Stormforge set, not an artifact weapon?

nachodx22

I just got the Stormforge set after 9 weeks of grinding, and it's not an artifact set... I have been scarce on playtime for the last few mods, so I was very much looking forward to upgrading from Legion Guard. Bummer. I checked the Dragonbone Vale set, and it doesn't seem to be Arti gear either. Are Arti Weapons discontinued? Is Mirage going to remain (semi) BiS?

plasticbat

What do you classify as Artifact weapon set? Be able to upgrade? Extra stat modifiers?
Yes, they stopped doing that.

nachodx22

They have an icon in the stats menu, and you can use cubes of augmentation to modify/add stats. The main hand usually allows you to buff an at-will, and the off hand lets you roll for an extra stat.

plasticbat

nachodx22 said:

They have an icon in the stats menu, and you can use cubes of augmentation to modify/add stats. The main hand usually allows you to buff an at-will, and the off hand lets you roll for an extra stat.

Yes, they stopped doing that for a while already. I believe dev announced they phased out the extra stat modification few mods ago.

mintmark

I'm pretty sure the crafted weapons still have it... so one of those sets might be an upgrade to consider.

melotai

Currently most of my toons either have the mirage weapon set or the stronghold one. My main has gotten it and so far I am only willing to use the stormforged set on my solo healer loadout and I will most likely do the same with that toons DPS loadout if I ever play it again.

For my group healer loadout I did not even consider it as a replacement for the stronghold weapon set. Although, it does make me want to do the whole mastercrafting thing for the upgraded version of the stronghold set.

from what I read the part I like most is from the stronghold weapon set but that part is only effective in the underdark and I want it to be effective everywhere. The 30 second part well my percentages for outgoing healing are already at maximum when I am in a group so it does nothing for me.

Basically, when it comes to using any of my healer toons in group content, at least for me, the stronghold weapon set or the more powerful versions of it are still the best choice.

Although, as I have switched over to using the Tank side of my paladin for solo content yeah I would easily switch to the new weapon set. Again though, for group content I would prefer the permanent DR you get from the stronghold set that can possibly stack with others in group content vs. burst DR that may not be available when you need it.

rockster

I can't decide if I prefer a constant 10% buff to my at-will or a come and go 7% buff to everything. I think if they had the same IL and therefore damage stat connected to IL, I might prefer the at-will constant buff tbh.

strathkin

melotai#0794 said:

...that part is only effective in the underdark and I want it to be effective everywhere.

The 2% Damage bonus for Underdark is nice, they should have reduced that by 50% when not in Underdark / Northdark; so it's 1% everywhere else.

Still I think it's kind of sad that 800 Item-Level Mirage can still often outperform them (more often than not, as can the Celestial Set 1400 Item-Level is even a better--both also offer the offhand Artifact bonus of +2500 (max) to combat the lower stats making them close to even or even higher.

callumf

strathkin said:

melotai#0794 said:

...that part is only effective in the underdark and I want it to be effective everywhere.

The 2% Damage bonus for Underdark is nice, they should have reduced that by 50% when not in Underdark / Northdark; so it's 1% everywhere else.

Still I think it's kind of sad that 800 Item-Level Mirage can still often outperform them (more often than not, as can the Celestial Set 1400 Item-Level is even a better--both also offer the offhand Artifact bonus of +2500 (max) to combat the lower stats making them close to even or even higher.

Agree totally with the Mirage comment.

Some of my toons are wearing 2 or 3 year old armour as quite frankly it seems to work better than higher IL stuff and the mechanics seem better as well, like summoning a demon [or is it devil?] to attack and help you in combat. Much more fun than the new armour.

strathkin

callumf#9018 said:

strathkin said:

melotai#0794 said:

...that part is only effective in the underdark and I want it to be effective everywhere.

The 2% Damage bonus for Underdark is nice, they should have reduced that by 50% when not in Underdark / Northdark; so it's 1% everywhere else.

Still I think it's kind of sad that 800 Item-Level Mirage can still often outperform them (more often than not, as can the Celestial Set 1400 Item-Level is even a better--both also offer the offhand Artifact bonus of +2500 (max) to combat the lower stats making them close to even or even higher.

Agree totally with the Mirage comment.

Some of my toons are wearing 2 or 3 year old armour as quite frankly it seems to work better than higher IL stuff and the mechanics seem better as well, like summoning a demon [or is it devil?] to attack and help you in combat. Much more fun than the new armour.

I'm more a fan of the Celestial stuff, than the Demons, Devils, Undead, Fiends, etc... ...so I resist seeking their aid.

Still they've introduced a few more Angel Companions, even if (many) were Angels who Fell, then were later redeemed. Yet they really don't compare to Succubus or Inccubus, yet those are the Top 1 of Striker Companions; followed by Regis, and then Mystagogue as I've heard Pseudodragon then isn't far behind.

I don't think the Mirage or Celestial Set should outperform in Higher Level content, like +50k RC content, yet often it does and that isn't even MToS. Still while Mastercraft Sets of 800-1450 have draw backs, they still also do ever better than Mirage, or even Celestial if 4-5 party member's are all using them. While the Stormforged will often out perform in 30k Scaled Dungeons. Most running ToS are mostly running either 1200-1450 as the higher buff's +2500 (max) offhand (with Augmentation) boost on Offhand still easily out perform Stormforged (often) in the new 75k Master Dungeon. It's why many either mostly try to find the Highest Item-Level Mastercraft they can &/or Celestial Set mostly for MToS.

I don't think Stormforged should get a large buff, given that, yet do believe they should extend:
╘ 2% Underdark damage buff, being 50% less effective everywhere to 1%!

Just think @melotai#0794 point made sense, I'm also not trying to see people stop or seeking out other Weapons either; as Mastercraft, Celestial at least, and even the 800 Item-Level Mirage can outperform in +50k content (often)...

jana

So you have to mastercraft to get any really good gear for the end game? I use the workshop for potions of crafted power period, I have had so many problems from the gate with Ihate the thought of having to upgrade more.

plasticbat

jana#2651 said:

So you have to mastercraft to get any really good gear for the end game? I use the workshop for potions of crafted power period, I have had so many problems from the gate with Ihate the thought of having to upgrade more.

It is more than more you have in mind. You can just buy the stuff from AH. Yes, it will be millions. To craft it yourself, it will be much more for the start up cost and you probably won't have the will to do so. What you have done with Workshop is just kindergarten level.

mintmark

You don't have to mastercraft, but somebody does. And somebody has to farm displacer beast whiskers and shard of dawn's light (key ingredients) . The resulting feywood weapons have the same bonus as the stronghold weapons, but a lower item level than the campaign weapons.