Question...

[Gorefang]

All this on here about Great Axes being the best weapon for WAR's, however I planned on using a great sword (Claymore once I hit lvl 10). Would it really matter if I used a G. Sword over a G. Axe? It seems to me a G. Sword (in theory) is better than a G. Axe in longer fights, i.e., a G. Axe with a cooldown of 5 seconds compared to a G. Sword with cooldown of 4 seconds. While the G. Axe for example has a damage of 23, and the G. Sword has damage of 20, in a 20 second battle, asuming each attack did exactly the damage (as shown above) the WAR with the G. Axe would hit 4 times in 20 seconds, doing 92 damage, however the WAR with the G. Sword would hit 5 times for 100 damage. The reverse is also true (in theory) for shorter battles, a G. Axe using WAR will kill off enemies faster in shorter battle due to higher damage output...

I really want to use a G. Sword but after reading on here that a WAR "absolutly must" use a G. Axe I feel like im doing something wrong by opting for a G.Sword?

[Gorefang]

After thinking about it, i've come to the conclusion that most people on here just use "cookie cutter" tactics. I've only just registered, but some of the stuff on here makes me laugh, some poor soul says that he's doing really well as a Taru WAR, and then gets slammed by the cookie cutter brigade. Why for example could a Taru not do very well as a WAR?

It's the same for all games though, i've been playing RTS games all my life, and cookie cutter horseshit is rampant, i.e., someone actually comes up with a new inventive strategy and gets slammed for it because he/she is not following the (almost robotic) cookie cutter strats. I think the same applies to this game in respects to equipment etc.

At first I thought I should reconsider and use a G. Axe, then I thought stuff it, if anyone wants to flame me then let them go ahead.

Rant Over, lol...

[asphoRe]

A warrior should keep GSword, GAxe, Axe, Sword leveled to cap, for SC Versatility, that is the warriors strongest trait.

As to your question, a warrior isn't only using GAxe becoz its "cookie cutter", there are weapon ratings for a reason you know?

GS is rated B+, GAxe is A+..

While the difference isn't that big in lower levels, I firmly believe that "every little bit counts", every skill level of your weapon gives extra accuracy and increased damage, and essentially you are gimping youself for not using the best weapon, if you don't forgo a really good SC that is.

In addition, with GAxe you get access to a really powerful WS early in the game (Sturmwind) which boasts damage none other weapons can deal at that level, coupled in with those break WS you are also enhancing the damage output of the whole PT.

[laicram]

Hear me now and believe me later...

Early Game: Doesn't matter if you use G.Sword.
Mid Game: You use Power Slash(G.Sword skill) to make Distortion(SKillchain effect) w/Thieves at Lvl33+
Late Game: G.Sword is for Sneak Attack + Trick Attack + Spinning Slash for Lvl3 Skillchain Closer. Wars do NOT have Spinning Slash.

At 60+ evasion on mobs gets ridiculous. I wear over 2million in accuracy gear, use my best weapons, and STILL miss enough to raise an eyebrow.

As new player you have an open mind and lots of questions. Try to do some heavy reading here, and you'll see alot of your questions have been addressed.

[Voila!]

Originally posted by Gorefang
Why for example could a Taru not do very well as a WAR?

It isn't that they wouldn't do very well, it's that others would do better. When you compare the races, taru makes the worse tank. Efficiency is key in this game, and that's why cookie cutter strategies are important.

Have fun being a War/Whm using a great sword. It's really a poor weapon compared to great axe. Speed is nothing compared to the numbers a great axe can churn out. Shield break can be really helpful in the beginning when you're accuracy doesn't seem that strong either. Iron Tempest is just a prelude to Sturmwind, which will REALLY shake things up in terms of damage. I watched a Galka War/Mnk spit out 100+ sturmwinds constantly.

It's all about effiency.

[Gorefang]

Dude, Im not going to sub WHM with WAR lol... I was just asking would it really matter in the long run what weapon I chose, obviously im not going to pick a 1handed sword and shield, im not stupid I was contemplating whether there was much difference in the long run. From my own limited experience however with a G.Sword I have only failed to hit an enemy a few times whereas with test accounts with a G.Axe (Inferno Axe) I would miss a lot more often, altough doing slightly more damage if I did hit.

I will more than likely once I have enough gil to do so and am at a higher level where I can afford to keep more than 1 weapon, shall take both a G.Sword and G.Axe thus switching when either caps in whatever area...

P.S. Maybe "cookie cutter" strats in this game are more necessary (?) than I thought, though I do know that at the end of the day it all comes down to skill, knowing the job well, as long as you are good at your job, a few extra damage won't really make much difference.

[Darkedge]

But, at the end of the day, no sword using warrior, or war/whm could compare to the hate I was bringing in with GAxe and MNK sub, while in Kazham.

[LadyPeorth]

It's your choice...I've been using GSword with our static's thief which seems to work well...I hit for a tad less damage, and I do miss the 300+ sturmwinds...but it's not too bad. However, at 55...Severely consider switching to 1h axe and leveling Great Axe. At level 55, you get Rampage and at level 60 with G.Axe Raging Rush. Both of those will put the GSword skills at those levels to shame.

[neighbortaru]

Originally posted by Gorefang
P.S. Maybe "cookie cutter" strats in this game are more necessary (?) than I thought, though I do know that at the end of the day it all comes down to skill, knowing the job well, as long as you are good at your job, a few extra damage won't really make much difference.

You said it yourself, know your job well. A WAR's GS is ranked B+ and GA is A+. At level 50, it's a 7 point difference in accuracy. At level 63 it becomes a 10 pt difference and at level 71, 19 pts. You know how much it costs to make up 5 points of accuracy? ~500k.

Also, Sturmwind is easily one of the most damaging weapon skills from 23-60.

laicram really nailed it. If you are aiming for end game WAR, GA and axe are the ways to go.

[ZQM]

Even though you attack faster with Great Sword, you deal more damage with Great Axe. Great Axe is the most powerful melee weapon for almost the whole game.

However, if you're just leveling WAR as a sub, nobody cares. Most new WARs who are leveling WAR first as a subjob don't really care about efficency or anything like that. You'll get a party no matter what weapon you use.