Weapon mod question...

why do some people in pvp use fire, earth, cold damage on their weapon instead of 20/20 or furious?

There's armour that adds extra armour points against Physical Damage. These mods count as Elemental Damage, so that extra armour is ignored.

Elemental weapons do more damage to warriors than physical smg weapons because warrior armour, such as Gladiators, is 80AL and +20AL vs. Physical Attacks. Therefore, someone using an elemental weapon against a warrior will be attacking an 80AL foe instead of a 100AL foe.

Some people also use elemental weapons for Conjure Flame, Lightning/Frost.

Read the FAQs for common questions.

If you are playing as a team then Elemental weapons that are combined with skills used by other players do serve a purpose.

Example, a necromancer using Spinal Shivers/Shivers of Dread skills and teamed with a warrior using an Icy weapon = constant interruption on target.