I'm speaking as a Warmage so this may come off a little self-serving by why do Moonmages get to create weapons that rival their elemental counterparts?

Seems like maybe they have enough without having to make the leap to weapon creation as well. I realize moonblade is a very set-in-stone mechanic with a lot of history behind it but with all their huge amount of utility and the fact they're weapon tert, this doesn't seem so much like a mechanic as they just have a very competent GM arguing how they couldn't possibly be Moonmages without that extra little edge.

Some facts:

Moonblades start at t3. Warmage weapons start at t2. Moonmages require 2 spell slots to get full functionality. Warmages require 9. Moonblades cap out at t5, same as warmages.

Maybe nerf the moonblades a bit? Or make Elementalism extend to summoning (can summon all forms with a free metaspell). Moonies have enough without creating comparable weapons to Warmages.

Just to tack on a few more points in favor of WMs here.

- Moonblades must be refreshed before they disappear. Elemental weapons are permanent unless dropped or stowed.
- At the higher end of things, it's better to have higher density in weapons for the stat boost. Not only do Moonblades default to being lighter (less dense), elemental weapons can have their density adjusted with quick infusions.
- Elemental weapons have some of the best messaging for weapons in the game (Ok this is more form over function, but in a text based game I want my text to be as cool as it can be).

That's one way to look at it, but as with all things moon mage, they have no control over moon cycles where at a certain stage, a WM will have some level of control in accessing tier 5 summoned weapons. A moon mage could have a trillion plat and all the metal in the game, but if there isn't a strong moon out, they top out at tier 4 and that's that (aside from monks).

honestly, i don't that much different between the two to complain about either. what i will complain about, is that even maxed at tier 5, that seems weak. almost no reason to use them, when you can make and/or buy something tier 6+ and never touch the summoned weapons or moonblade after that. i know they offer some flexibility, and could be great for training weapons. other than that, it's really a niche talent/spell.

> honestly, i don't that much different between the two to complain about either. what i will complain about, is that even maxed at tier 5, that seems weak. almost no reason to use them, when you can make and/or buy something tier 6+ and never touch the summoned weapons or moonblade after that. i know they offer some flexibility, and could be great for training weapons. other than that, it's really a niche talent/spell.

Outside of a situation where you absolutely need to max out your damage, tier 4 (equivalent to steel) is more than fine for everyday hunting. Yes, there are better weapons, especially when you start looking at MT/fest weapons and they should be better. Otherwise, what's the point? Besides, if I'm in a spot where I need to maximize my damage, I'm turning to TM options first as a WM.

While they cost spell slots, as a WM I can train every melee/thrown weapon without carrying around any weight, have access to multiple density/template options, and the elemental infusion options proc Mark of Arhat for some extra oomph. I also can't lose the weapons, though I think that's mostly a non-issue these days. And of course, the messaging!

> I'm still learning about all this. Don't MM weapons offer spell storage or some meta features? Would that impact the difference?

They do with the empower moonblade metaspell. I know it adds nodes to the weapon to store spells (basically stores prep time) and it'll make it a cambrinth item. So more utility than anything.

My moonmage can travel from Raven's Point to Therenborough in about two minutes. That is a guild-specific feat that no one should take away from the Moon Mages.

She isn't even that high of a circle. No one has as much lore development as the Moon Mages or even as many perks as them. Heck, there are simu-store coins being spent for things that Moonies can do naturally.

What I want is fair trade.

No one can move around like a Moon Mage does. Rangers can try but you tell one of them to meet you on Kresh in a minute and it's just not going to happen.

Warmages ONLY have weapons. And if one of you sickos out there says 'familiars' you need to be saddled with a talisman in your hand at 10 ranks and then still be saddled with a talisman in your hand at 1500.

I realize I went the whole 'their weapons are as good as ours' route, according to the stats they are. We take 9 spell slots to get full functionality and moon mages take, 5? Someone mentioned it earlier.

The point is they shouldn't have the ability to.

They are weapon tert. Why in the heck would their guild spend time researching and developing something the absolutely do not prioritize? Moreover, why do they compare (and no one is debating it) so closely to a guild that is supposed to be the bridge between Barbarians and Moon Mages?

They have a hugely developed lore with their sects and cantrips. They do not need to be able to make weapons. And if they do make them, they need to be gimped severely.