Requirement

Most items that can be held have a specific attribute requirement to fully utilize that item. This includes weapons, shields and off-hand focus items. Should the attribute requirement not be met, the bonus from the item is significantly diminished. This encourages players to use items related to their professions. Some lower-end items have no requirement and thus can be used at full power regardless of attributes. Other items such as the Censor's Icon have multiple requirements, each providing some bonus if met. Bonuses from upgrade components (or similar properties in unique items) are not affected by requirements and always grant their full bonus. Note that Weakness, Atrophy and Wail of Doom have the ability to lower the target's attributes and if this causes an item's requirement to no longer be met, the item will behave as such until the condition or hex expires.

Drawbacks if the requirement is not met

• Base weapon damage is reduced by approximately two-thirds.
• Shield armor rating is reduced to 8 (although armor granting upgrade components are unaffected) if the shield was either: any randomly generated drop (8-16 base armor), or if it is a 16 armor shield that is not randomly generated. You will gain only 5 armor if that shield was not a randomly generated drop and was below 16 base armor rating.
• The base energy from a focus item is reduced to +6 (although armor and/or health granting upgrade components are unaffected) if the focus item was either: any randomly generated drop (+6 to +12 base energy), or if it is a +12 energy focus item that is not randomly generated (for example, it is a collector focus item, unique, or PvP Equipment). You will gain only +3 energy if that focus item was not a randomly generated drop and was below +12 base energy.

A rare req 7 max item

Notes

• PvP Equipment always comes with an attribute requirement of 9.
• In PvE when dropped as loot, it is possible to acquire swords, shields and focus items with only a requirement of 8 and optimal stats.
• When trading, players commonly use the abbreviation "req <number>" or just "q or r <number>" to indicate a weapon's requirement.