Swords VS Axes - Guild Wars Forums

Hand of Ruin · Jul 10, 2006, 04:17 PM // 16:17

Well, since I started playing I've always used axes. Mainly because there was a lot more axe skills available to me earlier on. I'm lvl 18 now and I'm beggining to question how effective axes really are... I really don't see anyone near my level using them, and I've began to have difficulty hitting well with them as I get further in the game. The 6 base damage seems to really be becoming a major disadvantage.

I've kinda spent most of my money on getting a really good axe, but I think this was a mistake. In your opinion, are swords superior weapons?

AW Lore · Jul 10, 2006, 04:32 PM // 16:32

well, for me, its for taste, i preffer the swords as they are more "elegant" weapons, but axes have their advantages, are you putting points in axe mastery? if you are dealing little damage to other monsters is because you either have not placed enough points to meet the weapons req or you are facing mostly warrior enemies.

if you are missing hitting maybe you are getting blinded too often or you are facing enemies with stances.

Mournblade · Jul 10, 2006, 05:23 PM // 17:23

Yeah, swords vs axes has nothing to do with hitting or missing - thats all about the skills used (by you and against you).

As the very well documented argument goes - there is very little difference between axes and swords goes for damage. Axes have higher spikes due to criticals, but the speeds and averages are about the same. I switch back and forth according to need - cyclone axe rocks for fast energy/health regain on some builds, and swords are mandatory for riposte builds.

Hidden in the Mist · Jul 10, 2006, 05:30 PM // 17:30

You're beating a dead horse.

TheOneMephisto · Jul 10, 2006, 05:30 PM // 17:30

They both have their pros and cons, it's all about taste and what you want to do.

Killmur · Jul 10, 2006, 05:37 PM // 17:37

What they said. For my W/Mo I prefer sword because of the Strength factor. For my W/Me and R/W I use axe since I have no use for Strength. I have found axe is great if you do not invest in Strength or you are using War as a Secondary.

Doomlord_Slayermann · Jul 10, 2006, 05:49 PM // 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hidden in the Mist

You're beating a dead horse.

Yes, but are you beating it with a sword or and axe?

bpphantom · Jul 10, 2006, 06:01 PM // 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killmur

What they said. For my W/Mo I prefer sword because of the Strength factor. For my W/Me and R/W I use axe since I have no use for Strength. I have found axe is great if you do not invest in Strength or you are using War as a Secondary.

Does Strength not figure in to the damage/armor penetration calcs for Axes? I thought I had sword/axe/hammer figured out until read that.

AW Lore · Jul 10, 2006, 06:20 PM // 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpphantom

Does Strength not figure in to the damage/armor penetration calcs for Axes? I thought I had sword/axe/hammer figured out until read that.

strength figures in when you use atack skills (sever artery, executioners strike, hammer bash, and maybe on dagger atack skills too, maybe)

Quote:

Yes, but are you beating it with a sword or and axe?

I??m using Crushing Blow on the dead horse!

bpphantom · Jul 10, 2006, 06:23 PM // 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by AW Lore

strength figures in when you use atack skills (sever artery, executioners strike, hammer bash, and maybe on dagger atack skills too, maybe)

Ah, perfect. I thought so.
Danke.

Sandblasted Skin · Jul 10, 2006, 07:01 PM // 19:01

I believe that the axe offers more of a variety in builds than swords. There are more disrupts for axes and more attacks that can hit multiple targets ( a real plus in my energy attack build). Maybe I'm wrong in this but it is what I use most of the time. But I still do carry a sword and Hammer for use in differnt farming builds because each has its use.

Yanman.be · Jul 10, 2006, 07:08 PM // 19:08

It's like comparing a Flatbow and Daggers?

Thorinfire · Jul 10, 2006, 07:12 PM // 19:12

Axes FTW

Interupt and deep wound ftw.

Swords are good as well, dont worry about your axe, its a fine weapon and I made it through all of Prophesises and factions with mine. A guildie gave me a Razorstone a while back and I love it

Loki Seiguro · Jul 10, 2006, 07:26 PM // 19:26

you cant ocmpare swords and axes at all. not only is there a total dmg difference but also the skills you use.

strength is a factor as well becuase the mroe poiuntsyou put in stregnth increases armor penetration of your attacks by 15 per point. - very useful if you combine penetrating blow (attack has 20% armor pen.) + sundering hilt (20/20) + 12 stregnth is (52% armor pen. i think there might be a special factors and stuff)

i use all 3 weapons it really depends on the situation. but mainly axes becuase of the dmg and the speed is average. (swords have the fastest attack speed then axes and last hammers)

Skuld · Jul 10, 2006, 07:30 PM // 19:30

Wands are better.

[DE] · Jul 10, 2006, 07:33 PM // 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loki Seiguro

(swords have the fastest attack speed then axes and last hammers)

Actually swords and axes attack at the same rate (once every 1.33 seconds)

Aejorii · Jul 10, 2006, 07:41 PM // 19:41

I only use an axe for one skill: Eviscerate.
Other wise I use a sword to free my elite for better things.

AW Lore · Jul 10, 2006, 07:45 PM // 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loki Seiguro

strength is a factor as well becuase the mroe poiuntsyou put in stregnth increases armor penetration of your attacks by 15 per point.

wrong, 1 point in strenght gives you 1% armor penetration 12 points in strenght gives you 12% armor penetration

Loki Seiguro · Jul 10, 2006, 07:52 PM // 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by AW Lore

wrong, 1 point in strenght gives you 1% armor penetration 12 points in strenght gives you 12% armor penetration

yeah the 5 is suppose to be a percent mark just didnt press shift hard enough is all

and ty for the ifo about the attack speed. just sayiung what other people once told be.

[DE] · Jul 10, 2006, 08:05 PM // 20:05

The attack speed is a common misconception

That's why you see IW mesmers always running around with short swords instead of axes (I rarely see a IW mesmer with an axe [though I use a totem axe for the job]).

Jul 10, 2006, 04:17 PM // 16:17	#1
Hand of Ruin Banned Join Date: Jul 2006	Swords VS Axes Well, since I started playing I've always used axes. Mainly because there was a lot more axe skills available to me earlier on. I'm lvl 18 now and I'm beggining to question how effective axes really are... I really don't see anyone near my level using them, and I've began to have difficulty hitting well with them as I get further in the game. The 6 base damage seems to really be becoming a major disadvantage. I've kinda spent most of my money on getting a really good axe, but I think this was a mistake. In your opinion, are swords superior weapons?

Jul 10, 2006, 04:32 PM // 16:32	#2
AW Lore Jungle Guide Join Date: May 2006 Guild: Ancient Warriors Gaming Clan Profession: W/Mo	well, for me, its for taste, i preffer the swords as they are more "elegant" weapons, but axes have their advantages, are you putting points in axe mastery? if you are dealing little damage to other monsters is because you either have not placed enough points to meet the weapons req or you are facing mostly warrior enemies. if you are missing hitting maybe you are getting blinded too often or you are facing enemies with stances.

Jul 10, 2006, 05:23 PM // 17:23	#3
Mournblade Furnace Stoker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Guild: Dawn Treaders [DAWN] Profession: W/Mo	Yeah, swords vs axes has nothing to do with hitting or missing - thats all about the skills used (by you and against you). As the very well documented argument goes - there is very little difference between axes and swords goes for damage. Axes have higher spikes due to criticals, but the speeds and averages are about the same. I switch back and forth according to need - cyclone axe rocks for fast energy/health regain on some builds, and swords are mandatory for riposte builds.

Jul 10, 2006, 05:30 PM // 17:30	#4
Hidden in the Mist Banned Join Date: May 2006	You're beating a dead horse.

Jul 10, 2006, 05:30 PM // 17:30	#5
TheOneMephisto Forge Runner Join Date: Nov 2005	They both have their pros and cons, it's all about taste and what you want to do.

Jul 10, 2006, 05:37 PM // 17:37	#6
Killmur Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Arizona - America Profession: R/Mo	What they said. For my W/Mo I prefer sword because of the Strength factor. For my W/Me and R/W I use axe since I have no use for Strength. I have found axe is great if you do not invest in Strength or you are using War as a Secondary.

Jul 10, 2006, 07:01 PM // 19:01	#11
Sandblasted Skin Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: St. Paul, MN Guild: Strength and Virtue Eternal [SaVe] Profession: W/	I believe that the axe offers more of a variety in builds than swords. There are more disrupts for axes and more attacks that can hit multiple targets ( a real plus in my energy attack build). Maybe I'm wrong in this but it is what I use most of the time. But I still do carry a sword and Hammer for use in differnt farming builds because each has its use.

Jul 10, 2006, 07:08 PM // 19:08	#12
Yanman.be Banned Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Belgium Guild: [ROSE] Profession: A/	It's like comparing a Flatbow and Daggers?

Jul 10, 2006, 07:12 PM // 19:12	#13
Thorinfire Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Shiverpeaks Guild: Ambassadors of Enlightenment [SAGE] Profession: R/	Axes FTW Interupt and deep wound ftw. Swords are good as well, dont worry about your axe, its a fine weapon and I made it through all of Prophesises and factions with mine. A guildie gave me a Razorstone a while back and I love it

Jul 10, 2006, 07:26 PM // 19:26	#14
Loki Seiguro Desert Nomad Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: IGN: Scarlet Test Ace Guild: We play Isketch in [HoH] Profession: E/	you cant ocmpare swords and axes at all. not only is there a total dmg difference but also the skills you use. strength is a factor as well becuase the mroe poiuntsyou put in stregnth increases armor penetration of your attacks by 15 per point. - very useful if you combine penetrating blow (attack has 20% armor pen.) + sundering hilt (20/20) + 12 stregnth is (52% armor pen. i think there might be a special factors and stuff) i use all 3 weapons it really depends on the situation. but mainly axes becuase of the dmg and the speed is average. (swords have the fastest attack speed then axes and last hammers)

Jul 10, 2006, 07:30 PM // 19:30	#15
Skuld Furnace Stoker Join Date: Sep 2005 Guild: Thousend Tigers Apund Ur Head [Ttgr] Profession: A/	Wands are better.

Jul 10, 2006, 07:41 PM // 19:41	#17
Aejorii Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SF, CA Profession: W/	I only use an axe for one skill: Eviscerate. Other wise I use a sword to free my elite for better things.

Jul 10, 2006, 08:05 PM // 20:05	#20
[DE] Hugs and Kisses Join Date: Oct 2005 Guild: Scars Meadows	The attack speed is a common misconception That's why you see IW mesmers always running around with short swords instead of axes (I rarely see a IW mesmer with an axe [though I use a totem axe for the job]).