Does weapon type matter?

xX_NachtJager_xx

I use swords, but I always thought weapons were more aesthetic. I had people telling me to use axes, daggers etc, and I got the impression from them that different weapon types are better for different things. TIA.

ArchMikem

xX_NachtJager_xx wrote: »

I use swords, but I always thought weapons were more aesthetic. I had people telling me to use axes, daggers etc, and I got the impression from them that different weapon types are better for different things. TIA.

When Dual Wielding, the type of weapon matters due to the Twin Blade and Blunt passive. Swords increases the end damage your attacks do, Daggers increases your Critical Chance, Axes have a chance to cause bleed and Maces ignore some of your target's physical resistance thus letting more damage through. Obviously for PvP Daggers and Maces are preferred while Daggers, Swords, and Axes are better for PvE fights.

I have dual Daggers on my nightblade cause I need my attacks to Crit as much as possible.

Rosveen

If you're dual wielding or use a two-hander, it matters. Take a look at the passives.

edit: Also matters for destro staff, but that one's obvious even from the actives, so I don't know if anyone could miss it.

Asardes

xX_NachtJager_xx wrote: »

I use swords, but I always thought weapons were more aesthetic. I had people telling me to use axes, daggers etc, and I got the impression from them that different weapon types are better for different things. TIA.

Depends on what you do with them.

- if you are a magicka build you should always use swords, because only those give you the % damage done from the twin blade and blunt passive in the 2W skill line. Other types of weapons give useless bonuses for a mage: axes give bleed chance, which you won't apply because you don't actually hit with the weapons that often, and that scales of weapon damage and maximum stamina anyway, maces give physical penetration, and daggers give you weapon critical.

- if you are a stamina build it's more complicated since it should take into account if you want to stack the bonuses from different weapon types in such a way to maximize your damage (penetration, critical, damage, bleed). I saw most DDs use dagger + axe, both sharpened.

WalksonGraves

Only time it doesn't matter is if you are using a shield since there are no specific passives and they all have the same attack speed.

Metal10957

Glad I am a magic based player. I hear people ranting over this on stam builds. I just use my resto staff... both bars. Dealing damage is too complicated for me.

bellanca6561n

Plenty of mage builds use weapons without using any weapons skills at all.

Duel wield is popular because it helps you add set bonuses to your gear and have stats of their own (e.g. Precise). The passives don't come into play really as you're very rarely stabbing anything with them.

WalksonGraves

bellanca6561n wrote: »

Plenty of mage builds use weapons without using any weapons skills at all.

Duel wield is popular because it helps you add set bonuses to your gear and have stats of their own (e.g. Precise). The passives don't come into play really as you're very rarely stabbing anything with them.

Yeah the upside is increased damage and enough slots for 2 set bonuses and a monster set, the downside is the lack of resource return and range and damage from light/hvy attacks

TheShadowScout

Mainly its preference, both looks and playstyle.

As has been mentioned, many dual wierlders go for daggers for the extra crit (usually when using some gear set like briarheart, that depends on criticals).

Those who face tanks may want to go with maces. Thuse who like to run around kiting while their enemy suffers from their DoTs, may prefer axes. And those who just want basic damage, may be best served with swords.

In the end, each may play as they like!

CasNation

I beleive I was one of those people that told you to use axes and daggers

To be clear, weapons definitely DO make a difference, but unless you are trying to push the limits for top DPS, then you are more or less free to make your choice based on aesthetics. If you like dual wielding swords, and hate the look of the other weapons, then dual wield swords. Will your DPS be lower? Yeah. Will you like your char more? Probably.

Probably the more important thing to pay attention to at the moment is the weapon trait. Make sure to have sharpened on everything at the moment. Nothing beats it.

Tryxus

So forSword and Board, the weapon doesn't matter?

Dubhliam

Weapon choice matters for two things:

• active skills
• passives

Consider the "opportunity cost" of slotting a certain weapon type also.
Meaning that if you slot weapon A, you are potentionaly missing out on some great passive that would have come with weapon B.

Now, onto examples:
One hand and Shield
No real difference. The choice for axe/sword/dagger/mace here is purely aestethical.
Dual Wield
Now this is where choice matters because of the Twin Blade and Blunt passive. Swords give increased damage done, axes give additional bleed damage over time, maces give physical penetration, and daggers give increased chances of a weapon critical.
Now, one thing to mention is that... you will sometimes see magicka users have a dual wield bar. By having a dual wield bar they have zero useful skills from that weapon, and and are missing out on many potentially useful destro staff passives.
What the get in return is 5% increased damage and 15% damage bonus on CCed enemies (Twin Blade and Blunt and Ruffian passives). Note that the only weapons magicka DW players use are swords. Other weapons don't have good benefits for magicka users.
Two Hander
Similar passive to DW - except it does not have daggers.
Note that no magicka user chooses to slot a 2H sword because they have an additional item set bonus with DW, and they lose the Ruffian passive.

xX_NachtJager_xx

CasNation wrote: »

I beleive I was one of those people that told you to use axes and daggers

To be clear, weapons definitely DO make a difference, but unless you are trying to push the limits for top DPS, then you are more or less free to make your choice based on aesthetics. If you like dual wielding swords, and hate the look of the other weapons, then dual wield swords. Will your DPS be lower? Yeah. Will you like your char more? Probably.

Probably the more important thing to pay attention to at the moment is the weapon trait. Make sure to have sharpened on everything at the moment. Nothing beats it.

Indeed you were lol