Benefit of using single hand axe? compared with single hand sword?

[veronicaaltoids]

What's the benefit of using single hand axe? compared with single hand sword?

Single hand Axe is usually shorter than sword, which is less preferable when you are on horse back(90% of time you are on horse back combat )

Single hand Axe doesn't offer better cut damage, only few axe have better cut damage than sword

Single hand Axe can't used for thrust damage

So...... why use axe?? unless it's better looking? perhaps?

 

[pelerinli]

Damage against shields is a good plus.

 

[SanyaBeli]

There are a few perks that apply only to aces and maces, but mostly axes are just worse. If you are going one handed plus shield, your top choice will pretty much always be a sword, I think. Unless there is something else that is not captured in the stats. Bonus against shields isn’t really much since you aren’t usually trying to hack through a shield anyways.

 

[saittam]

I read somewhere that sword kill the opponent more then axe and mace.

 

[Old One-Eye]

Sometimes in siege battles or when fighting indoors or in cramped quarters a shorter reach is preferable since your beautiful long desert sword will get stuck hitting walls and other objects around you. Axes do (a lot) more damage to shields, gates and when you want to destroy siege equipment during an Ambush. With how good the AI has become at blocking in 1.2 Beta, shield quality and the ability to shatter shields has become/will be more important. At least if you are as terrible as I am at melee combat.

It is not a good weapon for cavalry where reach is paramount.