I like nonstandard weapons and both of the flourishes fit this so I only have a few questions.
How is the status inflicted? Every hit like FOV?
At the combo end like Hot edge?
or just on the charge like Combuster?
I already have a flourish I plan on turning into a Deadly candy poker, I just want to know some info on these weapons to know if I need to practice a certain playstyle so I can be ready to use them.
Status flourishes have a chance to inflict status on regular hit. So does Fang of Vog. I am unable to see if their charge attacks have a better chance of status (or if the regular attack has less status chance than the item description).
I do believe the Flamberge has only Slight chance of status on regular attack and Fair for charge attack, for example. I do not have proof of this, though.
If it helps you make your decision, here are the defined status chances (taken from the code in game):
Oh Bopp, always flirting with me like that with your eyes and dusky voice.
Brandishes will deal more damage on the whole or slightly less damage + guaranteed status on the charge, making the only real use for these swords their utility, and not their damage.
This utility is typically their fast first strike, and ability to zip through crowds, as well as any status effects that they can deliver.
Flamberg = fire = more damage to a wider variety of things, but less to piercing weak things. Chance to proc fire is low, as most piercing weak enemies are resistant to fire. This makes the sword really mediocre.
Rigadoon = stun = more straight up utility value. Less damage. Wolvers, grievers and silkwings are all weak to stun.
Since it would usually make more sense to take one brandish for the damage or one flourish for the utility, the "best" flourish variety would be rigadoon, even if it seems to under perform. Others have, however, found that it does not necessarily underperform at all and stuns upwards of half the time against the stun weak enemies mentioned.
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@Gear Storm
Furious flamberg reports to have a "fair" chance of moderate fire, but I just tested it a bit in the training hall and it seems to be anything but a 1 in 4 chance. The "slight" reported by fearless rigadoon seems and feels more accurate. This is also what I thought it was initially.
As a recon who likes getting burn kills with his FOV and magma driver would a Flamberg be a good choice for countering Chaos Cloak strikers or should I just stick to stock Flourish?
Every stroke of the combo has a chance of status. (I have these, but I haven't tested them in a while.) I recommend Final Flourish/Barbarous Thorn Blade. Fehzor may also show up with an opinion.
http://wiki.spiralknights.com/User:Jdavis/Swords#Piercing_Swords