Scythe vs Scimitar

[setekhi]

I searched and didn't find this issue, but it seems an important one to lay out. By my calculations, for weapon masters with improved critical and keened weapons, scythes and scimitars do very similar amounts of damage (the crit range/multiplier ends up giving you an identical damage percent bonus over 100 hits). Either my math is wrong, or scythe doesn't win out by much, and scimitar is more consistent. Which isn't to say scythes don't have their place, but at this point I'd like to have it clarified whether or not I should bother to take Exotic Weapon Proficiency when I don't have to. Note: This is all based on the assumption that you're wielding these weapons one-handed.

[thedomicron]

are you giving scythes 1.5x str modifier added to dmg for it being a 2-handed weapon?

if so, i'd say use the scythe if you have a large style char that can use a shield w/ it. as much as i'd love to make a medium 2-h weapon users, in the current system its pretty difficult to do if you want to play deep into the legendary areas

[the1kobra]

I don't think that if you wield a scythe in one hand, it gives you the 1.5str bonus, it only gives that if you use it twohanded. The scythe does more base damage than the scimitar, but then again, its the difference of 1.5 dmg a shot, not something to kill yourself over.
The crit stats on the weapons (fully buffed etc), are:
Scythe: 15-20X5
Scimitar: 10-20X3
Doing some basic calculation, it should be easy to find which does more damage. Assuming every swing hits and every crit crits, you get....
Roll/Scim/Scythe
1:1/1
2:1/1
3:1/1
4:1/1
5:1/1
6:1/1
7:1/1
8:1/1
9:1/1
10:3/1
11:3/1
12:3/1
13:3/1
14:3/1
15:3/1
16:3/5
17:3/5
18:3/5
19:3/5
20:3/5
Which sums up to:
42/40
So the scythe does a little better. Also remember that those low numbers won't always hit.

[dragonlance007]

I guess it would be about the same damage in the end with either weapon. I have not compared the damage types on the DB scythe and scim, that could make a difference to some people.

I think it is also a personal thing. Do you want to crit a lot for a little or crit less often and see those big numbers?

My dexer tank uses a kukri and my STR tank uses a scythe. Thats just how I personally like it.

~DL

[thedomicron]

it won't give you the 1.5 if you use it one handed, i was just wondering how he tested it.

[dragonlance007]

Actually kobra the threat range for the scythe is 16-20 x5 not 15-20. 16-20 is as good as it gets with scythes.

~DL

[kaldair]

Here's some discussion done in this area ...

mastergoodheart said:

Kaldair

[the1kobra]

Whoops, that would mean the scimitar would be slightly better, according to this chart. Still, you have to figure that those low rolls will not always hit.
(shrugs)

[setekhi]

Keep in mind if you play a small character medium weapons are large for you So you could argue you could get 1.5x strength for scimitars that way. But yeah, large characters never get 1.5x strength in NWN, and mediums only get it for large weapons, and they can't use a shield.

I can confirm DB scythes have divine, but I have not seen the DB scimitar. Anyways, good to know my math wasn't randomly messed up.

[bort]

What about a medium character with shapestrong who uses a scythe and shield after relogging and resuming his medium size?
Is the scythe considered one-handed then or two?

[dodrudon]

The scythe becomes unequipped.

[thedomicron]

u sure? i saw brena waking around w/ her gnoll barbarian using shield and a broadsword

[exeli]

Yeah, you can be medium sized char with large weapon and shield.

[bort]

...And that would give you x1.5?

[sabregirl]

No, pretty sure the engine still sees you as large even though the model technically looks medium. The size recognition doesn't occur until relog so no 1.5x.

Dunno if anyone has mentioned this, but presumably Scythes, being a weapon with two damge types, are affected by the resist but where a weapon with two damage types will always have the highest of the two resists applied. i.e. monster has only a 10/ to slash but a 30/ to pierce. Because scythes are slashing and piercing the 30/ would apply regardless. Probably a relatively minor effect on damage but perhaps might make a difference when comparing the two in certain situations.

-S