Piercing vs slashing - Guild Wars Forums

RahlMyron · Jul 07, 2008, 03:44 PM // 15:44

First of all, we're talking axes.

When i began using an axe as a weapon, i sifted through my spare gear to find a decent skin. I came across a battlepick, which i personally thought was neat, as i envisioned driving one through someones skull.
Now, this is one of the few axes that deals piercing damage, which i thought may be a bonus as most people who would use defense enhancement, would use, "(vs slashing damage)". Well i would think anyway.

The novelty of swinging a battlepick into someones head has since worn off and the axe is making me look cheap.
So i wondered if my piercing damage being better then slashing damage theory was true or not, if not, i may as well treat myself to a new axe.

Thanks in advance for any help

Tyla · Jul 07, 2008, 03:49 PM // 15:49

They should be carrying all +10AL vs. *Type* shields.

I believe there are a few skins that have different damage types compared to their more common ones though. It's not really a matter of what's more effective though, it's which one the enemy is prepared to be faced with.

Crimson Flame · Jul 07, 2008, 03:51 PM // 15:51

The difference really only matters in PvP, to my knowledge. There are few, if any, monsters in PvE who are more resistant to one type of physical damage than another. But in PvP, I think slashing damage is the most common so most people carry a +10 vs. slashing shield. In that case, piercing damage would bypass that inscription bonus. Anyone else, feel free to correct me.

zling · Jul 07, 2008, 03:54 PM // 15:54

first of all Battlepick is an awful skin Imho.
second of all I assume you're talking about PvP as in PvE monsters dont carry +10 vs ... shields. however in PvE some monsters are more/less resistant to specific damage types(including Slashing and Piercing)
third of all characters that use various shields like the +10 vs slashing will usually have +10 vs piercing as well.
fourth of all Swords, Axes and Scythes do Slashing Damage while Bows and Spears do Piercing Damage, Daggers can do both and there are the unusuals like the Battlepick.
also keep in mind that when using elemental mods(mainly for Conjures) than the damage type becomes elemental so it doesnt matter if it was slashing or piercing before.

all in all I dont recommend using a Battlepick just for the piercing damage, it just isnt worth it if you dont like the skin itself which sux...

Ruricu · Jul 07, 2008, 03:58 PM // 15:58

While slashing may be the most common form of damage, any player worth their salt will bring at least 8 shields for different damage sources; one for each damage type, and a second vs cold shield with +60 while hexes for IV spike. However, it is also worth it to mention that, versus a balanced build, a +10vs fire shield will be more profitable than one for whatever form of physical damage the team may choose. Long story short, there is very little difference that your axe could make. If anything, it will bypass Bladeturn Refrain. (although no one uses that anymore)

isamu kurosawa · Jul 07, 2008, 04:02 PM // 16:02

I happen to like the battlepick skin.

As well as my standard vamp, ele, zealous weapons on my own warrior i also have a non standard damage type just incase.

Sword = jitte
axe = battlepick
hammer = colossal pick.

Jul 07, 2008, 03:44 PM // 15:44	#1
RahlMyron Academy Page Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia Profession: Rt/	Piercing vs slashing First of all, we're talking axes. When i began using an axe as a weapon, i sifted through my spare gear to find a decent skin. I came across a battlepick, which i personally thought was neat, as i envisioned driving one through someones skull. Now, this is one of the few axes that deals piercing damage, which i thought may be a bonus as most people who would use defense enhancement, would use, "(vs slashing damage)". Well i would think anyway. The novelty of swinging a battlepick into someones head has since worn off and the axe is making me look cheap. So i wondered if my piercing damage being better then slashing damage theory was true or not, if not, i may as well treat myself to a new axe. Thanks in advance for any help

Jul 07, 2008, 03:49 PM // 15:49	#2
Tyla Emo Goth Italics Join Date: Sep 2006	They should be carrying all +10AL vs. Type shields. I believe there are a few skins that have different damage types compared to their more common ones though. It's not really a matter of what's more effective though, it's which one the enemy is prepared to be faced with.

Jul 07, 2008, 03:51 PM // 15:51	#3
Crimson Flame Better Than Arkantos Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ONOES I iz playing WoW Guild: The Order of Dii [Dii] - officer	The difference really only matters in PvP, to my knowledge. There are few, if any, monsters in PvE who are more resistant to one type of physical damage than another. But in PvP, I think slashing damage is the most common so most people carry a +10 vs. slashing shield. In that case, piercing damage would bypass that inscription bonus. Anyone else, feel free to correct me.

Jul 07, 2008, 03:54 PM // 15:54	#4
zling Desert Nomad Join Date: Apr 2006	first of all Battlepick is an awful skin Imho. second of all I assume you're talking about PvP as in PvE monsters dont carry +10 vs ... shields. however in PvE some monsters are more/less resistant to specific damage types(including Slashing and Piercing) third of all characters that use various shields like the +10 vs slashing will usually have +10 vs piercing as well. fourth of all Swords, Axes and Scythes do Slashing Damage while Bows and Spears do Piercing Damage, Daggers can do both and there are the unusuals like the Battlepick. also keep in mind that when using elemental mods(mainly for Conjures) than the damage type becomes elemental so it doesnt matter if it was slashing or piercing before. all in all I dont recommend using a Battlepick just for the piercing damage, it just isnt worth it if you dont like the skin itself which sux...

Jul 07, 2008, 03:58 PM // 15:58	#5
Ruricu Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Mar 2006 Guild: 치 The Spearmen 치	While slashing may be the most common form of damage, any player worth their salt will bring at least 8 shields for different damage sources; one for each damage type, and a second vs cold shield with +60 while hexes for IV spike. However, it is also worth it to mention that, versus a balanced build, a +10vs fire shield will be more profitable than one for whatever form of physical damage the team may choose. Long story short, there is very little difference that your axe could make. If anything, it will bypass Bladeturn Refrain. (although no one uses that anymore)

Jul 07, 2008, 04:02 PM // 16:02	#6
isamu kurosawa Desert Nomad Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: United Kingdom Profession: Me/	I happen to like the battlepick skin. As well as my standard vamp, ele, zealous weapons on my own warrior i also have a non standard damage type just incase. Sword = jitte axe = battlepick hammer = colossal pick.