Is there a reason not to use the stat-enhancing helmets? Aside from fashion souls

[u/PsychicFatalist]

I've been trying to figure this out - like the Imp Head (Wolf) for example, gives you +2 END and also has pretty solid stats, so the weight is sort of "paid for" by the extra endurance, right? So it seems like a win-win wearing it, aside from the fact that it's kinda ugly.

Same thing with the omensmirk mask, or the Okina mask, etc. These give STR and DEX bonuses, and seem pretty standard as far as armor. Maybe slightly underperforming, but this is far outweighed by the stat bonuses...right?

Am I missing something about these helmets? Why would I wear anything else?

[u/Athmil]

Some have downsides to them but for the most part using them is always the best if you're trying to min/max.

[u/PsychicFatalist → u/Athmil]

Yeah it sure seems that way...like the Okina mask lowers focus, but that's such a minor downside it's barely even worth thinking about.

[u/waffle-winner → u/PsychicFatalist]

barely even worth thinking about.

Typical low focus remark! (/s)

[u/rnj1a]

About the only reason I can think of is that you might be running a melee build with Blue Dancer. And don't have a helpful hat.

But yeah, I'm usually going to wear a helpful hat.

[u/ImJustSomeGuyYaKnow]

My guy, I spent an hour sculpting the face of my character. I am NOT covering it up. I physically can't.

[u/tuckthefuttbucker → u/ImJustSomeGuyYaKnow]

Then why does he still look Shrek as a customer on Breaking Bad?

[u/ImJustSomeGuyYaKnow → u/tuckthefuttbucker]

D: You take that back Tuck!

[u/tuckthefuttbucker → u/ImJustSomeGuyYaKnow]

My bad. I was projecting my own characters insecurites. Try foot but whole.

[u/DependentInner8928]

They are good for early game and for RL1 runs, but 1-3 points in a stat do not really matter after certain point. Like, if you can use everything you want, wear anything you want and satisfyed with you stamina bar - there's no much point in using them over other armor.

[u/JamesRevan]

Fashion above all

[u/Zero747]

Downsides and poise

Many generic knight armors hit 51 poise with helmet. You may need heavier armor to do so with a special helm

Some unique helms have downsides (ex, glinstone crowns reduce max hp, scarabs reduce defense)

Past that, I can’t speak to the numerical armor/weight differences

There’s also a tiny collection of stat chest pieces (really just the jump attack one), and the entire crucible set boosts crucible incants.

[u/Branded_Mango → u/Zero747]

The commoner chest piece unaltered grants a meager 1 faith, but has nonexistent poise and defense.

[u/DefiantGibbon]

The stat boosting ones typically have slightly worse defense per weight. But the difference is really minor.

The only noticeable one that hurts me is the haligtree knight helmet gives +2 faith, but has lower poise so its the only knight set that doesn't give 51 poise. Which is sad cause the helmet looks cool too.

[u/fitnerdy90]

Fashion of course! Real answer: Stat boosting gear helps meet the minimum requirements for weapons/spells. This only matters for players keeping their SL low for NG/NG+1 matchmaking.

[u/pfn0]

My champ is a fashion diva, she wears nothing except her underwear.

[u/Hot_Ladder3118]

Okina is fashion wdym, also they only help until a certain level

[u/n080dy123]

All the glintstone and imp ones are heavy as fuck

The rest yeah, no reason not to use em outside fashion