Elemental Weapons?

I know that +15 weapons are stronger with scalling but I am still a little confused on how elemental damage/attack rating works. For example when I go into the char. planner all of the elemental weapons have a higher attack rating? I guess I don't understand how the damage is applied when attacking...?

I don't know the exact math but elementals have a set AR that doesn't scale with anything. In addition, your elemental weapon has to bypass two forms of defense (fire and physical for example) as opposed to the +15 which is only negated by the physical def.

The point is that +15 weapons have to deal physical damage only, and elementals have it split between phys+elem. It ends up that any gear has some of resists, and sometimes it gets much more efficient against fire/lightning, making you deal quite less damage to your enemies.
Elemental weapons are almost the one and only options for gauge builds, getting max VIT/END, and all the other stats just low enough to wield the weapon of choice.

I had my own fun character ninja flipping in elite knight armor. Quite entertaining

Edit: Well, you got it first, digital bro

No worries, your response was probably more helpful. Elementals are also very usefull if you don't plan on reaching high enough levels to warrant 40 soul levels in scaling. Also, when you're comparing the AR in the char planner, do you have the appropriate scaling stat maxed (at least 40?).

Sorry if this is a silly question.

I did up one but my head hurted about halfways through it. Basically +15 only has 1 reduction to contend with; physical, elementals have to take 2 into account and the higher up you are in a level the better your physical and elemental defenses are. Early on elementals are mentally op'd but as you progress and enemies have better resistances and pvp players have better defenses the weapons aren't as good.

The main thing about +15's is that they're buffable, elementals aren't.

AnCapaillMor wrote:The main thing about +15's is that they're buffable, elementals aren't.

This is a very important point indeed and probably the most vital thing to take into consideration when you are planning a build. If you go to higher levels (120+) and are a member of any PvP covenant that can invade down (forest hunter or darkmoon) then you will most likely want regular weapons that you can buff for your online play. Elemental weapons are still viable though, especially if you have a mixture of types. I have a SL 120 faith/end build which includes a lightning claymore and a chaos zweihander. I switch between them depending on where I am in the game. I've also got an obsidian greatsword which is a super weapon and very useful for PvP as it has 480 physical damage when fully upgraded and is also buffable.

Thanks for the help everyone, 2 lines of def, got it. My next question is...I am thinking of making a level 100 build with gauged stats and am not sure if it would be better to have elemental weapons or go with the +15 still? Or both since it I have 30 faith?

http://mugenmonkey.com/darksouls/?c=262130588641775476

I haven't looked at the build since I'm at work, but with 30 faith you have access to lemon buff and dmb... seems too good to pass up (unless you don't enjoy killing people in 3 hits).

Just looked at the build. Don't know if 30 faith is worth it just for wog. Obsidian is buffable so a good choice if you go that route. Maybe have an elemental if buff runs out or something... dunno how power the obsidian is by itself at that level since I haven't used it much.

I think you can do better with your 2nd ring choice. Don't think ring of protection (or w/e its called) offers much at that level.

Thanks digital, I would probably use this build for forest invasion and sub steel ring for hornet and lemon buff/dmb for wog/pyro. Thanks.

lemon buff + hornet ring + 70 poise while doing it in style (like the look of armor or favor)... nice.

Give those forest trolls hell for me

PS. If you really want to be mean to the forest gankers, throw in power within. It drains your health over time but the gankers are usually poor/over confident/ reckless.

Plus forest is a lawless land... you can always pop a humanity if it drags out too long.

Have fun. Always

I can't really help there since I don't care about having the most efficient equipment in pvp, I just play whatever I like. But I've got another question about the elemental weapons. It appears to me that elemental weapons will deal more "poise damage" than normal weapons. Meaning the same weapon upgraded as an elemental version will stagger enemies with less effort. Can anybody confirm this? Maybe it's just my imagination, hard to tell.

It has to be your imagination. I believe the only thing that alters poise damage is 2 handing your weapon.

Maybe someone who actually does some testing can confirm.

Haha digital, before I read your post I made this...http://mugenmonkey.com/darksouls/?c=369442490768489384, it seems you agree, power within+sun blade+hornet+76 poise = ganker deaths. I know its been done before but I thought I would try for myself. 2 on 1 is so tough...

Dude... that's some scary ****.

Now all you need is a channeler's trident so you can dance over their corpses.

2 handing changes poise damage. Running jumping and rolling attacks poiae damage can vary (for example the claymore does 52 poise danmage in both hands, but its running attack does 55). Upgrade path is irrelivant to poise damage.

Forum Pirate wrote:2 handing changes poise damage. Running jumping and rolling attacks poiae damage can vary (for example the claymore does 52 poise danmage in both hands, but its running attack does 55). Upgrade path is irrelivant to poise damage.

ummm...isn't it 53 and 56? and 58 for strong attack.

Not really true for Poise, but quite true for shield stability damage. Very often you can drain opponent's stamina much faster with elemental weapons when hitting their guard. The point is to have the correct element. Like Lightning/Magic against Black Knight Shield, and Fire/Chaos/Magic against Silver Knight Shield.
Not really confirmed, but my own observations.

I don't think so juttas. 53 and 56 are to resist the stun, yes.