Tsukiyaomos Benighted Helm

First of all, let me retract one of my previous assumption. That assumption was that if you cannot 1-hit, there are no defensive setups that can allow a 1-hit with Spectral Knight activation. That assumption was valid (for me at least), until I hit level 594. The Blade of Panethor was the item that changed that assumption. Also, the new relic bonus now allow for up to 20% more attack/damage/defense, so that may invalidate my previous assumption prior to level 594 also.

Now, let's back to the topic for this blog.

Tsukiyaomos Benighted Helm is an Epic item, awarded to the guild for having the most kill on a Tsukiyaomos Titan. A perfect and fully forged helm gives 710 defense and 1035 damage. It's minimum level is 550 and is the highest damage item for its level. Only until level 660 can you find a helmet with higher damage (Helmet of Comizhar). So clearly, this is the ideal helm from level 550 to 659, but what about 660?

The perfect and fully forged Helmet of Comizhar gives 293 defense and 1193 damage. So at first glance, the trade off is 417 defense for 158 damage. If you are aiming for 1-hit, the Helmet of Comizhar at first glance looks better. But you will want to have Elite Hunter. Tsukiyaomos Benighted Helm gives the Elite Hunter, so you don't need to use another set. While with the Helmet of Comizhar, you will need to get it from another item. Let's compare a few setups at level 660.

Setup #1 : Tsukiyaomos Benighted Helm
Tsukiyaomos Benighted Helm (710 defense, 1035 damage)
Gloves of Sarlonde (412 defense, 1062 damage)
Amulet of Phalla (204 attack, 1184 damage)
Axe of Malquan (243 attack, 1189 damage)
Armor of Fellaphel (343 defense, 1035 damage)
Farn-org Shield (422 armor, 1063 damage)
Ring of Gasrel (204 defense, 1142 damage)
Boots of Aeroni (237 defense, 1105 damage)
Rune of Autpel (343 defense, 1093 damage)
*Gloves and Shield above are excellent stats

Setup #2 : Helmet of Comizhar with Fuvayus Vortex Stone
Helmet of Comizhar (293 defense, 1193 damage)
Fuvayus Vortex Stone (376 defense, 875 damage)
Gloves of Sarlonde (412 defense, 1062 damage)
Amulet of Phalla (204 attack, 1184 damage)
Axe of Malquan (243 attack, 1189 damage)
Armor of Fellaphel (343 defense, 1035 damage)
Farn-org Shield (422 armor, 1063 damage)
Ring of Gasrel (204 defense, 1142 damage)
Boots of Aeroni (237 defense, 1105 damage)
*Stone above is excellent stats

Setup #3 : Helmet of Comizhar with Polar Spine set
Helmet of Comizhar (293 defense, 1193 damage)
Polar Spine Grips (84 attack, 964 armor, 659 damage)
Polar Spine Neckpiece (522 attack, 426 armor, 759 damage)
Polar Spine set bonus (450 attack, 650 damage)
Axe of Malquan (243 attack, 1189 damage)
Armor of Fellaphel (343 defense, 1035 damage)
Farn-org Shield (422 armor, 1063 damage)
Ring of Gasrel (204 defense, 1142 damage)
Boots of Aeroni (237 defense, 1105 damage)
Rune of Autpel (343 defense, 1093 damage)

Setup #4 : Tsukiyaomos Benighted Helm with Polar Spine set
Tsukiyaomos Benighted Helm (710 defense, 1035 damage)
Polar Spine Grips (84 attack, 964 armor, 659 damage)
Polar Spine Neckpiece (522 attack, 426 armor, 759 damage)
Polar Spine set bonus (450 attack, 650 damage)
Axe of Malquan (243 attack, 1189 damage)
Armor of Fellaphel (343 defense, 1035 damage)
Farn-org Shield (422 armor, 1063 damage)
Ring of Gasrel (204 defense, 1142 damage)
Boots of Aeroni (237 defense, 1105 damage)
Rune of Autpel (343 defense, 1093 damage)

The only 4 items that differ are Helm, Gloves, Amulet and Rune, so let's add only those.
Setup #1 : 204 attack, 4374 damage, 1465 defense
Setup #2 : 204 attack, 4314 damage, 1081 defense
Setup #3 : 1056 attack, 4354 damage, 636 defense
Setup #4 : 1056 attack, 4196 damage, 1053 defense
So setup #2 pales in every way when compared to setup #1. It is still worth mentioning, especially since the Tsukiyaomos helmet is not always available.
Now, setup #3 when compared to setup #1 is a trade off. The trade off is for 20 damage and more than 800 defense for more than 800 attack. That damage is difference is in a way insignificant, and the comparison basically becomes defense vs attack trade off.
Setup #4 compared to setup #3 is a trade off of damage for defense. The question on which setup to use will depend on the creature.

On many levels, setup #1 will NOT provide enough attack. So one has to consider setup #2 and #3. Other items worth considering are :
Ornate set : When compared to Polar Spine, it has 78 attack and 749 damage less, but gains 938 defense. It is useful only in 2-hit scenario.
Gloves of Renshar : Has attack stats
Ring of Aeslam : Has attack stats
Shield of Stalia : Has attack stats
Shield of Deffale : Has defense stats (Farn-org Shield has armor)
Armor of Huraal : Has attack stats

Upgrades past level 660 includes :
Gloves of Gialle (669) : Useful only in setup #1, since Polar Spine, Ornate or even Volkers set has a glove.
Guardian of Meidos Armor (710) : Damage upgrade, but has armor stats
Arkl Axe (712) : Damage upgrade, attack stats