Bandit: DEX or STR daggers in MapleStory Classic World?
Every Bandit hits the same question at level 30: DEX daggers or STR daggers? Both put almost everything into LUK, and both use Savage Blow. The difference is what you add on top to hold your weapon, and what that costs you.
The short answer
- DEX daggers: the usual Bandit. More Accuracy, 1 more attack on each dagger, and you can wear Thief armor.
- STR daggers: daggers attack one speed stage faster, with or without Booster, and LUK ends up nearly the same. You give up Thief armor and some Accuracy.
If you want the easiest plan, go DEX. If you like the faster swing and don't mind planning your gear, STR works.
Side by side
| DEX daggers | STR daggers | |
|---|---|---|
| Main stat | LUK | LUK |
| Secondary | DEX | STR |
| Attack speed | Normal | One stage faster |
| Attack per dagger | 1 more | 1 less |
| Accuracy | More | About 18 less base at Lv 70 |
| Thief armor | Yes | No (it needs DEX above Lv 15) |
| Stats at Lv 70 (base) | about 4 STR, 62 DEX, 300 LUK | about 65 STR, 5 DEX, 296 LUK |
How each one adds stats
Both builds put AP into LUK almost every level and only add the secondary stat when the next dagger needs it.
- DEX: +5 DEX at levels 35, 40, 50, 59 to 60 and 68 to 70, for the Halfmoon Zamadar, Gephart, Shinkita, Deadly Fin and Kandine.
- STR: LUK only until 44 (the Stinger to 39, then the Korean Fan at 40 needs only LUK), then STR at 45 to 50 for the Sai, 59 to 60 for Serpent's Coil and 69 to 70 for Golden River.
Gear differences
The STR Bandit keeps the level 15 Thief set and gear with no DEX requirement (Yellow Baseball Cap, Old Raggedy Cape, Squishy Shoes), then moves to weapons with no armor bonus. With no Thief armor, your shield matters more: scroll it for defense.
Both builds get the Blue Sauna Robe (Red for female characters) from Mr. Wetbottom's chain in Sleepywood: no stat requirement and 10 slots for LUK scrolls.
Mistakes both builds make
- Adding the secondary stat early. STR or DEX only equips the dagger. Every early point is LUK lost.
- Thinking STR adds damage like LUK. It doesn't.
- Dropping Double Stab. When it kills as fast as Savage Blow, it saves MP.
- Picking maps by monster level. Weaker monsters that die to one Savage Blow often pay more.
- Resetting at level 30 on a Sindit. Lucky Seven stays better until about level 40.
The full guides
Each build has its own guide with AP and SP by level, training maps and gear: Bandit (DEX daggers) and Bandit (STR daggers). Coming from first job? Start with the Dagger Thief guide.
Questions
Is STR or DEX Bandit better in MapleStory Classic World?
DEX is the usual build: more Accuracy, 1 more attack per dagger and Thief armor. STR daggers attack one speed stage faster and keep nearly the same LUK. Both are fine; DEX is easier to plan.
What is the main stat for a Bandit?
LUK. STR or DEX is only there to equip your dagger, so add it as late as you can.
What is a Sindit?
A Bandit who leveled as a Claw Thief with Lucky Seven before switching to daggers. Lucky Seven stays better until about level 40.
Your Bandit's next step, over your game
MesoLens is a free overlay for MapleStory Classic World: prices on every Free Market shop, a grind tracker, the map guide and these class guides, right on top of the game. It only reads your screen, like streaming software. Or use it in your browser, no download.