FA or SA lvl 60 vs TA lvl 65

[Earedhel]

I asked this question in another thread, but I though it might warrant its own thread:

What is the general consensus with the main hand weapon? Is it better to have a first or second age level 60 main hand but lose the lvl 65 crafted relic slot?

I guess for me, given that i don't have all of the top tier gear, the symbol of accuracy is a nice boon, but i see the other side of the coin. Thoughts?

[kerryak]

Theorymaths will tell you 3A 65, for the add'l 390 rcrit, but most importantly - ranged offense. RO is what we do, and contributes to base damage. therefore, in a theorymaths environment, a 3A 65 w/ identical legacies will outparse anything lower than it, including 60 1As and 2As. (Yes, there are less points to invest in those legacies, but RO goes into *every shot* regardless of stance, and 1 or 2 less seconds on NH, or 1 less target on AoE isn't going to affect the overall parse that much)

HOWEVER!!!

F' that in practice. 60 1As and 2As are very easy to get, and have MORE TOTAL LEGACIES at ID than the theoretical perfect 65 3A, of which, I haven't found. The total number of legacies matters, b/c you can turn **** into stats, and stats is tasty. They get more points to invest, too.

Most 65s I ID are turds w/ 2 legacies, total. total garbage, and relic fodder (which is what I name them at level 10 - "fodder")

I don't think anyone is going to knock a hunter for having a 60 1A or 2A off-hand w/ respectable legacies.

NH, AoE Crit, and Precision Crit Mag are really the trifecta, w/ extra legs for spice. Getting those on a 3A is delicious. But it is a snack a have yet to savor - even leveling them to 30 to see what I get @ reforges /sadface.

[geoboy]

The big number at the top of the lvl 65 Third age is higher than the big number at the top of the level 60 First age. That combined with the crafted relic should be reason enough to move to a Level 65 third age.

Note that you can put a second crafted relic in a lvl 65 TA in the mh slot.

[kerryak]

The big number at the top of the lvl 65 Third age is higher than the big number at the top of the level 60 First age. That combined with the crafted relic should be reason enough to move to a Level 65 third age.

Note that you can put a second crafted relic in a lvl 65 TA in the mh slot.

I think OP just means main-hands.

But yes, spot on --- 65 2A > 65 3A > anything else for ranged slot.

[geoboy]

I think OP just means main-hands.

But yes, spot on --- 65 2A > 65 3A > anything else for ranged slot.

Right. Sometimes I suck at reading. I still think that it's well worth it to have a 65 MH, but obviously it isn't going to gimp you.

[NameAlreadyTaken]

Short Answer: L65 3rd Age is better because of the Symbol of Accuracy.
Long Answer: There was a multi-page thread about this exact subject not long ago. Look a few pages back, lots of discussion.

I agree with Kerryak. It's a huge pain in the back side to create a good 3rd Age melee LI. I stopped counting at 30 tries...a couple weeks later I wound up with a passable replacement for my amazing L60 2nd Age (NH, S:P, AOE, AR Heal, SotE Regen, +FtP Speed). It doesn't have AOE targets or +FtP Speed, but it does have BN Cool Down and, more importantly, it wasn't a total piece of garbage like all those that came before it.

Sadly it's a hammer, so it looks effing stupid and I hate it, but I'm beyond tired of looking.

[kerryak]

Sadly it's a hammer, so it looks effing stupid and I hate it, but I'm beyond tired of looking.

Offhand it w/ Turdring! Then you can run around shouting "The Hammers!!!!"

[NameAlreadyTaken]

No thank you. I refuse to support this mysterious rectal obsession someone has with hammer names by wielding any of those weapons. It's like they've got Beavis and Butthead on the itemization team. I don't want to encourage more of the same going forward by actually equipping one.

[Earedhel]

Short Answer: L65 3rd Age is better because of the Symbol of Accuracy.
Long Answer: There was a multi-page thread about this exact subject not long ago. Look a few pages back, lots of discussion.

I agree with Kerryak. It's a huge pain in the back side to create a good 3rd Age melee LI. I stopped counting at 30 tries...a couple weeks later I wound up with a passable replacement for my amazing L60 2nd Age (NH, S:P, AOE, AR Heal, SotE Regen, +FtP Speed). It doesn't have AOE targets or +FtP Speed, but it does have BN Cool Down and, more importantly, it wasn't a total piece of garbage like all those that came before it.

Sadly it's a hammer, so it looks effing stupid and I hate it, but I'm beyond tired of looking.

Thanks for the headsup about the other thread, sorry to be redundant.

[kerryak]

No worries. Each new thread is a delicious snack I can put google pics in.



like this picture of a Tom Selleck cake, which is sadly, the number three google image search for "tasty cake"




the second pic is much better, and very NSFW, btw.

[Kannos1600]

Id personnally go with a First Age 60 vs the other two simply because of the sheer amount of Legacy Points you gain with the first ager.

My FA 70 Spear even though ugly has all legacies maxed out and almost maxed out DPS. DPS is 6 out of 7 so thats not to shabby.

I think a FA 70 has 830 something LP which is a heck of alot when your legacies are maxed level of 6 for Tier.

The only thing I lose on is the better craftable relics. I can live with that though. I put on my +10 agility relic and rejoice.

[CWood]

Offhand it w/ Turdring! Then you can run around shouting "The Hammers!!!!"

Or: Believe me, The Hammer's gonna smash your dreams!

the second pic is much better, and very NSFW, btw.

Agreed.

[kerryak]

Or: Believe me, The Hammer's gonna smash your dreams!



Agreed.

If you were a chick, I'd so bang you.

[Earedhel]

wow, so i just read the "why are hunters running around with 60 1st and 2nd Age bows" thread...interesting read. Glad we can nip this one in the bud.

Mods: Please close and sticky this thread with the final statement that level 65 3A for that matter do more damage than lvl 60 2nd or 1st agers. At least this one is short and sweet!

EDIT: Unless we want to leave it open to allow kerryak to post more random awesome pics... =-)

[Ryinnik]

Id personnally go with a First Age 60 vs the other two simply because of the sheer amount of Legacy Points you gain with the first ager.

My FA 70 Spear even though ugly has all legacies maxed out and almost maxed out DPS. DPS is 6 out of 7 so thats not to shabby.

I think a FA 70 has 830 something LP which is a heck of alot when your legacies are maxed level of 6 for Tier.

The only thing I lose on is the better craftable relics. I can live with that though. I put on my +10 agility relic and rejoice.

I have seen quite a bit of this train of thought but I am squarely in the 65 is better camp. It is unfortunate, but we are a DPS class which has 2 legendary WEAPONS as our LIs; no symbols, belts, bags or widgets for us. DPS matters and unfortunately or not the biggest contribution to our DPS outside the number that says that on our ranged weapon is our ranged crit and ranged offence. Strive to get crit capped without Critical Eye slotted. That REQUIRES level 65 LIs.

Just my opinion but I am still surprised how many folks come up with excuses not to get rid of those level 60 type LIs. The system may not be fun, but it is very clear about what is better, with the age old caveat of min / max damage may not be better for YOU.

[Bigtuna00]

I've come to realize that I am officially no longer a min/maxer. It's a pretty cool feeling, like a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

But seriously, back to the tangent topic at hand: I feel no need to cap ranged crit *solo* because with buffs I will cap anyway.

I'm trying to learn to be happy with what I have and enjoy the game, instead of logging in every day to make sure I get my daily's done. I recommend it to everyone...you're already paying for the game anyway! What's the rush?!

Hunter's are a strange breed in this game: we can't do peak DPS in groups anyway because we'll get aggro. So not only is our damage not top-tier, but we have to scale it back as a matter of play style as well. Wierd...

[MithQuessir]

I have seen quite a bit of this train of thought but I am squarely in the 65 is better camp. It is unfortunate, but we are a DPS class which has 2 legendary WEAPONS as our LIs; no symbols, belts, bags or widgets for us. DPS matters and unfortunately or not the biggest contribution to our DPS outside the number that says that on our ranged weapon is our ranged crit and ranged offence. Strive to get crit capped without Critical Eye slotted. That REQUIRES level 65 LIs.

Just my opinion but I am still surprised how many folks come up with excuses not to get rid of those level 60 type LIs. The system may not be fun, but it is very clear about what is better, with the age old caveat of min / max damage may not be better for YOU.

So why don't you post your Melee Weapon of quite-imaginable power? Everyone who claimed they have something good from lvl 65 TA didn't impress me so far. Be my guest to be the first one.

I agree with others who say that in a raid you will have your crit rating at 15% cap and anything that's over - doesn't give you enough to brag about. And as I mentioned in another thread - 390 RO gives you on average +1 damage to your skills. +1 damage per skill vs +1 more legacy and 80 points. it's your choice hunters. Even though I have a lvl 65 TA for main hand - I use lvl 60 SA with all legacies that I want maxed (except for one). I still need to win my 2nd Symbol to craft a sword and see where it's going to end up.

[Ryinnik]

So why don't you post your Melee Weapon of quite-imaginable power? Everyone who claimed they have something good from lvl 65 TA didn't impress me so far. Be my guest to be the first one.

I am not really concerned with impressing you. LOL. Not sure if you have a point somewhere regarding the question in the thread, but I was attempting to give the original poster my opinions on the question asked. What are you attempting to do?

I agree with others who say that in a raid you will have your crit rating at 15% cap and anything that's over - doesn't give you enough to brag about. And as I mentioned in another thread - 390 RO gives you on average +1 damage to your skills. +1 damage per skill vs +1 more legacy and 80 points. it's your choice hunters. Even though I have a lvl 65 TA for main hand - I use lvl 60 SA with all legacies that I want maxed (except for one). I still need to win my 2nd Symbol to craft a sword and see where it's going to end up.

Yes, in a raid you likely will. Personally I get crit capped myself and ask the cappy for power in combat as pumping on extra crit beyond the cap is pretty meh. Would I get more bang for my buck pumping up my ICPR instead and then getting the buffs to cap me? Of course. However, for the small percentage of time I actually run with a cappy or am in a run that requires one these days, it would be a waste.

If I am solo, in a 3 or 6 man without a cappy, in the moors, I would always prefer to have my crit capped the entire time without depending on a buff.

Perhaps I should clarify my answer as you seem to be a little confused or insulted by it. Should I use a 65 or a 60 MH legendary? Well that depends. If want to min / max damage potential you are forced into a 65. If you want something else the answer will change. Results will vary depending on individual luck in the LI lottery.

Enjoy your LOTROing.

[Kannos1600]

I have seen quite a bit of this train of thought but I am squarely in the 65 is better camp. It is unfortunate, but we are a DPS class which has 2 legendary WEAPONS as our LIs; no symbols, belts, bags or widgets for us. DPS matters and unfortunately or not the biggest contribution to our DPS outside the number that says that on our ranged weapon is our ranged crit and ranged offence. Strive to get crit capped without Critical Eye slotted. That REQUIRES level 65 LIs.

Just my opinion but I am still surprised how many folks come up with excuses not to get rid of those level 60 type LIs. The system may not be fun, but it is very clear about what is better, with the age old caveat of min / max damage may not be better for YOU.

I have a 65 3rd Age Club maxed out and it doesnt have near as many LP on it as my FA Spear. To that extent is the only reason the Spear is still in my arsenal.

You mention DPS I see. Fine. For the BOW I would go with that. But how much DPS are you really contributing with your 5 melee skills in combat? Not much. Your melee skills enhance your ranged effectiveness.

Ive already stated MANY times how a 65 has its benefits over a 60 on other exact postings such as this. They all stem to the use of Craftable Relics mostly.

[Ryinnik]

You mention DPS I see. Fine. For the BOW I would go with that. But how much DPS are you really contributing with your 5 melee skills in combat? Not much. Your melee skills enhance your ranged effectiveness.

Ive already stated MANY times how a 65 has its benefits over a 60 on other exact postings such as this. They all stem to the use of Craftable Relics mostly.

You hit the nail on the head. I am sorry for not being clear but I was talking about overall DPS which seem to 'all stem to the use of Craftable Relics mostly.' I was not specifically talking about melee DPS and the increase a 65 would give there.

[Kannos1600]

You hit the nail on the head. I am sorry for not being clear but I was talking about overall DPS which seem to 'all stem to the use of Craftable Relics mostly.' I was not specifically talking about melee DPS and the increase a 65 would give there.

you stated dps but not which area. It's all good on that part.

I still would take my 60 fa over a 65 third for the sheer lp it will get even if I miss out on some crit bonus on my weapons.