Illusionary Weaponry and Weapon question

Hi,

I have a couple questions about Illusionary Weaponry I like your help on!

Just FYI: I'm a N/Me

1) Does it matter that a weapon has a requirement? I'm guessing not and that I'll still do the 8 - 40 damage. But please confirm.

2) What kind of damage is done? is it based on the weapon type?

3) Will I get benefits from mods such as a vampiric one? Or furious, zealous, etc.

4) I'm guessing damage related mods (like damage +15%) don't mean anything since "you do no damage in mele". Confirm please?

Thank you all very much for your input / help!

1) Nope.
2) Normal damage, not based on the weapon type (Not slashing/Firery etc)
3) No benefits from the mods on the weapon. You dont hit with your weapon.
4) It doesnt mean anything, no. Only on your attribute in Illusion Magic will of course change the damage on Illusionary Weap.

The weapon does not matter so long as it is a melee weapon. Mods or other enchantments (conjure, apply poison, etc) don't matter while IW is going. Damage is from the spell, not the weapon, so it is not reduced by armor.

Think of it this way:

- You miss 100% of the time with IW.
- For every time you swing, you deal CHAOS damage (unaffected by armour, AL) which is dependant on the illusionary magic attribute. However damage absorption works vs IW, so shielding hands and runes will work against IW.
- Because of 100% miss chance with IW, whatever attack skills you use will miss. You will not gain health from predatory season, nor will you lose hp to insidious parasite (as you never hit) etc.
- You will only increase damage output by increased attack speed or attack skills that do an extra "swing" at an enemy. i.e. Cyclone Axe, Distracting Blow (distracting blow will never hit though, so will not cause distractions, at least it never has with me), Hundred Blades

Guys,

Perfect! You guys answered exactly what I had questions about. Thanks very much for taking the time to answer!

Isaac Ixbane

I think Scourgey answered all of your questions. He makes a good point about damage output. I've played around with a few different IW builds. Even though there seems to be much "flaming" when it comes to an IW Me/W (can't tank...blah blah blah, shatt ench..useless..blah blah blah) I still think that IW with flurry as your increase speed skill is the best. It only costs 5, recharges in 5 and with Illision anywhere from 12-16 you have a great damage output. Just make sure you bring some other skills that u can use when it either runs out OR it does get removed. Don''t base your entire build on IW and think you're set. Maybe that's why people flame it. IW and a res sig are only two skill slots. Use your other 6 to make yourself effective in other ways. As far as mods on the weapon. Because it is an enchantment I would suggest getting a weapon that allows for a longer duration for enchantments.

I think Scourgey answered all of your questions. He makes a good point about damage output. I've played around with a few different IW builds. Even though there seems to be much "flaming" when it comes to an IW Me/W (can't tank...blah blah blah, shatt ench..useless..blah blah blah) I still think that IW with flurry as your increase speed skill is the best. It only costs 5, recharges in 5 and with Illision anywhere from 12-16 you have a great damage output. Just make sure you bring some other skills that u can use when it either runs out OR it does get removed. Don''t base your entire build on IW and think you're set. Maybe that's why people flame it. IW and a res sig are only two skill slots. Use your other 6 to make yourself effective in other ways. As far as mods on the weapon. Because it is an enchantment I would suggest getting a weapon that allows for a longer duration for enchantments.

One of the many reasons I run IW as a Me/R or a R/Me is that IW and res sig are only two slots, and rangers have two useful attack speed boosts (lightning reflexes and tiger's fury). Beastmastery gets a nice TF and allows you to get extra damage with a pet, as well as triggering conditions (like, say, cripple - useful if you face someone who runs). Just something to keep in mind.