TheDragoon's Werewolf Guide

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With so many weapons available, deciding which one is the best can be overwhelming. To simplify the decision, at first, I shall do some calculations for the more popular weapons available to a Werewolf based solely upon the base weapon damage applied over the attack animation. Thus, I take the listed damage of the weapon and divide by the number of frames an attack takes. I will do all calculations for the standard attack in addition to the Fury Attack (1 standard animation, 4 "Fury" animations). If you'd like to test this yourself, I've added some functionality to the Wereform Central Advanced Calculator in the advanced calculator that will do these calculators for you. This gives the following data (in alphabetical order):

These calculations assume a maxed out OIAS for the very slow weapons.

Two-Handed Weapons

Buriza-Do Kyanon Damage = 85-102 To 142.5-415.5 Standard Attack Animation Length = 9 Damage/Frame = 9.44-11.33 to 15.83-46.17 Average = 12.64-28.75 Fury Attack Animation Length = 29 Damage/Frame = 14.66-17.59 to 24.57-71.64 Average = 19.61-44.61	Shaeled Buriza-Do Kyanon Damage = 85-102 To 142.5-415.5 Standard Attack Animation Length = 8 Damage/Frame = 10.62-12.75 to 17.81-51.94 Average = 14.22-32.34 Fury Attack Animation Length = 28 Damage/Frame = 14.18-18.21 to 25.45-74.20 Average = 20.31-46.20
Cranium Basher Damage = 113-125.4 to 563-635.4 Standard Attack Animation Length = 14 Damage/Frame = 8.07-8.96 to 40.2-45.38 Average = 24.14-27.17 Fury Attack Animation Length = 46 Damage/Frame = 12.3-13.6 to 61.2-69.06 Average = 36.74-41.35	Shaeled Cranium Basher Damage = 113-125.4 to 563-635.4 Standard Attack Animation Length = 11 Damage/Frame = 10.27-11.4 to 51.2-57.76 Average = 30.73-34.58 Fury Attack Animation Length = 39 Damage/Frame = 14.49-16.08 to 72.18-81.46 Average = 43.33-48.77
Cruel Giant Thresher of Quickness Damage = 120-160 to 342-456 Standard Attack Animation Length = 9 Damage/Frame = 13.33-17.77 to 38-50.67 Average = 25.67-34.22 Fury Attack Animation Length = 29 Damage/Frame = 20.69-27.57 to 58.97-78.62 Average = 39.83-53.10	Shaeled (1) Cruel Giant Thresher of Quickness Damage = 120-160 to 342-456 Standard Attack Animation Length = 8 Damage/Frame = 15-20 to 42.75-57 Average = 28.88-38.5 Fury Attack Animation Length = 28 Damage/Frame = 21.43-28.58 to 61.07-81.43 Average = 41.25-55
Shaeled (2) Cruel Giant Thresher of Quickness Damage = 120-160 to 342-456 Standard Attack Animation Length = 6 Damage/Frame = 20-26.67 to 57-76 Average = 38.5-51.33 Fury Attack Animation Length = 22 Damage/Frame = 27.27-36.36 to 77.73-103.64 Average = 52.5-70
Hellslayer Damage = 100 to 280-685 + 150-250 Fire Damage Standard Attack Animation Length = 14 Damage/Frame = 7.14 to 20-48.93 + 10.7-17.86 Fire Average = 13.57-28.04 Fury Attack Animation Length = 46 Damage/Frame = 10.87 to 30.43-74.46 + 16.3-27.17 Fire Average = 20.65-42.66	Shaeled Hellslayer Damage = 100 to 280-685 + 150-250 Fire Damage Standard Attack Animation Length = 12 Damage/Frame = 8.33 to 23.33-57.08 + 12.5-20.83 Fire Average = 15.83-32.71 Fury Attack Animation Length = 40 Damage/Frame = 12.5 to 35-85.62 + 18.75-31.25 Fire Average = 23.75-49.06
Ethereal Zod Hellslayer Damage = 150 to 420-1027.5 + 150-250 Fire Damage Standard Attack Animation Length = 14 Damage/Frame = 10.71 to 30-73.4 + 10.7-17.86 Fire Average = 20.36-42.05 Fury Attack Animation Length = 46 Damage/Frame = 16.30 to 30.43-111.68 + 16.3-27.17 Fire Average = 23.37-63.99
Immortal King's Stone Crusher Damage = 234 To 321 Standard Attack Animation Length = 10 Damage/Frame = 23.4 to 32.1 Average = 27.75 Fury Attack Animation Length = 34 Damage/Frame = 34.41 to 47.20 Average = 40.81	Shaeled Immortal King's Stone Crusher Damage = 234 To 321 Standard Attack Animation Length = 9 Damage/Frame = 26 to 35.67 Average = 30.83 Fury Attack Animation Length = 29 Damage/Frame = 40.34 to 55.34 Average = 47.84
Messerschmidt's Reaver Damage = 180 to 287-532 + 20-240 Fire Damage Standard Attack Animation Length = 12 Damage/Frame = 15 to 23.92-44.33 + 1.67-20 Fire Average = 19.46-29.67 Fury Attack Animation Length = 40 Damage/Frame = 22.5 to 35.88-66.5 + 2.5-30 Fire Average = 29.19-44.5	Shaeled Messerschmidt's Reaver Damage = 180 to 287-532 + 20-240 Fire Damage Standard Attack Animation Length = 10 Damage/Frame = 18 to 28.7-53.2 + 2-24 Fire Average = 23.35-35.6 Fury Attack Animation Length = 34 Damage/Frame = 26.47 to 42.21-78.24 + 2.94-35.29 Fire Average = 34.34-52.35
Ribcracker Damage = 57-66 To 146-173 Standard Attack Animation Length = 9 Damage/Frame = 6.33-7.33 to 16.22-19.22 Average = 11.28-13.28 Fury Attack Animation Length = 29 Damage/Frame = 9.83-11.38 to 25.17-29.83 Average = 17.5-20.60	Shaeled Ribcracker Damage = 57-66 To 146-173 Standard Attack Animation Length = 8 Damage/Frame = 7.12-8.25 to 18.25-21.62 Average = 12.69-14.94 Fury Attack Animation Length = 28 Damage/Frame = 10.18-11.78 to 26.07-30.89 Average = 18.12-21.34
Steeldriver Damage = 97.5-136.5 to 147.5-206.5 Standard Attack Animation Length = 11 Damage/Frame = 8.86-12.41 to 13.41-18.77 Average = 11.14-15.59 Fury Attack Animation Length = 39 Damage/Frame = 12.5-17.5 to 18.91-26.47 Average = 15.70-21.99	Shaeled Steeldriver Damage = 97.5-136.5 to 147.5-206.5 Standard Attack Animation Length = 9 Damage/Frame = 10.83-15.17 to 16.39-22.94 Average = 13.61-19.06 Fury Attack Animation Length = 33 Damage/Frame = 14.77-20.68 to 22.35-31.29 Average = 18.56-25.98
Stormspire Damage = 102-143 to 287-402 + 1-237 Lightning Damage Standard Attack Animation Length = 9 Damage/Frame = 11.33-15.89 to 31.89-44.67 + 0.11-26.33 Lightning Average = 21.61-30.28 Fury Attack Animation Length = 33 Damage/Frame = 15.45-21.67 to 43.48-60.91 + 0.15-35.91 Lightning Average = 29.47-41.29	Shaeled Stormspire Damage = 102-143 to 287-402 + 1-237 Lightning Damage Standard Attack Animation Length = 8 Damage/Frame = 12.75-17.88 to 35.88-50.25 + 0.12-29.62 Lightning Average = 24.31-34.06 Fury Attack Animation Length = 28 Damage/Frame = 18.21-25.54 to 51.25-71.78 + 0.18-42.32 Lightning Average = 34.73-48.66

Looking at these calculations, several of the weapons seem to have very similar damage totals: Hellslayer, Messerschmidt's Reaver, the Immortal King's Stone Crusher, and Stormspire. Since the numbers are so close, it is a good time to look at the other attributes. First off, the upper damage listed for these weapons is the level 99 damage for Hellslayer and Messerschmidt's Reaver, thus they might not be the best choice if your character is only level 70 or so. Instead, the Immortal King's Stone Crusher looks to be the best bet for those levels, as it deals out its damage no matter what level your character. Also, it has the added bonus of Crushing Blow damage which can be quite powerful if you play in the later areas of act 5 in full or nearly full (8 player) games. As for separating Hellslayer, the Reaver and Stormspire, I would next look for the fastest weapon possible. The faster your weapon, the quicker you can get your Fury off, and so are less bothered by the stunning monsters or a change in the battle (for example, a horde of Oblivion Knights charging you or hitting your with Iron Maiden). In that case, you might want to change tactics suddenly, and a faster weapon will let you react better.

Slightly below these weapons in terms of damage is the Buriza-Do Kyanon. Like Hellslayer and the Reaver, this weapon's upper damage is listed for level 99, and so will be significantly lower when you are first able to use it. However, it is a very good mid-level weapon, being around the same level or slightly better than Ribcracker or Steeldriver. Also be sure not to discount the freezing ability on it, as that can be of great use to a Werewolf who wades into battle!

Finally, there are a couple weapons that can be far above these in terms of their usefulness: the Cruel XXXX of Quickness weapons, an Ethereal Zod Hellslayer, and the Cranium Basher. Damage-wise, the Cruel/of Quickness weapons simply can't be beat if they have a full complement of Shael runes to boost their speeds to insane levels. The Ethereal Zod Hellslayer looks like it has a very impressive damage, but, in use, it is not quite as good as it would seem. It is quite slow which is annoying at best, deadly to your character at worst. In addition, it is more random than the other weapons, dealing a very wide range of damage. This can also be frustrating at times when you get unlucky. Finally, the weapon does so much damage that, at times, it will go to waste. Against the Imps of Act 5 or basically any normal monster in a smaller game (1-2 players) it will generally one-hit kill everything. However, one of the faster weapons will ALSO one-hit kill everything but due to the faster speed, it will kill more monsters over a given time interval than the Ethereal Zod Hellslayer. Thus, if you wish to use this weapon, keep these failings of it in mind.

Lots of people have varying opinions on the Cranium Basher. Some love it, others hate it. However, since it does comparable damage to Hellslayer, Reaver, etc. it can be seen as the best of that group! With a huge chance for Crushing Blow as well as a chance to cast Amplify Damage, this weapon can tear through crowds like no other. Since a Werewolf will likely use the Fury skill for a faster attack rate, the chance of casting Amplify Damage is greatly enhanced on a Werewolf. However, since it is a slower weapon, many (including myself) find it to be fairly annoying since the incredible attack rates of the Werewolf's Fury is what draws many to play this class. Thus, this weapon can fall in many place, due to personal preference, either around the same level as the Immortal King's Stone Crusher or as the absolute best, end-game weapon. =)

One-Handed Weapons

Baranar's Star Damage = 132 to 162 + 1-200 Tri-Element Standard Attack Animation Length = 10 Damage/Frame = 13.2 to 16.2 + 0.1-20 Tri-Element Average = 14.7 Fury Attack Animation Length = 34 Damage/Frame = 19.41 to 23.82 + 0.15-29.41 Tri-Element Average = 21.62	Shaeled Baranar's Star Damage = 132 to 162 + 1-200 Tri-Element Standard Attack Animation Length = 9 Damage/Frame = 14.67 to 18 + 0.11-22.22 Tri-Element Average = 16.33 Fury Attack Animation Length = 29 Damage/Frame = 22.76 to 27.93 + 0.17-34.48 Tri-Element Average = 25.34
Fury Phase Blade Damage = 95 to 108 Standard Attack Animation Length = 9 Damage/Frame = 10.56 to 12 Average = 11.28 Fury Attack Animation Length = 29 Damage/Frame = 16.38 to 18.62 Average = 17.5
Lightsabre Damage = 90-106 to 120-138 Standard Attack Animation Length = 9 Damage/Frame = 10-11.78 to 13.33-15.33 Average = 11.67-13.56 Fury Attack Animation Length = 33 Damage/Frame = 13.64-16.06 to 18.18-20.91 Average = 15.91-18.48	Shaeled Lightsabre Damage = 90-106 to 120-138 Standard Attack Animation Length = 9 Damage/Frame = 10-11.78 to 13.33-15.33 Average = 11.67-13.56 Fury Attack Animation Length = 29 Damage/Frame = 15.52-18.28 to 20.69-23.79 Average = 18.10-21.03

Personally, I greatly prefer Two-Handed Weapons to One-Handed Weapons, but I have included a few One-Handers so that, if you are so inclined, you might compare these weapons and try one out. Your damage rate will be significantly decreased, however, and you run the risk of becoming "block-locked" if you have too many monsters around you and your block rate is high. In addition, if you are forced to block while using Fury, your speed will be significantly decreased as you continuously land the first and possibly second hit, but then are interrupted. Since the first Fury swing is the "Standard Attack Animation" this can be very annoying and greatly slow down your killing rate.

In addition, if you choose to use a shield, you will have to spend a significant number of points into dexterity to keep your blocking % high. However, since Werewolves don't have THAT much defense to begin with (other than a big life total and lots of life leech), a shield can be of great help. Also, Baranar's Star deals out a LOT of elemental damage and so would be good for use against physical immune monsters. For the most part, however, I tend to stick to the big guns: the Two-Handers. =)

Continue on to the Equipment Selection Page.