I found this tier 3 Sai pair as a +2 (5-14 damage). But since T3 Sai +0 do 3-10 damage, I expected the +2 to do 5-18 (since normally weapon upgrades add 1-(T+1).
The 1/2-normal upgrade pattern continued over time too, so now at +4 it does only 7-18 (not 7-26).
…Is this weapon “penalized” to make up for the first finding it as better-than-normal +2?
((I’m trying to resist the urge to go digging in source code & take away the fun/mystery))
Yes, the scaling is half of other tier 3 weapons, due to double atrack speed.
You still deal same average damage against regular foes, unless they have high armor, such as armored statues and armored brutes.
It’s great for proc some deadly enchantments such as grim, less so with kinetic. It’s great for gladiators that need to build up combos quickly.
Another hidden benefit is that you can get free hits if paired with haste, avoiding taking hits at all. You keep track of your timer, hit, move back until you can get another free half time hit. This is useful for FIMA chal, or against hard hitters such as gnoll brutes.
free hits if paired with haste
What? I thought that haste (potion, ring) was only effective when there are no “nearby” enemies
You’re thinking of Swiftness, which requires 2 or more steps from an enemy to work. Haste from Ring or Potion is unconditional. Then last option is Flow if you stand in water, also unaffected by nearby enemies.
Ah. Thanks for the clarification. Looks like I need to read more carefully: I’d been assuming all the speed/haste things behaved similarly. Ooops