Leafiara (prime)/Mechanical Musings/Choosing Your Ideal Weapon Script - Revision history

LEAFIARA at 00:28, 28 August 2025

2025-08-28T00:28:24Z

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	===Why decide on an Iasha Weapon?===		===Why decide on an Iasha Weapon?===

	* For clerics and paladins, off the shelf Iasha Weapons are among the cheapest flaring scripts around, priced at 4,000 bloodscrip to 7,000 bloodscrip for a +25 weapon instead of the more typical 10,000 bloodscrip for a +20 weapon. (For professions other than clerics or paladins, there's an additional 5,000 bloodscrip surcharge to buy a certificate that allows them to use the Iasha weapon's flares and fluff verbs.) Tier 3 Iasha weapons are likewise only another 25,000 bloodscrip.
	* Iasha flares feature a variety of randomly selected messages that depict creatures burning with theatrical flair.		* Iasha flares feature a variety of randomly selected messages that depict creatures burning with theatrical flair.
	* Iasha weapons have their own unique loresong.		* Iasha weapons have their own unique loresong.
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	===Why decide against an Iasha Weapon?===		===Why decide against an Iasha Weapon?===

			* Iasha weapons look inexpensive compared to most other scripts, but that's misleading. Professions other than clerics and paladins have to pay for additional unlocks to use the flares, which brings the price back up to typical levels. More importantly, Iasha weapons take up both the script and ability flare slot, which means that they're worth exactly one flare and you're ultimately paying more to get less. A simple lightning flaring weapon in a playershop would perform roughly the same, if not better, for almost no cost.
	* Iasha weapons make very poor long-term projects due to A) inflexibility at both the low end and high end of pay event-based weapon upgrades and B) increased costs of player services. The low end of pay event ~~upgrades~~ is that they can't have additional flares added in the ability slot~~, which normally has great potential and versatility~~. The high end of pay event ~~upgrades~~ is that they can't be transmuted into materials other than white ora, which also normally has great potential and versatility, ~~nor~~ is ~~tier~~ 3 much mechanically stronger than tier 1 (which is reflected in its pricing ~~of another 32,500 bloodscrip over tier 1~~); the boost of +3 Wisdom ''base'' only translates to 1.5 CS, which will generally round down to 1 unless you ~~can~~ get additional enhancive sources elsewhere. In short, Iasha weapons are ~~good~~ starter weapons, ~~but~~ lack a pathway to ~~satisfactorily~~ become more than ~~that~~.		* Iasha weapons make very poor long-term projects due to A) inflexibility at both the low end and high end of pay event-based weapon upgrades and B) increased costs of player services. The low end of pay event inflexibility is that, as already mentioned, they can't have additional flares added in the ability slot. The high end of pay event inflexibility is that they can't be transmuted into materials other than white ora, which also normally has great potential and versatility. Tier 3 also isn't much mechanically stronger than tier 1 (which is reflected in its pricing); the boost of +3 Wisdom ''base'' only translates to 1.5 CS, which will generally round down to 1 unless you get additional enhancive sources elsewhere. In short, Iasha weapons are more expensive than starter weapons, are only barely better than starter weapons, and lack a pathway to become noticeably more than starter weapons.
			* Paladins using Iasha are doing themselves a disservice because Iasha is mutually exclusive with the paladins' own far superior flares via [[Consecrate (1604)\|Consecrate]] or [[Holy Weapon (1625)\|Holy Weapon]].
	* While being white ora does make cleric sanctification easier, as mentioned, that comes at the cost of requiring glowing ur'veneth potions for every cast of enchantment and inky black potions for every cast of ensorcellment.		* While being white ora does make cleric sanctification easier, as mentioned, that comes at the cost of requiring glowing ur'veneth potions for every cast of enchantment and inky black potions for every cast of ensorcellment.
	* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts. ...is what I've included as a bullet point for every other script on this page, because it's true, ~~but~~ in this case ~~it's worth mentioning that~~ the Daybringer half of Duskbringer weapons ~~have~~ near-identical flavor to Iasha Weapons while lacking any of their mechanical drawbacks. Unless the second, third, and fourth bullet points in the "why decide on an Iasha Weapon?" section strongly appeal to you or you're in the very specific niche of playing a melee cleric or a paladin who you're certain you'll never want to splurge on for gear improvement, looking ~~at the Duskbringer script as an alternative comes highly recommended.~~		* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts. ...is what I've included as a bullet point for every other script on this page, because it's true for those others. In this case, however, the Daybringer half of Duskbringer weapons has near-identical flavor to Iasha Weapons while lacking any of their mechanical drawbacks and only introducing one new drawback of their own in higher gear difficulty. Getting at the Duskbringer script as an alternative comes highly recommended. Alternatively, if that's out of your budget, then buying a lightning flaring weapon from a playershop is significantly cheaper. Unless the second, third, and fourth bullet points in the "why decide on an Iasha Weapon?" section strongly appeal to you or you're in the very specific niche of playing a melee cleric or a paladin who you're certain you'll never want to splurge on for gear improvement, looking

LEAFIARA at 23:03, 20 February 2025

2025-02-20T23:03:48Z

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	* Grapple crits are the only Animalistic Spirit damage type offered off the shelf. This damage type has virtually no chance of killing a creature in and of itself and the value of its knockdowns is negated if your hunting style involves opening combat by reliably and manually knocking down creatures. As mentioned, the damage type can be changed, but most damage types you would change to could have been purchased off the shelf with a different weapon script to save on bloodscrip.		* Grapple crits are the only Animalistic Spirit damage type offered off the shelf. This damage type has virtually no chance of killing a creature in and of itself and the value of its knockdowns is negated if your hunting style involves opening combat by reliably and manually knocking down creatures. As mentioned, the damage type can be changed, but most damage types you would change to could have been purchased off the shelf with a different weapon script to save on bloodscrip.
	* Handing down an Animalistic weapon to a different character (yours or someone else's) and getting full benefits out of it basically requires the new owner to go through the bonding process twice--once to essentially unbond it from the previous owner, bringing it back to neutral status, then again to bond it to themselves. Things like sharing it between multiple characters on a premium account or letting friends borrow it without being penalized on DS and TD are entirely out of the question.		* Handing down an Animalistic weapon to a different character (yours or someone else's) and getting full benefits out of it basically requires the new owner to go through the bonding process twice--once to essentially unbond it from the previous owner, bringing it back to neutral status, then again to bond it to themselves. Things like sharing it between multiple characters on a premium account or letting friends borrow it without being penalized on DS and TD are entirely out of the question.
			* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.



			==Blink==

			([[Blink_weapon\|For details on this weapon script, see its wiki page.]])

			===Which weapon types are allowed?===

			Melee weapons. I believe that runestaves are technically allowed, but even if so, Blink Flares would only work on them when swinging them as melee weapons.

			===Why decide on Blink Flares?===

			* Blink Flares are undisputedly the melee script with the highest power ceiling for paladins, rangers, warmages, warpaths, war clerics, and war sorcerers, featuring a flare that can cast a spell of your choice during your melee attack. The potential of this would be borderline impossible to overstate, but suffice it to say that you could improve efficiency by up to several hundred percent. An entire offensive spell is many times more powerful than the single crit of an ordinary flare even if that spell is single-target, but paladins, rangers, and warmages also have strong AoE spells that they're capable of firing off multiple times per weapon technique or mstrike, catapulting the value proposition into the stratosphere. There simply is nothing in the game comparable to a scenario like entering a room of six or more creatures, using an AoE technique or unfocused mstrike, and having 1-3 [[Judgment (1630)\|Judgments]], [[Nature's Fury (635)\|Nature's Furies]], or [[Cone of Elements (518)\|Cones of Elements]] also fire off in that single command.
			* Blink flares are as flexible in combat as your spell lists. Most players will opt for the most powerful spells they have, but you can also choose to flare disablers or debuffs. You can also switch the blink spell at any time for versatility or fun reasons.
			* You personally consider it appealing to seamlessly mix might and magic into the same command.

			===Why decide against Blink Flares?===

			* Bards, (weapon-wielding) monks, rogues, and warriors get very low value out of Blink Flares compared to other professions. Bard spells don't work with Blink Flares at all, leaving only the weaker Minor Elemental options. Rogues' and warriors' best options are likewise in Minor Elemental, but that's even worse for them due to the extreme training costs required to even learn spells, never mind learn enough ranks of them to have solid flare rates. (See more on this in a below bullet point.) Monks don't have any powerful damaging spells and [[Vertigo (1219)\|Vertigo]], although it's a solid disabler, can be unreliable in the higher end capped areas due to being CS-based.
			* For the builds who ''can'' make use of them, Blink Flares are the best in the game for power and accordingly are near the highest cost in the game at 750,000 bloodscrip.
			* Lower level characters get less value out of Blink Flares than higher level ones since the flare rates of any given spell are based on your number of ranks trained in that spell's circle.
	* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.		* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.

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	* You personally consider it appealing to relentlessly bash creatures' heads in.		* You personally consider it appealing to relentlessly bash creatures' heads in.

	===Why decide against Knockout ~~flares~~?===		===Why decide against Knockout Flares?===

	* Only weapons that do crush damage at least 50% of the time can have Knockout Flares.		* Only weapons that do crush damage at least 50% of the time can have Knockout Flares.
	* Randomly chosen flare messaging can be a point against Knockout Flares if you want absolute precision in your character portrayal.		* Randomly chosen flare messaging can be a point against Knockout Flares if you want absolute precision in your character portrayal.
⚫	* Unlike more modern weapon scripts, Knockout Flares don't have an on-ramp to start small and give them a try before sinking in more currency if you find that you like them. 100,000 bloodscrip simply is the minimum buy-in cost, but simultaneously the maximum buy-in cost since there aren't any further upgrades. As with Greater Elemental Flares but to a greater degree, Knockout Flares are very powerful for their specific price point, but can be less cost-effective than lower price points and less powerful than the top end of higher price points.
	* This script has three fluff verbs while most others have a double digit number of them.		* This script has three fluff verbs while most others have a double digit number of them.
		⚫	* Unlike more modern weapon scripts, Knockout Flares don't have an on-ramp to start small and give them a try before sinking in more currency if you find that you like them. 100,000 bloodscrip simply is the minimum buy-in cost, but simultaneously the maximum buy-in cost since there aren't any further upgrades. As with Greater Elemental Flares but to a greater degree, Knockout Flares are very powerful for their specific price point, but can be less cost-effective than lower price points and less powerful than the top end of higher price points.
	* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.		* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.

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	* As a script that requires two weapons, the pricing for upgrades is adjusted somewhat correspondingly. This is difficult to quantify with exact precision, but suffice it to say that the off-the-shelf, tier 1, and tier 2 pricing would probably be justified at 25-40% more than it is. (Tier 3 is literally a different story since it didn't exist for the first two years that Twin Weapons existed. Flare strength caps at tier 2, so tier 3 was created more as a means for people who really liked their weapons to go even further beyond.)		* As a script that requires two weapons, the pricing for upgrades is adjusted somewhat correspondingly. This is difficult to quantify with exact precision, but suffice it to say that the off-the-shelf, tier 1, and tier 2 pricing would probably be justified at 25-40% more than it is. (Tier 3 is literally a different story since it didn't exist for the first two years that Twin Weapons existed. Flare strength caps at tier 2, so tier 3 was created more as a means for people who really liked their weapons to go even further beyond.)
	* Aside from Energy Weapons, Twin Weapons are the only weapon script that offer a selection of damage types off the shelf: fire, ice, impact (earth), or lightning damage. The lightning crit table is noticeably more lethal in and of itself than off the shelf damage types offered by other scripts.		* Aside from Energy Weapons, Twin Weapons are the only weapon script that offer a selection of damage types off the shelf: fire, ice, impact (earth), or lightning damage. The lightning crit table is noticeably more lethal in and of itself than off the shelf damage types offered by other scripts.
	* Even at a maximum chance of 7%, double strikes are a very powerful perk compared to virtually all other scripts and are unique among them. (That is, unique unless we delve into the realm of coraesine relics, which cost ~~1,000~~,000 bloodscrip--more than ~~four~~ times the cost of two tier 3 Twin Weapons (235,000) and exactly ~~eight~~ times the cost of a tier 3 main hand Twin Weapon with a tier 0 offhand Twin Weapon (125,000), which still has the maximum double strike chance.)		* Even at a maximum chance of 7%, double strikes are a very powerful perk compared to virtually all other scripts and are unique among them. (That is, unique unless we delve into the realm of coraesine relics, which cost 750,000 bloodscrip--more than three times the cost of two tier 3 Twin Weapons (235,000) and exactly six times the cost of a tier 3 main hand Twin Weapon with a tier 0 offhand Twin Weapon (125,000), which still has the maximum double strike chance.)
	* Twin Weapons are among the relatively few weapon scripts that have scaling difficulty depending on the tier, starting at 50, moving to 100 at tier 2, and then 150 at tier 3. Even the 150 mark for being fully unlocked is below most scripts, which are 200 difficulty.		* Twin Weapons are among the relatively few weapon scripts that have scaling difficulty depending on the tier, starting at 50, moving to 100 at tier 2, and then 150 at tier 3. Even the 150 mark for being fully unlocked is below most scripts, which are 200 difficulty.
	* Twin Weapons offer different perks depending on which hand the weapon is in, how unlocked the individual weapon is, and how unlocked both weapons it is. Behind only Animalistic Spirit Weapons in flexibility, here you can pay for the perks you want and avoid the perks you don't.		* Twin Weapons offer different perks depending on which hand the weapon is in, how unlocked the individual weapon is, and how unlocked both weapons it is. Behind only Animalistic Spirit Weapons in flexibility, here you can pay for the perks you want and avoid the perks you don't.
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	I've talked up the lethality of lightning flares, but even that's still said on a relative basis. How often does a lightning flare kill or do enough damage to save at least one follow-up attack? Compared to crush flares, slash flares, impact flares, disruption flares, or other things, it's a good percentage of the time more. Compared to grapple flares, it's a gigantic percentage of the time more. But make no mistake: the overall percentage of ''your attacks as a whole'' where a lightning flare does anything is really low. If I estimate that a lightning flare contributes sufficiently to combat 20% of the time it goes off, that's hidden behind only a 20% (melee) or 12.5% (runestaff) chance that it went off in the first place. That means it only did anything 4% or 2.5% of the time.		I've talked up the lethality of lightning flares, but even that's still said on a relative basis. How often does a lightning flare kill or do enough damage to save at least one follow-up attack? Compared to crush flares, slash flares, impact flares, disruption flares, or other things, it's a good percentage of the time more. Compared to grapple flares, it's a gigantic percentage of the time more. But make no mistake: the overall percentage of ''your attacks as a whole'' where a lightning flare does anything is really low. If I estimate that a lightning flare contributes sufficiently to combat 20% of the time it goes off, that's hidden behind only a 20% (melee) or 12.5% (runestaff) chance that it went off in the first place. That means it only did anything 4% or 2.5% of the time.

	Sigil Staff multicasting itself gets the same scrutiny. It's easy for this ability to seem amazing if you only think about the best case scenario, but when an ability is 411,000 bloodscrip away from being in your hands, it's really reasonable to ask about every other scenario and how common it is. A tier 5 Sigil Staff recasting [[Condemn (309)\|Condemn]] isn't actually an additional full spell worth of value; it's an additional 0.2 spells worth of value because the second cast cut off all the subsequent DoT rounds of the first cast. A tier 5 Sigil staff recasting a disabler like [[Unbalance (110)\|Unbalance]] or [[Web (118)\|Web]] only matters if the first cast misses, which is probably unlikely if you're casting these spells at all. Obviously this isn't to say there's no value in the multicast ~~ability, which has the strongest potential of any widely available script~~ ability; it's just a reminder to temper expectations.		Sigil Staff multicasting itself gets the same scrutiny. It's easy for this ability to seem amazing if you only think about the best case scenario, but when an ability is 411,000 bloodscrip away from being in your hands, it's really reasonable to ask about every other scenario and how common it is. A tier 5 Sigil Staff recasting [[Condemn (309)\|Condemn]] isn't actually an additional full spell worth of value; it's an additional 0.2 spells worth of value because the second cast cut off all the subsequent DoT rounds of the first cast. A tier 5 Sigil staff recasting a disabler like [[Unbalance (110)\|Unbalance]] or [[Web (118)\|Web]] only matters if the first cast misses, which is probably unlikely if you're casting these spells at all. Obviously this isn't to say there's no value in the multicast ability; it's just a reminder to temper expectations.

	Even your ideal weapon script, whatever that might be, has to face nonideal situations.		Even your ideal weapon script, whatever that might be, has to face nonideal situations.

LEAFIARA at 21:20, 20 February 2025

2025-02-20T21:20:00Z

LEAFIARA at 21:04, 20 February 2025

2025-02-20T21:04:40Z

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	* The alternative of using one script in the main hand and a different script in the offhand can provide more versatility and/or power. That does, of course, depend on exactly which scripts. Still, the overarching point is that Twin Weapons are very efficient at what they do, but their efficiency comes with the narrow scope of sheer force without utility nor much in the way of flavor.		* The alternative of using one script in the main hand and a different script in the offhand can provide more versatility and/or power. That does, of course, depend on exactly which scripts. Still, the overarching point is that Twin Weapons are very efficient at what they do, but their efficiency comes with the narrow scope of sheer force without utility nor much in the way of flavor.
	* When adding scripts to existing weapons, buying two scripts for 50,000 bloodscrip each is cheaper than the 250,000 cost to add Twin Weapons to two weapons.
	* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.		* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.

LEAFIARA at 23:45, 24 January 2025

2025-01-24T23:45:25Z

LEAFIARA at 04:03, 3 March 2024

2024-03-03T04:03:48Z

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	(Please note: This guide is still in progress. Balance and Frenzy, Duskbringer Weapons, Globus Naidem, Greater Rhimar, Nervestaves, Parasite Weapons, and Valence Weapons are still coming. I don't intend to bother with Bastard Axes, Chainspears, Ethereal Weapons, Poleaxe Flares, or Wand Bows due to how niche they are.)		(Please note: This guide is still in progress. Balance and Frenzy, Duskbringer Weapons, Globus Naidem, Greater Rhimar, Nervestaves, Parasite Weapons, Spore Staves, and Valence Weapons are still coming. I don't intend to bother with Bastard Axes, Chainspears, Ethereal Weapons, Poleaxe Flares, or Wand Bows due to how niche they are.)

LEAFIARA at 06:47, 19 February 2024

2024-02-19T06:47:38Z

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	(Please note: This guide is still in progress. Balance and Frenzy, Duskbringer Weapons, Globus ~~Elanthias~~, Greater Rhimar, Nervestaves, Parasite Weapons, and Valence Weapons are still coming. I don't intend to bother with Bastard Axes, Chainspears, Ethereal Weapons, Poleaxe Flares, or Wand Bows due to how niche they are.)		(Please note: This guide is still in progress. Balance and Frenzy, Duskbringer Weapons, Globus Naidem, Greater Rhimar, Nervestaves, Parasite Weapons, and Valence Weapons are still coming. I don't intend to bother with Bastard Axes, Chainspears, Ethereal Weapons, Poleaxe Flares, or Wand Bows due to how niche they are.)


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	* Fighting Knives' fluff verbs not only work as verbs, but introduce their own entire minigame of roshambo-like knife fights with other Fighting Knife owners.		* Fighting Knives' fluff verbs not only work as verbs, but introduce their own entire minigame of roshambo-like knife fights with other Fighting Knife owners.
	* Fighting Knives offer a variety of colorful, randomly selected flare messages that can depict your character getting gleams in their eyes, seizing on opportunities to land an additional strike, and more. Knockout flares are the only other other weapon script that operates on this kind of level by painting a verbal picture that highlights your character instead of your character's weapon.		* Fighting Knives offer a variety of colorful, randomly selected flare messages that can depict your character getting gleams in their eyes, seizing on opportunities to land an additional strike, and more. Knockout flares are the only other other weapon script that operates on this kind of level by painting a verbal picture that highlights your character instead of your character's weapon.
	* In the specific niche of the dagger market, nothing approaches the cost-effectiveness of a T1 Fighting Knife, which historically has one offering per Duskruin in which you can buy a +25 Fighting Knife that ''also'' has elemental flares for 3,500 bloodscrip. That's about three times as efficient on cost as the next closest competitor, a T1 Valence Weapon dagger (5,000 bloodscrip, but only one set of flares), and about six times as efficient as anything beyond that (the typical 10,000 bloodscrip for one set of flares).		* In the specific niche of the dagger market, nothing approaches the cost-effectiveness of a T1 Fighting Knife, which historically has had one offering per Duskruin in which you can buy a +25 Fighting Knife that ''also'' has elemental flares for 3,500 bloodscrip. ['''Note''': There's not such an offering during the February 2024 Duskruin, however.] That's about three times as efficient on cost as the next closest competitor, a T1 Valence Weapon dagger (5,000 bloodscrip, but only one set of flares), and about six times as efficient as anything beyond that (the typical 10,000 bloodscrip for one set of flares).
	* Overall, this is a rare case in which every tier from off the shelf to fully unlocked offers a strong value proposition. Being in the hyper-specific niche of daggers only, which aren't in and of themselves a powerful weapon base, allowed some real pushing of boundaries in regards to flare rate (by tier 2 and 3), flare power (by tier 4), and other miscellaneous abilities (by tier 3) in a compact, effective, straightforward package. Tier 4 costing only 36,000 bloodscrip seems shockingly low compared to almost every other alternative.		* Overall, this is a rare case in which every tier from off the shelf to fully unlocked offers a strong value proposition. Being in the hyper-specific niche of daggers only, which aren't in and of themselves a powerful weapon base, allowed some real pushing of boundaries in regards to flare rate (by tier 2 and 3), flare power (by tier 4), and other miscellaneous abilities (by tier 3) in a compact, effective, straightforward package. Tier 4 costing only 36,000 bloodscrip seems shockingly low compared to almost every other alternative.
	* The tier 3 Jugular ability of sometimes increasing crit weighting is both powerful and unique among weapon scripts.		* The tier 3 Jugular ability of sometimes increasing crit weighting is both powerful and unique among weapon scripts.

LEAFIARA at 03:45, 17 February 2024

2024-02-17T03:45:04Z

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	===Why decide on an Iasha Weapon?===		===Why decide on an Iasha Weapon?===

	* For clerics and paladins, off the shelf Iasha Weapons are among the cheapest flaring scripts around, priced at 4,000 bloodscrip to 7,000 bloodscrip for a +25 weapon instead of the more typical 10,000 bloodscrip for a +20 weapon. (For professions other than clerics or paladins, there's an additional 5,000 bloodscrip surcharge to buy a certificate that allows them to use the Iasha weapon's flares and fluff verbs.)		* For clerics and paladins, off the shelf Iasha Weapons are among the cheapest flaring scripts around, priced at 4,000 bloodscrip to 7,000 bloodscrip for a +25 weapon instead of the more typical 10,000 bloodscrip for a +20 weapon. (For professions other than clerics or paladins, there's an additional 5,000 bloodscrip surcharge to buy a certificate that allows them to use the Iasha weapon's flares and fluff verbs.) Tier 3 Iasha weapons are likewise only another 25,000 bloodscrip.
	* Iasha flares feature a variety of randomly selected messages that depict creatures burning with theatrical flair.		* Iasha flares feature a variety of randomly selected messages that depict creatures burning with theatrical flair.
	* Iasha weapons have their own unique loresong.		* Iasha weapons have their own unique loresong.
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	===Why decide against an Iasha Weapon?===		===Why decide against an Iasha Weapon?===

	* Iasha weapons make very poor long-term projects due to A) inflexibility at both the low end and high end of pay event-based weapon upgrades and B) increased costs of player services. The low end of pay event upgrades is that they can't have additional flares added in the ability slot, which normally has great potential and versatility. The high end of pay event upgrades is that they can't be transmuted into materials other than white ora, which also normally has great potential and versatility, nor is tier 3 much mechanically stronger than tier 1; the boost of +3 Wisdom ''base'' only translates to 1.5 CS, which will generally round down to 1 unless you can get additional enhancive sources elsewhere. In short, Iasha weapons are good starter weapons, but lack a pathway to satisfactorily become more than that.		* Iasha weapons make very poor long-term projects due to A) inflexibility at both the low end and high end of pay event-based weapon upgrades and B) increased costs of player services. The low end of pay event upgrades is that they can't have additional flares added in the ability slot, which normally has great potential and versatility. The high end of pay event upgrades is that they can't be transmuted into materials other than white ora, which also normally has great potential and versatility, nor is tier 3 much mechanically stronger than tier 1 (which is reflected in its pricing of another 32,500 bloodscrip over tier 1); the boost of +3 Wisdom ''base'' only translates to 1.5 CS, which will generally round down to 1 unless you can get additional enhancive sources elsewhere. In short, Iasha weapons are good starter weapons, but lack a pathway to satisfactorily become more than that.
	* While being white ora does make cleric sanctification easier, as mentioned, that comes at the cost of requiring glowing ur'veneth potions for every cast of enchantment and inky black potions for every cast of ensorcellment.		* While being white ora does make cleric sanctification easier, as mentioned, that comes at the cost of requiring glowing ur'veneth potions for every cast of enchantment and inky black potions for every cast of ensorcellment.
	* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts. ...is what I've included as a bullet point for every other script on this page, because it's true, but in this case it's worth mentioning that the Daybringer half of Duskbringer weapons have near-identical flavor to Iasha Weapons while lacking any of their mechanical drawbacks. Unless the second, third, and fourth bullet points in the "why decide on an Iasha Weapon?" section strongly appeal to you or you're in the very specific niche of playing a melee cleric or a paladin who you're certain you'll never want to splurge on for gear improvement, looking at the Duskbringer script as an alternative comes highly recommended.		* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts. ...is what I've included as a bullet point for every other script on this page, because it's true, but in this case it's worth mentioning that the Daybringer half of Duskbringer weapons have near-identical flavor to Iasha Weapons while lacking any of their mechanical drawbacks. Unless the second, third, and fourth bullet points in the "why decide on an Iasha Weapon?" section strongly appeal to you or you're in the very specific niche of playing a melee cleric or a paladin who you're certain you'll never want to splurge on for gear improvement, looking at the Duskbringer script as an alternative comes highly recommended.

LEAFIARA at 03:12, 15 February 2024

2024-02-15T03:12:13Z

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	===Why decide against an Iasha Weapon?===		===Why decide against an Iasha Weapon?===

			* Iasha weapons make very poor long-term projects due to A) inflexibility at both the low end and high end of pay event-based weapon upgrades and B) increased costs of player services. The low end of pay event upgrades is that they can't have additional flares added in the ability slot, which normally has great potential and versatility. The high end of pay event upgrades is that they can't be transmuted into materials other than white ora, which also normally has great potential and versatility, nor is tier 3 much mechanically stronger than tier 1; the boost of +3 Wisdom ''base'' only translates to 1.5 CS, which will generally round down to 1 unless you can get additional enhancive sources elsewhere. In short, Iasha weapons are good starter weapons, but lack a pathway to satisfactorily become more than that.
	* As of this writing in February 2024, upgrading weapons to tier 3 Iasha hasn't been offered in any setting since the Commencement of Coraesine Forest event in May 2018.
	* ~~Iasha~~ weapons make very poor long-term projects due to A) inflexibility at both the low end and high end of pay event-based weapon upgrades and B) increased costs of player services. They can't have additional flares added in the ability slot, which normally has great potential and versatility. (This is the low end of pay event upgrades.) They can't be transmuted into materials other than white ora~~, which also normally has great potential and versatility. (This is the high end of pay event upgrades.) While they~~ do make cleric sanctification easier, as mentioned, that comes at the cost of requiring glowing ur'veneth potions for every cast of enchantment and inky black potions for every cast of ensorcellment~~. In short, Iasha weapons are good starter weapons, but lack a pathway to satisfactorily become more than that~~.		* While being white ora does make cleric sanctification easier, as mentioned, that comes at the cost of requiring glowing ur'veneth potions for every cast of enchantment and inky black potions for every cast of ensorcellment.
	* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts. ...is what I've included as a bullet point for every other script on this page, because it's true, but in this case it's worth mentioning that the Daybringer half of Duskbringer weapons have near-identical flavor to Iasha Weapons while lacking any of their mechanical drawbacks. Unless the second, third, and fourth bullet points in the "why decide on an Iasha Weapon?" section strongly appeal to you or you're in the very specific niche of playing a melee cleric or a paladin who you're certain you'll never want to splurge on for gear improvement, looking at the Duskbringer script as an alternative comes highly recommended.		* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts. ...is what I've included as a bullet point for every other script on this page, because it's true, but in this case it's worth mentioning that the Daybringer half of Duskbringer weapons have near-identical flavor to Iasha Weapons while lacking any of their mechanical drawbacks. Unless the second, third, and fourth bullet points in the "why decide on an Iasha Weapon?" section strongly appeal to you or you're in the very specific niche of playing a melee cleric or a paladin who you're certain you'll never want to splurge on for gear improvement, looking at the Duskbringer script as an alternative comes highly recommended.

LEAFIARA at 19:07, 13 February 2024

2024-02-13T19:07:30Z

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	* Beyond even Fighting Knives, knockout flares portray a very dynamic vision of combat. Varied messaging chosen at random will vividly depict your character doing everything from double feinting to reversing the momentum of a strike to leaping into aerial attacks. Unlike Fighting Knives, knockout flares go beyond with still more nuance by having varied messaging depicting the attacked creatures doing things like collapsing to the ground, stumbling around trying to regain its bearings, or gibbering over the pain of the blow.		* Beyond even Fighting Knives, knockout flares portray a very dynamic vision of combat. Varied messaging chosen at random will vividly depict your character doing everything from double feinting to reversing the momentum of a strike to leaping into aerial attacks. Unlike Fighting Knives, knockout flares go beyond with still more nuance by having varied messaging depicting the attacked creatures doing things like collapsing to the ground, stumbling around trying to regain its bearings, or gibbering over the pain of the blow.
	* Knockout flares almost always knock the foe prone ~~(possibly even always, but that's harder to test)~~ and can inflict other effects like rooted.		* Knockout flares almost always knock the foe prone and can inflict other effects like rooted.
	* Knockout flares only hit the head as long as the creature has a head and doesn't already have a rank 3 wound there, which makes them comparatively very lethal. Even when they don't kill, causing rank 2 or rank 3 head wounds severely penalizes a creature's DS for the followup attacks.		* Knockout flares only hit the head as long as the creature has a head and doesn't already have a rank 3 wound there, which makes them comparatively very lethal. Even when they don't kill, causing rank 2 or rank 3 head wounds severely penalizes a creature's DS for the followup attacks.
	* Most weapon scripts cost 250,000 bloodscrip to add to an existing weapon, but knockout flares cost 100,000. In terms of mechanical power alone, even a vanilla +20 weapon with knockout flares added would compare favorably to the same amount of bloodscrip put into buying a different scripted weapon and taking it along its upgrade path; however, adding knockout flares to an existing weapon that already had other work done would push the value proposition to even greater heights.		* Most weapon scripts cost 250,000 bloodscrip to add to an existing weapon, but knockout flares cost 100,000. In terms of mechanical power alone, even a vanilla +20 weapon with knockout flares added would compare favorably to the same amount of bloodscrip put into buying a different scripted weapon and taking it along its upgrade path; however, adding knockout flares to an existing weapon that already had other work done would push the value proposition to even greater heights.
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	===Why decide on Realm flares?===		===Why decide on Realm flares?===

	* Realm Flares are the cheapest script available at just 2,000 bloodscrip. If evaluated strictly as an off-the-shelf item and strictly on the efficiency of mechanical improvement per bloodscrip spent, nothing offered at Duskruin other than the dagger-exclusive Fighting Knives that also come with elemental flares.		* Realm Flares are the cheapest script available at just 2,000 bloodscrip. If evaluated strictly as an off-the-shelf item and strictly on the efficiency of mechanical improvement per bloodscrip spent, nothing offered at Duskruin compares other than the dagger-exclusive Fighting Knives that also come with elemental flares.
	* Realm Flares can spice up the variety of your hunting if you tend to roam since they'll flare different damage types depending where you are.		* Realm Flares can spice up the variety of your hunting if you tend to roam since they'll flare different damage types depending where you are.
	* You personally consider it appealing to have an ever-changing set of flares to suit your wanderlust.		* You personally consider it appealing to have an ever-changing set of flares to suit your wanderlust.

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	* Fighting Knives' fluff verbs not only work as verbs, but introduce their own entire minigame of roshambo-like knife fights with other Fighting Knife owners.		* Fighting Knives' fluff verbs not only work as verbs, but introduce their own entire minigame of roshambo-like knife fights with other Fighting Knife owners.
	* Fighting Knives offer a variety of colorful, randomly selected flare messages that can depict your character getting gleams in their eyes, seizing on opportunities to land an additional strike, and more. Knockout ~~flares~~ are the only other other weapon script that operates on this kind of level by painting a verbal picture that highlights your character instead of your character's weapon.		* Fighting Knives offer a variety of colorful, randomly selected flare messages that can depict your character getting gleams in their eyes, seizing on opportunities to land an additional strike, and more. Knockout Flares are the only other other weapon script that operates on this kind of level by painting a verbal picture that highlights your character instead of your character's weapon.
	* In the specific niche of the dagger market, nothing approaches the cost-effectiveness of a T1 Fighting Knife, which historically has had one offering per Duskruin in which you can buy a +25 Fighting Knife that ''also'' has elemental flares for 3,500 bloodscrip. ['''Note''': There's not such an offering during the February 2024 Duskruin, however.] That's about three times as efficient on cost as the next closest competitor, a T1 Valence Weapon dagger (5,000 bloodscrip, but only one set of flares), and about six times as efficient as anything beyond that (the typical 10,000 bloodscrip for one set of flares).		* In the specific niche of the dagger market, nothing approaches the cost-effectiveness of a T1 Fighting Knife, which historically has had one offering per Duskruin in which you can buy a +25 Fighting Knife that ''also'' has elemental flares for 3,500 bloodscrip. ['''Note''': There's not such an offering during the February 2024 Duskruin, however.] That's about three times as efficient on cost as the next closest competitor, a T1 Valence Weapon dagger (5,000 bloodscrip, but only one set of flares), and about six times as efficient as anything beyond that (the typical 10,000 bloodscrip for one set of flares).
	* Overall, this is a rare case in which every tier from off the shelf to fully unlocked offers a strong value proposition. Being in the hyper-specific niche of daggers only, which aren't in and of themselves a powerful weapon base, allowed some real pushing of boundaries in regards to flare rate (by tier 2 and 3), flare power (by tier 4), and other miscellaneous abilities (by tier 3) in a compact, effective, straightforward package. Tier 4 costing only 36,000 bloodscrip seems shockingly low compared to almost every other alternative.		* Overall, this is a rare case in which every tier from off the shelf to fully unlocked offers a strong value proposition. Being in the hyper-specific niche of daggers only, which aren't in and of themselves a powerful weapon base, allowed some real pushing of boundaries in regards to flare rate (by tier 2 and 3), flare power (by tier 4), and other miscellaneous abilities (by tier 3) in a compact, effective, straightforward package. Tier 4 costing only 36,000 bloodscrip seems shockingly low compared to almost every other alternative.
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	===Which weapon types are allowed?===		===Which weapon types are allowed?===

	Weapons that do crush damage at least 50% of the time. That includes all [[blunt weapons]], blackjacks, cestuses, claidhmores, flails, flamberges, handaxes, jeddart-axes, knuckle-dusters, quarterstaves, two-handed swords, and worn unarmed combat weapons. It might also include Hammers of Kai, jackblades, or paingrips, but the exact crush ratios on those are unknown. Runestaves are technically allowed, but ~~knockout~~ ~~flares~~ only work on them when swinging a runestaff as a melee weapon.		Weapons that do crush damage at least 50% of the time. That includes all [[blunt weapons]], blackjacks, cestuses, claidhmores, flails, flamberges, handaxes, jeddart-axes, knuckle-dusters, quarterstaves, two-handed swords, and worn unarmed combat weapons. It might also include Hammers of Kai, jackblades, or paingrips, but the exact crush ratios on those are unknown. Runestaves are technically allowed, but Knockout Flares only work on them when swinging a runestaff as a melee weapon.

	===Why decide on Knockout flares?===		===Why decide on Knockout flares?===

	* Beyond even Fighting Knives, ~~knockout~~ ~~flares~~ portray a very dynamic vision of combat. Varied messaging chosen at random will vividly depict your character doing everything from double feinting to reversing the momentum of a strike to leaping into aerial attacks. Unlike Fighting Knives, ~~knockout~~ ~~flares~~ go beyond with still more nuance by having varied messaging depicting the attacked creatures doing things like collapsing to the ground, stumbling around trying to regain its bearings, or gibbering over the pain of the blow.		* Beyond even Fighting Knives, Knockout Flares portray a very dynamic vision of combat. Varied messaging chosen at random will vividly depict your character doing everything from double feinting to reversing the momentum of a strike to leaping into aerial attacks. Unlike Fighting Knives, Knockout Flares go beyond with still more nuance by having varied messaging depicting the attacked creatures doing things like collapsing to the ground, stumbling around trying to regain its bearings, or gibbering over the pain of the blow.
	* Knockout ~~flares~~ almost always knock the foe prone and can inflict other effects like rooted.		* Knockout Flares almost always knock the foe prone and can inflict other effects like rooted.
	* Knockout ~~flares~~ only hit the head as long as the creature has a head and doesn't already have a rank 3 wound there, which makes them extremely lethal compared to almost all other script flares. Even when they don't kill, causing rank 2 or rank 3 head wounds severely penalizes a creature's DS for the followup attacks.		* Knockout Flares only hit the head as long as the creature has a head and doesn't already have a rank 3 wound there, which makes them extremely lethal compared to almost all other script flares. Even when they don't kill, causing rank 2 or rank 3 head wounds severely penalizes a creature's DS for the followup attacks.
	* There are no tiers to ~~knockout~~ ~~flares~~, simply a one-and-done that costs 100,000 bloodscrip to add to an existing weapon. Comparatively, most other weapon scripts cost in the realm of 115,000 to 150,000 bloodscrip to fully upgrade even if you start with their off the shelf versions; if you're adding to an existing weapon, add another 50,000 bloodscrip. In terms of mechanical power alone, even a vanilla +20 weapon with ~~knockout~~ ~~flares~~ added would compare favorably to the same amount of bloodscrip put into buying a different scripted weapon and taking it along its upgrade path; however, adding ~~knockout~~ ~~flares~~ to an existing weapon that already had other work done would push the value proposition to greater heights.		* There are no tiers to Knockout Flares, simply a one-and-done that costs 100,000 bloodscrip to add to an existing weapon. Comparatively, most other weapon scripts cost in the realm of 115,000 to 150,000 bloodscrip to fully upgrade even if you start with their off the shelf versions; if you're adding to an existing weapon, add another 50,000 bloodscrip. In terms of mechanical power alone, even a vanilla +20 weapon with Knockout Flares added would compare favorably to the same amount of bloodscrip put into buying a different scripted weapon and taking it along its upgrade path; however, adding Knockout Flares to an existing weapon that already had other work done would push the value proposition to greater heights.
	* While it's a fairly minor benefit, ~~knockout~~ ~~flares~~ add 150 gear difficulty. Most competing options add 200 gear difficulty.		* While it's a fairly minor benefit, Knockout Flares add 150 gear difficulty. Most competing options add 200 gear difficulty.
	* You personally consider it appealing to relentlessly bash creatures' heads in.		* You personally consider it appealing to relentlessly bash creatures' heads in.

	===Why decide against Knockout flares?===		===Why decide against Knockout flares?===

	* Only weapons that do crush damage at least 50% of the time can have ~~knockout~~ ~~flares~~.		* Only weapons that do crush damage at least 50% of the time can have Knockout Flares.
	* Randomly chosen flare messaging can be a point against ~~knockout~~ ~~flares~~ if you want absolute precision in your character portrayal.		* Randomly chosen flare messaging can be a point against Knockout Flares if you want absolute precision in your character portrayal.
	* Unlike more modern weapon scripts, ~~knockout~~ ~~flares~~ don't have an on-ramp to start small and give them a try before sinking in more currency if you find that you like them. 100,000 bloodscrip simply is the minimum buy-in cost, but simultaneously the maximum buy-in cost since there aren't any further upgrades. As with Greater Elemental Flares but to a greater degree, ~~knockout~~ ~~flares~~ are very powerful for their specific price point, but can be less cost-effective than lower price points and less powerful than the top end of higher price points.		* Unlike more modern weapon scripts, Knockout Flares don't have an on-ramp to start small and give them a try before sinking in more currency if you find that you like them. 100,000 bloodscrip simply is the minimum buy-in cost, but simultaneously the maximum buy-in cost since there aren't any further upgrades. As with Greater Elemental Flares but to a greater degree, Knockout Flares are very powerful for their specific price point, but can be less cost-effective than lower price points and less powerful than the top end of higher price points.
	* This script has three fluff verbs while most others have a double digit number of them.		* This script has three fluff verbs while most others have a double digit number of them.
	* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.		* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.

			===Technicality alternative===

			[[Skullcrusher Flares]] are mechanically identical to Knockout Flares and cost the same amount, but go into the flourish slot instead. Leaving the script slot open means that you can use a different script, like any of the other ones listed on this page (or still others), while still getting all the benefits of Knockout other than the fluff verbs. Having Skullcrusher Flares ''and'' Knockout Flares is also possible and some players have gone this route.


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	* It's easy to illustrate the value proposition of Realm Flares compared to other pay event offerings with rhetorical questions like "is a tier 3 Energy Weapon really 62.5 times as powerful as a Realm Flaring weapon?" or even "is a tier 1 Daybringer really five times as powerful as a Realm Flaring weapon?" However, that's a double-edged sword that could simply be turned around: "is a Realm Flaring weapon really more than 50 times as powerful as a lightning flaring weapon you could find in a box that's worth 35,000 silver?" The answer to the first two questions is no. The answer to the last question is that the Realm Flaring Weapon is actually mechanically weaker because lightning is simply that much more powerful than most damage types.		* It's easy to illustrate the value proposition of Realm Flares compared to other pay event offerings with rhetorical questions like "is a tier 3 Energy Weapon really 62.5 times as powerful as a Realm Flaring weapon?" or even "is a tier 1 Daybringer really five times as powerful as a Realm Flaring weapon?" However, that's a double-edged sword that could simply be turned around: "is a Realm Flaring weapon really more than 50 times as powerful as a lightning flaring weapon you could find in a box that's worth 35,000 silver?" The answer to the first two questions is no. The answer to the last question is that the Realm Flaring Weapon is actually mechanically weaker because lightning is simply that much more powerful than most damage types.
	* Realm Flaring weapons make very poor long-term projects due to the inflexibility of being unable to add additional flares in the ability slot, which normally has great potential and versatility. They are good starter weapons at a reasonable starter price--and they're at least fancier, albeit not stronger, than the aforementioned random treasure system lightning flaring weapon--but lack the ability to satisfactorily become anything better in the future.		* Realm Flaring weapons make very poor long-term projects due to the inflexibility of being unable to add additional flares in the ability slot, which normally has great potential and versatility. They are good starter weapons at a reasonable starter price--and they're at least fancier, albeit not stronger, than the aforementioned random treasure system lightning flaring weapon--but lack the ability to satisfactorily become anything better in the future.
	* While the variable flares are designed to be good on average, they'll almost never be the best. (Occasional exceptions exist like hunting a troll warcamp in Icemule or Solhaven, where Realm Flares deal fire damage.) Realm Flares act like jacks of all trades and masters of none.		* While the variable flares are designed to be good on average, they'll almost never be the best. (Occasional exceptions do exist, like hunting a troll warcamp in Icemule or Solhaven, where Realm Flares deal fire damage.) Realm Flares act like jacks of all trades and masters of none.
	* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.		* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.

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	===Why decide against Stalwart Resilience?===		===Why decide against Stalwart Resilience?===

	* At a high level, players' attacks connect against creatures far more often than creatures' attacks connect against players. Even assuming 100% uptime on the padding from ~~Stalward~~ Resilience, the facts of game design pose an intrinsic challenge to the merit of a defense-oriented script.		* At a high level, players' attacks connect against creatures far more often than creatures' attacks connect against players. Even assuming 100% uptime on the padding from Stalwart Resilience, the facts of game design pose an intrinsic challenge to the merit of a defense-oriented script.
	* Maximizing the benefits of damage padding requires that a character regularly takes hits, but not hits that have the capacity to kill through crits instead of attrition. In short, Stalwart Resilience is broadly useful to [[Kroderine Soul]] squares or squares in full plate, but that's about it. Scenarios of maneuvers or spells that do many rounds of damage in one attack do exist, but these are very narrow applications in niche scenarios.		* Maximizing the benefits of damage padding requires that a character regularly takes hits, but not hits that have the capacity to kill through crits instead of attrition. In short, Stalwart Resilience is broadly useful to [[Kroderine Soul]] squares or squares in full plate, but that's about it. Scenarios of maneuvers or spells that do many rounds of damage in one attack do exist, but these are very narrow applications in niche scenarios.
	* Most weapon scripts cost 50,000 bloodscrip to add to an existing weapon, but Stalwart Resilience costs 100,000.		* Most weapon scripts cost 50,000 bloodscrip to add to an existing weapon, but Stalwart Resilience costs 100,000.
	* Unlike more modern weapon scripts, Stalwart Resilience doesn't have an on-ramp to start small and give it a try before sinking in more currency if you find that you like it. 100,000 bloodscrip simply is the minimum buy-in cost since it can only be added to existing weapons.		* Unlike more modern weapon scripts, Stalwart Resilience doesn't have an on-ramp to start small and give it a try before sinking in more currency if you find that you like it. 100,000 bloodscrip simply is the minimum buy-in cost since it can only be added to existing weapons.
	* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.		* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.

			===Technicality alternative===

			[[Steel Skin Flares]] are mechanically identical to Stalwart Resilience flares and cost the same amount, but go into the flourish slot instead. Leaving the script slot open means that you can use a different script, like any of the other ones listed on this page (or still others), while still getting all the benefits of Stalwart Resilience. (Having Steel Skin Flares ''and'' Stalwart Resilience is technically possible, but they don't stack and the buff can already be refreshed with only one of them, so having both is ill-advised.)

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	===Why decide on Greater Elemental Flares?===		===Why decide on Greater Elemental Flares?===

	* Greater Elemental Flares pack a mechanically strong punch of double elemental flares and yet are the least expensive script to add to an existing weapon, being priced at ~~only~~ 40,000 bloodscrip (if the weapon already has basic elemental flares) or 55,000 bloodscrip (if it doesn't, in which case you're actually adding as many as ''three'' flares per attack compared to a vanilla weapon). That's a ~~fraction of~~ the typical ~~250~~,~~000~~ cost for the ~~large~~ majority of scripts, ~~even~~ the 125,000-per-weapon cost for Twin Weapons, or ~~even~~ the 100,000 cost for Knockout.		* Greater Elemental Flares pack a mechanically strong punch of double elemental flares and yet are the least expensive script to add to an existing weapon, being priced at 40,000 bloodscrip (if the weapon already has basic elemental flares) or 55,000 bloodscrip (if it doesn't, in which case you're actually adding as many as ''three'' flares per attack compared to a vanilla weapon). That's less than the typical 50,0000 cost for the majority of scripts, the 125,000-per-weapon cost for Twin Weapons, or the 100,000 cost for Knockout.
	* While it's a fairly minor benefit, Greater Elemental Flares add 150 gear difficulty. Most competing options add 200 gear difficulty.		* While it's a fairly minor benefit, Greater Elemental Flares add 150 gear difficulty. Most competing options instead add 200 gear difficulty.
	* You personally consider it appealing to wield raw elemental force. (The fluff verbs are few in number, but what exists does well to portray a weapon infused with elemental power.)		* You personally consider it appealing to wield raw elemental force. (The fluff verbs are few in number, but what exists does well to portray a weapon infused with elemental power.)

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	* Beyond even Fighting Knives, knockout flares portray a very dynamic vision of combat. Varied messaging chosen at random will vividly depict your character doing everything from double feinting to reversing the momentum of a strike to leaping into aerial attacks. Unlike Fighting Knives, knockout flares go beyond with still more nuance by having varied messaging depicting the attacked creatures doing things like collapsing to the ground, stumbling around trying to regain its bearings, or gibbering over the pain of the blow.		* Beyond even Fighting Knives, knockout flares portray a very dynamic vision of combat. Varied messaging chosen at random will vividly depict your character doing everything from double feinting to reversing the momentum of a strike to leaping into aerial attacks. Unlike Fighting Knives, knockout flares go beyond with still more nuance by having varied messaging depicting the attacked creatures doing things like collapsing to the ground, stumbling around trying to regain its bearings, or gibbering over the pain of the blow.
	* Knockout flares almost always knock the foe prone and can inflict other effects like rooted.		* Knockout flares almost always knock the foe prone and can inflict other effects like rooted.
	* Knockout flares only hit the head as long as the creature has a head and doesn't already have a rank 3 wound there, which makes them ~~comparatively very~~ lethal. Even when they don't kill, causing rank 2 or rank 3 head wounds severely penalizes a creature's DS for the followup attacks.		* Knockout flares only hit the head as long as the creature has a head and doesn't already have a rank 3 wound there, which makes them extremely lethal compared to almost all other script flares. Even when they don't kill, causing rank 2 or rank 3 head wounds severely penalizes a creature's DS for the followup attacks.
	* ~~Most~~ ~~weapon~~ ~~scripts~~ ~~cost~~ ~~250~~,000 bloodscrip to add to an existing weapon, ~~but~~ ~~knockout~~ ~~flares~~ cost ~~100~~,000. In terms of mechanical power alone, even a vanilla +20 weapon with knockout flares added would compare favorably to the same amount of bloodscrip put into buying a different scripted weapon and taking it along its upgrade path; however, adding knockout flares to an existing weapon that already had other work done would push the value proposition to ~~even~~ greater heights.		* There are no tiers to knockout flares, simply a one-and-done that costs 100,000 bloodscrip to add to an existing weapon. Comparatively, most other weapon scripts cost in the realm of 115,000 to 150,000 bloodscrip to fully upgrade even if you start with their off the shelf versions; if you're adding to an existing weapon, add another 50,000 bloodscrip. In terms of mechanical power alone, even a vanilla +20 weapon with knockout flares added would compare favorably to the same amount of bloodscrip put into buying a different scripted weapon and taking it along its upgrade path; however, adding knockout flares to an existing weapon that already had other work done would push the value proposition to greater heights.
	* While it's a fairly minor benefit, knockout flares add 150 gear difficulty. Most competing options add 200 gear difficulty.		* While it's a fairly minor benefit, knockout flares add 150 gear difficulty. Most competing options add 200 gear difficulty.
	* You personally consider it appealing to relentlessly bash creatures' heads in.		* You personally consider it appealing to relentlessly bash creatures' heads in.
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	* Only weapons that do crush damage at least 50% of the time can have knockout flares.		* Only weapons that do crush damage at least 50% of the time can have knockout flares.
	* Randomly chosen flare messaging can be a point against knockout flares if you want absolute precision in your character portrayal.		* Randomly chosen flare messaging can be a point against knockout flares if you want absolute precision in your character portrayal.
	* Unlike more modern weapon scripts, knockout flares don't have an on-ramp to start small and give them a try before sinking in more currency if you find that you like them. 100,000 bloodscrip simply is the minimum buy-in cost ~~since it can only be added to existing weapons~~, but simultaneously the maximum buy-in cost since there aren't any further upgrades. As with Greater Elemental Flares, knockout flares are very powerful for their specific price point, but ~~lower price points~~ can be ~~more~~ cost-effective ~~and~~ ~~higher~~ price points ~~can~~ ~~be more~~ powerful.		* Unlike more modern weapon scripts, knockout flares don't have an on-ramp to start small and give them a try before sinking in more currency if you find that you like them. 100,000 bloodscrip simply is the minimum buy-in cost, but simultaneously the maximum buy-in cost since there aren't any further upgrades. As with Greater Elemental Flares but to a greater degree, knockout flares are very powerful for their specific price point, but can be less cost-effective than lower price points and less powerful than the top end of higher price points.
	* This script has three fluff verbs while most others have a double digit number of them.		* This script has three fluff verbs while most others have a double digit number of them.
	* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.		* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.
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	* Against single targets, all bows have a lower minimum RT than crossbows. The case can be made that, at least in combat, Mechanical Crossbows are very specifically tailored to crowd control (and are great at it) while bows with a different script would be more suitable for general purposes.		* Against single targets, all bows have a lower minimum RT than crossbows. The case can be made that, at least in combat, Mechanical Crossbows are very specifically tailored to crowd control (and are great at it) while bows with a different script would be more suitable for general purposes.
	* ~~When~~ Mechanical Crossbows ~~were~~ sold off the shelf, ~~58,500 bloodscrip for a fully unlocked weapon was a stellar value proposition, but that's not~~ the ~~current world. The~~ [[BVShop:Crosswinds_and_Crosshairs\|Crosswinds and Crosshairs]] shop has been retired, so the only means to acquire ~~Mechanical Crossbows~~ now are finding someone willing to sell theirs or paying ~~250~~,000 bloodscrip to add the script to an existing crossbow and another 57,500 to fully unlock it.		* Mechanical Crossbows are no longer sold off the shelf since the [[BVShop:Crosswinds_and_Crosshairs\|Crosswinds and Crosshairs]] shop has been retired, so the only means to acquire them now are finding someone willing to sell theirs or paying 50,000 bloodscrip to add the script to an existing crossbow and another 57,500 to fully unlock it. Power-wise, the value proposition is still high, but it remains true that there's no entry level price point to acquire this script.
	* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.		* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.

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	===Why decide on Stalwart Resilience?===		===Why decide on Stalwart Resilience?===

⚫	* Most weapon scripts cost ~~250~~,000 bloodscrip to add to an existing weapon, but Stalwart Resilience costs 100,000.
	* Stalwart Resilience offering a defense-oriented flare is almost entirely unique among weapon scripts. Twin Weapons can increase DS, but that's a flare chance.		* Stalwart Resilience offering a defense-oriented flare is almost entirely unique among weapon scripts. Twin Weapons can increase DS, but that's a flare chance.
	* The one-minute-long, refreshable damage padding is easy to maintain nearly indefinitely after the first time it flares during a hunt. With no cooldown, Stalwart Resilience is essentially a constant upgrade to damage padding.		* The one-minute-long, refreshable damage padding is easy to maintain nearly indefinitely after the first time it flares during a hunt. With no cooldown, Stalwart Resilience is essentially a constant upgrade to damage padding.
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	* At a high level, players' attacks connect against creatures far more often than creatures' attacks connect against players. Even assuming 100% uptime on the padding from Stalward Resilience, the facts of game design pose an intrinsic challenge to the merit of a defense-oriented script.		* At a high level, players' attacks connect against creatures far more often than creatures' attacks connect against players. Even assuming 100% uptime on the padding from Stalward Resilience, the facts of game design pose an intrinsic challenge to the merit of a defense-oriented script.
	* Maximizing the benefits of damage padding requires that a character regularly takes hits, but not hits that have the capacity to kill through crits instead of attrition. In short, Stalwart Resilience is broadly useful to [[Kroderine Soul]] squares or squares in full plate, but that's about it. Scenarios of maneuvers or spells that do many rounds of damage in one attack do exist, but these are very narrow applications in niche scenarios.		* Maximizing the benefits of damage padding requires that a character regularly takes hits, but not hits that have the capacity to kill through crits instead of attrition. In short, Stalwart Resilience is broadly useful to [[Kroderine Soul]] squares or squares in full plate, but that's about it. Scenarios of maneuvers or spells that do many rounds of damage in one attack do exist, but these are very narrow applications in niche scenarios.
		⚫	* Most weapon scripts cost 50,000 bloodscrip to add to an existing weapon, but Stalwart Resilience costs 100,000.
	* Unlike more modern weapon scripts, Stalwart Resilience doesn't have an on-ramp to start small and give it a try before sinking in more currency if you find that you like it. 100,000 bloodscrip simply is the minimum buy-in cost since it can only be added to existing weapons.		* Unlike more modern weapon scripts, Stalwart Resilience doesn't have an on-ramp to start small and give it a try before sinking in more currency if you find that you like it. 100,000 bloodscrip simply is the minimum buy-in cost since it can only be added to existing weapons.
	* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.		* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.
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	===Why decide on Twin Weapons?===		===Why decide on Twin Weapons?===

	* As a script that requires two weapons, the pricing is adjusted somewhat correspondingly. This is difficult to quantify with exact precision, but suffice it to say that the off-the-shelf, tier 1, and tier 2 pricing would probably be justified at 25-40% more than it is. (Tier 3 is literally a different story since it didn't exist for the first two years that Twin Weapons existed. Flare strength caps at tier 2, so tier 3 was created more as a means for people who really liked their weapons to go even further beyond.) The High End Scrip Shop certificate to add the Twin Weapon script to existing weapons is also nominally the same 250,000 bloodscrip price as adding other scripts, but it could be argued that it's half the price in practice since it adds the script to both weapons at once.		* As a script that requires two weapons, the pricing for upgrades is adjusted somewhat correspondingly. This is difficult to quantify with exact precision, but suffice it to say that the off-the-shelf, tier 1, and tier 2 pricing would probably be justified at 25-40% more than it is. (Tier 3 is literally a different story since it didn't exist for the first two years that Twin Weapons existed. Flare strength caps at tier 2, so tier 3 was created more as a means for people who really liked their weapons to go even further beyond.)
	* Aside from Energy Weapons, Twin Weapons are the only weapon script that offer a selection of damage types off the shelf: fire, ice, impact (earth), or lightning damage. The lightning crit table is noticeably more lethal in and of itself than off the shelf damage types offered by other scripts.		* Aside from Energy Weapons, Twin Weapons are the only weapon script that offer a selection of damage types off the shelf: fire, ice, impact (earth), or lightning damage. The lightning crit table is noticeably more lethal in and of itself than off the shelf damage types offered by other scripts.
	* Even at a maximum chance of 7%, double strikes are a very powerful perk compared to virtually all other scripts and are unique among them. (That is, unique unless we delve into the realm of coraesine relics, which cost 1,000,000 bloodscrip--more than four times the cost of two tier 3 Twin Weapons (235,000) and exactly eight times the cost of a tier 3 main hand Twin Weapon with a tier 0 offhand Twin Weapon (125,000), which still has the maximum double strike chance.)		* Even at a maximum chance of 7%, double strikes are a very powerful perk compared to virtually all other scripts and are unique among them. (That is, unique unless we delve into the realm of coraesine relics, which cost 1,000,000 bloodscrip--more than four times the cost of two tier 3 Twin Weapons (235,000) and exactly eight times the cost of a tier 3 main hand Twin Weapon with a tier 0 offhand Twin Weapon (125,000), which still has the maximum double strike chance.)
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	===Why decide against Twin Weapons?===		===Why decide against Twin Weapons?===

	* The alternative of using one script in the main hand and a different script in the offhand~~, while generally being more expensive,~~ can provide more versatility and/or power. That does, of course, depend on exactly which scripts. Still, the overarching point is that Twin Weapons are very efficient at what they do, but their efficiency comes with the narrow scope of sheer force without utility nor much in the way of flavor.		* The alternative of using one script in the main hand and a different script in the offhand can provide more versatility and/or power. That does, of course, depend on exactly which scripts. Still, the overarching point is that Twin Weapons are very efficient at what they do, but their efficiency comes with the narrow scope of sheer force without utility nor much in the way of flavor.
			* When adding scripts to existing weapons, buying two scripts for 50,000 bloodscrip each is cheaper than the 250,000 cost to add Twin Weapons to two weapons.
	* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.		* You prefer the unique benefits or flavor of other weapon scripts.