Choosing weapons

[Yeargdribble]

I understand that different weapons work in different ways. However, I still cannot see a reason to not just use the strongest weapon available for every party member. For me currently, this means running around with the latest Bow or Spear.

Even if I were to choose to use 1H weapons with shields, why not just use the same strongest 1H weapon for everyone? Beyond that, for certain battles, it seems that you are more likely to be hurt by using a variety of weapons.

For example:
(SPOILER)When fighting the bird before the tomb... it seems like using nothing but ranged weapons would be the the best option. Why even use any other weapon than the Killer Bow for everyone?

[Dell]

I don't know what you mean but I give the same weapon to everyone (well, not everyone, just three of my main character, I leave the other three unarmed). I use Axes/Hammers and IMO, Bows/Guns sucked.

(SPOILER)For Garuda in Tomb of Raithwall, use Dark (Arcane Magic), don't worry about Vossler, he uses Telekinesis. I don't even bother using bows and guns. When at the end of the game, I found guns and bows to be the weakest.

[Yeargdribble]

I don't know what you mean but I give the same weapon to everyone (well, not everyone, just three of my main character, I leave the other three unarmed). I use Axes/Hammers and IMO, Bows/Guns sucked.

I mean, is there any reason to not equip everyone with the exact same weapon type?

Why give

Vaan a Dagger,
Basch a Sword,
Balthier a Gun...

...when you can just equip all 3 with the same high attack weapon? Most recently the most powerful weapon I could buy was a Javelin. Why wouldn't I just have all 3 members equip a Javelin instead of having each equip various weapons?

[Dell]

I don't know what you mean but I give the same weapon to everyone (well, not everyone, just three of my main character, I leave the other three unarmed). I use Axes/Hammers and IMO, Bows/Guns sucked.

I mean, is there any reason to not equip everyone with the exact same weapon type?

Why give

Vaan a Dagger,
Basch a Sword,
Balthier a Gun...

...when you can just equip all 3 with the same high attack weapon? Most recently the most powerful weapon I could buy was a Javelin. Why wouldn't I just have all 3 members equip a Javelin instead of having each equip various weapons?

Well, for me, no reason, I found it better with everyone using the same weapon.
Don't equip Javelin, because you can't equip Shields, without shield, you rarely even evade an attack/magic.

[Paul]

i think it'd be fun to play the game keeping the characters to specific job types. more interesting than having the same characters.

[Crossblades]

i think it'd be fun to play the game keeping the characters to specific job types. more interesting than having the same characters.

Exactly. Adding variety to your party will make the game more fun

[mobkon]

Well, the answer is sort of simple.

You should have at least 1 person standing on the outskirts of the battle using a ranged weapon. Why? Because this person will take the very least damage of the battle (in most cases), and will be able to throw buffs and cures as well as raise (if no more phoenix downs). I currently have Fran and Balthier using ranged weapons and curing/raising/buffing when needed so I dont have to have my main attackers (Basche, Vaan, etc.) take away from their swinging of their swords.

So far this has worked great for me. No complaints.

[Spammerman]

I like to keep job specific almost. ex
Vaan uses spears
Fran uses bows
Ashe uses poles
Thats usually my main party.

[The Summoner of Leviathan]

i think it'd be fun to play the game keeping the characters to specific job types. more interesting than having the same characters.

Exactly. Adding variety to your party will make the game more fun

Same. Plus different kinds of weapons have different capacities. If you look in your Clan Primer it tells you about the advantages of different types of weapons, like daggers (and bows) are based on speed thus if you have a higher speed you will do more damage (and probably more chance of multiple hits). Guns and the like are piercing weapons so their damage is not affected by your opponant's defense. Hammer and Axes are powerful but inconsistant in the damage they deal. Poles have something to do with magic (either resistance or defense), etc... You'd have to check in your Clan Primer under the Tips (It is something along the lines of "Arm yourself" or something to that effect). It gives a nice explaination between the different weapon types.

Anyways my main party is Vaan (dagger w/ shield), Balthier (spears/poles/guns) and Fran (bow). I find it works nice with Fran having long range with the bow because I have her casting magic often and usually equiped with mystic type armour, this helps minimize damage towards her. I would use guns with Balthier more since I like long range weapons plus it ignores def, but they are rather weak for attack power so I go with the more dragoon-like weaponry.

[im_mrbrightside20]

hmm i like my set up i made it almost a job thing

i have Vaan using sword and shield and all white magick AKA paladin

Ashe- she is using a sword and shield and using all magic AKA a red mage type

Basche- i have him using the big weapons Hammers,Spears,etc kinda like a Warrior

Bartheir(SP?)-using guns and some buffs a ranged person

Penelo- i have her using a sheild and then some daggers and ninja swords u kno light weapons with some back up healing and stealing a Theif

Fran- using a bow and all magick kinda like a red mage type just with a bow

[Ichimonji]

Vaan - One handed Swords/Daggers with Shield. Vaan's my frontman, and dabbles in a bit of everything.

Ashe - Hand Axes with Shield. Powerhouse.

Basch - One handed Swords/Daggers with Shield. Although unlike Vaan, Basch is my technick warehouse.

Penelo - Two handed Rods. She's my primary spell caster.

Balthier - Two handed Spears.

Fran - Bows. Also a primary spellcaster.

[Jowy]

So far:

Vaan - One handed sword/dagger, shield, white/black magick.

Penelo - daggers and white magick.

Balthier - Guns and technicks.

Fran - Bows and black magick.

[Yeargdribble]

I think everyone missed the point of my question. I was asking if there was any statistical reason not to just use the best weapon all the time. While playing everyon as set jobs with set weapons might be fun for a future run through, that's irrelevant.

I did end up getting the answer elsewhere however. A friend that played the Japanese version explained to me that basically 2H swords are the best all around while using 1H swords+shields was a good idea for some situations. Bows suck because they have no chance of mutli-hitting.

So statistically, no, there is no reason to use a good majority of the weapons in the game. I'm glad they gave us so much free choice and variety, but a little more balance would be nice. The vast majority of weapons and even certain weapon types are apparently completely statistically pointless to use.

[El Bandito]

While I'll agree some of the weapons are just pure crap (measures and handbombs, wtf?), the balance in the game weapons-wise is pretty good. The statistical reason you want to limit what weapons you have for characters is that it costs license points for everyone to learn a certain weapon. If I just ignore a large part of the weapons grid and focus a character on particular weapons, it gives me tons more license points to spend on augmentations and accessories.

Additionally, it lets you be able to use accesories and armor that are most effective with your selected weapon. For instance, the genji gloves work great on any character, but if you put them with a katana/pole user, they become a comboing machine. Also the bubble belt with a tank character makes them nearly unstoppable and no mage is complete without a cat-ear hood or sage's ring..

[Dell]

The statistical reason you want to limit what weapons you have for characters is that it costs license points for everyone to learn a certain weapon. If I just ignore a large part of the weapons grid and focus a character on particular weapons, it gives me tons more license points to spend on augmentations and accessories.

Why not use the same weapon for everyone till the end of the game rather than having everyone use different weapon? I gives Axes/Hammers to all my parties, and they complete their Augment, Magicks/Technicks and Accessories node before I even reach the end of the game.