Patch Available - KMST 1.2.456

 Why Slash/Stab mechanic is stupid

Fighter has Brandish which is one slash and one stab. Which makes Sword and Axe even. Page and Spearman are only left with Ground Smash that has regular Slash/Stab ratio. I would say it's good because 1 Slash and 1 Stab is balanced considering there is no damage penalty unlike when Maple Story originated.

In 3rd Job, Crusaders have Brave Slash which is 2 slash and 1 stab, making Axe better than Swords (Except for faster weapons IF the speed cap is raised,) Panic and Coma have the regular ratio like Ground Smash, but Panic is used to blind enemies, while Coma is useless as the purpose for using Coma is jack pomegranate. Dragon Knight has Dragon Fury favoring slash and Dragon Buster favoring stab. That should make Pole Arms better than Spears, because even with 3 or less mobs in front of you, Dragon Fury is still the better option. They also have Sacrifice which makes Dragon Buster dead useless although it focuses on the regular Slash/Stab ratio. As for Knights though, unless I'm wrong, Charge Blow is just a skill with the same slash and stab ratio as Ground Smash, Power Strike (which is dead useless,) and Slash Blast. I wouldn't say it's good because it isn't.

Here's where pomegranate hits the fan. Paladin's main skill, Blast, and Dark Knight's main skill, Dark Impale favors stab. Hero has Raging Blow that is 3 slash and 2 stab like Ground Smash and etc., but unlike the other skills, it's fixed, so that still makes Axes better than Swords, right? *BUZZER!* WRONG! The last attack that triggers 100% critical rate is stab (unless I'm wrong.) Which means Swords are superior. The only way for Axes to be superior is if you almost have 100% critical rate, which is a peach to reach.

So there you have it, Slash/Stab mechanic I mentioned before is stupid because it eliminates play-for-fun factor. It is annoying to go with the weapon you think looks better without being hounded by damage whores who consider you weak because the weapon being favored by a skill is better than the weapon you think looks better. I swear to any deity that if this gets implemented, it will start a pomegranatestorm of problems.

tl;dr:
Fighter - Swords and Axes are the same except for Attack Power and Speed (if the attack speed cap is raised when you party with a class that buffs Attack Speed,)
Crusader - Axes will be better than Swords except for Red Katana or Maple Pyrope Sword (ditto)
DrK - Pole Arms will be better than Spears because Dragon Fury > Dragon Buster.
Hero - Swords will be better than Axes because of 100% Critical hit being Stab.
Paladin - Swords will be better than Blunt Weapons because Blast is pure Stab.
DarK - Spears will be better than Pole Arms because Dark Impale is 4 Stab 1 Slash.

That is why Slash/stab mechanic is and always will be a stupid mechanic. There will be problems if it's implemented.