Axes Vs Swords - What Is YOUR Opinion?

I've been reading up on axes and swords as I don't know which one to wield. I'm not going to pick hammer as they're too slow and you can't wield a shield whilst holding one (as far as I know, they're all 2 handed right?).

Anyway, both the sword & axe have an attack interval of 1.33 seconds making them just as fast as each other. The only difference (again, as far as I know) is the attack "range". By range I mean:

Swords - maximum damage range of 15-22

Vs

Axes - maximum damage range of 6-28

So I'm pretty confused as to what to pick. I know I want to pick 1 of these 2 as opposed to the hammer (for the reasons stated in the 1st paragraph) but I'm not sure which.

If anybody could shed some light on WHY I should pick 1 over the other I'd be grateful, thanks.


HK

It depends on your situation, what will you be doing? general quests, farming?

Although I am yet to have a good go at a Hammer build, I wouldn't outright dismiss it as an option. There are many good Hammer skills such as knockdowns which may serve greater purpose to your team.

I used a sword with my Warrior pretty much since I created him. After I completed all 3 campaigns, I decided to switch to axe to try something new.
I also use a hammer sometimes to have some fun and for the challenge (haven't perfected the build yet, but I'm getting close to the way I want it)

Basically, it depends on your own personal preference. Use what you find works best for you.

there's no one answer to such a broad question. it's situational

I like swords for riposting builds and crippling
I like axes for the huge damage skills and sweet combos

Welcome to GWG vanchatron. Your question has been asked and answered many times over the last two years. The search function is iffy at best, but I bet you could find your answers without too much trouble.

Long story short - its totally situational. They are both awesome when you have the build to support them.

Axe when needed for a farming build, otherwise I wield a sword...sometimes for PvP Ill run a hammer build.
I think the sword is more widely used as it seems more "traditional".

I like all three Warrior primary weapons, just each in different situations. Spiking I tend to prefer an Axe or Hammer, however when soloing enemies who attack Swords are always useful. Switching between all three keeps things fresh imho, as all three have their own specific strengths and weaknesses.

its all in the skills that they allow you to use. swords allow you to use ripostes which block attacks and therefore help in defense. axes have more destructive skills that place more conditions, plus cyclone axe hits multiple targets.

Thanks for the Welcome. I tried searching but as you said it is iffy, why is that? You'd think that with such a big member database the search function would be a little better.

Also, the forum is taking AGES to load all the time. Could just be due to the vast amount of members though.

And thanks for answering my question, I guess like everyone else said, I'll just have to experiment as it's down to personal preference.


HK

Axes push out more damage, swords are more pressure / condition (especially with the oh-so sexy buff to Crippling slash.

Axes are much more effective for pure damage in a spike, whereas swords can continually spam attack skills if you use builds with Dragonslash and Sun and moon.

Sun and moon + conjure = orgasm btw

I origionally enjoyed using the sword with my warrior, its pressure like attacks and general coolness of skins amzed me. It served it purpose thoughout propheices and factions. However with my increasing desire to get rich quick, i began using the axe to offer a good attack spike, and heavy AoE damage, coupled with a zealous attacment i could effictively dispatch all the groups of enemy i aggroed. Since then the axe has been my favourite choice of weapon. I think it is also generally more effective in hard mode, in which a higher damage output is usefull....But like the others have said it depends on the situtaion and your build. Yes my dispaly picture is of my ele but i have been using a warrior effectively for a while now........I intend to sample hammer builds for PvP as its knockdown abilities should prove very usefull.

I started with axe and loved it (tripple chop+cyclone = always have energy/adrenaline with zelous mod) but when they made foes scatter it reduced the pros for axe to me. The attack skills used with axe cost more adrenaline so takes longer to build up for spike or takes more energy because use of energy skills...I like sword better now (at least in HM) Because I can spam higher damage skills more often due to somewhat lower adrenaline cost..be sure to get enraging charge either way as it is a great way to build adrenaline and it also gives you a speed boost so you can take aggro first instead of your hero's/hench running in ahead of you

As you can see, different players - probably all of them pretty good - have different preferences and opinions. I think that tells you that it would be smart to experiment with both to form your own opinion. I agree with most of what I've read here - including the fact that swords work better for some circumstances and builds, axes for others.

But I also think - besides that - that the style of playing makes a difference. So how you play may influence which works best for you ... and no one can duplicate that. So that's why it may be a good idea to experiment.

All that said, I've gone back and forth - over the 2 years I've played - and tend to agree with the people who believe that it depends on the type enemies you are facing and the conditions in the instance.

I tend to use an axe more often than a sword and would swear to you that I have better luck with it - especially in HM. But you'll find lots of people who are more skilled than I am with different opinions.

for big groups of smaller enemies i prefer axes since swordmanship has longer combos imo.

Anyway i cange between hammer sword and axe every now and then because you will only have half the fun if you stick to one kind of weapon.

15-22 or 6-28 doesn't matter to me its about the skills and the looks

PvP, hammer all the way, but PvE, I'm personally partial to Axe over sword, although i do have a Katana and exalted aegis W/R with a wolf pet... now I just need to decide which armour is suitably Samurai for him and his samurai style will be set

for pve i go with axes most of the time because triple chop and cyclone axe give you a HUGE dps boost against mobs.

All depends:

Sword is good for spreading around conditions and good base DPS
Axe gives higher dmg
Hammer interupt, slowdowns, high dmg

I'll add my 1 cent's worth:

Hammers are mainly a PvP thing. It's not that they are useless in PvE (far from it - anything that works in PvP will work in PvE), but more that a dead enemy is a better interrupt than simply interrupting them. Due to a total lack of rez's within PvE something just do not work as well. However, they can also do a decent DPS , especially with skills like Wild Blow, and with knockdowns (interrupts) so that's not to be sneezed at.

As to axes or swords - I would say depends on the current skill balance. I've almost always preferred an axe, however with hundred blades, sun and moon, an elemental damage sword, and the appropriate conjure spell from an ele secondary you have some *serious* DPS.

You also have a general cost issue. If, like me, nearly everything is self found (through collectors, crafters, drops, and salvages) then this is irrelevant. If you intend to purchase on the player market then Axes tend to be a little cheaper.

Currently I prefer a sword due to the conjure line with an ele - lots of nice damage there with hundred blades and sun & moon.

I use both swords and axes randomly
They are both awesome and with good builds their damage pretty much equals out to around the same output
Hammers I'd agree are suited for mostly PvP

Sword. Fellblade is the bigass pwn.