[Lolzytripd]

Hello! I'd just like to throw in my two cents on the topic, and I'll try to keep it short and thus readable without much pain - so I apologies for any misunderstandings that might incur as a result - though the details can be expanded on if they matter!

Disclaimer: I am an avid user of this weapon, for one character of mine. So yes, my opinion is probably somewhat biased, but I want to stress that I'm making the following points not because I want my build to -stay- good (I can always change it), but because of the reasons I picked that weapon in the first place.

+ FOR: I agree with Spoops, mutations do offer a good chance for versatility at the cost of the weapon's enchant, and you're not necessarily taking a big hit in this regard because a lot of enchants provide marginal benefits barring a few, which are best served on STR-based weapons anyway.

+ FOR: Spoops is also correct insofar as it is a highly versatile weapon that helps the minmax of stat-whoring builds with no disbenefits for doing so. With that said...

+ AGAINST: Alternative take, the problem isn't the Bamboo Bo so much as it is the fact that the in-game stat spread favours very particular builds (which I won't name here - because you all know them already!) which make sparse use of both weaponry and any sort of conventional, realistic combat style... Leaving melee characters who want to roleplay as an actual fighter and not someone who attacks with magic constantly, forced to invest in a stat that grants very few benefits by stark contrast to the others. It doesn't make them non-viable, as the Autohit / Cobra / Reaver meta has proven conclusively, but it does limit your options for creativity and leave you somewhat hamstrung from the outset if you want to compete as, say, a career warrior facing down characters in tuxedos and kimonos with fans, umbrellas and playing cards as their weapons of choice.

( Though, I realize that's not the focus of this thread, I just hope that any readers understand the context of the above. The reasoning behind the use of the weapon, and why I think it's not unbalanced so much as a happy alternative that allows for more diversity. )

+ AGAINST: Spoops is again absolutely correct that this weapon MIGHT become a loftier issue indeed in the future if a 'Dragoon' type duelist class is released, although one suggestion that might curb that... The Bamboo Bo is a stave, not a spear. Perhaps if the class were to focus exclusively on spears and lances, in keeping with the aesthetic and intent behind the class itself?

I apologise for the long-winded nature of this post.

+ COMPROMISE: Some kind of rescaling between 90-95% SKI would be a nice balance, as your damage output would be appropriately stunted in favour of your ability to hit reliably.

( EDIT ) - To expand on that, the difference might seem marginal in the case of basic attacks, however a reduction of 15-20% would have a profound effect on the output of autohits such as Cyclone Spear, Rising Tide, and of course, the 'God Rod' application of this weapon with regards to Light spells.

It's why I argue strength needs some kind of Armor/Dr penetration to break past tanking. It actually benefits the point of Str instead of imo stupid suggestion of str adding to health.