Ring of Damage vs Stat gain ring

[icefyre]

hello all,

Was hoping someone would have a clear opinion on this.
Have the choice of a Ring of Damage +7 or a Ring of Dex + 3.
Damage seems almost identical when I swap them out. Differences I can see are:
Dex gives me 5.5 blows vs 4.7 blows with Ring of Damage.
Dex ring sustains dexterity. (Don't have dex sustain from other equipment now)
Ring of Damage has slightly (very slightly) more damage output.

Is there a clear winner? See attached screenshots for stats with either ring.

Thanks!

[Gwarl]

I'd go with dexterity.

[Philip]

Ring of Dex is better because of sustain dex and less theft. Also, more blows is usually better, at least until a flat monster dr is implemented. At your blows/round it's largely irrelevant, since you're always going to hit on at least one blow anyway, and I'm quite fuzzy on the math, but in most situations, more chances for less damage is more likely to lead to a good result than more damage with fewer chances.

[Gwarl]

Ring of Dex is better because of sustain dex and less theft. Also, more blows is usually better, at least until a flat monster dr is implemented. At your blows/round it's largely irrelevant, since you're always going to hit on at least one blow anyway, and I'm quite fuzzy on the math, but in most situations, more chances for less damage is more likely to lead to a good result than more damage with fewer chances.

Less likely to lead to a bad result to be pedantic about it.

[Estie]

Objectively, dex ring is all so slightly better (sustain > damage gain). Personally, I would use this opportunity to squelch dex rings and use the damage ring (less clutter > all alternatives). Eventually youll end up with damage ring anyway.

[Ingwe Ingweron]

It depends. The answer will change over time depending upon the @s then current Dexterity and the weight of the @s then primary weapon. Also whether sustaining the Dexterity stat is a current concern. Check the damage per round of the weapon when wearing each ring (I'm assuming you cannot wear both, because you have a speed ring or another damage ring or some such in the other ring slot). Compare the damage, and go with the one that is higher. For example, if the Dex ring gives higher damage output with the principal weapon, then use the Dex ring, but keep the damage ring in inventory or at home. Once @'s Dex is increased by stat gain potions or by other equipment bonuses, do the comparison again. Also do the comparison again when @ changes the principal weapon. At some point, the Damage ring will likely outclass the Dex bonus. Another consideration is the @ class. If @ is a ranger, then Dex is more critical for the use of a bow. The damage ring has no effect upon the damage of arrows, but the Dex ring can affect the to-hit chances for the arrows.

[Pete Mack]

I'm with Estie--DEX rings have an extremely short useful lifetime. Once your hitting over four blows with a decent weapon, DEX very quickly becomes obsolete. You'll find a better damage ring (or something else) soon enough. The answer is: it doesn't matter a bit, so might as well go with damage. Liches are pretty rare anyway.