They're not the same weapon type
Raptor is a spear, Iron Impact a mace. Beyond the look, that's a usage difference, because not every class can wear every type.
Warrior uses both. STR Battle Priest uses both too; on the Priest side Iron Impact is actually more common.
On the Kurian side the spear is on the list, the mace isn't. If you play Kurian the decision already goes Raptor's way.
Assassin, Archer and Mage can use neither. Their weapon types are dagger, bow and staff.
Weapon AP step by step
| Step | Raptor | Iron Impact | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| +0 | 137 | 130 | 7 |
| +1 | 137 | 130 | 7 |
| +2 | 143 | 136 | 7 |
| +3 | 149 | 142 | 7 |
| +4 | 155 | 148 | 7 |
| +5 | 161 | 154 | 7 |
| +6 | 167 | 160 | 7 |
| +7 | 175 | 168 | 7 |
| +8 | 187 | 180 | 7 |
| +9 | 205 | 198 | 7 |
| +10 | 235 | 228 | 7 |
Values are from the game's own item data. The gap is exactly 7 AP at every step; it never widens or narrows.
What 7 weapon AP is worth in total AP
| Total stat | Total AP gap |
|---|---|
| 200 | 47 |
| 250 | 58 |
| 300 | 70 |
| 350 | 82 |
| 400 | 93 |
Because weapon AP is multiplied by the stat, the gap widens as your stat grows. Still, it stays within a fixed range.
One step's difference swallows the weapon difference
| Comparison | Raptor AP | Iron Impact AP | Who's ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raptor +7 · Iron Impact +8 | 1,833 | 1,883 | Iron Impact, 50 AP |
| Raptor +8 · Iron Impact +9 | 1,953 | 2,063 | Iron Impact, 110 AP |
| Raptor +9 · Iron Impact +10 | 2,133 | 2,363 | Iron Impact, 230 AP |
Warrior level 83, 300 total STR, no buffs. So if you can upgrade the Iron Impact you have one step higher, you don't need to switch to Raptor.
The variants catch up with each other
| Weapon | +0 | +8 | +9 | +10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raptor | 137 | 187 | 205 | 235 |
| Noah Raptor | 137 | 187 | 205 | 235 |
| Exceptional Raptor | 139 | 189 | 207 | 237 |
| Hepa's Raptor | 142 | 192 | 210 | 240 |
| Hepa's Exceptional Raptor | 144 | 194 | 212 | 242 |
| Iron Impact | 130 | 180 | 198 | 228 |
| Exceptional Iron Impact | 132 | 182 | 200 | 230 |
| Hepa's Iron Impact | 135 | 185 | 203 | 233 |
| Hepa's Exceptional Iron Impact | 137 | 187 | 205 | 235 |
Hepa's Exceptional Iron Impact's AP series is identical to plain Raptor's. Different name, same numbers.
Nothing changes on the Reverse side
When you convert the item to Reverse the AP series starts over, but the pattern stays the same.
Reverse Raptor +1 is exactly 175 AP, the same as normal Raptor +7. Reverse +5 is 187, the same as normal +8. Reverse +11 is 205, the same as normal +9.
Every Reverse step adds +3 AP. No jumps like the normal steps, it goes flat.
Iron Impact follows the same pattern, just 7 AP below. Reverse Iron Impact +1 is 168, +5 is 180, +11 is 198.
Decision
- If the two items are at the same step, Raptor. 7 AP is small but free.
- If you can upgrade the Iron Impact one step higher, Iron Impact. One step is many times the gap between the two weapons.
- If you play Kurian the mace isn't on the list anyway; look at Raptor.
- If you found a Hepa's Exceptional Iron Impact, stop looking for a plain Raptor; you already have the same numbers.
- Don't make the price decision here. Price changes by server and by day; the AP table doesn't.