Infernal artefact weapon choices

Zayne

I've already invested credits into lessons so I can trans weaponmastery, chivalry, necromancy, survival, avoidance and weaponry. I have level 2 sip ring, level 2 bracelet, level 2 con, level 2 str (nimble and str trait as xoran), level 2 crit pendant. Level 1 health regen ring. 800cr wings, and weaponmastery switching artefact (the once a day one).

I'm wanting to focus on hunting and group combat immediately and far into the future I'd like to be capable at 1v1 or even smaller 2v2 2v3, etc. I have 5100cr remaining from my retirement trust fund from another game, and from here I was thinking I could spend 4800 and get a whole set of level 2s, and for sword and shield use a regular shield, while I hunt up the gold for an SoA. My other option is to focus on one specific role and throw in a lupines, quiver/pack. 

Are the differences between the level 2s and the level 3s drastic?  Are any of the specs less reliant on the weapons so I could get away with a level 1? Style-wise, I really like 2h, just thematically fits with what I want. DWC/DWB seem a lot faster, but still do have a cool archetype.

Any information to help would be great. (also any advice on which weapons for each spec. So far I've gathered scimitars for dwc, flails for dwb, bastard sword for 2h, and have no idea on what for SnB if I could only have one set of arties)

Cooper

Hi Zayne!

Infernal is a pretty fun class with a lot of unique abilities.

With the information you've given, you're in a good place to do well with any specialization as an Infernal. I would avoid shelling out for level 3 weapons until you're sure you're going to be interested in that spec.

Dual blunt is great for small group fighting (think groups of less than 5) and for hunting.

S&B is great for 1v1 if you want to focus on afflictions (infestation is a hidden gem that Infernals have that helps with affliction pressure), small groups, large groups, but not good at hunting.

DWC is great for all of everything.

2H lacks power in big and small groups, is good for 1v1, and good for hunting.

The overall spec most people spend their time in is DWC. It's the most versatile and useful in a variety of situations. I would start off getting level 1 or level 2 scimitars there (no axes, you won't need that).

I would avoid focusing on SoA and S&B for now - it's the most lacking spec for Infernal because you can't realistically utilize vivisect without an extreme amount of preparation and creativity that just won't happen in fights. SoA is nice, but it won't be useful for 3 of the 4 specs. If you were going to shoot for that, you'd want to go for the artefact armour version that is a bit less powerful and more expensive. You also don't need an artie weapon for S&B as you won't be focusing on damage, and the speed while nice, isn't necessary.

DWB uses a mix of flails and morningstars, you should message Proficy in game to see which he prefers. I would say it would be morningstars for me.

If you're wanting to do group fights and raids you're probably going to want to trans vision for softfocus. You'll also want tattoos for the extra tattoo slots and faster inking. This is less important now that you can buy pre-made tattoos, but is still useful.

I'd also suggest saving some of those credits in case you decide that you want another class (multiclassing is a thing here, a second class will cost you 1250 credits worth of lessons), or if you decide you want a utility item or something.

Antonius

Unless you're actually going to use all four specialisations equally (and you probably won't, especially since sword and shield is pretty bad for Infernal) there's no point in getting weapons for all of them. Figure out what specs you actually like playing and then buy weapons for those.

For dual cutting, scimitars; battleaxes aren't worth it. For two-handed, bastard sword and warhammer. For dual blunt, morningstars if you want to actually do more than try to lolsmash with damage.

Minifie

My knowledge for pvp is limited, but 2h and DWB have a much higher ROI for higher level weapons than DWC, while I -think- a lvl 2 longsword is perfect for S+B. For hunting, 2H again benefits from a higher level weapon first, while S+B is so garbage I wouldn't bother. 

Personally, With 4800 cr as an infernal, I'd go 2400 for a level 2 2h sword, 2 level 2 flails/morningstars and then go artie armour with absorption. Sure, artie pack and quiver and such is nice, but with your current arties this would give you some serious offense on top of what you already have. There are other purchases you could make, but If you are prepared for infernal (or knights) for the long haul, this is how I would progress.

Zayne

Thanks for the responses everyone! Seems I can sit on these for a while and not worry too much about artefact weapons for a bit.

Shirszae

2h is awesome for everything. This is my subjectively objective statement of fact 

Chubbs

Shirszae said:

2h is awesome for everything. All other arguments are null and void. 

Zayne

For 2h, could I get away with just a bastard sword? Or would I need the proficiency for the hammer?

Shirszae

Zayne said:

For 2h, could I get away with just a bastard sword? Or would I need the proficiency for the hammer?

You can do perfectly fine with just a bastard sword. I think it is good to have the hammer proficiency if only so that you can use a hammer effectively if ever you feel the need to, but there's certainly no need to get it in a hurry.

Morthif

Shirszae said:

Zayne said:

For 2h, could I get away with just a bastard sword? Or would I need the proficiency for the hammer?

You can do perfectly fine with just a bastard sword. I think it is good to have the hammer proficiency if only so that you can use a hammer effectively if ever you feel the need to, but there's certainly no need to get it in a hurry.

This is true but hammer is obscenely fun and useful. Def not an "I need this right now" thing though.

Nazihk

DWB Infernal is a lot stronger than DWB Runewarden or Paladin, because Infernals get two limb damage kills that they can progress, Weaponmastery's Pulp and Necromancy's Vivisect.

They work well together because it's practically impossible to defend against a Pulp and a Vivisect at the same time.


Also, as far as 2h goes: Go get the warhammer proficiency BEFORE you get enemied to Hashan. 

Elipise

Nazihk said:

Also, as far as 2h goes: Go get the warhammer proficiency BEFORE you get enemied to Hashan. 

If you ask nicely and are not a dick about it, Hashan will generally unenemy you long enough to train the warhammer!

Reyson

Couple things!

Dwb and Dwc will give you the widest range of options, both in groups and 1v1. The fork for vivisect/pulp requires you being on the quick side, so I'd just go with level two morningstars, since you won't get as big a return out of flails. 

Level two scimitars are absolutely worth it.

Because Infernal doesn't have a strength boost, and only has one passive damage ability, 2h is a little lackluster. On the other hand, you have great room control. I'd avoid the spec, personally, because it's much more geared towards disembowel than vivisect, and specs that can instantkill are more reliable than specs that rely on damage for Infernal (again, no extra strength other than fury and no damage booster for DSB to make up for that).

You don't mention certain artefacts I'd get before two level two sets of weapons. For example, artefact tree tattoo, ring of flying, the mummified hand thing to double your gravehands' duration, a collar for a mount, and so on. For the record, I'd take a diadem over the SoA paragon, as well, since that's like 1350cr or something for an occasionally handy power, versus 1000 for a very reliable reduction in equilibrium costs. Even things like shielding, diagnosing, sense in necromancy, etc. are affected, so I'm very happy with having gotten one.