fred

I cannot disagree with much of what you said. However I don't think it is fair to compare the use of an UR to a Legendary. Now is the Quiver Palm better or worse than just the UR Charm Bracelets. Keep in mind you can use another bracer weapon or flurry compatible weapon in hand. I just think comparing different rarity levels seems a little odd. Rare bracer weapons vs rare flurry compatible weapons feels appropriate.

jedibcg wrote:

Fred K wrote: With the continued expansion of how important the wrist slot is, it might be time to re-think bracer weapons.

Bracer of smiting, for example, is a decent rare weapon. Because they use both the hand slot AND the wrist slot - they are vastly inferior to almost any other option available today.

When weapon-bracers were being printed most recently (2017 Rothfuss themed), the wrist slot wasn't as competitive as it is now. It is certainly far more competitive than in 2007 and 2008 when most of the other bracer-weapons were printed.

I would recommend that the bracers that count as weapons no longer use up the wrist slot as well. They aren't meaningfully superior to weapons available today at the same rarity.

The assassin's blade from last year, for example, is also flurry compatible with almost identical damage as the rare bracers but keeps the wrist slot still free. Add wrist-slot bracers of frost and it has better damage than virtually any bracer-weapon. Once you introduce wrist as a slot expander, then the wrist-weapons are inferior to almost every other weapon.

Having those items just be flurry compatible weapons that don't use wrist slots as well would put them back in line with normal weapons. At an UR level, you might see people trying the Quivering Palm bracer again but generally not if that means giving up 4 charm slots.

Fred

I cannot disagree with much of what you said. However I don't think it is fair to compare the use of an UR to a Legendary. Now is the Quiver Palm better or worse than just the UR Charm Bracelets. Keep in mind you can use another bracer weapon or flurry compatible weapon in hand. I just think comparing different rarity levels seems a little odd. Rare bracer weapons vs rare flurry compatible weapons feels appropriate.

A fair comparison would be charm bracelets plus a +2 viper strike fang versus the bracer of quivering palm (since the braver excludes using the wrist slot.)

Apples to apples - the strike fang has a better damage wheel than quivering palm. The fang is 4 better damage. The charm bracelets did 2 charms - likely quick strike and +2 damage.

Comparison:
Quivering palm - special ability on nat 20 if you also get an 8 on damage. No wrist slot, no plus to hit, 4 worse damage than other UR flurry weapons.

Viper or flagging short sword plus charm bracelets: +2 more to hit, +6 damage, quick strike ability.

It isn’t close.

Fred

Seems like the rethinking has probably already happened.

There's very few of them. The last was 2017. Can just never make another one as I agree with you that they are terrible (well, Quivering is stylish).