Average damage is what counts, and all weapons are equal there (granted they have the same amount of ee)

I would use the sword all the way, since for me the game is a longterm thing.

I try to get as much prof points as possible and so i would rather want to accumulate sword prof points then polearm prof points.
This is were the terms of usage matter - since i got way more characters that are able of carrying a sword rather then a polearm,
so i get to have the chance of getting better with swords way faster then with polearms. The next problem is that good heavy
weapons are fairly rare and good heavys arent made for the budget of an average slasher (such kicky swords arent either ofc ).

I aint sure about the damage calculation and i never had the chance to test heavy weapons myself - so i cant realy say, which one
has the higher average damage output.

Since i learned recently that you get to have a mentionable xp bonus while driving in cata, cause of the fewer actions you produce,
you should go with morks comment - polearm for cata driving and sword for soloing in arena!

For myself i would still chose the sword for cata runs (also as driver), cause i hate getting too many "wasted" prof points.

This post was edited by n00bcount on Jan 14 2010 01:13pm

When a Sword hits for low the Axe is gauranteed a consistant hit. Over time every single time you hit for low with a Sword you're axe is doing good damage and potentially can hit for a critical.
When a Sword hits for a critical it's humungus damage, but after time Axes will outdue Swords. I have used Swords and I know even with good Strength and Dexterity setups I still hit quite a few low hits.
Meanwhile with a Dagger or Axe I never hit for zero.

This post was edited by Garnier on Jan 14 2010 01:07pm

lol

I will happily repeat myself. The average damage is absolutely the same.

Over time a 100ee lvl 40 sword will do the same damage as a 100ee lvl 40 axe, a 100ee lvl 40 dagger, a 100ee lvl 40 spear and so on.

In conclusion - This debate could be compared if you believe in God or not, it's based on your own opinion. Nobody can really be 100% correct or wrong.

I would rather use the sword, if I were going to kill in arena right at the moment.
I would rather use the polearm, if I were going to kill wells right at the moment, and this is just my personal style, what I'd rather do.

No, it's based on simple mathematics.

http://ladderslasher.d2jsp.org/index.php?g=3

Feel free to calculate it through if you don't believe me.

i dont have any weapons but heavies, but if i had the choice between those 2 i would go for the sword for sure. no doubt. its too much difference in ee to prefer the heavy weapon.

when you factor in defense and dealing damage in excess of life I actually think the sword comes out ahead compared to axe/dagger but from my experience the inconsistency in damage is a huge drawback