Shantania/Outclassing

Weapon Triangle

Similar to Fire Emblem, weapons fall into a "weapon triangle" of rock-paper-scissors. Weapons that outclass other weapons on the Triangle will gain boosts to accuracy and strength, while outclassed weapons will gain equivalent penalties. Where Fire Emblem's triangle is lance-to-axe-to-sword-to-lance, Shantania's weapons are classed not by weapon type, but by dominant stat. Heavy melee weapons are Strength-focused; bows, daggers and thrown weapons are Skill-focused, and spellbooks and other magic weapons are Magic-focused. The triangle goes Strength > Magic > Skill > Strength; i.e. heavy Strength weapons outclass Magic, Magic outclasses Skill, and Skill outclasses Strength.

Example

Brenick's weapon is a Bullwhip whose dominant stat is Skill. This gives him an advantage over Teah, whose Hammer is Strength-based. Teah's hammer, conversely, gives her the edge against Garth, whose spellbooks are obviously Magic-based; and we come full circle as Garth's spellbooks will outclass Brenick's bullwhip.

Also similar to FE, there are weapons that "break the rules." Lynia's quarterstaff does not fall anywhere in the triangle, giving her neither strengths nor weaknesses to any other weapons. Argur's fists are Strength-based, but work backwards, outclassing Skill weapons but leaving him weak to Magic.