No weapon reflects Dark icons better than Ultimate Dark Reflectorb, yet this weapon does not see very much play. Let's consider the reasons why Ultimate Dark Reflectorb is so limited.

This weapon is a R99 stocking in Defence Magic, and on the player market it carries a price of a few million Neopoints. However, Hanso Charisma Charm can be found for a fraction of the price. (Ring of the Lost is an option as well.) Although slightly more pricey, Ghostkershield also offers full-Dark defense in addition to a wide variety of additional defense. When a large quantity of Dark icons is actually encountered, reflection is far more appealing than full defense. Although more appealing, the insurance of some additional offensive or defensive icons that come with the full-block options mentioned are hard to pass up. Since the mentioned full-block options are so prevalent in the metagame, mass-Dark icons are used sparingly and carefully by players. The conservative use of Dark icons in turn negatively affects the usability of Ultimate Dark Reflectorb.

Sword of Skardsen and Wand of the Dark Faerie are the two primary mass-Dark offensive weapons. Jhudoras Bewitched Ring and Jhudoras Potion are around, but far less common. Sword of Skardsen is not as popular as Sword of Reif, Sword of Thare, and Sword of Ari, but it is still likely the most common mass-Dark weapon used in the Battledome. Wand of the Dark Faerie is obviously the most intimidating mass-Dark weapon available. The wand is also the only weapon that will be used for purposes other than dealing Dark icons.

The use of Ultimate Dark Reflectorb against these weapons is problematic considering that any 2P battler with these weapons will be relying on a more diverse icon scheme than simply Dark icons. A swing and a miss with Ultimate Dark Reflectorb will almost certainly result in a negative turn differential. Although far more expensive, Kings Lens offers reflection against a much wider list of top weapons, albeit only 50% of each its icon types.

Anyone trying to run Ultimate Dark Reflectorb in a 2-Player battle is going to have to be pretty gutsy. Dark defense is common enough that Dark offense is used sparingly, and all three most common full-Dark defenders offer additional benefits.

1-Player is another story, but not enough 1P opponents run mass-Dark. Way back in the day when Defenders of Neopia still worked, I used Ultimate Dark Reflectorb to defeat the Giant Chomby for mission 12. (I also acquired Kings Lens later on, which was far more entertaining against the Chomby, for obvious reasons.) I'm having trouble thinking of another 1P challenger that would fear Ultimate Dark Reflectorb. Maybe the Black Pteri or Sidney if HP increase was actually around?

Ultimate Dark Reflectorb may be the best at what it is designed to do, but sometimes the best is not enough. If this weapon offered a Superior Reflection Shield-esque 100% reflect it would be more popular. At 75%, the risk outweighs the benefit in most cases.

(Note that Amulet of Reflection is available as a disposable 75% Dark reflector.)

Rated on March 26, 2015