[-Dainslef-]

So, I've seen a lot of comments about B-rank, 6* weapons being superior to A-rank, 8* weapons. The reason makes sense: There are no A-rank grinders. Fair enough. But looking at the numbers:

Ascalon (6* GRM Sword): 289 PP, 511 ATP, 149 ATA
Ascalon (4) (6* GRM Sword): 319 PP, 548 ATP, 149 ATA
This is probably as high as anyone will reasonably grind a 6* weapon.

Hanzo (7* GRM Sword): 317 PP, 598 ATP, 169 ATA
Jigiri (8* GRM Sword): 327 PP, 675 ATP, 189 ATA

The A rank weapons seem absolutely, 100% better. Of course, they are also much more expensive. The chance of success reduction is largely offset by the risk of grinding.

People also like to point out that A rank weapons cost more to charge, but by my experience, it seems non-existant/negligible.

Any thoughts?



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: -Dainslef- on 2006-12-10 16:28 ]</font>

[BloodDragoon]

To me it seems charge cost is dependant on the total amount of PP that needs to be recharged and nothing more. Therefore more PP = cost more to charge and higher rank weapons have more base PP.

[Randomness]

Well, the more to charge would be negligable for hunter weapons, which do not carry massive sums of PP.

On the other hand, at just 4*, rods and rifles already have over 1000 PP, and so the cost is MUCH higher.

You also need to realize that for some people, a little extra damage per attack isn't going to do much. A ranger is more for status than damage, and several of thier useful weapons have very little power to begin with. A newman force, before any weapons are added, has easily 700 TP, and the increase in power going up to 7* is maybe 50-60 TP if both weapons are unground. That equates to maybe 10 more damage per hit for Diga.

[Cav]

people who advocate 6*s better than 7 or 8* grind them to 10, which in the end will end up equaling the amount spent on an 8* or more unless you are a very, very lucky bastard in which case I hate you. After breaking 12 5* swords trying to grind one to 10 (using +8s above 5 grinds) and only getting one to 8, I am quite impartial to grinding above 5 now.

[VelosofLight]

Also, A-Rank weapons have the looks of awesome sextasticness. I want an A-Rank Rifle and Shotgun..

[Umberger]

I'd rather use an A rank weapon...I don't even like risking grinding a 6* B past 2.

It's annoying enough to just find Grinder Base Bs, let alone spend 35k on the weapon itself. I'd much rather just stay with an A rank weapon...I doubt I'll even bother grinding them.

[ljkkjlcm9]

1 pp cost for a hunter is more than 1 pp cost for a ranger and a force, by saying that a ranger weapon costs more because it has more PP is incorrect. 1000 pp for a ranger is about equal to 300 pp for a hunter to recharge, at least from my experience.

Personally, I'll stick with my 5 star weapons and buy the A ranks of those that only have A ranks, then upgrade my 5 stars later

THE JACKEL

[Nani-chan]

Well the other thing is.. 54% for a 8* with a 100 ranged PM. I was 1/2 on my Evil twins, since my first one broke. That means in total I spent 110k for the board; 12 (6x2) vestaline, 12 (6x2) chicotites, 12 (6x2) Par ebons and 20 (10x2) Im Photons for my 1 8* weapon. I shouldn't complain though, have a weapon with allot more ata than my others.

I don't know about everyone else but I think Bs are just fine. It's not like everyone is doing S missions only yet.





<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Nani-chan on 2006-12-10 17:22 ]</font>

[-Shimarisu-]

B rank have higher chances of getting good %s.

Also, it depends on the weapon. Some grind better than others. Kubaras grind high.

Another factor is the fact that Tenora make weapons with the highest ATP and ATA, but do not make a few weapons past B rank.

Compare:

Current best A rank twin handguns=8* Evil Twins (GRM). ATP of 200. ATA of 132.
Second best A rank twin handguns=7* Bullet Master (GRM). ATP of 177. ATA of 118.
Best B rank twin handguns=6* Arb Rega (Tenora). ATP of 189. ATA of 130. ATP succeeds Evil Twins at grind 7. With NO grinds, they are better than Bullet Master, and barely any worse than Evil Twins.

Now, don't cry about PP either, because my set of 2 Arb Regas for considerably lower than the cost of ONE Bullet Master makes Bullet Master seem a BIT redundant.

Then you have wands, another area where B ranks shine.

Take the best 6* wand - W'gacrosa (Tenora). TP of 435.
Then the 7* Yohmei - Cometara. TP of 443.
Then the 8* Yohmei - Lidra. TP of 500.

AT GRIND TWO, W'gacrosa succeeds the TP of Cometara (TP becomes 451).
AT GRIND SEVEN, W'gacrosa succeeds the TP of Lidra (TP becomes 505).

Now, A rank wands are the best wands Wartecher and guntecher will EVER be able to equip.
And A rank twin handguns, the best handguns Fighgunner and Fortegunner will EVER be able to equip.

Consider the cost and risk of A rank grinding when we DO get it. IMO in many respects A ranks are not worth it. They are often used purely to show off, pure and simple. If you equip nothing but A ranks, you are probably:

A. A showoff.
B. A bad player.

The other bonus of Bs is cheap high %s. Noobs (you are NOOBS, all of you doing this) sell high % B ranks low. FYI, that % bonus is on your TOTAL ATP. So a player with 400 ATP, SHIT (in your opinion) 50% 4* daggers with 120 ATP is going to do more damage than a player with 400 ATP, and all singing, all dancing 10% A rank daggers with 187 ATP.

If you go round the shops buying up lots of 50% B ranks, you are getting more bang for your buck and more power than a player who's going for A rank synths. Not unless you are a hacker with infinite money, of course.

I use mostly grinded and or high % B ranks. A few A ranks too that are not available as B. For all other weapons, I'm biding my time for S ranks. I'll have more money to afford them too than everyone who's blowing all their cash on A ranks.

[ljkkjlcm9]

doesn't A rank go up to 9 stars, just 9 stars aren't available yet....

THE JACKEL