Saad sat there, confusion etched across his face. Ozias could sense his bewilderment. In response to Saad's unspoken questions, the sage began to clarify the perplexing situation.
"The whip isn't a popular weapon choice among adventurers," Ozias explained. "It's due to its relatively lower damage and limited penetration capabilities."
Saad's eyes widened as this revelation sank in. It was like a cold shower of reality, dousing his hopes. He realized that by being cheap and not thinking this through, he had limited his options for himself on his own. He had been so busy with just raising his skill level that he hadn't thought of anything at all. Especially seeing as he also had a shield, he could have just gone for that! How stupid he had been. Why didn't that thought even cross his mind for a second?
"So, let's say a basic sword deals 10 damage, and a basic arrow deals 9," Ozias continued. "In comparison, the whip would deal only 4.5 damage. You see, the gap in power is significant."
Saad's shock slowly gave way to sadness and frustration. He realized the gravity of his mistake. By choosing the whip, he had limited himself, intentionally handicapping his character even more.
The weight of that decision pressed down on him. He was using a weapon that dealt half the damage of more conventional choices. It was a massive handicap. If the whip dealt 50 damage, a sword could potentially deal 100, and the gap would only widen as they progressed further in the game.
Saad's dejection didn't go unnoticed. Ozias pressed on, his tone filled with understanding. "Are you thinking of becoming an adventurer, Saad? To do that, you'll need to work exceptionally hard. Your locked vitality stat is holding back your true potential."
In that moment, Saad couldn't help but feel a sense of regret. He had a long and challenging road ahead if he wanted to overcome the limitations he had imposed upon himself.
Saad's mind raced as he contemplated the prospect of changing his class. He had the shield and had been diligently practicing his defense techniques, showing promising progress. It seemed like a viable option, a path that might lead to a better outcome. With a determined expression, he turned to Ozias and shared his decision.
"I think I'll change my class," Saad said, his voice filled with resolve.
Ozias merely hummed in response, his eyes carrying a trace of understanding. "Changing might be the best choice for you, but wouldn't it be wiser to wait until you've gained more power?" he queried, his tone laced with a hint of concern. He continued, "Remember, now that your main weapon has been chosen, your effectiveness with other weapons will diminish significantly."
Saad's heart sank further as the weight of his decisions pressed down on him. What about all his efforts in mastering defense and wielding the shield? Would it all go to waste?
Feeling the weight of uncertainty, Saad asked hesitantly, "What about my current mastery of the shield? Will that be for nothing?"
Ozias raised his eyebrows, observing Saad with a thoughtful gaze. "Why are you fixated on improving your defense? You could easily purchase top-notch defense gear, considering your family's wealth. Besides, with your vitality locked, isn't your progress with the shield lagging compared to that of the whip?" he pointed out.
Saad fell silent, his mind spinning with thoughts of the missteps he had taken along his journey. He had been approaching it all wrong, and now the consequences were looming over him. But seeing as Ozias was a swordmaster and was an NPC, Saad decided to ask for his opinion.
"So- since you have already seen my status, what do you think should choose?" He was looking at Ozias feeling as if he has merely wasted three days and his money over nothing.
Ozias stroked his chin thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on Saad as he contemplated the best path forward for the young adventurer. "Considering your current status and the potential limitations you face, we must carefully assess which weapon would be most suitable for you," he mused aloud.
"Given your locked vitality and the skill set you have developed so far, opting for a weapon that complements your strengths would be wise," Ozias continued. "While the whip may not possess the raw power of a sword or the defensive capabilities of a shield, it does offer a unique advantage in its ability to restrain and control enemies. Its versatility in immobilizing opponents can grant you the crucial time needed to maneuver and strike effectively."
He paused, deep in thought, before continuing, "However, if you were to consider an alternative weapon, one that aligns with your current attributes and skills, you might find success in mastering a weapon that leverages agility and precision. A weapon that allows you to strike swiftly and accurately, capitalizing on your dexterity and speed, could be an optimal choice."
He then began to list a few potential weapons that might suit Saad's current status and skill set, taking into account his attributes and existing combat techniques. Swords, daggers, and perhaps even polearms were among the suggestions, each offering distinct advantages that could complement Saad's capabilities in the virtual realm. Saad though was getting just more conflicted by the minute.
As Ozias delved deeper into the discussion, he considered various possibilities that could complement Saad's existing whip mastery. "Perhaps an approach that combines your whip skills with a secondary weapon or elemental magic could offer a strategic advantage," he suggested. "Consider the benefits of wielding a rapier or a dagger alongside your whip. These weapons emphasize precision and agility, allowing you to capitalize on your dexterity and finesse while providing alternative means of dealing damage."
He then shifted his focus to the realm of magic. "Alternatively, delving into the arcane arts could be a promising path for you. Mastering elemental magic, such as lightning or wind, could augment your whip skills, granting you the ability to imbue your attacks with elemental power and diversifying your combat capabilities. The combination of whip mastery with elemental magic can create a formidable synergy that offers both control and offensive prowess."
Ozias emphasized the importance of maximizing the potential of each skill and class, ensuring that Saad's combat style would become more versatile and adaptable. "By combining the strategic use of a secondary weapon or elemental magic with your whip mastery, you can create a dynamic combat approach that mitigates the limitations of the whip's lower damage output and enhances your overall effectiveness in battle."
At this stage, Saad didn't know if Ozias wanted him to change his class, or just choose a class to compliment his whip mastery. He also had first hand experienced using magic and really, the attributes or lighting, darkness and wind all had made him love the whip so much. He had been so sure before Ozias started to talk.
Ozias nodded in understanding, considering Saad's predicament with utmost care. "Now that I think about it. Indeed, changing your class might not be the easiest decision, especially with your recent progress and the potential you hold," he remarked thoughtfully. "Instead, let's explore the possibilities and find a way to optimize your current setup."
"Possibilities?" Saad felt like he was reaching nowhere with this useless conversation. This man just loved to talk-! He tried to find the skip or logout button but he couldn't logout without losing progress. This was just driving him crazy.
After a brief pause, Ozias suggested three potential options that could enhance Saad's combat prowess and strategic capabilities, considering his current attributes and skill set.
"Firstly, you might consider adopting a dual-dagger technique to complement your agility and dexterity. This would allow you to focus on rapid and precise strikes, capitalizing on your heightened speed and finesse in close-quarter combat."
"Secondly, delving into the realm of elemental magic, specifically wind magic, could further amplify your existing abilities. Wind spells can provide additional agility and speed, synergizing well with your current attributes and offering supplementary offensive options."
"Lastly, you could opt to develop your stealth capabilities by honing your skills in the art of subterfuge. Emphasizing stealth and deception tactics, such as shadow arts or camouflage techniques, would allow you to gain the upper hand in surprise attacks and strategic maneuvers, providing an element of surprise and control on the battlefield."
Ozias emphasized the importance of choosing an option that aligned with Saad's playstyle and strengths, ensuring a seamless integration that would enable him to make the most of his current capabilities. But as expected, Saad was confused even more now. Should he change his current class or just wait until his second class unlocks?
Saad's frown deepened as he contemplated Ozias's suggestions. "But should I even try to change my class then?" he asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.
Ozias leaned back in his chair, his expression serene as he considered Saad's dilemma. "Of course, you still have the time," he reassured Saad. "Though the choice shouldn't be made hastily. It's crucial to assess your strengths and weaknesses, to understand how your skills and attributes can be optimized to their fullest potential. So do you have anymore questions?"