DQ11S - Act 1 Erik build comparison (swords, magical / boomerangs)
maybe a pointless vid..
there's a long section in Act 1 where Erik sorta falls off after Jade and Hero become the main attackers, since he doesn't have enough skill points for Divide (mainly around Dora-in-Grey / Elysium Bird) and Falcon Blades aren't yet available. this is around level 19-27, where his best ways of dealing damage are with Persecutter & Victimizer, which aren't always reliable and need support from allies via Oomph or Sap.
the output for Starburst Throw scales with Magical Might rather than Strength. it's very similar to the spell Boom, which is also light-element like Starburst Throw and deals around 80 base damage. for comparison, Veronica learns Boom at level 29, and Erik can learn Starburst Throw as early as level 18.
the selection of equipment used in the video is meant to increase his Magical Might as much as possible (Malleable Mask, Robe of Serenity, Gold Rosaries) which gives a total of +50 Magical Might and greatly increases the damage of Boulderbringer and his Sigil Pep Powers. it sorta turns him into a magical attacker instead of a physical attacker..
Boulderbringer & Starburst Throw are fairly good against the last few Act 1 bosses, assuming you're using a full "magical" equipment build.
Tentacular is neutral to earth and light, and Starburst Throw will hit both tentacles. higher Magical Might will increase the power of the Scorched Earth and Fire & Grimstone pep powers.
Elysium Bird is neutral to light, and Starburst Throw will hit all three targets.
Dora-in-Grey is 10% weak to light, and Starburst Throw ignores her high defence.
Kystalinda is where a "magical" build is less optimal, bc you might have enough skill points by that point to afford Divide .. though, Starburst Throw & Bounderbringer have the benefit of perfect accuracy during Krystalinda's snowstorm, and you'll be able to forge a newly available Prince's Peacoat beforehand to boost Erik's Magical Might further.
i think the main appeals of this "magic" build is that Erik doesn't require any support to deal consistent damage, and it gives you a strong multi-target attack long before Veronica is high enough level to learn Boom. Starburst Throw is also less costly than Gigaslash ( 10 mp / 16 mp ).