Optimize this Weapon: EtherBlade from Fiend Folio p.68

[daremetoidareyo]

Etherblade:

Resembling a short glaive topped with a hollow barrel, this favored weapon of the ethergaunts can fire a ray of force as a ranged touch attack for 1d6 points of damage. The etherblade ray has a range increment of 40 feet. The weapon can fire 50 times before it is exhausted. It cannot be recharged.
An etherblade can be used as a two-handed weapon in melee combat to deal 1d10 points of slashing damage. A fully charged etherblade has a market price of 800 gp.


Ethergaunts have developed a number of technological marvels. Because the race shuns art or pleasure, most such devices facilitate one of two activities: genocide or the eradication of religious devotion. Though the features of these objects resemble those of magic items, the objects are in fact technological and are not affected by spells such as antimagic field. Only ethergaunts have the knowledge and skill to build or maintain these devices.

Besides being the Called Weapon ACF for PsyWar, what can we do with this bad boy?
Lasso (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?507609-Optimize-this-weapon-1-Lasso-from-BOED-p34&p=21442311#post21442311)
Caber (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?512389-Optimize-this-weapon-2-Caber-from-Masters-of-the-Wild)
Locking Garotte (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?513593-Optimize-this-weapon-3-Locking-Garrote-from-Song-and-Silence-p-52#post21653263)

[Inevitability]

It seems useful against the typical caster tactic of a selective AMF combined with incorporeality.

[Venger]

due to fiend folio's just phenomenal editing, this weapon is neither simple, martial, nor exotic, so that's just awesome.

for the purposes of this challenge, what're we considering it? if exotic like all similar weapons, such as the sun giant's sandblaster, then a mom dip will allow you to use this stupid thing.

force damage as a ray is pretty amazing, though a tiny bit more expensive than a wand of sonic snap. it working in an amf is very tasty.

consequently, one of the things to do is use these as things to channel precision damage and turn it into force damage (as a touch too) which is comparatively difficult otherwise.

handedness for using it as a gun isn't mentioned, and I don't see why you couldn't use two, like hand crossbows and double your fun. even if the challenge restricts you to one, you can deal a fairly respectable amount of damage that does all the good stuff force can do (kill ghosts, bypass dr, slip through an amf, etc)

if a mom dip is blockaded because this thing is ruled to be neither simple, martial, nor exotic, then just have the guy use master's touch first and do all the stuff I said. if that's out, UMD to emulate an ethergaunt. (what maintenance? the things can't be reloaded)

[Gemini476]

Being non-proficient isn't too big an issue - it's a touch attack, so the -4 to hit is a bit less relevant. It's nice to be rid of it, though.

[Beheld]

Yeah, looks like the optimal use of this weapon is to buy a pile of them and hand them to a TWFing Rapid Shot flask rogue build. It's a Force Touch Attack that can be twfing rapid shoted, is super cheap, and the -4 penalty for non proficiency hardly matters. It's 16gp per shot, if you can craft it with the craft skill, you can get it down lower. Basically, using it exclusively is going to cost less than half your consumable budget at every level.

Lose out on the ability to do energy damage with flasks to exploit vulnerability, gain the ability to hit ethereal/incorporeal, but otherwise, pretty similar.

[Gemini476]

Remember, though, you can't craft them unless you're an Ethergaunt. "Only ethergaunts have the knowledge and skill to build or maintain these devices."

Not to mention that, well, as nonmagical devices they'd presumably go with the slow-as-molasses mundane crafting rules.

[daremetoidareyo]

Twf is a good suggestion. The return to the temple of the frog has technological items too. Maybe there is something in there to guide our hand as far as adjudicating the most likely weapon category.

We will be assuming that exotic weapon proficiency is necessary unless you're a natural born ethergaunt.

[Venger]

Remember, though, you can't craft them unless you're an Ethergaunt. "Only ethergaunts have the knowledge and skill to build or maintain these devices."

Not to mention that, well, as nonmagical devices they'd presumably go with the slow-as-molasses mundane crafting rules.

that's what umd is for.

[Zaq]

that's what umd is for.

Does Use MAGIC Device help when crafting NON-magical items?

[Venger]

Are we ruling that this thing is a mundane item? Again, like its weapon category (simple/martial/exotic) it is silent. In the absence of information, while it doesn't specify a caster level or any spells you need to make it, I assumed that like the doubt bomb immediately below it, a blowgun I use to shoot mind bullets was at the very least an alchemical item, which I think is kosher to use UMD on to emulate a race.

[Bucky]

It looks like the only way to gain proficiency with an Etherblade is to be a cleric that worships an Ethergaunt.


I cannot imagine what such a cleric would actually believe.

[ExLibrisMortis]

Does Use MAGIC Device help when crafting NON-magical items?
UMD an item of fabricate? That'd work, but it may not be what Venger meant.


An elan can easily turn into a red ethergaunt with alter self, as they are medium 5 HD abberations. Though dubious from an in-universe perspective, that may allow you to craft etherblades by RAW.

[daremetoidareyo]

Let's assume that you can buy a new one every level. Can't you planar bind you some crafters?

Dwarven urgrosh mind blade + warblade dip can get etherblade added to a soulknifes mind blade list...theoretically.

[ExLibrisMortis]

Let's assume that you can buy a new one every level. Can't you planar bind you some crafters?

Dwarven urgrosh mind blade + warblade dip can get etherblade added to a soulknifes mind blade list...theoretically.
You would lose the etherblade's main ability (to function in an antimagic field without trouble). It'd still be a slightly improved Soulbow dip, which isn't bad (from the soulknife's perspective anyway), but I wouldn't go for it.

[Venger]

It looks like the only way to gain proficiency with an Etherblade is to be a cleric that worships an Ethergaunt.


I cannot imagine what such a cleric would actually believe.
Sounds good to me.

He'd probably just think ethergaunts were cool and want to have powers like them and would square the cognitive dissonance away somehow, like ocular adepts.


UMD an item of fabricate? That'd work, but it may not be what Venger meant.


An elan can easily turn into a red ethergaunt with alter self, as they are medium 5 HD abberations. Though dubious from an in-universe perspective, that may allow you to craft etherblades by RAW.
As clever as that is, I can't pretend that's what I meant. That certainly works too. Not really dubious, you're an ethergaunt, so you can make these dumb things.

[Inevitability]

It looks like the only way to gain proficiency with an Etherblade is to be a cleric that worships an Ethergaunt.


I cannot imagine what such a cleric would actually believe.

Even if using divine magic is against an Ethergaunt's code of conduct, Heretic of the Faith allows one to still use it. Maybe look in that direction?

[Darrin]

The description in the Fiend Folio doesn't give this weapon a weight. However, it does say it's like a short glaive, and glaives do have a weight: 10 lbs. It's a mundane non-magical object, so one jug of shapesand (100 GP, Sandstorm p. 102) gives you a fully-charged etherblade. Even better, when you run out of charges, unform it then create it again for another fully-charged etherblade.

However, most DMs are not going to allow that without inflicting upon you some degree of serious head trauma. So let's say you've got a drained etherblade. Other than stab people with it, what else can you do with it?


https://static4.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_small/4/48250/924190-glaive.jpg


Yeah, ok, not exactly the right kind of glaive. Actually, I'm going to borrow a neat trick from the Viscount's Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21775399&postcount=86) build:

Race: Human.
1) Fighter 1. Feat: PB Shot. Human: Power Attack. Bonus: Rapid Shot.
2) Fighter 2. Bonus: EWP Etherblade.
3) Fighter 3. Feat: WF Etherblade.
4) Fighter 4. Bonus: WS Etherblade.
5) Warblade 1.
6) Exotic Weapon Master 1. Feat: Quick Draw. Stunt: Throw Exotic Weapon.
7) Bloodstorm Blade 1.
8) Bloodstorm Blade 2.
9) Bloodstorm Blade 3. Feat: Brutal Throw. Bonus: Power Throw.
10) Bloodstorm Blade 4.
11) Fighter 5.
12) Fighter 6. Feat: Precise Shot. Bonus: Far Shot.
13) Peerless Archer 1.
14) Peerless Archer 2.
15) Peerless Archer 3. Feat: Ranged Weapon Mastery. Power Shot.
16) Warblade 2.
17) Warblade 3.
18) Warblade 4. Feat: Penetrating Shot.
19) Warblade 5. Bonus: Stone Power.
20) Warblade 6. Avalanche of Blades.

Instead of using Waverider's Superior Mounted Archery, we're using Exotic Weapon Master. Take a close look at the first sentence of the "Throw Exotic Weapon" stunt:

"The character can throw an exotic weapon with no penalty on the attack roll, even if it isn't designed to be thrown..." (emphasis added)

The type of penalty isn't specified, so we could argue that it applies to *all* penalties (wear a helmet for this one): the -4 penalty for throwing a melee weapon, range penalties, -2 penalty for Rapid Shot, Power Throw penalty, Power Shot penalty, and of course Thunderous Throw + Power Attack penalty (applied in that order, of course). At ECL 20, that's at least +80 damage just from Power Throw/Power Shot/Power Attack.

Penetrating Shot is there mostly for giggles. You may get lucky enough to have your opponents line up, in which case you can throw your etherblade right through their ribcages in a 60' line. Technically, this feat doesn't work with thrown weapons... but the etherblade is actually a projectile weapon, and you're making a ranged attack with it, so it counts (sorta). Stone Power is also mostly giggles, but then again, you can ignore the -5 attack penalty for 10 free temporary HP per round. If you like, you can sub in some more Fighter levels for Combat Expertise and Improved Combat Expertise, cranking up your AC by +20. But if you stick with Warblade 6, then you have just enough IL to get Avalanche of Blades.

Activating Thunderous Throw lets us treat our thrown weapon attacks as if they were melee. This means we can throw our etherblade as part of Avalanche of Blades... and when it hits, we can ignore the -5 penalty on subsequent attacks. So we can keep making attack rolls at +80 damage until we miss. Too bad it has to all be on the same opponent, otherwise you could clear the battlefield in a single round.

[Venger]

excellent use of the devil and the deep blue sea.

darn, I was waiting on a ruling on whether the thing was mundane before saying shapesand. well done on that, although like turning it into a chaos flask, I suspect it would be dubious in actual play.

the penetrating shot trick is very good, but the fun never has to end. . if you partnered with an ally who was immune to damage (in a way of their choice, but for simplicity's sake let's say a bone knight who has season passes to the shriver) you could have him stand in line with multiple enemies and target him indefinitely with avalanche of blades until you killed everyone else. have him tank his AC (I mean why wouldn't he? perhaps he does something with masochism/karmic strike/etc since he can get hurt forever) and you can pretty much attack all day

[Darrin]

the penetrating shot trick is very good, but the fun never has to end. . if you partnered with an ally who was immune to damage (in a way of their choice, but for simplicity's sake let's say a bone knight who has season passes to the shriver) you could have him stand in line with multiple enemies and target him indefinitely with avalanche of blades until you killed everyone else. have him tank his AC (I mean why wouldn't he? perhaps he does something with masochism/karmic strike/etc since he can get hurt forever) and you can pretty much attack all day

Dagnabbit... this would be the damage trick I kept looking to combine with Pain Mastery but couldn't find!

Well, actually not quite true... my Pain Mastery idea involved stacking a few hundred applications of Blister Oil and then voluntarily failing the save... and then maybe doing something involving share pain with a psicrystal or whatnot. Couldn't quite bring it all together.

[mabriss lethe]

Hmm: Would weapon augment crystals do double duty here? applying extra damage to both ranged and melee attacks?

[Venger]

Hmm: Would weapon augment crystals do double duty here? applying extra damage to both ranged and melee attacks?

if they didn't specify melee/ranged, yeah. which ones just add bonus damage again?

[Soranar]

A fully charged one costs 800 gp right?

Just take ancestral relic , every time you run out of charges you can just reinvest value into it so that it regains its charges. I usually do that with a dorje but it works just as well with this thing.

Add a crystal against undead and you'll be able to sneak attack undead with that thing.

[Venger]

A fully charged one costs 800 gp right?

Just take ancestral relic , every time you run out of charges you can just reinvest value into it so that it regains its charges. I usually do that with a dorje but it works just as well with this thing.

Add a crystal against undead and you'll be able to sneak attack undead with that thing.

I don't think ancestral relic will actually work, since the thing doesn't become useless when it reaches 0 charges like a wand, so you can't go from 0-800 (unless we're assuming partially charged etherblades exist costwise)

very good call on adding a truedeath crystal. I assume you meant "you can sneak attack incorporeal undead" but that's clever.

[Menzath]

It's Ray is force damage, that can hit incorporeal regardless.

[Dagroth]

A Greater Truedeath Crystal allows for sneak-attacking Undead... but requires a +3 Weapon to attach to.

[Menzath]

Are we classifying this as a glaive equivalent weapon? Or can it be dual classified as a ranged and meele weapon?
What kind of weapon enchantments does this thing even qualify for?

[daremetoidareyo]

I think it is classified as a rare ranged/melee polearm. I'm excited to see what enchantments would work on it.

[Menzath]

Also, looks like we can get around crafting them with the shadow Smith class, technically makes it an SU though.

I forgot, anyways to change an SU to EX?

Would also allow us to change weapon enchantments whenever we needed. To bad the class overall isn't that good. Would the psy power call weapon also work for just "making" one of these?
Or even that spell, summon weapon.

[ExLibrisMortis]

I think it is classified as a rare ranged/melee polearm. I'm excited to see what enchantments would work on it.
Well, splitting would be good, but it only works on bows, crossbows, and their ammunition. The hank's energy bow enchantment would be good (+1 size increase and Power Attack), but as a unique item, it can't be readily applied to other weapon types. It is in any case debatable whether the ranged and melee function should be enchanted separately.

There are non-magical enchantments: Dragon 358's Master's Forge article, plus all the various bits and pieces spread across setting books. They go nicely with this weapon's AMF-penetrating function. Razor Sharp increases the damage by 1. Thinaun allows soul trapping incorporeal creatures in an antimagic field, if the weapon's material affects the ranged attack (I'm not sure it should).

[Deadline]

Also, looks like we can get around crafting them with the shadow Smith class, technically makes it an SU though.

I forgot, anyways to change an SU to EX?

Would also allow us to change weapon enchantments whenever we needed. To bad the class overall isn't that good. Would the psy power call weapon also work for just "making" one of these?
Or even that spell, summon weapon.

I'm not sure that's accurate. There's plenty of room to argue that a technological beam weapon staff thingy has moving parts in it, which nixes the Shadow Smith ability entirely.

[Gullintanni]

I'm not sure that's accurate. There's plenty of room to argue that a technological beam weapon staff thingy has moving parts in it, which nixes the Shadow Smith ability entirely.

There's plenty of room to argue the contrary. Is this some kind high-powered, pseudo-sciency laser? If so, then we're talking about potentially a solid state device.

No moving parts to speak of.

[Deadline]

There's plenty of room to argue the contrary. Is this some kind high-powered, pseudo-sciency laser? If so, then we're talking about potentially a solid state device.

No moving parts to speak of.

Agreed. But given all that arguing room, it's probably not accurate to say that we can get around the crafting limitation. It should be included as a possibility if a DM agrees with your argument I suppose, but there's a host of stuff that would work if you've got DM approval or buy-in.

The big issue is not having much information about Ethergaunts and their technology in general. Was there a Dragon magazine "Ecology of the Ethergaunt" article at some point? Maybe that can provide clarifying info.

[frogglesmash]

There's plenty of room to argue the contrary. Is this some kind high-powered, pseudo-sciency laser? If so, then we're talking about potentially a solid state device.

No moving parts to speak of.

That may be true, but the trigger mechanism is likely made with moving parts.

[Gullintanni]

That may be true, but the trigger mechanism is likely made with moving parts.

Voice activation! :P

[daremetoidareyo]

Voice activation! :P

ethergaunts don't talk. They wave their head tentacles around.

[Gullintanni]

ethergaunts don't talk. They wave their head tentacles around.

Tentacle print scanner?

[daremetoidareyo]

Tentacle print scanner?

That's my dj name.

[MHCD]

Psychic "Soundprint" Tentacle Scanner
FTFY

Incidentally, it makes for an even more boss DJ name. Banners heralding you can be labeled with PSTS if acronyms are your thing, and your real fans will call you Soundprint.


But regarding the original topic, is it out of the question to play (or perhaps with greater logistical ease, enslave) an ethergaunt in order to ensure a steady supply of etherblades?

[Venger]

FTFY

Incidentally, it makes for an even more boss DJ name. Banners heralding you can be labeled with PSTS if acronyms are your thing, and your real fans will call you Soundprint.


But regarding the original topic, is it out of the question to play (or perhaps with greater logistical ease, enslave) an ethergaunt in order to ensure a steady supply of etherblades?

playing an ethergaunt is impractical due to the stupid LA. that said, you can morph into one by a method of your choosing or just enslave them via aboleth or similar or by using divine magic.

[Inevitability]

playing an ethergaunt is impractical due to the stupid LA. that said, you can morph into one by a method of your choosing or just enslave them via aboleth or similar or by using divine magic.

Actually, the highest-level ones (Black Ethergaunts, I believe) are quite nice. 17th-level wizard casting, giant stat boosts, some special abilities... It probably loses out to an optimized wizard, but that's not saying much.

[Venger]

Actually, the highest-level ones (Black Ethergaunts, I believe) are quite nice. 17th-level wizard casting, giant stat boosts, some special abilities... It probably loses out to an optimized wizard, but that's not saying much.

yes black is the top one. yes but for +20ecl.

[Inevitability]

yes black is the top one. yes but for +20ecl.

17th-level wizard casting at ECL 20 is worth it, no exceptions.

[ExLibrisMortis]

17th-level wizard casting at ECL 20 is worth it, no exceptions.
This. And you get a nice intelligence score to boot! +20 racial bonus, +5 inherent, +6 item, starting 17, minimum of 48 in all.

[Inevitability]

This. And you get a nice intelligence score to boot! +20 racial bonus, +5 inherent, +6 item, starting 17, minimum of 48 in all.

Don't forget adding unseelie fey's +2 to that. Oh, and your DM may allow +3 from aging (if necessarily with help of Bestow Curse) as well, in which case starting with an 18 boosts your total score to 54.

[Menzath]

How does being a effective lvl 17 wizard etherguant with 54 int help optimize our ether blade that any other equal level wizard couldn't do?

Hmm I'd still like the psion route with call weapon. Add on the power extend range and a little manifested level booster, and if the feat far shot works we can increase the range by 7x.
If we could take a mind bender dip to get mind sight and a late game feat to learn the psywar power living arrow that let's us attack an opponent​ in range even without sight, we don't even have to hide to sneak attack. All we need is a PP recharge trick and we're gold.
Is there a psy power to make weapons/ammo phasing?

[Rerednaw]

Play a psionic race or take Wild Talent feat.
Psionic Shot
Greater Psionic Shot
Psionic Meditation recover focus as move action.
Now that 1d6 is 5d6. Not awesome, but decent.

[Menzath]

Is the ray damage affected by weapon size?

Also since this is a completely "mundane" weapon, my body outside body clones get working versions of this, don't they?

[Venger]

How does being a effective lvl 17 wizard etherguant with 54 int help optimize our ether blade that any other equal level wizard couldn't do?

Hmm I'd still like the psion route with call weapon. Add on the power extend range and a little manifested level booster, and if the feat far shot works we can increase the range by 7x.
If we could take a mind bender dip to get mind sight and a late game feat to learn the psywar power living arrow that let's us attack an opponent​ in range even without sight, we don't even have to hide to sneak attack. All we need is a PP recharge trick and we're gold.
Is there a psy power to make weapons/ammo phasing?

I mean at that stage most of it is coming from wizardness. Does greater magic weapon or whatever boost its numbers? sure, but it's got little to do with the etherblade.

There isn't a power that does it, but there is a class (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20030426b)

[Menzath]

Play a psionic race or take Wild Talent feat.
Psionic Shot
Greater Psionic Shot
Psionic Meditation recover focus as move action.
Now that 1d6 is 5d6. Not awesome, but decent.

Good call, I always forget those feats.

[MHCD]

As others have said, black ethergaunts get quite a lot out of ECL 20. If you use a homebrew progression, you can even play one from a relatively low level, which is pretty fun. And if you're going that far, you might as well slap on a level or more of half-fiend savage progression or your preferred means of obtaining the outsider type to really make all those RHD sparkle. But as Venger said, most of it at that point is just wizardness, not the etherblade.

But again, planar binding, leadership, or whatever to get an ethergaunt to continuously craft new etherblades for you might be necessary, unless it is ruled that ancestral relic or some other method of recharging is viable.

If it can be enchanted as usual, making it an aptitude weapon plays to its best strength, non-magical force rays, while allowing you to make use of all the goodies less optimal on any other style.

[Soranar]

The weapon size would be worth the investment at 2 categories bigger than medium IMO
Unfortunately the weapon is already a 2 handed weapon so you can't use it in 2 hands to wield a larger version, so the experiment should stop there

however

If you have powerful build, you can wield a weapon 1 size category higher
If you're wearing strongarm bracers you can add another size category increase

so

a medium sized weapon does 1d6 damage
large is 1d8, not worth it IMO
but a huge weapon does 2d6 (still not grea but better than nothing
gargantuan means 3d6 (extra 2d6 we're getting somewhere)
and finally a colossal weapon would deal 4d6 damage

You're better off not eating the LA of a powerful build race, and strongarm bracers are not worth it to change 1d6 into 1d8

[Mr Adventurer]

If it's a mundane weapon, we're forced to assume that sizing rules apply to the ray as much as to the glaive part.

However, 1d4 down from 1d6 isn't that big of a deal - and now it's a one-handed weapon for a Medium creature (presuming it was a two-handed weapon for a Medium creature before). That makes dual-wielding it more legit.

Since it isn't magical, it can now be made magical. What weapon enhancements are worthwhile here?

Since it's not a spell but a weapon attack, are there status conditions applicable via weapon attacks from class features or feats (in the same way as Sneak Attack)?

Conversely - does this work with Arcane Archer?

[Venger]

If it's a mundane weapon, we're forced to assume that sizing rules apply to the ray as much as to the glaive part.

However, 1d4 down from 1d6 isn't that big of a deal - and now it's a one-handed weapon for a Medium creature (presuming it was a two-handed weapon for a Medium creature before). That makes dual-wielding it more legit.

Since it isn't magical, it can now be made magical. What weapon enhancements are worthwhile here?

Since it's not a spell but a weapon attack, are there status conditions applicable via weapon attacks from class features or feats (in the same way as Sneak Attack)?

Conversely - does this work with Arcane Archer?

would the returning property "recharge" the weapon with each shot if it is mundane?

standard ranged stuff really: splitting, seeking, exit wounds, brilliant energy, etc.

[Menzath]

Well, we could make a weapon with the morphing property and have it change into an ether blade. But then the issue of does it start with full charges, or none apply?

And as for size category change Wu Jen giant size. The hit to Dex hurts a little, but not that much.

A psion type with expansion and strongarm bracers can get up to wielding a gargantuan sized one, right?
And if we are a large build type, that would be colossal.

[Venger]

Well, we could make a weapon with the morphing property and have it change into an ether blade. But then the issue of does it start with full charges, or none apply?

And as for size category change Wu Jen giant size. The hit to Dex hurts a little, but not that much.

A psion type with expansion and strongarm bracers can get up to wielding a gargantuan sized one, right?
And if we are a large build type, that would be colossal.

Following a similar line of thinking, along the lines of the thinaun soul destroying trick, if you a given object into a different etherblade each time, that could give NI charges. not efficient, but it does at least mean you'll only need to be/befriend/control/etc an ethergaunt once to get your hands on one.

you don't need to be large to wield colossal weapons.

assume primordial half-giant as starting race.
medium
+powerful build to wield large weapons
+strongarm bracers wield huge weapons
+augmented expansion wield colossal weapons

[Telok]

Since it's non-magic Polymorph Any Object (oh beloved PAO, is there any problem that excessive application can't solve?) just pay a caster to zap random glaives into them. 1200 gp a pop.

[Venger]

Since it's non-magic Polymorph Any Object (oh beloved PAO, is there any problem that excessive application can't solve?) just pay a caster to zap random glaives into them. 1200 gp a pop.

chain it.

assuming minimum cl, as is standard for hireling spellcasters, this reduces the cost of each individual one to 75 to break even.

[daremetoidareyo]

what weapon crystals or enhancements lead to fun results with the force beam?

aptitude enchantment shenanigans?

[Bill Bisco]

Seems like a perfect weapon for Sneak attack to me. Lots of damage dice on a touch attack.

ALso seems like a Great Dwemorkeeper weapon. Be in an AMF all day and use this item to win.

[Menzath]

Before enchantments​ and feats, using this as a slashing weapon requires two hands as in the description, can we take that to mean that firing the ray doesn't? I.E. dual wield/multiweapon ray fighting?

Also as mentioned in either complete arcane or mage, we can take weapon focus line feats for rays specifically.
Do they stack if the feats are taken with the etherglaive as well?