Attack Power vs Elemental Power

[Corporeal]

Which one should I stick in the lower ranks? I'm currently using Long Sword and hunting Diablos. I can upgrade my sword so it gets higher attack power or I can farm Legiana parts and craft infuse it with ice damage which Diablos is weak to (3 stars)

[InstableMonster]

Doesnt matter in low rank

[AfLIcTeD]

Just go with raw for now as it works for everything.

[Corporeal]

Originally posted by AfLIcTeD:

Just go with raw for now as it works for everything.

Alright thanks.

[Jauder le Bonette]

The faster your weapon ism the weaker raw damage on every hit, but elemental damage doesn't depends on hit's strenght. Meaning pathetic 15 raw would get 15 element on dual blades,meaning half the damage comes from element, while giant 100 raw greatsword would get 16, a tiny negligeable bit. SnS, DS, Bow, LBG, Ig, maybe lance go good with element, everything else is raw. Including longsword.

[Deneviel]

Given you are in LR go for a Blast weapon.

[legojoe]

Raw is the way for everything. Elemental damage is so pitiful that you can only look at it as a side-benefit, at least for heavier weapons. The damage dealt via element only amounts to double digits and probably doesn't go over 20-25 per hit. Hence it's more useful with lighter weapons that attack really fast.

Longsword looks at raw first then element.

[Crusader]

Depends on your weapon but generally, raw. For elemental setups you have to make multiple weapons and switch them out based on the monsters weakness. Raw is more consistent and easier to use for beginners.

[Saber]

The slower the weapon applies hits, the better raw damage is.

So basically, Dual Blades are the only weapon where elemental damage is viable.

[AfLIcTeD]

Originally posted by Gen:

The slower the weapon applies hits, the better raw damage is.

So basically, Dual Blades are the only weapon where elemental damage is viable.

Actually it is better on bow too. I tried doing a raw bow build and the damage was terrible compared to elemental.

[Saber]

Originally posted by AfLIcTeD:

Originally posted by Gen:

The slower the weapon applies hits, the better raw damage is.

So basically, Dual Blades are the only weapon where elemental damage is viable.

Actually it is better on bow too. I tried doing a raw bow build and the damage was terrible compared to elemental.

Fair point; bows are fine with elemental damage too.

[Suzaku]

Originally posted by AfLIcTeD:

Originally posted by Gen:

The slower the weapon applies hits, the better raw damage is.

So basically, Dual Blades are the only weapon where elemental damage is viable.

Actually it is better on bow too. I tried doing a raw bow build and the damage was terrible compared to elemental.

And don't forget about Sword and Shield.

[jackhickman999]

Elemental has been buffed with iceborne. Dual blades and bow are great with elemental. I don't use charge blade but that is supposed to be about elemental as well.

A lot of the other weapons have received a lot of buffs so it's not so cut and dry now. Depends on the weapon type and the weapon itself.

[Juno Brier]

GS and Hammer are the two pure raw weapons that don't care about element at all, everything else it also depends on various factors I guess.

[Sygmaelle]

Once a particular monster will hit live you'll want raw and 100% crit. As a rule of thumb just play with raw too

[StormhawkV]

In low and high rank element is still bad unless you play Bow or Dual Blades because the raw of the elemental weapons isn't high enough to compete. If you look at the master rank weapons you'll notice they have a very different ratio of raw and element. Apart from that Longsword is still a bad elemental weapon because Spirit Helmbreaker's low modifier wasn't changed.