Glass Swords

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RAL2000

Diabloii.Net Member
Glass Swords

Is there some reason that anyone would want one? I read a lot of the section on swords and its mostly stats. I'm trying to figure out whether these (crystal? or glass?) swords are of any value. They wear out in about a dozen swings. Is there some purpose I just don't know about? I seem to remember there was something when I played Diablo many years ago.

Thanks, just curious.
 
LorveN

LorveN

D3 Off Topic Moderator
hm, i suppose you mean ethereal swords? Those which you can not repair?
If so, first of all everything can be ethereal, all weapons, gloves, belts, armors etc. Only thing that cant is set items, amulets, rings.

So, what are the good bits with those? Well, they recieve 50% more damage (if weapon) or 50% more def (if anything else).
They can not be repaired, no, but 50% more damage/def is a lot. The rune Zod can be socketed into items to make them indestructible, which means you will not need to repair it, so 'zod-ing' an ethereal item will make you end up with something pretty nice. Keep in mind not to waste a zod on something crappy though. Save it for the best. Only the best! ;)

Also, some items have a mod called self-repair, which means they simply repair themselves over time. Items that are ethereal and repair themselves are simply just like normal items but with 50% more damage/defense. Those are often wanted :)

Ethereal items are else only used as use-until-they-disappear-items, because there is no really use for them.

However, ethereal items are popular to put on mercs, since items put on mercs do not lose durability. They simply last forever on a merc.

And finally. Ethereal items look cooler, a little transparent. Sorc weapons, necro wands etc, (all weapons you dont hit monsters with physically) are cool to have, since they do not lose durability either as long as you dont hit anything.

Hope this covers it all up. Else just ask ;)
 
krischan

krischan

Europe Trade Moderator
Crystal swords can have up to 6 sockets and among these items, its the one with the lowest strength requirements IIRC. That means, it's a perfect candidate for runewords which are not used for melee.
 
Z

Zkin

Diabloii.Net Member
bows and crossbows cant be ethereal either, at least not since before patch 1.08 or something.
 
M

Myrakh-2

Diabloii.Net Member
krischan said:
Crystal swords can have up to 6 sockets and among these items, its the one with the lowest strength requirements IIRC. That means, it's a perfect candidate for runewords which are not used for melee.
Click to expand...
Actually, it depends on the runeword.

A broadsword, for example, is a perfect candidate for "Spirit" since it can only get 4 sockets --- which is exactly what you need. So Larzuk can make a 4-socket broadsword from any broadsword found in hell.

It needs a bit more strength than a crystal one, but that's of no concern --- you need strength to wear gear anyway, and for normal items (not elite!) the requirements are of no concern. Both do not need dexterity, which is more important for a caster-sword than a few points of lower strength requirement since no other item requires dex, and not every caster needs blocking.

As (almost) always, there is no "one size fits all". Crystal swords have their uses, but so do other types.
 
R

RAL2000

Diabloii.Net Member
Whoa -- you folks are about 100 miles over my head. This is the forum for newbys right?

Look, my level 15 or so Paladin is cruising around in one of lovely deserts in Act I, and there at my feet, dropped by a gurking leaper gasping its last breath is a "Crystal Sword". Runewords, ethereal somethingorother... I take it this is nothing somebody of my lowly tutelage needs be concerned with at this point.

In other words at this stage of the game I should not be tossing out my Modestly Impressive Mace of OK Whacking so that I can grasp the Crystal Sword in my hand and look impressive as it shatters taking down its second vulture critter without repair. Maybe when I grow up and become a Slightly More Mighty Paladin, say at level 40 or 50, I should go look up what you are talking about.

Actually at this point I'm tromping around the Flayer Jungle, about level 23, and by gum here's another one, so I wrote down the stats:
Sell Value 1063
Crystal Sword
One Hand Damage 6 to 16
Durability 16 of 20 (sic)
Required Strength 43
Sword Class - fast attack speed

Now a couple of things stand out to me. This is pretty valuable (cash wise) for such a puny weapon at this stage of the game. And at 20 durability, I'm not going very far in the jungle with it unless it shoots gems out of its hindquarters. Due to limited storage space, I'm not going to save it for later, right? I mean, I'm not going to turn level 60 and have someone say, "You idiot, you threw away a Crystal Sword??????? You could have used the Horadric Cube and made it into the Grand Thermonuclear Device of the Dark Wanderer and shot Baal Snotbombs at the Act Bosses!!! What's the matter with you, you dork?

So I sell the Crystal Sword and don't spend all night worrying about it right? I guess that's the bottom line question. Forgive my ignorance. I am learning.
 
L

Lusiphur_Malache

Diabloii.Net Member
Got it in one, sell it and don;t worry about it.

Unfortuately people have a tendancy to assume everyone else knows everything about the game and so give answers to questions that don't actually exist (no idea why runewords got brought up...)

Glad to see someone else start this addictive game, and hopefully we can answer any further questions you have.
 
Z

Zkin

Diabloii.Net Member
"You idiot, you threw away a Crystal Sword??????? You could have used the Horadric Cube and made it into the Grand Thermonuclear Device of the Dark Wanderer and shot Baal Snotbombs at the Act Bosses!!! What's the matter with you, you dork?

Roflmao or something :)

that would make a great signature.
 
Diab

Diab

Diabloii.Net Member
Runewords were brought up because it's the only one-handed normal sword that can get more than four sockets. You don't have to use a runeword, though. For example, if you find one of these with lots of sockets, say 6, you can socket a bunch of gems/runes/jewels into it for more damage, life, mana, faster attack speed, bonuses to defense, attack rating, leech, and a lot of other things.

No one's going to smack you for throwing away a Crystal Sword, as they can be found pretty easily, but they do have their uses.

Also, the elite version of the Crystal Sword, the Phase Blade, is the fastest normal melee weapon in the game, and has no need for durability because it's indestructible. Its damage is very low, though, and it has a rather high dexterity requirement. You won't find these until after normal mode probably, since it's an elite item.

By the way, I love your sense of humor.
 
R

RAL2000

Diabloii.Net Member
Thank you all for a lot of great answers. One of the most impressive features of Diablo is this website and forum. The game is great, but there is nothing like a fired up and well organized users group that you can turn to for answers.

I'm sure there will be more questions in the future. But for now, I can safely sell my Crystal Sword until I'm further along. Six sockets sounds great, even I can see that now. Ethereal! Seriously, thanks everyone.

And with that I will happily return to Act III, to resume my quest to distribute Tic-Tacs to the Flayer Chiefs.
 
LorveN

LorveN

D3 Off Topic Moderator
"You idiot, you threw away a Crystal Sword??????? You could have used the Horadric Cube and made it into the Grand Thermonuclear Device of the Dark Wanderer and shot Baal Snotbombs at the Act Bosses!!! What's the matter with you, you dork?"

Rofl, thats the funnies thing i have read here for months! Thats quite advanced for being into this game that short :D:D
Keep the humor this way, its great!
You should get into trouble more often, keep posting!! ;)
 
S

Science Cryption

Diabloii.Net Member
I agree with lorven, that small thing you wrote was real good, I suggest you honor us fan-fiction guys with some equally as humorous writting.
 
LorveN

LorveN

D3 Off Topic Moderator
Science Cryption said:
I agree with lorven, that small thing you wrote was real good, I suggest you honor us fan-fiction guys with some equally as humorous writting.
Click to expand...
does that mean i will have to visit the only forum i never visited? :D
well, might try some day, but not now. 1.40 am here now, must be up and going again by 7 :S
Write something funny in there until then :p
 
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