People often wonder if using bare knuckles as a brawler is worth it. So have I ^_^
So I tested it out, and here are my results:
(*experiment details follow*)
I compared my bare hands to dual-wielding Splintering Staves and used a parser to try to figure out the damage/delay of bare hands.
My weapons:
2 x Splintering Staff del: 1.8 dam: 6-18 ("my current" damage)
+4AGI +4STR
Char/stats: lvl 19 Brawler (unbuffed)
57 Str
59 Agi
Avrg DPS = 11.3
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With bare hands, my char had 49 Str & 51 Agi
Lowest hit = 16
Highest hit = 46
Avrg Hit = 31
Avrg DPS = 10.1
Therefore,
31/x = 10
x = about 3.1
Therefore bare knuckles on a lvl 19 appear to be something like
del:[/sm] 3.1 dam: 16-46
(comparable to a typical one-handed weapon, but without stat boosts, of course)
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Conclusion:
While bare knuckles may be comparable up to lvl 19, I believe the significant stat boosts of the staves raised the dps. The +4 agi per weapon was worth it if not for the dps but for the AC (I got chewed up fighting bare-handed). You can, however, put a weapon in the offhand for at least some stats.
Hopefully this will put the questions to rest somewhat:
Q: Are bare hands as strong as weapons?
A: At least up to 19, they aren't shabby.
Q: Should I use my bare hands?
A: I wouldn't.
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Experiment data (you can stop reading now unless this stuff fascinates you)
Parser used: CombatStats (duh)
Mob fought: Fallen Lieutenants
Why?: Low-level mobs are easier to hit and present a best-case scenario for weapon statistics. Also, ^^ mobs have more HP which = more data. Lastly, they're easy to find.
Number of Trials: 20 fights (10 with each wpn combo)
Why at lvl 19?: To get data on the highest lvl char I could w/o branching off into sub-class (which is a different set of experiments all together)
What skills did you use?: None, this was done entirely with weapon dps. In fact, bare-handed attacks may actually lead to more dps when combined w/attack skills... still need to try it
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Edited, Mon Mar 28 14:37:56 2005 by Follier