Rating History ▼

Rating History ▲

Pop For Your 'Points (0/3): Despite its utility in battle, the price of Monoceraptors Claw is astronomical. The price tag of several hundred million NP is not justified.

In Battle (4/5): To me, Monoceraptors Claw should be considered an alternative to the HT Swords, as that is the group of weapons most similar in power. However, some other weapons do find comparability to Monoceraptors Claw, such as Ghostkersword. Let's first begin with the HT Swords, such as Sword of Skardsen or Sword of Reif.

At first glance, you might be tempted to choose a HT Sword over Monoceraptors Claw simply for the chance to hit 24 icons. Clearly something like Sword of Ari is more of a powerhouse, right? Not exactly. There isn't even a 10% chance the HT Swords (or Kelpbeards Trident, by the way) will hit over 20 icons. Conversely, there is a 60% chance Monoceraptors Claw will hit for 20.3 icons or more. While it is true the HT Swords have the ability to hit for more, it is so rarely realized that it is a non-factor. Look at it this way: while something such as Sword of Thigl has a 1.56% chance of maxing at 24 icons, Monoceraptors Claw has a 10% chance of maxing at 23.20 icons. The HT Sword average, 18.34, is not very much higher than the 17.98 MINIMUM you can do while wielding body parts of the first war boss on neopets.

It is also worth noting that Ghostkersword has shortcomings similar to the HT Swords, though not as severe. The average 20.59 icons dealt by MC marginally eclipse the average for Ghostkersword, which is 20. Still, G-Sword has advantages compared to the HT Swords, such as a ~11% chance of outdamaging M-Claw's maximum. But in the long run, it really is all about statistics. And when it comes to statistics, M-Claw is king. You need to use Cove weapons or equivalent to one up this offensively.

Now that we have covered the general power, it is time to discuss the icon types. Generally speaking, Monoceraptors Claw does not have to worry about shields or reflectors. It will punch through any shield, rendering that shield a waste for the turn if you picked an appropriate second weapon for the turn. Needless to say, M-Claw plus Sword of Thigl into Hubrid Nox Memorial Shield wouldn't be wasting a shield. You need to choose intelligently, not that this should have to be said. The same applies to reflectors; not even Kings Lens has much to say here. That is, unless you try to stack M-Claw with Reif and their trusty Flame Reflectozap comes out of hiding. The secondary weapon you choose to accompany M-Claw is of the utmost importance. It really cannot be said enough.

The bigger threat to Monoceraptors Claw comes in the form of top tier dual duty weapons. Skarls Sword and Wand of the Dark Faerie will do nothing but cause grief for the person using Monoceraptors Claw. Amazingly, however, Monoceraptors Claw comes out ahead of Fan of Swords, 17.4 icons to 17.

When it comes to alternatives that do the same thing, you will be sacrificing power for a much cheaper price tag. One weapon to consider is the Commemorative Battle Faerie Axe. It is weaker on all accounts, and is felled by the Fan of Swords, a weapon that will rise to prominence over time. It does swap earth out for air, so it could be used in situations where M-Claw falters. For even more wide icon-spreading, poke-through-all-shields goodness, also consider Fan of Swords itself. Those are probably the most similar weapons in terms of power and function.

In all, I think you have a very good weapon. It just needs to be considered an equivalent to the HT Swords and not something like Grapes of Wrath. Then again, if the opponent can reflect dark and earth at will this actually becomes worth considering. The downside is also considering the price.

Other (2/2): The claw isn't ACTUALLY red...

Rated on August 26, 2013. Updated December 23, 2024