Question about weapon req

Ok, from what I understand the minimum req on a max damage weapon is 8. What I can't find out is how this number changes your damage when compared to your attribute points. How much less damage do you do if your attribute is lower than the req ?

Also, if I have say 12 Swordsmanship, will a 15-22 req8 sword do more damage than a 15-22 req12 ? If I have 16, will both swords do more damage or only the damage of my related skills and critical it % will improve ?

What about shields, what does the req affect ? Armor or only the mods ?

What about wands/staves ? I heard the req only affects the mods and that the damage is level based. But -how- does it affect the mods ? If I have a 20% skill recharge chance but don't meet the req, do I get 0% or 10% or what ?

NO! requirements do NOT change damage, if you meet the requirement.

IF you don't meet the requirement, your weapon will do "starter" damage ( 3-4 ? like in presearing remember?

A req 8 sword will just be more flexible..if you're a W/Mo, you can put some more points into healing prayers for instance ( and less in swordsmanship ), without sacrificing your max damage on your weapon

On staves, the damage is attribute based just like swords, but you get the mod bonus without meeting the req. That's how it is with all weapons.

Having a high Swordsmanship will increase your damage and crit rate and related skills. The requirement on a sword only matters if you don't meet it - if you have 16 Swordsmanship, then a req 8 is no different from a req 13.

Requirements only affect whatever stat they're listed next to. That is, damage for weapons (including wands and staves), armor for shields, energy for focus items. Anything else on a weapon/item you get the full benefit of regardless of attributes.

for clarification on the staves: The requirement only affects whether you get the listed damage or not. If you meet the requirement, you get the listed damage, otherwise you get "starter weapon" level damage. All the other mods on the staff (and wand) apply at their full value no matter what your attributes are. This includes +energy and any of the magical mods.

Also, unlike warrior and ranger and assassin weapons, wands and staves take level into account when determining your actual damage, not your attribute level. Whereas with say swords you'd do slightly more damage with each point of swordmanship you have (with 100% listed damage at 12 and up to like 116% listed damage at 16), wands/staves take level into account when determining damage. So the same wand that is dealing 15-30 to a monster at level 15 may deal something like 18-38 to that same monster at level 20 (note this are not actual numbers, just an example).

and also... the lowest req on a max dmg weapon is 7 for swords/axes/hammers and 8 for bows... shields can also have a req 7 with max armor

Thank you very much!

Swords can be req7. This number does not change your damage as long as you meet it. If you do not meet the requirement you will do starter weapon damage (2-4 for swords...or maybe 2-3...dont remember) Weapon damage is linked to the level. If you have 16 you will do 115% of the weapons normal damage, 12 being 100%.


Just making it stand out. Lower req != more damage.


Only armor. If you dont meet the requirement you get 4.

The requirement only affects damage. Of course your level also effects your damage.