Top End Warrior Sword "built-in" MODS?

I am searching for the BEST POSSIBLE sword for my playing style...

I like using the sword and that is the route I will most likely continue to go. However I am not sure what to use. I understand the mods that can be added to the swords and what they do, however...I am not sure what is considered a "GOOD" built-in MODS...?

good build in mod are probably the 15% more dmg over 50% health

Sword to some is considered the tanking weapon of choice, in which case you'll more often than not be in a stance so "In Stance" is probably the best way to go.

Although this highly depends on WHAT you want to use the sword for (PvP versus PvE), what armor you like and what skills you like to use, I would say the following is the ranking of the swords you should target:

Inherent modifier (in order of preference):

+15% damage, -5 energy
+15% damage while health is above 50%
+15% damage, - 10 armor
+15% damage, - 1 health degeneration

Sword Hilt (in order of preference);

Vampiric Hilt, +3 health/-1 health degeneration
Zealous Hilt, +1 energy/-1 energy degeneration
Barbed Hilt (lengthens bleeding)
Furious Hilt, double adrenaline 10% chance
Sundering Hilt, +10% armor penetration 10% chance
Shocking Hilt (or any other elemental hilt)

Sword Pommel (in order of preference):

Fortitude +30 health
Defense +5 armor
Enchanting (20% longer)
Swordsmanship (20% chance)
Slaying (your choice) - +20% damage

Is there a list of all inherent mods?

Other than
+15% damage, -5 energy
+15% damage while health is above 50%
+15% damage, - 10 armor
+15% damage, - 1 health degeneration

theres also..

15% while in a stance
15% while enchanted
20% while health < 50%
20%? while hexed
15%? vs hexed

if by this you mean like how hornbows have a 10% armor pen or how some bows shoot faster of have a better flight, swords dont have anything of the sort.

I use a Barbed Long Sword of Fortitude mostly. Lengthens bleeding duration (severe artery/gash) and health +25 to offset the superior rune. The shield I use is a stance shield.

15% unconditional ?;-)

I'm using a Gold Flamberge, with 15>50, customized for an extra 20% and 19% damaged while hexed, it's max damage and req 10 swords. I've used it since when I can't remember, I do extra damage anyways for extra 20% custom, and being hexed while over 50% hp makes me do an additional 34%...really can't beat it right now with the other weapons I've got.

So yes, my advice: Stance or hexed, enchanted or customized, make sure you can get the max% you can out of a sword/axe/hammer. It'll help in the long run, and depending on the hilt/pommel, you could even make it better.

--The Shim

Actually, in a pvp aspect, a while hexed mod may work if the hex is something you can deal with that doesn't need to get removed...

[para bond, conjure phantasm, etc.]

But to be honest, why would you want your enemy to control your mod? [especially when it's ideal to be controlling it yourself?]