When should you forge weapons?

[Finalgenesis]

Do keep in mind that for shadow brand, if antimagic (Or army of lead / Ulm equivalent) is a staple on the opposing side it won't be all that effective since the damage is MR resistible, otherwise their large AoE gives it great killing power against average or weaker MR troops.

Stone sword should ideally be wield by stone beings, like a GoRed gargoyle, otherwise you're liable to turning yourself into stone (big AoE that can hit yourself) if you fail an unlucky MR check, barring that you want really high MR and just pray Murphy don't rape you.

[Knai]

Originally Posted by Finalgenesis

Do keep in mind that for shadow brand, if antimagic (Or army of lead / Ulm equivalent) is a staple on the opposing side it won't be all that effective since the damage is MR resistible, otherwise their large AoE gives it great killing power against average or weaker MR troops.

Stone sword should ideally be wield by stone beings, like a GoRed gargoyle, otherwise you're liable to turning yourself into stone (big AoE that can hit yourself) if you fail an unlucky MR check, barring that you want really high MR and just pray Murphy don't rape you.

Yeah, that is the downside. Still, multiple square AoE is glorious, and the best chaff killing method this side of a fire shield (which might need to be a Banefire shield in some cases) or blood vengeance. Or whatever it is the Seraph has going for it on top of its fire shield.

As for the second point, I agree entirely, outside of terminology issues. Gargoyles do a pretty good job, and are often the best bet. The obvious exception is certain national spells - If you are playing MA Agartha, don't use a Gargoyle. The Marble Oracle is where its at.

Coming back to the fire shield: There is an item called the Charcoal Shield. Anyone with one gets a fire shield attached to them. Not only does it add quite a bit to survivability, it cuts down chaff incredibly quickly. A fun combination (if not incredibly useful in multiplayer) involves a commander with terrible defense, Charcoal Shield, and Blood Vengeance. It stands there, and everything dies when they get near it. Bonus points for using a blind, mute mage with this strategy.

[Soyweiser]

Originally Posted by Knai

Bonus points for using a blind, mute mage with this strategy.

Good way for losing your forged items rather quickly, I might add.

Another good way to get leverage out of fire shields and blood vengeance vs chaff is mistform. Any hits that get through will only do 1 damage.

That is why Dakini are usually that good. Just give them a shield an some mr, and they are good to go.

http://dom3.servegame.com/wiki/Dakini

[JonBrave]

As a general answer to the OP, and speaking as a newb, I do find that a lot of lower level weapons seem pretty pointless: by the time I put it on a commander it's often worse (or little better) than the "in-built" it's replacing. (Doesn't stop me forging, though, I do it for fun ) Is that about right?

[triqui]

Originally Posted by JonBrave

As a general answer to the OP, and speaking as a newb, I do find that a lot of lower level weapons seem pretty pointless: by the time I put it on a commander it's often worse (or little better) than the "in-built" it's replacing. (Doesn't stop me forging, though, I do it for fun ) Is that about right?

Sharpness weapons are nice to attack high prottection enemies. Some of the swords that give you att or def are good agaisnt units with high defense too. But at the lower research, often your combatants need a good shield and a good armor much more than a sword. It depends on the SC, though