What is the BEST sword Hilt in the game for a Warrior/Ranger Tank?

I just recently came across a great sword and I am wondering what is the best upgrade to put on the sword. I have already put the Sword Pommel of Defense on the sword (+5), however I am not sure what type of Hilt is the best.

Is it Sundering, Furious, Vampiric...let me know what you think?

As with all questions that refer to something like best...there is no single answer. It all depend on your build and the type of monsters you face. Bleeding is not going to work on skeletons, armor penetration has more effect vs dwarfes than vs a moa bird, etc.

But if you are going to put it on the item then you want to have something that is universal...is the furious the better choice them?

Also...once you customize an item for yourself can you still add remove upgrade to it...reason being this is the sword I got and I do not want to do anything bad to it...that I will regret later. Just want to make sure.



Since I took the image I put a +5 Defense Pommel on it. I have not customized it yet and have not added the other upgrade.

that's if you use mostly adrenaline skills...It's just mainly based on your pref. and your character build...There are some pretty good hilts and pommel ugrades out there, but each one is specific to your needs...It just depends on how you want to use them really...

Personally, I use a Zealous sword hilt. Why? Because Flurry + 1 energy per. hit = Another Flurry

Really the hilt doesn't matter, and considering your options there isn't really much to use. Elemental... too specific. Sundering... well that's always trash. Furious, similar to Sundering but more useful... vampiric, some extra damage, or zealous.

For PvE, I would place them in the following order:

Vampiric - extra 3 damage per hit, and helps marginally on health. Just make sure you have another weapon to switch off to.

Zealous - with the many attack speed skills, this helps you maintain some energy-based skills almost continually.

Barbed - lengthens one of the best DoT skills in the game in Sever Artery.

Elemental - nice against certain monsters that have a bonus against physical.

Furious - crappy chance, but at least it doesn't have any negative impacts.

Sundering - same as furious, but even less useful.

Cruel - at least you can use it with Gash, I guess.

Crippling - almost useless in PvE, and okay (I guess) in PvP.

Heavy - no use at all.

Thanks...that list is helpful. I currently have these swords....

GOLD Wingblade (req 8) 15% Always -5 Energy (+5 Armor Sword Pommel)
GOLD Spatha (req 8) 14%>50 (no additional mods)
GOLD Spatha (req 8) 12% while in stance (3/1 Vampiric Hilt- +25 Health Fortitude Pommel)
GOLD Flamberge (req 8) 20%<50 (+5 Armor Sword Pommel)

What would you suggest using as my configuration on these? As far as Upgrades...? I use the wingblade for the initial charge, then the Vampiric Spatha when I am in the middle of the batter and I use the Flamberge when health is lower then 50%...

I am just confused on what Upgrades to use on what?

Actually sundering does have it's uses if you are necro secondary and use curses...There's a few weaken armor spells that work out nicely if you can figure out a good combo...

I love guys that use four weapon sets - it's a rare breed, but by far the best way to get the most out of your weapons.

I would do the following...

GOLD Spatha (req 8) 14%>50 (no additional mods) - Furious. This is your "I'm charging in weapon" that you would use as your "other than vampiric" switching weapon. Since switching takes a second, you may get 1-2 shots in with it, and may get a double adrenaline hit to boot.

GOLD Wingblade (req 8) 15% Always -5 Energy (+5 Armor Sword Pommel) - Vampiric. This is by far your best weapon and would use it at the inception of the battle.

GOLD Flamberge (req 8) 20%<50 (+5 Armor Sword Pommel) - Barbed. This is your "I'm getting nailed left and right weapon." Chances are that if your health is below 50%, you are focusing on healing and stances more than attacking. Heal, hit with sever artery, heal, switch targets, repeat. You can make multiple targets gradually bleed to death, and keep up your healing with minimal attacking. I'd replace the armor pommel with a fortitude pommel to give you a little boost to health to help you survive a bit better.

GOLD Spatha (req 8) 12% while in stance (3/1 Vampiric Hilt- +25 Health Fortitude Pommel) - I'd sell it, given the superiority of your other weapons. You can also try to salvage the vamp off of it.

Jetdoc...this is almost exactly what I was thinking...I could not decide what to use and when? I had 4 good weapons, but could only see a use for 3 of them. I just wanted someone else to agree with me before I made the move. I guess I can grab up a bow just for the hell of it as my 4th.

What do you think I can get for the:

GOLD Spatha (req 8) 12% while in stance (3/1 Vampiric Hilt- +25 Health Fortitude Pommel)

If not that much I will try to salvage for the vampiric Hilt!

you are a wa/r so go with a poisoners upgrade and use apply poison, it's better than bleeding and stacks nicely with it

If I am using this config...? Are you suggesting swapping the Poisoners for the Furious? (bolded)

GOLD Spatha (req 8) 14%>50 (no additional mods) - Furious. This is your "I'm charging in weapon" that you would use as your "other than vampiric" switching weapon. Since switching takes a second, you may get 1-2 shots in with it, and may get a double adrenaline hit to boot.

GOLD Wingblade (req 8) 15% Always -5 Energy (+5 Armor Sword Pommel) - Vampiric. This is by far your best weapon and would use it at the inception of the battle.

GOLD Flamberge (req 8) 20%<50 (+5 Armor Sword Pommel) - Barbed. This is your "I'm getting nailed left and right weapon." Chances are that if your health is below 50%, you are focusing on healing and stances more than attacking. Heal, hit with sever artery, heal, switch targets, repeat. You can make multiple targets gradually bleed to death, and keep up your healing with minimal attacking. I'd replace the armor pommel with a fortitude pommel to give you a little boost to health to help you survive a bit better.

btw when you asked about getting upgrades back from them:

If you salvage you will lose the sword and *may* get one of the upgrades back.
If you go to put a different upgrade on, it will warn you that you're about to overwrite one and if you choose yes it will upgrade the sword but the old hilt or pommel will be lost

Right...I know. But I have decided that I am going to scrap the Vampiric Spatha.

This is the one: GOLD Spatha (req 8) 12% while in stance (3/1 Vampiric Hilt- +25 Health Fortitude Pommel)

I am either going to sell it or salvage and hope for the 3/1 vampiric hilt.

What do you think I can get for this sword as is..?

You need 3 swords:
#1 - a zealous one when you need energy,
#2 - a 3:1 vampiric one for the armor-ignoring damage + life leech,
#3 - an elemental one to bypass armor vs. physical (and spells triggered by physical damage).
You'll be using slot #1 or #2 when you can damage normally and against spellcasters, and slot #3 when you're not in combat, or when you're blinded/cursed or against heavily-armored warrior foes. You can safely ignore other prefixes.

Best is a very subjective word, it can mean alot or little to the same/different people.

Imho, Vamps are good as a primary melee weapon once the fight is kicked off <cyclone axe or sword's frenzy work well>
Then, I'd do barbed, simply because bleeding is a great skill coupled with deep wound and if you can lengthen it, you really can lay on the damage thick.
Finish withever else you like, like elemental damage hilts, stuff of the like.
Sundering and Fortitude are also down here, incase you need extra support or wish <1 out of 10 times> that you'll actually add to your armor pen. Your choice, really. Like I said, it's subjective.

--The Shim