The +5 Energy from the HoD Sword...

I know what the sword is/was, and I know it's attributes, but what's the big deal? I've never understood what the big deal was all about. Yeah, you could add a +20 Enchantment mod, but even then, it's still only +5 engery. Are five extra points really that much? I have an i-monk and I don't miss those five points...what am I missing?

Thanks for any info..

btw...let the "noob" flames begin..

As a monk, +5 energy is one "free" Word of Healing, which can mean the difference between life or death of a party member.

As a spellcaster the damage of your weapon doesn't really count much. You do 95% of your damage through spells, so the +5 energy are a lot more valuable.

The advantage of the HoD Sword over the Nolani E+5 wand is really that you can add upgrades to it. A +20% enchantment mod can make a huge difference, especially for a monk.

Yeah, I know all of this, but c'mon, 200+k for one of these? I just don't see it being that valuable. For farming, I like my cheapo Flame Spitter...10% skill recharge and an added +20 enchant mod = farming goodness.

Well ... I for one wouldn't pay 200k for it. I'm perfectly happy using the E+5 wands from Nolani or Serenity Temple, or the E+3/10%recharge rod that I got from loot. But then ... there are some people who got so much money, they don't know what to do with it. Those people need gold sinks.

it's the ability to mod and the fact that there simply won't be any more HoDs introduced
(which is an interesting choice imo )

until the expansion turns everything on its head

I absolutely agree (even though I have one that I kept from pre-nerf).

Here's the direct comparison:

HoD Sword + Collector's Offhand:

+17 Energy
+20% Enchantments
+20% Specific Skill Recharge
+20% Specific Skill Casting Speed

Max Insightful Collector's Staff of Enchanting

+15 Energy
+20% Enchantments
+20% Specific Skill Recharge
+20% Specific Skill Casting Speed

In the end, it's only a 2 energy difference.

Another possible benefit is that the offhand can have a "+1 Attribute when using skills (20% chance)" when the staff cannot.

IW mes wouldn't have any use for a staff.