Curse

Zoom Guardia · Feb 25, 2010, 10:19 PM // 22:19

i'm making a hero build and i'm wondering whether to use a sword or an axe. it depends on which one has higher DPS, and which one would be better with IAS. [i'm not thinking about which one has better skills. etc. mostly DPS and critical hit rate and stuff.]

thanks in advance!

acastillo666 · Feb 25, 2010, 10:40 PM // 22:40

Axe with Evis as elite or sword with dragon slash. for dps u need too invest in some runes for higher damage and whatnot. i prefer Axe on heros, conditions on axe are superior to sword imo. and condtions increase overall dps whether it be through degen or crippling.

Terek Zelta · Feb 25, 2010, 10:57 PM // 22:57

For heroes, Warrior's Endurance with an axe works great, as does Warrior's Endurance with a scythe. Sword builds are less desirable because, even though warrior heroes use adrenaline pretty well now, they still don't use it as well as they should, so you still get a warrior hero not spamming Dragon Slash, but alternating between their adrenaline skills at random.

Unfortunately, warrior hero AI also doesn't use Flail like it used to, and even though Anet promises to improve it, they actually nerfed it, unless someone can chime in and tell me I'm wrong? I don't use warrior heroes much, but last time I did, my Jora completely stopped using Flail after that big update.

In general, neither weapon is better than the other, but axes do more base damage, have an unconditional deep wound and have criticals that hurt more than swords, so they work better for builds like Warrior's Endurance.

This next bit is taken from the skill update preview, so take it with a grain of salt.

Anyway, warrior heroes will be exceptional with hammers, a KD and Renewing Smash with the new update, in theory anyway. They'll also be good with tactics, Fear Me and Soldier's Stance, I think, which should use an axe build because axes synergize better with Fear Me's new critical hit buff.

**Marty Silverblade** · Feb 25, 2010, 11:08 PM // 23:08

Comparing raw DPS and crit rate without taking skills into account isn't all that useful. From numbers I recorded myself (they're in the sticky), the difference between raw sword and axe dps at 14 Sword/Axe against a 60AL target is only 3.79. You're not going to be fighting anything meaningful thats 60AL (in HM everything probably has 100+ AL), so that difference in DPS is basically negligible.

If you did want to take skills into account, Sword would probably end up on top. You can't really compete with +38 damage on every hit. WE Axe provides a large amount of damage, though I haven't run one so I don't know precisely how much (even with Power Attack on a 3 second recharge and Dismember I doubt it can stand up to DSlash). Hundred Blades builds (assuming MoP on a Necro) win AoE arguments.

EDIT: Were you talking about comparing the Warrior being one of the heroes? I thought you meant you had 3 heroes you wanted to run and wanted a comparison for your Warrior. If the former, you can probably ignore the second paragraph. WE Axe spams well, that is probably one of the better options.

Terek Zelta · Feb 25, 2010, 11:14 PM // 23:14

Edit: There you go.

Gennadios · Feb 26, 2010, 12:29 AM // 00:29

I won't really comment on the sword/axe topic, but for the love of all that is good don't bother /w a melee warr.

If anything, hook them up with a spear and tactics support shouts.

Melee heroes aren't worth much aside from spending more time chasing enemies than damaging them, and aggroing multiple mobs.

If you MUST, run a derv, at least scythes have a (small) possibility of hitting multiple targets.

Zoom Guardia · Feb 26, 2010, 12:59 AM // 00:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terek Zelta

For heroes, Warrior's Endurance with an axe works great, as does Warrior's Endurance with a scythe. Sword builds are less desirable because, even though warrior heroes use adrenaline pretty well now, they still don't use it as well as they should, so you still get a warrior hero not spamming Dragon Slash, but alternating between their adrenaline skills at random.

Unfortunately, warrior hero AI also doesn't use Flail like it used to, and even though Anet promises to improve it, they actually nerfed it, unless someone can chime in and tell me I'm wrong? I don't use warrior heroes much, but last time I did, my Jora completely stopped using Flail after that big update.

In general, neither weapon is better than the other, but axes do more base damage, have an unconditional deep wound and have criticals that hurt more than swords, so they work better for builds like Warrior's Endurance.

This next bit is taken from the skill update preview, so take it with a grain of salt.

Anyway, warrior heroes will be exceptional with hammers, a KD and Renewing Smash with the new update, in theory anyway. They'll also be good with tactics, Fear Me and Soldier's Stance, I think, which should use an axe build because axes synergize better with Fear Me's new critical hit buff.

thanks everyone! i originally set up a hero build meant for support, and its elite is warrior's endurance. the reason i asked for just the weapon [with no skills] was because all of the attacks are from the strength attribute line, the weapon would just be used to attack with those skills.

distilledwill · Feb 26, 2010, 11:42 AM // 11:42

With a warrior hero, if you're limiting to Axe or Sword I'd go with Axe:

Warrior's Endurance
Dismember
Cyclone Axe
Power Attack
Cry of Frustration
Burst of Aggression
Rush
Resurrection Signet

Str: 12+1
Axe: 12+1+1
Dom: 3

High damage, utility, no dangerous/disabling IAS like frenzy, flail or flurry. Works nicely, but as most people have probably said - melee heroes arent really up to scratch, stick to ranged DPS.

laksa and curry · Mar 07, 2010, 03:42 PM // 15:42

Sorry TS I play sword when I feel like it and axe when i feel like it. Sounds lame but thats what i do. I do not favour 1 over the other.

I find hammers the best IMO. Earth shaker DBS....