Can you folks help me out? I was wondering the best weapon from:

Flails

Two-handed swords

Long Swords

Flails

Axes

Hammers

Short swords

Also, what is the best shield?

Flail: Flail of ages +3

2H-sword: Carsomyr +5 (only used by paladins)

Long sword: Black Razor +4 (but it doesn't appear until very late in the game)

Axes: not sure

Hammer: Crom Fayer +5 (made by cromwell)

short sword: ?

shield: Sentinel (AC +5)

The best Flail is, with no doubt, the Flail of Ages +3. One of the best weapons in SoA.

The best Two Handed Sword is indeed Carsomyr. For Evil characters, the Soul Reaver +4 is superb, and Warblade +4 for the rest.

Long Swords are usually a 'specific use' swords. However, Blackrazor +3 is very powerful (do you have ToB?), and the Equalizer makes a wonderful Off Hand weapon if you have good Strength.

Axes? Not too much to choose from... Frostreaver probably takes the cake.

Crom Faeyr leaves all other War Hammers miles behind.

The best Short Sword is Kundane. It's a little known fact that just like Belm, Kundane gives an extra attack!

The Sentinel shield will give you the largest AC boost. The Shield of Harmony and, of course, the Shield of Balduran are useful in quite a few situations.

Thanks. [img]smile.gif[/img] And yes, I have ToB.

No problem. [img]smile.gif[/img]

If asked if you have ToB because Blackrazor is practically useless for SoA because you get it so, so late. ;)
On top of that, if you have ToB, new weapon categories begin to shine.
If you're interested, post a new thread in the ToB forum. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I played a dwarf beserker with +++++ in axes so I'll tell you about them. In SOA there is two really good axes stonefire+3 bought in the copper coronot from Bernard when you've rescued the slaves and frostreaver another +3 axe found in the D'Arnise hold. In TOB the best axe is the Axe of unyeilding yet another +3 axe which gives you +1 AC this is found in level four of watchers keep on the body of Rock the minotar. This axe can be upgraded by the imp to a +5 vorpal weapon if you have the axe and balor's claw in TOB.

As for throwing axes in SOA the best is azuredge a +3 throwing axe bought from Bernard in the copper coronot if you free the slaves. This is only useable by good characters however. For evil characters the best throwing axe is found on the body of one of the thieves in the first mission for either Aran Linvail or Bodhi. Sorry I forget it's name.

EDIT: Oh and I forgot you might want to check out this site: www.flatface.net/~itemsmart/

[ 12-15-2002, 05:30 PM: Message edited by: Zarr ]

I would agree completely with this! I am currently in the underdark with a ranger who is proficient with axes, switching between Azuredge and Stonefire+3 and I am having great success!

Don't let us overlook the Rifthome Axe. It is a +3 perpetual throwing axe, which you can gain in the early phase of the game. Well, Azuredge seems to be better if we take into account its hidden abilities (the abilities not shown on its description).
Short swords: I think it is a question whether Kundane is better than the Arbane's Sword. The permanent free action of the latter sword is extra useful unless you reach a really high level.
The best short bow in SoA: Tansheron Bow.
The best long bow or a crossbow in SoA: none.
The best halberd in SoA: the halberd from the Underdark (sorry, I can't remember its name just now).

Gesen is definitely a better Short bow than Tansheron's. The Halberd is called Dragon's Breath I believe.

I would agree completely with this! I am currently in the underdark with a ranger who is proficient with axes, switching between Azuredge and Stonefire+3 and I am having great success!