Claymore VS Manserpent Greatsword

I started NG+ a week ago, and yesterday I manage to get my strength to 50 and dexterity to 41.

In the beginning of NG+, I buffed out the Demon Greataxe to +15. Originally, I plan to use the Demon Greataxe for a pure strength build through NG+, but my previous Four Kings encounter made me rethinking for a lighter and quicker approach. And since Claymore scale a mediocre C/C for both attributes, so I was hoping since my build is buffed in both Strength and Dexterity, mediocrities could combine into something awesome?

So I decided to make my Claymore to 14+, and right now I'm rolling with all +10 Elite Knight and +5 Silver Knight shield. I did 4 Four Kings run before I defeated them. Two runs I did it with the Demon Greataxe + Stone Greatshield + Mask of the Father, and the other two runs with the Claymore build I mentioned above.

I found (at least with my Dex/Strengh build) that the Claymore +14 is vastly superior to the Demon Greataxe +15 in terms of DPS, eventhough DGA are vastly higher in AR. One RB(xbox) hit from the DGA deal 430 damage to the Four Kings, while one RB hit from the Claymore deal 309 damage. BUT the time AND stamina it took for the DGA to land a hit, the Claymore could have land like 3 hits AND have already recovered and I could start taking hits.


So my theory is that the Claymore is pretty *** dope. But then it got me thinking: Manserpent Greatsword has an A Strength scaling at +14 and a pretty fast moveset. Eventually I'll try the Great Hollows lizard for titanite Slab, but chances are I could get only one. So which is better, a MSGS with 50 strength build, for a Claymore with 50/41 Strength/Dex build?

Thanks!

The Claymore has a more versatile moveset, but I think the MSGS may have a higher damage output. I think it really depends on which moveset/look you prefer.

The Claymore also has an advantage in weight: 6 opposed to 10.

Claymore is a "quality" weapon, the MSGS is a strength weapon.

A more direct comparison to the msgs is the bastard sword, same moveset, faster, but with C-C scaling. With 40-40 the C-C scaling is almost the same as a B scaling, and both the clay and bastard have higher AR and DPS than the msgs at almost half the weight. The only reason to use the msgs is on a pure strength build, the higher guardbreak or for looks.

ublug wrote:A more direct comparison to the msgs is the bastard sword, same moveset, faster, but with C-C scaling. With 40-40 the C-C scaling is almost the same as a B scaling, and both the clay and bastard have higher AR and DPS than the msgs at almost half the weight. The only reason to use the msgs is on a pure strength build, the higher guardbreak or for looks.

OK thanks. Then I'll probably 15+ the Claymore for this playthrough and try out other Dex weapons.

To balance out the fact that C-C scaling weapons require more investment than A scaling weapons, C-C scaling weapons are stronger than single scaling weapons at the stats 40-40. Not only is the Claymore more versatile and lighter, it is also stronger.

There may be an off-chance that MSGS is a little stronger than Claymore, but the other benefits of the Claymore make it better.

Seignar wrote:To balance out the fact that C-C scaling weapons require more investment than A scaling weapons, C-C scaling weapons are stronger than single scaling weapons at the stats 40-40. Not only is the Claymore more versatile and lighter, it is also stronger.

There may be an off-chance that MSGS is a little stronger than Claymore, but the other benefits of the Claymore make it better.

It's true, the MSGS outdamaged the Claymore by about 3 points at 40/40 in the test I just ran. The Claymore's moveset definitely puts it in a different class than the MSGS on a quality build.

Clay's better with your stats. They'll practically do the same damage, and the clay has a better moveset and less weight. If you didn't have high Dex the Man-serpent would be better.