Assassins and Racial Statistics

Assassins and Racial Statistics

A comparison of the various races available to assassins in Dark Age of Camelot at level 50

v.1, 5/6/2003, Peter Waterman aka Squawking Tiger

Introduction:

This document is a simple statistical comparison of the races in Dark Age of Camelot available to assassin classes (Infiltrators, Nightshades, and Shadowblades), and how they benefit from starting stats in the end game.� It is targeted at comparing their effectiveness in melee solely by comparing potential WEAPSKILL amongst all races.� This document should help illustrate the critical importance of racial choice and starting stats when choosing to optimize melee damage by maximizing the primary weapon stat.� The primary weapon stat in the case of Slash and Crush based weapon lines (of which assassins can choose only Slash � including Sword, Axe, Blades, and Slash) is purely based on the players STR, whereas the primary weapon stat in the case of Thrusting based weapon lines (which are available to Infiltrators and Nightshades as Thrust and Pierce) is based on the exact average of the player�s STR and DEX � or, to simplify, (STR+DEX) / 2.

Due to the fact that all assassins, of all races, are on exactly the same hybrid WEAPSKILL table, looking at the stats are an excellent way to show how effective a race can be in their chosen weapon type.� For example, by looking at the table below, one can see that at level 50, a Lurikeen�s unmodified STR/DEX based weapon stat will be 90, while their STR based weapon stat will be 85 � thus, a small, but clear advantage to using an STR/DEX based weapon.� These differences are of course compounded when the initial starting points are spent, as discussed in detail further in this document.

Base Racial Stats at Creation and at Level 50:

All assassin classes progress with their stats at exactly the same rate � for all assassins, Dexterity (DEX) is the primary stat, Quickness (QUIK) is the secondary stat, and Strength (STR) is the tertiary stat.� This means that DEX rises by +1 every level after 5 (for a total of +45 at level 50), QUIK rises by +1 every two levels after 5 (for a total of +23 at 50), and STR rises by +1 every three levels after 5 (for a total of +15 at level 50).

The following table shows the base starting stats of all races (races which cannot be considered for assassin classes are greyed out), along with what their final base stats would be at level 50 (these do not include any bonuses added to these stats by spending the initial 30 points upon character creation):

Race Name � The name of the race for who the stats are shown

STR � The starting Strength stat of the race

DEX � The starting Dexterity stat of the race

QUIK � The starting Quickness stat of the race

S/D � The starting effective STR/DEX stat of the race (for thrust weapons)

FSTR � The final Strength stat of the race at 50

FDEX � The final Dexterity stat of the race at 50

FQUIK � The final Quickness stat of the race at 50

FS/D � The final effective STR/DEX stat of the race at 50 (for thrust weapons)

Race Name�� STR�� DEX�� QUIK� S/D�� FSTR� FDEX� FQUIK FS/D

----------- ----- ----- ----- -----�� ----- ----- ----- -----

Avalonian�� 45 �� 60�� 70�� 52.5�� 60�� 105�� 93�� 82.5

Briton�� 60�� 60�� 60�� 60�� 75�� 105�� 83�� 90

Celt�� 60�� 60�� 60�� 60�� 75�� 105�� 83�� 90

Dwarf�� 60�� 50�� 50�� 55�� 75�� 105�� 73�� 90

Elf�� 40�� 75�� 75�� 57.5�� 55�� 120�� 98�� 87.5

Firbolg�� 90�� 40�� 40�� 65�� 105�� 85�� 63�� 95

Highlander� 70�� 50�� 50�� 60�� 85�� 95�� 73�� 90

Inconnu�� 50�� 70�� 50�� 60�� 65�� 115�� 73�� 90

Kobold�� 50�� 70�� 70�� 60�� 65�� 115�� 93�� 90

Lurikeen�� 40�� 80�� 80�� 60�� 55�� 125�� 103�� 90

Norseman�� 70�� 50�� 50�� 60�� 85�� 95�� 73�� 90

Saracen�� 50�� 80�� 60�� 65�� 65�� 125�� 83�� 95

Sylvan�� 70�� 55�� 45�� 62.5�� 85�� 100�� 68�� 92.5

Troll�� 100�� 35�� 35�� 67.5�� 115�� 80�� 58�� 97.5

Valkyn�� 55�� 65�� 75�� 60�� 70�� 110�� 98�� 90

It is of a certain irony to note that the class with the lowest base starting DEX has the highest potential STR/DEX based weapon stat, due to the incredibly high STR.� Unfortunately that race is not available to assassins.

Starting Points

Upon character creation, each character receives 30 bonus starting points which can be added to their character to whichever stats they prefer.� These are spent on a one-to-one basis for the first ten points spent in any stat, a two-to-one basis for the next five after the first ten, and a three-to-one basis for every point after the first fifteen.� This means a player can choose to spend 10 points in three stats, 15 points in one stat and 10 points in a second, 13 points in one stat and 12 in another, 18 points into a single stat, or any combination that works.

Maximizing for STR Based Weapons:

For this comparison, we will assume the player is intending to max their character�s potential weaponskill above all else � this is an extreme comparison for those who want to know about the maximum potential of their base damage stats.� It is a very simple table based on the one above, made by simply adding +18 to the Strength of all the races shown.� This +18 will be the same at level 1 as it is at level 50, as spending initial points have no impact on a character�s growth.

Race Name � The name of the race for who the stats are shown

STR � The base starting Strength stat of the race after the 30 creation points have been spent on Strength

FSTR � The final Strength stat of the race at 50 including the initial 30 creation points into Strenth

Race Name�� STR�� FSTR�

----------- ----- -----

Avalonian�� 63�� 78��

Briton�� 78�� 93��

Celt�� 78�� 93��

Dwarf�� 78�� 93��

Elf�� 58�� 73��

Firbolg�� 108�� 123��

Highlander� 98�� 103��

Inconnu�� 68�� 83��

Kobold�� 68�� 83��

Lurikeen�� 58�� 73��

Norseman�� 88�� 103��

Saracen�� 68�� 83��

Sylvan�� 88�� 103��

Troll�� 118�� 133��

Valkyn�� 73�� 98��

Maximizing for STR/DEX Based Weapons:

For this comparison, we will assume the player is intending to max their character�s potential weaponskill above all else � this is an extreme comparison for those who want to know about the maximum potential of their base damage stats.� There are many options for points placement to have the same effect, so for simplicity, we will assume the players add +10STR and +15DEX, since an assassion gains slightly more from DEX than STR (higher evade rates).

Race Name � The name of the race for who the stats are shown

STR � The starting Strength stat of the race after 10 starting points have been spent

DEX � The starting Dexterity stat of the race after 15 starting points have been spent

S/D � The starting effective STR/DEX stat of the race (for thrust weapons)

FSTR � The final Strength stat of the race at 50 after 10 starting points have been spent

FDEX � The final Dexterity stat of the race at 50 after 15 starting points have been spent

FS/D � The final effective STR/DEX stat of the race at 50 (for thrust weapons)

Race Name�� STR�� DEX�� S/D�� FSTR� FDEX� FS/D

----------- ----- ----- -----�� ----- ----- -----

Avalonian�� 55 �� 75�� 65�� 70�� 120�� 95

Briton�� 70�� 75�� 72.5�� 85�� 120�� 102.5

Celt�� 70�� 75�� 72.5�� 85�� 120�� 102.5

Dwarf�� 70�� 65�� 67.5�� 85�� 120�� 102.5

Elf�� 50�� 90�� 70�� 65�� 135�� 100

Firbolg�� 100�� 55�� 77.5�� 115�� 100�� 107.5

Highlander� 80�� 65�� 72.5�� 95�� 110�� 102.5

Inconnu�� 60�� 85�� 72.5�� 75�� 130�� 102.5

Kobold�� 60�� 85�� 72.5�� 75�� 130�� 102.5

Lurikeen�� 50�� 95�� 72.5�� 65�� 140�� 102.5

Norseman�� 80�� 65�� 72.5�� 95�� 110�� 102.5

Saracen�� 60�� 95�� 77.5�� 75�� 140�� 107.5

Sylvan�� 80�� 70�� 75�� 95�� 115�� 105

Troll�� 110�� 50�� 80�� 125�� 95�� 110

Valkyn�� 65�� 80�� 72.5�� 90�� 135�� 102.5

Maximized STR Weapon Stats compared to Maximized STR/DEX Weapon Stats:

While the reader can scroll up to compare, to simplify the comparison of maximized STR/DEX weapon stats to maximized STR weapon stats, see this table:

Race Name � The name of the race for who the stats are shown

MSTR � The maximized starting Strength stat with +18 STR

MS/D � The maximized effective starting STR/DEX stat with +10 STR, +15 DEX

MFSTR � The maximized final Strength stat at level 50 with +18 STR

MFS/D � The maximized effective final STR/DEX stat at level 50 with +10 STR, +15 DEX

Race Name�� MSTR� MS/D�� MFSTR FMS/D

----------- ----- -----�� ----- -----

Avalonian�� 63�� 65�� 78�� 95

Briton�� 78�� 72.5�� 93�� 102.5

Celt�� 78�� 72.5�� 93�� 102.5

Dwarf�� 78�� 67.5�� 93�� 102.5

Elf�� 58�� 70�� 73�� 100

Firbolg�� 108�� 77.5�� 123�� 107.5

Highlander� 98�� 72.5�� 103�� 102.5

Inconnu�� 68�� 72.5�� 83�� 102.5

Kobold�� 68�� 72.5�� 83�� 102.5

Lurikeen�� 58�� 72.5�� 73�� 102.5

Norseman�� 88�� 72.5�� 103�� 102.5

Saracen�� 68�� 77.5�� 83�� 107.5

Sylvan�� 88�� 75�� 103�� 105

Troll�� 118�� 80�� 133�� 110

Valkyn�� 73�� 72.5�� 98�� 102.5

Note that certain races, namely those with high starting Strength, end up with a STR based weapon stat which is remarkably close to, or in some cases, higher than their maximum potential STR/DEX based weapon stat, in spite of the fact that DEX raises every level as a rogue.� In fact, many of these high STR races can compete such that they have a higher STR based weapon stat than many high DEX races can potentially have using an STR/DEX base weapon.� Also note that unfortunately, only one of these races is actually available to any assassin class � however, it�s interesting to note that this race is available to the assassin class who cannot truly use an STR/DEX based weapon (Norseman).

Balanced STR Weapon Stats compared to Balanced STR/DEX Weapon Stats:

Most people are hesitant to spend +18 points on creation into a single stat, due to the diminishing returns.� In fact, most assassins feel the need to spend at least 1/3 of their initial 30 points on Constitution, to increase their hit points.� The following example shows a more balanced approach to starting stats, where for players trying to target STR based weapons, 15 points are spend into STR while 10 points are spent in CON, and for players trying to target STR/DEX based weapons, a more balanced approach of 10 points into STR, 10 points into DEX, and 10 points into CON is taken.� Someone quick with math will notice than in this situation, there is still a heavy initial advantage to those going with STR based weapons, as they gain +15 to their effective stat instead of +10 at the start.

Race Name � The name of the race for who the stats are shown

MSTR � The maximized starting Strength stat with +18 STR

MS/D � The maximized effective starting STR/DEX stat with +10 STR, +15 DEX

MFSTR � The maximized final Strength stat at level 50 with +18 STR

MFS/D � The maximized effective final STR/DEX stat at level 50 with +10 STR, +15 DEX

Race Name�� MSTR� MS/D�� MFSTR FMS/D

----------- ----- -----�� ----- -----

Avalonian�� 60�� 62.5� �� 75�� 92.5

Briton�� 75�� 70�� 90�� 100

Celt�� 75�� 70�� 90�� 100

Dwarf�� 75�� 65�� 90�� 100

Elf�� 55�� 67.5�� 70�� 97.5

Firbolg�� 105�� 75�� 120�� 105

Highlander� 95�� 70�� 100�� 100

Inconnu�� 65�� 70�� 80�� 100

Kobold�� 65�� 70�� 80�� 100

Lurikeen�� 55�� 70�� 70�� 100

Norseman�� 85�� 70�� 100�� 100

Saracen�� 65�� 75�� 80�� 105

Sylvan�� 85�� 72.5�� 100�� 102.5

Troll�� 118�� 80�� 130�� 107.5

Valkyn�� 73�� 72.5�� 95�� 100

Again we see how, due to appropriate distribution of starting points, high STR based races are able to compete effectively against STR/DEX based weapons.

Final Notes � What Does It All Mean?

There are a few initial conclusions to be drawn.� The first clear conclusion, when looking at the races available to each assassin class, is that the Shadowblade is the only assassin class who has a race available to them which can compete using STR only weapons at level 50, the Norseman.� For any race other than the Norseman, choosing to go with an STR based weapon will result in a penalty of a lower primary weapon stat than going with an STR/DEX based weapon � in some cases by a lot.�

As a Nightshade, if you wish to go Blades spec and have optimized damage, your best bet is to go Celt, with +15 STR, +10 CON at start.� This gives you an effective weapon stat of 90 at level 50.� If you wish to go Pierce spec and have optimized damage, your best bet is to go with a Lurikeen, with +10 STR, +10 DEX, and +10 CON, which gives you an effective weapon stat of 100 at level 50.

As an Infiltrator, if you wish to go Slash spec and have optimized damage, your best bet is to go Briton, with +15 STR and +10 CON at start, giving you an effective weapon stat of 90 at level 50.� If you wish to go Thrust spec and have optimized damage, your best bet is to choose a Saracen, with +10 STR, +10 DEX, and +10 CON, which gives you an effective weapon stat of 105 at level 50 (which is the highest any assassin class can possibly achieve without Augment Stat RA�s!).

As a Shadowblade, you are forced to go with an STR based weapon, whether Swords or Blades.� If you are concerned about optimized damage, you should go with a Norseman, with +15 STR and +10 CON to start, which gives you an effective weapon stat of 100 at level 50, allowing you to have exactly the same WEAPSKILL as an optimized (though not maximized) Lurikeen spec�d Pierce, or an optimized Briton spec�d Thrust.� Unfortunately, even spending all your stats into STR, you cannot ever match the weapon stat of a Saracen spec�d Thrust, which will be the only assassin capable of having a higher weapon stat than you � until you throw Augment Stat RA�s into the equation.