Opinion on these swords and axes. (Very long)

Sorry for the length of this post. This is more like a three part question and to help me understand things better in this game and to take full advantage of what items I have.

First part:
Which is better of these two swords? It's almost a dumb question, but i just have to ask.Is the fact that it's fire damage and blue help it out any? I've read on here that dragon swords are not really better than regular swords. My testing on lvl 3 gargoyles also goes to the Flamberge. Is one sword more upgradeble than the other, again this is just for my knowledge?

1. Fiery Dragon Sword, Fire Dam. 14-19 (it's a blue item)
2. Flamberge , slashing dam 14-20 (it's a basic white item)



Second part:

I go back and forth whether to use my axe or sword. Use either one of these axes or one of the above swords. I know a lot depends on what skills you have and currently I have more axe skills.

1. Poisoner's Cleaver of Axe Mastery, slashing 6-21, Lenghtens poison duration of foe, damage +11% (while health is above 50%), Axe Mastery +1 (13% Chance while using skills). Purple item.

2. Double-bland Axe of Enchanting, slashing 6-21, damage +12%(while hexed), Enchantments lasts 13% longer. Purple item.

I have tested all of these weapons and I can't really tell if one is better than the other. I have also switched skills and my attribute points for these tests. I think maybe the axe seems to be better, but the sword almost has the same max, but a much higher MIN damage rating.

Third part:

This part just deals just clarifying what some of the attributes on the axes mean.

1. Axe Matery +1(13% chance while using skills)...Does this mean that I have a 13% chance to get +1 to axe while only using skills? Does it go away after using that particular skill?

2. Lengthen poison duration of foe...How does this work? Does that axe automatically have poison duration, or is this weapon better suited for a necromancer who has poison spells?

3. Damage +12%(while hexed)...While who's hexed? Me or the other person? Is this when I put a hex on myself? Or if the enemy puts a hex on me, then I get an extra 12% damage on them?

Thanks in advance for helping.

I'll tackle Third Part, since I don't have all day

1) You understand correctly. 13% chance to have your ax mastery increased +1 only while using a skill. Every time you use one of your ax skills in combat, you have a 13% chance.

2) I've never used a poisoners weapon so would just be guessing here.

3) Your attack damage increase +12 while YOU are hexed. This helps you out while you're getting attacked by mobs who put hexes on you.

Answer to question one:
The dragon sword deals fire damage, while the regular sword deals slashing. This means that if the target foe has neither weakness nor resistance to fire, BOTH swords should do nearly the same amount of damage. If, however, the foe has a weakness to fire, the dragon sword will do much more damage. This goes similarly if the foe has resistance to fire as well, the dragon sword will do LESS.
Im not sure if fire damage is reduced by armor level, but if it is not, then the dragon sword should deal more damage to a heavily armored target. I have no idea about this however.

Concerning poison duration on foe: if you have a skill/weapon that poisons the target, then using that axe will increase the duration of poison on them. I have no idea HOW MUCH it is increased.

Thanks for the answers. It really helps me understand things much better.

I appreciate it.

Ive seen longer.

I didn't want to start a new topic so I will ask it here.

I'm deciding between the 14-20 sword or one of the axes.

I tried to figure out the average points per hit between the two.

The sword averaged out to 17. That's the average between 14-20.

The axe is only 13.5. But the axe has those modifiers on it and I don't know how to add them in.

Do you think any of those modifiers or attributes will elevate those axes over the sword? Or is it to close to tell?

Dont forget that you can always find/purchase upgrades for your sword if you decide you prefer it to the ax. It's basically going to come down to your own personal preference. I find that mods that give you +xxx damage (like you have on both the axes you mention) are very helpful. These are not upgrades though, so you won't be able to buy one of these for your sword. They are just a part of the ax.

A great link if you want to see what upgrades are available is - http://www.gwonline.net/page.php?p=125

Oh yeah, good point. And thanks for the link I saw that link when I first started playing this game and it didn't make any sense to me, but now it does. LOL.

I wish we there was a good training place with only one monster where I could switch things up and get a stop watch and time things. I try to do on the south exit of Beacons Perch, but they usually kill me too quick to do any real testing.