Rapier

Notes

• Requires 7 Strength and 12 Dexterity and weighs 2.5. Standard affinity strongly favors Dexterity over Strength for Physical damage.
• Its 130 critical rating is higher than the usual 100. It is useful for backstabs and ripostes, but the modifier does not apply to ordinary attacks.
• Actual critical damage also depends on attack power, affinity, the critical animation and enemy defenses. A higher critical rating alone does not guarantee the strongest result.
• Can thrust while guarding with a shield. Attacking and blocking both use stamina; repeated shield pokes can leave you open to a guard break.
• The narrow thrusting moveset suits one target more naturally than a wide group. Its short reach means you still need to close the distance.
• Impaling Thrust costs 9 FP and is its starting skill. Its name does not mean it comes with Parry or the repeated heavy thrusts of Rogier's Rapier.
• The Twin Maiden Husks sell one for 1,000 runes without a bell bearing.
• Upgrade it with Smithing Stones to +25. Can use compatible Ashes of War; changing the affinity can change which attributes improve its damage.
• Grease or a weapon enchantment can be applied while using an affinity that allows weapon buffs.
• It has no innate blood loss, poison or Frostbite. An appropriate affinity or compatible buff is needed if you want one of those effects.
• Keen emphasizes Dexterity, but its independent Dexterity-scaling skill projectiles have slightly weaker scaling than the ordinary Keen upgrade family. This affects skills such as Thunderbolt, rather than reducing all thrusts or every skill.