I have both a Divine Avenger and a Rocket War Hammer and I find that while the Divine Avenger has it's benifits, it seems that the Rocket War Hammer is better against machines and that although Rocket War Hammer deals only elemental damage, i have other swords that deal shadow and peircing damage so it's not an issue.
I feel the Rocket War Hammer is better than the Divine Avenger but i would like to hear your opinions.
Hammer has better single target dot, if you can land your dashes. Actually, it might also have the better dps in a crowd too, although that's a lot more risky than a DA.
I will have to admit, sometimes i die from rushing into a group with the Hammer, though the risk makes it fun but also a bit deadly to the weilder.
My view is here: http://wiki.spiralknights.com/User:Jdavis/Swords#Elemental_Swords. A few weeks ago, someone suggested that you can achieve very high DPS by using just the first two strokes of the WRH combo. I haven't had a chance to test that.
For FSC, DA is better since the second hit staggers groups of zombies, and the second hit of RWH can't effectively hit many things at once. RWH is probably better for single targets, but I'd rather use a sword that can be effective against both single and multiple targets (DA or Brandish.)
RWH charge seems too unreliable for groups. The first hit can scatter everything, and if you collide with a zombie during the lunge you will likely slide off to the left or right of it causing the second hit to miss. Also the damage isn't that great
Anywhere else the RWH is probably better than DA. It's really fun in IMF since you can use the 2nd hit to get around every time you use the first swing to hit a switch or destroy one of those metal barrel things.
Hammer's a beautiful trolling device if you don't like the people you're partying with enough. Get the dash and shieldbump a crapton of slags into your members...
If you have multiple hammer users in a party together, the screen can quickly become filled with exploding enemies and knights zipping about like gremlins. The big thing is though, DA is easier to be complemented and complement multiple strategies. If you want to strike from afar, DA is great.
Hammer's for getting up close. I enjoy using it.
But, DA is something anyone's willing to deal with. Hammer makes some people aggravated.
The RH is great IMO. I love the charge, but you have to use it with care. You have to land the first hit so you BARELY hit the target. Then you will barely nudge the target (and likely cause a flinch) and then you will pound again. You likely won't miss, and you can deal about 1k damage that way. Also, spamming the first and second hits are great when up against a single target. When being defensive, you can use the first swing. When you need to run, you can hit, and then dash backwards. If you are looking for a quick charge in than a retreat, you can dash up, use the third swing, than dash away. I've used these techniques, and only get hit about 95% of the time. (As long as each combo is used at the right times.)
Regarding the DA, I don't have one, so I can't help you there. :P
If you have good control over your hammer, it can become an even more effective defense weapon than the DA with the shield cancel, though you wont have as high DPS with the shield cancel as odds are you won't hit all three times. And the charge does a ton of damage and can be incredibly effective, but the trick is to use it on large mobs, possibly near a corner. It's really not that hard to pull off, but that by no means justifies spamming it in normal combat, other than said mobs or trolling party members.
Another hammer trick is to intentionally whiff the first swing, then nail your target to a wall with the dash and third hit. Pretty much the only time I bust out the DA these days is if I'm heating armor in FSC and can't use my Mad Bomber.
"I've used these techniques, and only get hit about 95% of the time."
wut
Per hit, they are about the same thing, no big difference.
The hammer is better if you know how to dash without dying. DA also has a safer charge.